published
February 19th 2007 (first published 2006) by Harper Perennial
binding
Paperback, 311 pages
isbn
0060859717 (isbn13: 9780060859718)
From Goodreads:
How does an honor student at one of Los Angeles's finest prep schools- a nice girl from a happy, loving home- trade school uniforms and afternoons at the mall for speedballs in the back of a truck in rural Indiana? How does her devoted mother emerge from the shock of finding that her daughter has not only disappeared but had been living a secret life for more than a year?
Mother and daughter tell their parallel stories in mesmerizing first–person accounts. Claire Fontaine's story is a parent's worst nightmare, a cautionary tale chronicling her daughter Mia's drug-fueled manipulation of everyone around her as she sought refuge in the seedy underworld of felons and heroin addicts, the painful childhood secrets that led up to it, and the healing that followed. Her search for Mia was brutal for both mother and daughter, a dizzying series of dead ends, incredible coincidences and, at times, miracles. Ultimately, Mia was forced into harsh-but-loving boot camp schools on two continents while Claire entered a painful but life changing program of her own. Mia's story includes the jarring culture shock of the extreme and controversial behavior modification school she was in for nearly two years, which helped her overcome depression and self-hatred to emerge a powerful young woman with self-esteem and courage.
Come Back is an unforgettable story of love and transformation that will resonate with mothers and daughters everywhere.
Mother and daughter tell their parallel stories in mesmerizing first–person accounts. Claire Fontaine's story is a parent's worst nightmare, a cautionary tale chronicling her daughter Mia's drug-fueled manipulation of everyone around her as she sought refuge in the seedy underworld of felons and heroin addicts, the painful childhood secrets that led up to it, and the healing that followed. Her search for Mia was brutal for both mother and daughter, a dizzying series of dead ends, incredible coincidences and, at times, miracles. Ultimately, Mia was forced into harsh-but-loving boot camp schools on two continents while Claire entered a painful but life changing program of her own. Mia's story includes the jarring culture shock of the extreme and controversial behavior modification school she was in for nearly two years, which helped her overcome depression and self-hatred to emerge a powerful young woman with self-esteem and courage.
Come Back is an unforgettable story of love and transformation that will resonate with mothers and daughters everywhere.
My Thoughts:
An honest look at the devastating effects of sexual abuse, drug addiction, depression and more. As a reader who has personally been touched {either directly or indirectly} by all of these horrors, it was a memoir that was both difficult and satisfying, heartbreaking and encouraging to read. As a mother with an 18 year old daughter, it made me unbelievably grateful never to have experienced such things as a parent.
Absolutely not a book for anyone who is ultra sensitive. I would, however, recommend it to anyone who has ever been touched by abuse, addiction or depression either as a victim or loved one of a victim. Overall an extremely engaging {though not easy} read and a beautiful tribute to the special bond that exists between mothers and daughters.
My rating: 4 /5 stars
I picked up a copy of this totally on a whim at a library book sale. Glad to hear it's a worthwile read!
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