LIKE A THORN by Clara Vidal

In Like a Thorn, Mélie grows up believing that her mother is two different people, Rosy Mother and Dark Mother. What she doesn't realize is that her mother has a mental disease that she refuses to acknowledge. In order to ward away Dark Mother, Mélie practices a series of obsessive rituals that grow in complexity as she grows older. Over time, Mélie starts to believe that she is the crazy one.

This novel went by very quickly and may appear to be for younger children due to the type size, but the subject matter is for more mature readers. It was fascinating and also heartbreaking to watch how poor mothering can cause mental instability in a young girl.

I've never read anything like this. It was heartbreaking to read, but definitely worth it.

Recommended for Grades 9 - 12


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