A mother's struggle

Marcia Williams is a mother and the protagonist of Yvvette Edwards’ second novel — The Mother. Set in London the book opens with Marcia preparing to attend the first day of trial of the young man, Tyson Manley accused of stabbing her only child 16-year-old Ryan to death. The story unveils, that Ryan, a young budding football player, was returning to the sports ground to retrieve his football boots when he was stabbed. It was a lone young jogger who witnessed the incident.

But before you go further, let me tell you this book isn’t going to be an easy read. It is draining as the tragic details hit you in the face. There are times you will want to switch it for a light read, but will not be able to do so as it is captivating. Edwards manages to capture you into a world that you will be able to relate to. It is brutal and painful, but honest.

With Ryan gone, Marcia sees her 18-year-old marriage crumbling, health deteriorating and relationships going for a toss. The pain and suffering as a mother she and her husband  Lloydie go through is sensitively and intensely brought out by Edwards. For Marcia — why was Ryan stabbed is the only question on her mind and is determined to attend the trial, which she does painfully each day, while her husband Lloydie refuses to accompany her as he sees no benefit in going to court.  

The Mother by Yvvette Edwards Pan Macmillan pp.263, Rs 450

Edwards has been able to portray Marcia Williams as someone real with issues just like you and me. An instance when she doubts her being a mother is poignantly put across.  Marcia says, “The worst part was trying to work out whether, in addition to losing my son, I had lost my ‘mother’ status; didn’t know whether I still qualified, was unable to satisfy myself.”

It is the most painful thing one can imagine — a mother’s guilt. But as the story unfolds, Marcia transforms from being a prejudiced person in the beginning to viewing Tyson as a mother towards the end. She grows.

Edwards also touches upon how we all cope in different ways. Marcia too learns to cope with her son’s loss and a little help from her sister Lorna (who is warm, observant and fair person).  Marcia’s way of coping with the situation is to blame anything and everything including herself. She blames her husband too, but Lorna draws her attention and says, “He’s doing his best, Marce. Sometimes it’s hard to see but most people are just doing the best they can in the circumstances they find themselves in.”

We all need to see this aspect which we ignore as we move through life.    

The Mother has detailed the trial clearly and minutely, that one feels one is sitting in the courtroom next to Marcia. It brings to light so many aspects when a person is on trial which one would never consider, like — the family of the victim and the accused.

There is much more to the book that ultimately brings comfort to Marcia and her husband. But, one can truly say that Edwards has managed to deliver a story that feels real. The Mother makes you feel.