Abandoned by Vicky Ball

Comprehensive/Heart-breaking/Thought-Provoking

Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Family Drama

When Madison and Becky attend a family funeral, it sparks a chain of events, that forces Becky to confront her past. Initially, not as concerned as she might be, and only giving into her daughter’s questioning to stop her asking, rather than seeing it as a chance to connect and accept responsibility, or realisation that perhaps, it should be something she should have told her long before now. In her skewed reality, Becky fails to see the enormity of her actions from all those years ago, but when clear headed, fears the consequences. The ramifications extend far beyond mother and daughter, farther than anyone might have thought possible. Changing both of their futures forever, sending Madison on a journey of heartache, self discovery, and a new beginning.

This novel presented me with some emotional memories and a chance to be able to relate to one of the characters in a way that I rarely get the opportunity. There are two elements of this narrative that have been and still are, mirrored within my own life. Having read ‘Powerless’ by Vicky Ball at the end of last year, I was always going to read ‘Abandoned’, but reading the synopsis, which I don’t usually do, was what made me choose it as my new read earlier this week. This has many plot twists and turns, so it is not surprising that it has many chapters. All of them, pertinent to the plot, and provide the reader with several gripping moments. However, two things slightly grated on me, the first one being the apparent lack of proof reading, and a number of inconsistencies with the plot. The synopsis also alludes only to really one part of the plot. Because it was this part I really connected with, I was a little disappointed when other threads started to take precedence. On the whole though, I thought this was a cleverly constructed, intriguing, powerful narrative with some insight into the world of two people dealing with some very difficult challenges.

The dynamic of Becky and Madison was an interesting one. I have first hand knowledge from the daughter’s point of view, although I didn’t only have one parent. Unusual dynamics or relationships with a charged situation are what really float my boat in a book. With Madison being alone with her mum, she was handed a lot of responsibility at an early age, which she should not have been burdened with, and I felt for her as I could relate to her mindset, if not with the actions she had to take. Becky is still dealing with the legacy of a difficult period in her life and the coping mechanism that she found helpful at that time, which she has never been able to let go of. Again, I have some knowledge, but not long term. Her erratic behaviour and changes in state of mind are typical, and hard to cope with, for the afflicted, or people living with them. When Madison tries to get information from her mother relating to what was being discussed at the funeral, Becky seems to be adamant that the past should be left in the past, and then suddenly gives in to Madison, like it’s a game that she can’t be bothered to play any more, not fully grasping that this might be something that Madison might want to pursue. The first slight inconsistency I spotted, although this might be a symptom of Becky’s changeable persona, was when Madison is asking about her father. Becky says that she doesn’t know who he was, but then later goes on to say that he was a creep. This could equally have been to dissuade her daughter from her line of questioning.

I thought how nice it was for Madison to have an opportunity – even if it was a funeral – to meet other members of her family. I did wonder how old great aunt Margaret was, as she seemed very sprightly and physically able, but given that Becky was a ‘young mum’, then I guess that would have been feasible. I felt it was important for Madison to have another adult in her life, especially one more able to take control. It was also good that she met James. Both of these people made her feel special and that she mattered, something she had been lacking. It is a pity though that Madison doesn’t think that she is good enough for James. I think that feeling is possibly symptomatic of her situation and the belief system that has been ingrained in her. ‘Great uncle John’ is mentioned, and I wonder if he was married to Margaret. I’m guessing not, as we don’t hear from or about him again. When they leave the funeral and Margaret puts the onus on Madison to ‘keep in touch’, I thought that was unfair given that she is the minor, Madison thinks that it’s about time someone else stepped up, and she wonders why she is having to deal with a volatile mother, and not living the life of a normal teenager. I deeply felt that.

When James says he wants to help her and she is suspicious, I was confused as to why because at that point, it was just a friendship. Maybe, however, she felt he might want recompense for helping her. It is after James and Madison meet with Joyce that I started to have my suspicions about James and his involvement in the whole story. I’m not sure if that was intended to send the reader off on a different train of thought or not. Becky’s change of perspective on what Madison trying to do, is quite exhausting, but also quite realistic. Her erratic behaviour can be true of a person such as Becky. The parent/child role reversal was used to good effect in this story and was important to show. For instance when Becky is all set to go out and happy to leave Madison on her own, but then Margaret arrives for a ‘girl’s night’ and Becky reluctantly leaves, clearly concerned about what she might miss out on and probably knowing that she should be spending time with her daughter. Also, when Becky sees Margaret’s efforts as ‘interference’. She knows that they need the help that is being offered, but Becky wants to feel that she is the parent and can manage alone, even though she relies heavily on her child. Margaret being there highlights her inadequacies. It is sad that Madison doesn’t know how to handle Margaret’s concern for her, never having been use to receiving it. Commendable though that Margaret never criticises Becky when talking to her great niece. When Becky arrives home to find that Margaret has cleaned up and made sure her child was fed, she appears grateful for the help, but then, they aren’t really her true feelings.

I thought it very strange when Madison makes it clear to James that she doesn’t do social media, I was quite shocked as I would think that most teenagers are familiar with a myriad of social platforms. Maybe it was a money thing. When they receive a response from someone who is keen to put them off their line of enquiry, I wonder now if that was from someone specific and if I was supposed to have picked up on that. Possibly Liz?

The character of Nick is vile, and I was livid that he was one of Becky’s weaknesses that she put before Madison. The number of times Becky took him back really infuriated me. Initially, I thought Madison didn’t like him because he took her mum’s attention from her, but then, that was in short supply anyway.

When Becky meets James for the first time, we are told that Madison was embarrassed at Becky’s behaviour. I can totally understand this, plus the reluctance to invite people around. It is an awful position to be in as a teenager.

When Jackie pays Becky and Madison a visit, I was pleased that she had Madison’s back, but thought it rude that when Madison entered the lounge after helping Becky, she found Jackie looking through her photo albums, without asking or, being invited. I did feel desperately sorry for Becky that she seemed to be frantic on learning that Jackie was taking Madison and Marvin to Margaret’s.

At the point which the author gave descriptive details relating to Ella, my interest was immediately piqued, due to my own situation. I admire any author who is brave enough to tackle such a subject, as it is too easy to offend nowadays by slipping up on details. James’ conclusion about Becky at this point, was one I jumped to as well. It is awful that people should think such a thing of another human being, but sadly it does happen. He does realise how awful it must sound and apologises, but Madison admits to having thought the same. When Madison very bravely asks her mother the question, she is extremely hurt and denies it. I’m not sure I would ever want to allude to someone if I suspect that of them.

When Madison spends time with Margaret, she is in awe of how proficiently her great aunt is able to navigate her way around her mobile phone, yet when she takes her to Broadstairs, Madison is agitated by how long it takes Margaret to look up directions. It just seemed odd, but I guess one could take longer than the other.

I have two niggles with regards to Ella. The first is her inclination to feel sorry for herself so much to the point that she wants to end her life and her general ‘pity party’ demeanour. She had second thoughts about participating in what lead to her situation, which surely means that she had some comprehension of the outcomes. Some people find themselves in this situation, not because of any decision they made, but just because it is what it is, such as myself. Max’s attempt at consoling her with ‘You were dealt a crap hand’ is crap itself, she dealt her own cards. I thought her explanation to the little boy as to her circumstances was far too blunt. Especially when referring to what happened ‘pretty bad, but I didn’t die’. I’m surprised the little lad didn’t run off screaming! Inaccessibility to the beach is just something that cannot be avoided unless you have money to buy an expensive piece of equipment that will help you navigate sand! Kaitlyn coming to see her and banging on about the party was thoughtless at best, cruel at worst. Ella’s shopping trip with Kaitlyn is an experience I have had many times, and occasionally with people who bore the same attitude.

Ella and Madison are both equally disappointed at the progression of their connection, but just that fact alone, surely means that they in fact have the connection they both long for?! I could definitely relate to all aspects of the girls visiting the restaurant, and Ella surmising that going anywhere could quickly become a chore. Outside the restaurant where the text says ‘he smiled shyly at Madison’, I was confused for a second as to whom the author was referring. I realised who ‘he’ was, but think that there could have been more clarity. I read the book on Kindle, and there are many parts where dialogue from two separate characters are on the same line without stating who is speaking. I assume this is just down to formatting, but it was confusing at times.

Ella finds it hard at school, fitting in and people could be overly considerate of her. I can most certainly relate to that. Ella misses her old bedroom. If her parents are well off as we are lead to believe, could they not have installed a stairlift? Even in the flashback chapters, I didn’t feel that Ella showed much emotion for the fate of Sam. I would have expected her to have been distraught for some considerable time. When Max agrees to pay for Madison and Becky to go to Broadstairs for the weekend, I couldn’t believe that Becky only agreed to go because Nick had cancelled plans with her. I think in Madison’s shoes, I would have told Max to cancel it, just to spite Becky to be honest. It was very sad when Max is fussing over Ella in the restaurant and it annoys Ella, but Madison wishes that someone would fuss over her, despite the fact that Becky is there.

When Liz mumbles something to Ella that she doesn’t understand, it took me a second or two for the penny to drop. This is a very clever twist, I’m not sure I understand the reasoning behind it though. I wasn’t aware that the two women knew of each other’s whereabouts prior to the accident, unless they kept in touch all that time? Also, on that fateful night, weren’t Ella, Max and Liz all at Ella’s grandparents? Why would Liz have left? I get what the author was aiming for, and maybe I am missing something.

This is a very thought provoking novel, tackling some difficult and emotive issues, highlighting how challenging it can be to live with two very different situations, either as the person it affects or someone close, both of which I think more people should be aware.