Description
Book SynopsisDG is five the first time her mother goes away. She'll go away again and again before DG finally understands why: mental illness and a manipulating husband. DG's family aren't like other families. Her father moves them constantly. Moving, along with the stigma of mental illness, isolates the family. In public, they seem the perfect American dream. In private they grow increasingly unstable. Darling Girl unfolds in a series of vignettes spanning ten years and four continents. Traveling through the fifties and sixties and from apartheid South Africa to the capitals of Europe, the family live like so many dancing bears in a traveling circus with her father as the ringmaster. DG's story is both personal and universal. She's on a journey from innocence to experience; to the realization that her mother's illness isn't the family's only problem, it's not even the main one.
Trade ReviewThis novel propels the reader into the mind of a child, the narrative a realistic voice of an insecure young girl, getting more sophisticated as time passes. Watkins' artful showing of characterization, place, and emotion is impressive. . . . In Darling Girl, you find yourself not just reading what Watkins tells you but rather living inside the head of a girl battling domestic chaos, trying to make sense of her fractured family life. Readers can't help but walk in the shoes of the Darling Girl who struggles through mental illness, infidelity, and familial turmoil, trying like hell to emerge intact on the other side. -BookTrib review by K.L. Romo -- BookTrib
" Darling Girl is Terry H. Watkins' debut novel. This delightful coming of age story is told through the eyes of Darling Girl, otherwise known as DG. DG's story starts at the age of five and spans thirteen years. The narration is written from a child's point of view and, as such, gives a child's perspective about the events occurring within the family unit. The lack of analysis, insight and judgment is refreshing, particularly in the earlier years when, in keeping with her age, DG says it as she sees it. . . Subjects, including mental health, loss and domestic violence . . . a well-written novel which lightly touched on a variety of topics. The descriptions were wonderful. I laughed at some, felt empathy with others and reminisced with many. I had no hesitation rating this book 4 out of 4 stars. With virtually faultless editing, this story provided a light and easy read about topics which would usually be considered heavy. This book should appeal to readers who enjoy a very realistic and moving story without the inclusion of graphic content." BooksGoSocial Book of the Day
"Terry Watkins writes with heart and immediacy, shining an intimate light on children's experience of the taboo of mental illness. At turns funny, poetic, and gut-wrenching, this is a family story rarely heard." Ariel Gore , author of We Might Be Witches
". . . a deeply affecting coming-of-age story of DG, a young girl trying to find her place, her identity, and her bearings both in her dysfunctional family and in a series of far-flung locales around the world . . . [with a] self-centered father and the psychological crises of a struggling mother. Populated with a pack of siblings and a cast of multi-cultural characters, this vividly cinematic tale is driven by the sometimes wobbly but always true compass that is DG's bountiful heart." Sarah Bird , author of Above the East China Sea
