Heather’s Bookshelf: A Moment of Fireflies
Author: John McCluskey
Released: 5/3/2017
Genre: Literary/Historical Fiction Novella
“He was a child in that fragile moment, without responsibilities to his mother or his family for the first time in a long time. It frightened David to return to a childlike state, and he cried openly and longingly for his father to expunge his suffering and explain himself. He ached for his mother’s embrace as well, though a deep part of him was sure she too was in tears.”
“A Moment of Fireflies” introduces you to a few days in the life of a young family in Chicago during the great depression. Changing points of view reveal insight into each of the characters while also delving into the relationships between the members of this struggling family.
“A Moment of Fireflies” introduces us to a family of two parents and two children. The parents, Lily and Michael, each have their own past and current struggles which interfere with their ability to function as the parents that they desire to be. The children, Meggy and David each have their own challenges. Meggy is ill and must therefore stay isolated in her home, unable to share the in the normal interactions of a girl her age. David, her ten-year-old brother, takes his older brother role to a whole new level as he is required to perform chores and tasks of someone typically much older than his actual age.
Two main key themes in this story are the relationship between father and son and the loss of the innocence of childhood. It is in this way that we learn the most about the character’s pasts and their current struggles. This interaction is heartbreaking, frustrating, and relatable in a way that makes it challenging to put the book down.
Fair Warning: physical abuse and discussion of sexual abuse
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. I thought the character development was well done, especially when it came to David. I could feel the anguish of each of the characters pouring out of the pages of the book and it was heartbreaking. I wanted to jump into the story, sit the family down, and make everyone talk about their issues. But the story was set at a different time and seemed very representative of the struggles that both past and present families continue to experience. Unfortunately I was not a fan of the ending. The story just ended. This may have been the author’s intent, but as I’ve said before, I am not a fan of cliffhangers.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
This novella is heartbreaking and poignant. Unfortunately, the ending left everything open ended and unfinished.
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