Be Yourself

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult  & Jennifer Finney Boylan is a powerful contemporary novel that consumed me from the start.

I have always loved Jodi Picoult’s novels and Mad Honey is no exception.

The plotline surrounds a young man, Asher, who is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Lily. The reader follows the trial through the eyes of Asher’s mother after the event; and we hear Lily’s voice leading up to the event. Two women who love Asher. The reader wants to believe that Asher is innocent – but even his mum has doubts.

A major theme is that of being true to yourself. “You’re the only one who gets to decide who you’re going to be. You don’t have to be just like your father.” We must not let anyone mould us into being someone we are not.

It is heartbreaking to see a character suffering at the hands of the bullies. Even their own father bullies his offspring. There is a heartbreaking scene that leaves a youngster powerless.

There is the theme of domestic abuse. We witness a character who is so beaten down and destroyed, believing that she deserves what comes her way and making excuses for her abuser.

All the characters were well drawn and believable. The leading pair and their mums were extremely likable. As I read, the novel elicited a variety of emotional responses from me. Did I have a favourite character? Definitely Lily. My heart just broke for her at times.

Mad Honey had two jaw-dropping and defining moments within the story. I definitely did not predict either event.

Mad Honey was a superb novel, drawing out many feelings from me. I can highly recommend it.

JULIA WILSON