BOOK review: 'Postcards' combine tragedy, emotions tenderly

By Adrienne Thomas
The Owens Outlook
 
TOLEDO, Ohio(U-Wire)-- How would you feel if doctors told you that you're the primary reason for your child's illness? In the novel "Postcards from Berlin" by Margaret Leroy, Catorina Lydget's 8-year-old daughter, Daisy, comes down with a mysterious flu.

At first, she has trouble eating and keeping down her medication, but as the months pass, she shows signs of memory loss and finds it difficult to walk. Cat takes Daisy to several different doctors, but they all insist that she is physically healthy. When Cat refuses to accept that her child isn't sick, the doctors and even her husband, Richard, accuse her for Daisy's illness.

Catorina's life gets turned upside down when a person from her dreadful childhood begins sending her postcards from Europe. Instead of telling anyone about them, she secretly tosses them in the trash, afraid that they will expose her horrifying past.

Cat lives in fear of Daisy's life and feels insecure about her own when everyone turns against her. She lies about her past, terrified it will conclude everyone's suspicion about her actions toward her daughter.

"Postcards from Berlin" is a fantastic novel. Leroy will take you into the mind and heart of Catorina Lydget, grasping your attention with the power of a mother's true love. The attitudes of her characters are so intense, they will trigger your emotions, causing you to feel anger and pity toward the doctors and bringing out a strong sense of love and sympathy for Cat and Daisy.

Although the novel is directed toward a female audience, men may find themselves just as wrapped up in the story.