Linda C. (bocce) reviewed on 10/8/2008 + 5 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

The novel is divided into 3 parts each with a different point of view. The first is from Rose "the one who is always leaving and is never left". She marries a man she doesn't love, gets pregnant and then gets in her car and drives away. From this point on you are trying to determine what in the world motivates this character to do the things she does. She finds herself in Habit, Kentucky where there is a home for unwed mothers that is run by the Catholic church. Here she decides to keep her baby and marries the caretaker. The voices of the daughter (Cecilia) and her second husband (Son) are far more compelling than the voice of Rose because they are befuddled by the coldness of Rose and bewildered by her attention to the girls in the home whereas they get none. There is a depth to them which is lacking in Rose. Maybe that is a point the author is trying to make. The second and third parts are also filled with characters who are young women who have gotten themselves into "trouble" and go to the home to have their babies to then give them away. The author does a wonderful job of helping you feel the turmoil and trauma these girls go thru.

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