An audio book.
New York. Susannah (46) is a children's doctor, "Dr Sue" on TV. She'd married her older husband John because she'd wanted a child. They haven't made love much recently. She has 2 daughters by IVF - 6 months and 4 years. One day she leaves the baby in the car when she parks it at work. The baby dies. John is sympathetic. Susannah's ex Ralph is at the funeral. Susannah wants another child. She overdoses, recovers. There's a court case to decide if she's been negligent. Her career-orientated approach to life may count against her, though she sees work rather as her life-saving duty. She become pregnant. John doesn't seem happy. She wonders whether he's having an affair - his ex had warned her about his tendencies.
TV news reporter Adelade, black, is put on the case. 10 years before, her 2 month old baby died - a cot death. Susannah had been the doctor. Adelade's husband had killed himself. Adelaine has qualms about hounding Susannah but she's under pressure at work - they don't know about her past - so she resorts to subterfuge to get a good story. She suffer prejudice from shop security guards etc.
Susannah's coached for the trial - when to cry etc. She says that when she had weeks off for maternal care with her first baby, female colleagues had said that the consequent disruption had made it difficult for them to take time off. She wants to be strong and controlled in court but her lawyer says she should appear vulnerable. Adelade watches - she discusses feminist issue with her white friend/colleague Julie who's into Tinder. Julie sets up a meeting with an expert witness, Michael - "the chemistry was spectacular". They have sex - her first as a widow. She can't cope, and sends Michael away.
John admits that he's been sleeping with a colleague. Susannah agrees that she hasn't helped him through his grief and suggests they try again. Adelade's in a cafe when Suasanah joins her. Adelade tells her about her past. She hadn't talked about it before. They compare experiences, and discuss how another child might help. Adelade apologises to Michael.
Susannah is found guilty by the jury. The female judge speaks in her favour and against society, reversing the jury's unaminous verdict. No custodial sentence. Adelade decides that she should be a more principled journalist, refusing some jobs. She tells Michael about her past.
Susannah has a miscarriage, which ends the relationship. 2 years later, Susannah and John are happier. Susannah's more of a mother. Ralph contacts her after years. She ignores him. She starts publishing again - "Parenting and Failure". Michael and Adelade have a baby.
Too formulaic - old arguments replayed. Didn't Adelaide miss Curtis? What happened to Susannah's relationship with her remaining daughter Emma before the trial?
Other reviews
- goodreads (rating: 4 out of 5)
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