Deeply moving, The Mother by Yvvette Edwards is an emotionally compelling novel of healing.

Seven months following her sixteen year old son Ryan's murder, Marcia Williams remains grief stricken and desperately trying understand why his accused killer Tyson Manley took Ryan's life. With the murder trial now underway, Marcia attends the proceedings hoping to get answers to the questions that haunt her. As evidence is presented to the court, she is surprised by her sometimes compassionate response as she learns about Tyson's dysfunctional home life. Marcia is also forced to admit that she might have misjudged Sweetie Nelson, the young woman whom Ryan was involved with in the weeks preceeding his death. With her marriage crumbling under the weight of anger and unresolved grief, Marcia cannot help but lash out at her husband Lloydie as he continues to withdraw from her as he struggles to cope with his loss on his own.

It is impossible not feel sympathy for Marcia as she tries to make sense of a senseless act of violence. Her hopelessness, her desperate need for answers and her desire to assign blame are palpable as she goes through her day to day life, locked in mourning. Despite her understanding that LLoydie is doing the best he can, Marcia cannot help but feel angry and resentful over his desertion just when she needs his support the most. While completely aware how deeply she is hurting him by her furious outbursts, Marcia is unable to keep her feelings to herself as the strain of the trial weighs heavily on her. Trying, yet failing, to bridge the ever widening gap between them, Marcia despairs her marriage will survive the unbearable loss of their son.

Lloydie is a quiet man who shows his love through his actions and he withdraws not only from Marcia, but life in general, after Ryan's murder. While he cannot give his wife the emotional support she craves, he quietly goes about taking care of her the only way he knows how. In the face of her unrelenting anger, Lloydie pulls deeper into himself and begins changing his routine in order to avoid her. Unable to accept the tentative olive branch she extends to him, their marriage continues to deteriorate and it is soon teetering on the brink of collapse.

The one person who could possibly provide some answers to Marcia's questions is the one person she avoids at all costs: Sweetie. Marcia made no effort to hide her disapproval of the young woman who captured Ryan's heart and she blames Sweetie for indirectly putting him in the path of a killer. Unable to avoid meeting with Sweetie, Marcia learns shocking information that she encourages Sweetie to reveal. Once Sweetie takes the stand during Tyson's trial, a stunning revelation gives Marcia unexpected hope and a new purpose that will honor Ryan memory.

The Mother by Yvvette Edwards is a raw, gritty novel that is heartbreaking, yet ultimately, uplifting. This powerful story will move readers to tears as Marcia tries to come to terms with an unbearable loss that no parent should ever have to experience. Although not all of the loose ends are completely wrapped up by the novel's conclusion, the ending is hopeful as Marcia, Lloydie and Sweetie find an unexpected bit of optimism that they can and will eventually move past this tragedy. ( )

Well structured, a good plot if a bit bleak.
A shocking insight into inner city life ( )

Marcia’s son Ryan has been murdered, and the trial of the accused killer is finally starting. In the months leading up to the trial, Marcia’s life has unraveled. She is physically a wreck, nearly a walking skeleton. Her husband can’t cope with the loss of their son and distances himself from her emotionally. As she searches for answers as to why this accused boy murdered her son, the reader becomes acquainted with the life the accused led and how the paths of the victim and the killer became entangled. The author paints a compelling story of how some young men want to help people while others kill with seemingly no reason or thought or remorse. Good character development adds much to the depth of this novel. ( )

The Mother is Marcia Williams, and her sixteen-year-old son Ryan has recently been murdered. She is attending the trial of his accused killer, Tyson Manley. As the trial proceeds, we watch Marcia deal with her feelings about her son, her husband Lloydie who is unable to attend the trial, the accused and his own mother and the young woman who seems to be the link between Tyson and Ryan. It's a bit unusual as the main setting is a court room, but the story isn't really about the trial or the crime. Rather, it's a story about motherhood and the doubts so many of us have about whether we are doing the right things for our children. It's also a commentary on race and violence in modern society. Very well done. ( )

Edwards explores motherhood, specifically mothers of sons, through an incident of fatal violence between two older teens. The novel begins just as the trial is set to start. Marcia, mother of the victim, feels compelled to be present at the trial because she owes it to her son. Her husband refuses to go so Marcia relies on her sister and other friends for support. She hopes the trial will finally answer some of her questions and bring a sense of closure. Marcia's anger, frustration, and sorrow are palpable as the trial forces her to acknowledge her own failings as a mother. But there's plenty of blame to go around, not the least of which is the murderer and his mother who show a remarkable lack of concern about the case. This contemporary story explores many issues but the writing is compelling and easy to read. Thought-provoking literary fiction that is surprisingly a page-turner. ( )