Like Normal People by Karen Bender

Like Normal People

Karen Bender

A collection of stories about a mother, daughter and granddaughter. Each describes pivotal times in their lives, such as their wedding day. Lena (the daughter)is mentally disabled and becomes the focus of all of Ella's (the mother) concerns. The main thread of the story is elusive until its culmination, but is worth the wait.

Extract
Ella learned what was wrong with Lena on August 5, 1934. Ella knew the exact date because the pediatrician had written his diagnosis of Lena on a prescription form. Ella told him to write it on this form, because that was the only way, she thought, that Lou would believe it.
Parallels
  • Skallagrigg by William Horwood
  • Expecting Adam by Martha Beck