Our book group just finished reading Defending Jacob by William Landay. The part I found most compelling, being a parent of teenagers, is that Jacob's parents had no idea about the reality of his-day to-day existence. Jacob is a bit of an outsider, with a very small circle of friends, all of whom have seen his explosive temper firsthand. His mother acknowledges more than his father that Jacob is different, that he has a odd way of interacting with others. His father often brushes away his son's behavior as typical teenage acting out. When Jacob is accused of murder, his father staunchly defends his son, while is mother questions the possibility of his guilt more and more. This book was difficult to put down, and the plot and characters stay with the reader long after the last page.
I'm sitting with a friend who just downloaded the first 15 pages of this book as a free trial. After reading your post and those pages he has decided he is definitely going to buy it! The summary you wrote reminds me a little of the book We Have to Talk About Kevin. I won't say much about it so I don't ruin the plot for anyone who hasn't read it, but it also is about a teenager and how he is (mis)understood differently by each of his parents. Isn't it amazing how our perspective and our desires impact what we allow ourselves to know and perceive about others, especially our children!
ReplyDeleteI heard an interview about this book on the radio that week and wrote it down to purchase. You have me even more intrigued now. I can't wait to read it! Thanks
ReplyDelete