Book Review: Helpless by Barbara Gowdy

Posted by Lesli

I was hesitant to read this book. I had heard an interview with the author on the radio, and it didn't seem like the kind of book I could be comfortable reading.

It's about nine year old Rachel. Mesmerizingly beautiful, Rachel inadvertantly catches the attention of a neighbourhood weirdo, Ron, who repairs lawn mowers and stereos. Ron, the weirdo, goes out of his way to catch glimpses of Rachel, convincing himself that Rachel is in danger and needs him to rescue her from her supposed dreadful life. (He's delusional)

He ends up nabbing her and locking her in a basement room that he built and decorated just for her. Like I pointed out, he's a weirdo. He has some thoughts that link back to his childhood, and perhaps that's why he's such a case.

After the initial shock, Rachel seems to handle getting kidnapped pretty well. Of course, Ron has a weirdo girlfriend that seems to go through some realizations in the course of helping Ron take care of Rachel. Thankfully, the girlfriend has a conscience and lets Rachel's mom know Rachel is okay and not dead somewhere.

This book wasn't as dark and terrible as I had feared it would be. It was, however, plainly weird. Ron was creepy, and I really had to wonder if a child that was abducted would adapt as well as Rachel did.

The writing was smooth and the characters were strong. Barbara Gowdy is an award-winning author, and Helpless was actually longlisted for the 2007 Giller Prize, but, alas, it was not shortlisted. The Giller is one of the most prestigious prizes in Canadian literature.

Happy Reading,

- Lesli

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[ READER COMMENTS ]

1

Harmony said:

Great review Lesli. I don't think I could read the book though. There are a few books that I have passed over, even though I was a fan of the author. Having children and reading about kidnappings (or worse) gives me the heebie jeebies!

Lesli said: Thanks, Harmony! I know what you mean. It was a stretch for me, but it ended up being very tame. It's interesting that Gowdy chose this subject...

Posted at 01:49 PM, on January 17 2008

Book Review: Helpless by Barbara Gowdy

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