This Side of Providence – Book Review

I recently read the page turning book, This Side of Providence by Rachel M. Harper and I was sucked in from the very beginning.

This was a sort of random book purchase, I actually didn’t read what it was about just ordered on a whim.

And I’m so glad I did!

A tragic story of a drug addicted mother struggling with the challenges after being released from prison and a painful drug withdrawl, the impact her lifestyle had on her three children, and those within her inner circle. Arecelia Perez flees an abusive marriage from Puerto Rico to America where she hopes to find the American Dream. Instead you watch tragedy unfold as her children try to understand and cope with their absent, drug addicted mom. The failure of the foster system, and the devastation of poverty on families.

A sad story of a boy coming to age in a drug filled, lonely existence, fighting the flawed system for children with drug addicted parents. The bond between his teacher is the definition of love.

Despite the tragic life of all the characters you see love intertwined where at first glance it appears there isn’t much love at all.

I think after reading this book it really made me look at a few issues here in America. The drug crisis, the flawed foster system, the lack of assistance and resources for those in poverty in a neighborhood near you. I know all the opinions on it from both sides of the political spectrum, but it seems we can do better? I don’t know how we do this, but I think we need to first name the issues we have.

The very soul of the American people is sick, this book really made you step into another world and view these humanity issues with a different lens. I thought of the characters long after I finished and our flawed systems. I don’t think this needs to be a political party issue, I think this needs to be a humanity issue, this book left me pondering all these things long after I put it down.

Although filled with heartache this book was one of my most favorite recent reads. If you haven’t read it I suggest you do!

Happy Reading!

Danielle