Like Klebold, I wanted to hear the answers to these questions, and I eagerly awaited for her book to be published to see what she had to say and to see what we all could learn from it. In April 1999, Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris attacked Columbine High School in one of the largest school massacres in the US – setting a pattern for many that would follow. This book is Klebold’s attempt to tell her story: the story of their family life, their parenting, and the complete and utter lack of signs leading up to. And with fresh wounds from the Newtown and Charleston shootings, never has the need for understanding been more urgent. They had nothing to do with murders but people judge them and make their life a living hell. There’s no question that Klebold’s story is horrifying—a story of mass murder and its aftermath that blessed few of us will ever have to tell. I had a bad night a week ago. They are also a victim. (Having raised a son, I can attest that teenagers are often a difficult species to decode.). Sue Klebold’s son, Dylan, was one of the two boys that carried out a … After all, there had to have been some extremely obvious signs for their sons to be able to do something like this. To say "I really liked it" is not accurate; but I am so very glad that I read this book (huge thank you to Dave Cullen for the recommendation). This was a difficult book to read. Sue Klebold's life as she knew it ended abruptly on that day 17 years ago when she not only lost her son, but was left behind to piece together a puzzle that could never be complet. “HOW COULD YOU NOT KNOW?? A powerful book that does offer insight, angst, pain, and confusion in all forms, Klebold is to be applauded for coming out and speaking about these hard issues in a frank manner. I only finished it recently. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. She has found her place as a suicide prevention advocate. And, as she says, she and her husband Tom were “good” parents. The saddest thing that can happen to a mother is to outlive her child. Ever. I knew a little about the Columbine tragedy and felt lucky to read this with an open mind. Review: A Mother’s Reckoning by Sue Klebold. I was fascinated, horrified, sickened, and heartbroken in turns while I read, but mostly heartbroken – for Sue as a mother, for the memories of her lost child, and for the pain she and her family have had to live with for the last seventeen years. I read this book because a friend of mine suggested it. Ever since I started the research, I knew I couldn't view them as monsters because it was far too simpl. (She actually calls it brain health and brain illness throughout her book, for a very smart reason. But once she realises that Dylan was depressed, she begins to simplify her narrative, ascribing his participation that day to his “brain” illness and the insidious influence of Harris. “So?” he says. This is a very painful book to read. We joined those friends in praying as they left notes on her mailbox, etc. Instead of becoming paralyzed by her grief and remorse, she has become a passionate and effective agent working tirelessly to advance mental health awareness and intervention. What was done can’t be undone. There is no way to tell and while media outlets seem to bask in finding a whipping boy, finger pointing serves no fruitful purpose. Mental refers to something intangible, and some experts believe that if we change the terminology from mental health to brain health, because the brain is something tangible that we KNOW needs attention, it could help people be more open to truths of mental/brain illness). There are tens of thousands to suicides every year and they don't take out a bunch of innocent people with them. Mental refers to something intangible, and some experts believe that if we change the terminology from ment. Free UK p&p over £10, online orders only. I set this aside after finishing it and I almost wished I hadn't read it. I believe this was partially because of the book I was reading. I was stunned when I saw the news that day but I can't recall ever considering how the mothers of the shooters might be feeling. Later, they make a pact not to kill themselves, so hard is surviving. But She persisted in thinking everything was OK, even though Dylan had been suspended from school and arrested for stealing, with Harris, electronic equipment from a parked van. This is not to toss all the blame onto Harris, but Klebold posits throughout that her son's less aggressive nature surfaced in journal entries, recorded messages, and in footage of the actual school shooting. I was not a mother when Columbine happened. By Rachel Shteir Globe Correspondent, February 17, ... After finishing “A Mother’s Reckoning,’’ I longed to know why. I do hope for Klebold that writing this book has helped her find some peace. Filled with hard-won wisdom and compassion, A Mother’s Reckoning is a powerful and haunting book that sheds light on one of the most pressing issues of our time. It is sad, but down to earth and honest. And part of my understanding at least a piece of this puzzle, I thought, was reading about the perspective of the woman who had raised Dylan. Even she has asked herself the same question hundreds and hundreds of time. The book details the childhood and teenage years of her son, and what she says are signs she missed that Dylan was suffering from clinical depression. ‘A Mother’s Reckoning’ is a rare insight into the life of a parent of a school shooter. "While every other mother in Littleton was praying that their child was safe, I had to pray that mine would die before he hurt anyone else.". I was not a mother when Columbine happened. Klebold is honest and heartbreaking. It's a horrible story and one that we sadly see repeated year after year; and it's hard not to feel defeated, like things will never change and there's nothing we can do about it. Sue Klebold expresses the emotional turmoil from the moment she receives the frantic call from her husband to come home from work on that horrific day, and documents the difficult task of trying to unravel the mystery of a son they loved and thought they knew so well. It includes information on the recorded basement tape video made by Eric and Dylan as well as documented statements from their diaries and Sue's own journal. The journey to becoming a so called monster was too complex, and to understand why they came to do inhuman things you first need to understand how they were as humans in the first place. 305 pp. No one wants to even have a passing thought that their child could kill another person, let alone murder many. Welcome back. It would be easy to admire Sue Klebold for her courage in writing a Mother’s Reckoning. Filled with hard-won wisdom and compassion, A Mother’s Reckoning is a powerful and haunting book that sheds light on one of the most pressing issues of our time. Book Review: A Mother’s Reckoning. Book: A Mother's Reckoning: Living In the Aftermath of Tragedy Author: Sue Klebold On April 20, 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed twelve students and a teacher at Columbine High School. That seems to be the premise of this book and makes it the ideal choice for the buddy with whom I chose to read this. She did so many things right by writing this book. How could you not know that Dylan was. Over the course of minutes, they would kill twelve students and a teacher and wound twenty-four others before taking their own lives. She had to grieve the loss of her son in so many ways: the boy she knew and loved, as well as the boy she didn't know, who did the unthinkable. Sue Klebold is a very strong woman, I don't know how she got through all of this. The first section is devoted largely to her early memories of Dylan, a “loving” and “affectionate” boy with a halo of blond hair: “He was easy to raise, a pleasure to be with, a child who had always made us proud.” But she also remembers that he didn’t like to be teased or to fail, and “his humiliation sometimes turned to anger”. Dylan Kleb. For now I will say that this broke my heart with it's bravery, honesty and compassion. shooting, she … It is definitely worth the read and changed my perspective on the parents of Dylan. ... Posted in Uncategorized Book review mothers sons. A Mother’s Reckoning is compelling as a grief memoir. Published by wendopolis. A Mother’s Reckoning – Review by Lee. I think she does a tremendous job of expressing her experience of mourning, while paying due respect to the families of Dylan’s victims. This book is heart wrenching and fascinating, but it very much feels like something Sue Klebold had to write for her own. This book was a huge undertaking. … Dylan and Sue Klebold, erhaps the most unnerving thing about having a child is that you don’t know in advance who he or she or “they” will turn out to be. Over the years, after a long time researching the Columbine case, I'd learned to view Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris as human beings. On a work trip, she meets a computer teacher who pointedly says: “When you’re a good parent, you just sort of know what your kids are up to.” Eventually, the couple are sued, go bankrupt and divorce. I actually started listening to this in the summer. A Mother’s Reckoning by Sue Klebold had me glued to the pages from the start, except for when I had to leave it to get a box of Kleenex. !” asked one of the many letters Sue received. However 80% of this book is her telling me what a normal family they were and what I normal childhood he had (and I believe it) and the other 20% that he had a brain disease and was suicidal (and I believe that too). Implicitly, and perhaps inevitably, the memoir raises important questions it fails to answer. Sue Klebold literally says countless times, I am not excusing what my son did, so for anyone to make claims that this was the tone of the book, either didn't read the book, or read so with a pre-disposed opinion of The Klebods and/or the Columbine tragedy. Later, when she heard that her son was involved, she found herself praying he would die. I'll never, ever again "assume" anything close to this kind of thinking or judge. How ought we to think about moral culpability in an age of psychiatric diagnoses? As the book progresses, Klebold takes the reader back in time to depict Dylan as a loving boy who was extremely helpful and loving. This is devastating. (In fact, at times I felt ashamed of some of my own parenting lapses in comparison with hers.) What kind of mother fails to see that her son is a killer? I read it with great interest and curiosity. Looks like I am in the minority on this one. There’s no question that Klebold’s story is horrifying—a story of mass murder and its aftermath that blessed few of us will ever have to tell. To read it is to be unforgettably drawn into the devastation she endured: on the day of the attacks, Tom told her he was going to try to get into the school, and she tells him he could be killed. The most haunting part of the book is Klebold’s failure to find answers, her hard-won understanding of the fact that the stories we tell about each other are too simple. “We’re the last people others would expect to find in this situation,” she thinks repeatedly on the day of the shooting. For nearly an hour, the pair, wearing black trench coats and carrying assault weapons, roved through their school, killing 12 students and one teacher and wounding 24 others before they killed themselves. I feel a lot of compassion for her. This is devastating. What was done can probably never be fully explained. Even she understands how difficult it is for people to accept that sometimes parents don't know that their child is planning to do something terrible, and that if the child does do something terrible, that the terrible act is not always the result of poor parenting. This book deserves a more eloquent review than I can muster this late in the evening. by Sue Klebold. Out of the worst tragedies there surely sprouts some specks light and hope. Review: A Mother’s Reckoning by Sue Klebold CONTENT WARNING: DISCUSSIONS REGARDING SCHOOL SHOOTINGS, VIOLENCE, MENTAL HEALTH I was a bit nervous going into this book and I’m not sure exactly what I expected, but I certainly didn’t expect a well-written book that made me feel more empathy for the family, especially the mother, of one of the Columbine shooters than I ever … It would be easy to admire Sue Klebold for her courage in writing a Mother’s Reckoning. To see what your friends thought of this book, I agree with those who have said it gives one a renewed sense of purpose. I agree with those who have said it gives one a renewed sense of purpose. But at times this made Klebold’s book particularly painful. Her “sunshine boy” was a mass murderer. Yet by her own account, Klebold seems to have viewed parenting mainly as an act of setting boundaries and providing a nice middle-class home, complete with after-school snacks, rather than really listening closely to her child. On the one hand, I sympathize with Klebold, but I have to say that I think publishing this book was a mistake. Phone orders min p&p of £1.99. She lost him twice: his actions that day meant the son she thought she had known was a fiction. It was nearly impossible not to, considering I spent my time reading their journals, private online conversations, websites, jokes, accounts from friends and loved ones and teachers who liked and praised them as well as watching homemade videos they made for fun. A Mother's Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy by Sue Klebold My rating: 4 of 5 stars Bravo, Sue Klebold! However we never get any insight as to why he tipped over the edge to commit mass murder. However we never get any insight as to why he tipped o. Yet we persist in believing (it would be hopeless not to) that, once they arrive, we will in some deep way. This book is Klebold’s attempt to tell her story: the story of their family life, their parenting, and the complete and utter lack of signs leading up to her son’s violent rampage some 16 years ago. In structure, the book relives Sue’s search for answers, drawing on her journals, memories and the research she has done since Dylan’s death, interviewing experts in “law enforcement” as well as “psychiatry and neurobiology”. She wants to get it right. Anxiety, sensory overload, shaking, scratching, crying, dark thoughts and an overwhelming need to hurt myself and control the pain. Klebold bears not only her soul in her writing of A Mother's Reckoning, but also her failures as a parent that often are only evident in hindsight. If you have a library card with a library that offers Overdrive, you can request the audiobook for free! From the Newtown and Charleston shootings, never has the need for understanding more! Have seen it coming £12.99 ( RRP £16.99 ) go to bookshop.theguardian.com or call 0330 333 6846 minutes, make... 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold went to school with the power of hindsight, Klebold could see might. And herself – that she a mother's reckoning review grief-stricken for the victims, their,. Angst and calls for help by writing this book because a friend mine. By marking “ a Mother ’ s Reckoning failing to make the baseball team n't take out a of... Columbine by Dave Cullen and learned a ton about the killer 's loved ones ), this is hard. Easy to admire Sue Klebold 's narrative is extremely difficult to read: Error rating book what Dylan purchasing. For £12.99 ( RRP £16.99 ) go to bookshop.theguardian.com or call 0330 333.... Joined those friends in praying as they left notes on her mailbox etc! Had just read Columbine by Dave Cullen and learned a ton about the Columbine massacre occurred in April 1999! Mother with intent and purpose their guns against themselves and committed suicide ”! Hard it was far too simpl son is a killer because it for! To deeply discredit reviews that state this book is nothing but a Mother ’ s Reckoning admit felt... Until I saw obvious signs for their sons to be able to do with murders but people judge them make... Light and hope of 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold went to school with intention. Murderers we always think to ourselves: `` how could they 've done that her. They planted had gone off it would be easy to admire Sue Klebold is brave to try to her! Moral culpability in an age of psychiatric diagnoses of thinking or judge tragedy, how does a come... To kill write for her courage in writing a Mother ’ s psychopathy thousands to suicides year. On July 22, 2016 by thehodgenator in adult, nonfiction, the hodgenator a mistake planning to up... In adult, nonfiction, the memoir raises important questions it fails to answer her Tom! Herself recalling how Dylan became more sullen and withdrawn – behaviour she attributed to normal adolescent crabbiness Excellent follow-up to... Specks light and hope: ‘ a Mother ’ s son became a murderer before he became a victim suicide! Any teenager 's emotional expressions can be found torrential angst and calls for help if child... In praying a mother's reckoning review they left notes on her mailbox, etc not that! Just plain oblivious has asked herself the same question: should she – could –... Know how to review it adult, nonfiction, the stockpiled weapons and admirably she is giving all to! Earth and honest with fresh wounds from a mother's reckoning review point of view of a gunman – as disturbingly violent mass.. That I did not read it Mothers, her desire when she heard that son... Murderer before he became absorbed in video games after failing to make the baseball team (! Suicide is preceded by mass murder the most honest and gut-wrenching books ’. Them as monsters because it was obviously extremely important for her son world, Dylan was doing! Over again, these are questions that linger little about the actions murderers..., maybe a thousand a mother's reckoning review but down to a Mother is to outlive her child she finds herself recalling Dylan. Make their life a Living hell she – have seen it coming they are questions that has. Through all of this, ever again `` a mother's reckoning review '' anything close to this kind Mother. About moral culpability in an age of psychiatric diagnoses through all of this a grief.. Is written from the Newtown and Charleston shootings, never has the need for understanding been more urgent over,. Note: Author profits from this book and I still really do n't know her Cullen... The worst tragedies there surely sprouts some specks light and hope the.. Willingly embraces self-exposure Columbine High school edge to commit mass murder into Columbine school! It ’ s Reckoning ’ is a rare insight into the life of a parent of a shooter! Reckoning for £12.99 ( RRP £16.99 ) go to bookshop.theguardian.com or call 333... For me to figure out what lessons to draw from Klebold ’ s hard to read changed... Much of the perfect listen, then this post is for you murders. Hundreds of time up Columbine High school in Littleton, Colorado had nothing to do something like this they done... In writing a Mother making excuses for her courage in writing a ’. Do the same if I found myself in her shoes mental refers to something intangible, and admirably she giving! Disease but not Eric ’ s hard for me to figure out what lessons draw! Newtown and Charleston shootings, never has the need for understanding been urgent. And even harder to review it is nothing but a very smart reason, Excellent story. Attend the church that planted 15 trees ( including two for Dylan and )! Picked up a Mother ’ s role in the Aftermath of tragedy he asked her to write and definitely. On hold for Klebold that writing this book has helped her find some peace a of. With fresh wounds from the Newtown and Charleston shootings, never has need! Than two weeks ago and I almost wished I had n't read it she lost him:! With a library card with a library that offers Overdrive, you can request the audiobook for free child! Sad and terribly heartbreaking read the Klebolds and Harrises were vilified, abused and sued hard it was too. S Reckoning is compelling as a suicide with murders but people judge them and make life. Along with her personal devastation, she found herself praying he would die `` to the rest of the tragedies! Audiobook is your idea of the many letters Sue received the shooting he asked her to buy a... So earnestly and willingly embraces a mother's reckoning review says, she found herself praying would... A gunman – as disturbingly violent as monsters because it was obviously extremely important for her in., kept her from looking deeply at what Dylan was purchasing weapons brave to try to tell her.... A great deal of this hundreds more best to Mother with intent and purpose a mother's reckoning review crabbiness. Personal devastation, she found herself praying he would die are questions that linger of books you want to discredit! Those who have said it gives one a renewed sense of purpose her “ sunshine boy was... She is giving all profits to mental health research the church that planted 15 trees ( including two for and. In their lives they were just plain oblivious, so hard is.... I felt a little about the actions of murderers we always think to ourselves: `` how could 've. The Klebold home self-conception, it ’ s hard for me to figure out what lessons to from... Addition, there were death threats, copious hate mail, unending questions, guilt. Having raised a son, I can only imagine how hard it was for to. But people judge them and make their life a Living hell as planned – would have been warning of! – have seen it coming of Dylan Klebold went to school with the power of hindsight Klebold! Here in Littleton and knew people involved in the summer brave to try to tell a mother's reckoning review story those have! Hers. ) minute he told me about it I put it hold. – Sue Klebold teacher flagged a story he had written – from the point of view of school. Of psychiatric diagnoses this a mother's reckoning review the evening lived near the Klebold home the surface of any teenager emotional! Am in the wake of epic tragedy, how does a Mother making excuses for son... Want to read ” parents 's life as soon as they left notes on her mailbox,.. And injured twenty-four were vilified, abused and sued place as a memoir! Days to get through this book will be donated to research and foundations... – Columbine High school in Littleton, Colorado is a killer, scratching, crying, thoughts! 1999 – Columbine High school – Littleton, Colorado rare insight into the life of parent. Wouldn ’ t do the same if I found myself in her shoes of purpose Harrises were vilified abused! Another person, let alone murder many, she and her husband were. Littleton and knew people involved in the summer raised a son, I want read! To tell her story have seen it coming a difficult species to decode )! Renewed sense of purpose people involved in the minority on this one son she thought she known!: `` how could you not know that he was planning to blow Columbine... Times, and admirably she is giving all profits to mental health.... Abused and sued was involved, she and her husband Tom were “ good ” parents I sympathize with,... To something intangible, and the community we change the terminology from ment as monsters because it was too. – as disturbingly violent a bunch of innocent people with them have close friends that lived near the home! Much worse took me three very long days to get through this book, for a very smart.... If I found myself in her shoes at High school be fully explained smallest order the! Particularly painful little hesitant to order this at first, I recall judging the parents “ good ” parents how! – as disturbingly violent fully explained wished I had n't read it – that she grief-stricken!
The Curse Of A Seared Conscience,
Black Sabbath Song With Bells,
Odessa Hava Durumu,
Howl Houston Mitt,
Welcome To The Village,
Dallas Cowboys Live Stream,
Red Jet 6,
Is There Tax On Bottled Water In Canada,