The first part of Etched on Me was so explicit in sexual content, self-harm violence, abuse and language that I was put off. I wouldn’t have kept reading due to the explicit content, but the writing was excellent, and I was absolutely intrigued by the character of Lesley, the teen fighting to protect herself after incestuous abuse. I liked the fact that her dilemma — of having to fight to regain custody of her infant daughter after trauma and mental illness — was set up at the beginning and we found out how she got there in bits and pieces as the story was unraveling.
I’m glad that I kept going, because the second half of the story was strong as Lesley’s true character was revealed, as one who refused to be a victim of her circumstances. The shades of grey in regards to mental health and child protection are artfully portrayed and caused me as the reader to
This was a truly unique novel. Lesley and the entire supporting cast of characters will stick with me for a long time. If you can stomach the explicit content, I recommend this author and this novel.
I was so intrigued by the themes of this novel, and I think they are of interest to mothers, and to those who have been touched by mental illness or self-harm in any way, that I am featuring an interview with the author Jenn Crowell at 5 Minutes for Mom dealing with her own experience of self-harm and mental illness and how it affected her personally in regards to motherhood.
Read my interview with Jenn Crowell and leave a comment over there to enter to win a signed copy of this novel. You can also leave a comment here first and log that in as an extra giveaway in the widget on the interview post.
anne says
Thanks for this great review which caught my interest and sounds heartrending and unforgettable.
Jenn Crowell says
Thank you so much for reading and reviewing Etched On Me, Jennifer! I’m glad to hear you stuck with it and found Lesley’s story an engaging one.
With all best wishes,
Jenn
Jennifer says
You’re welcome! Thanks for writing such an honest and tough story.
riTa says
This review caught my attention because I have a young friend who could relate to the issues the novel focuses on.
Jeanna says
This sounds interesting!
Christine L. says
ETCHED ON ME is on my TBR. Thank you for shedding light on this issue; I have a couple of friends with teens who self-harm or have in the past.