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Carol's Reviews > A Mother's Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy
by
bookshelves: ebook, true-crime, non-fiction, published-2016, mental-health, read-2016
A MOTHER'S RECKONING is a detailed and graphic account of the carefully planned massacre that occurred at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. 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.
A great deal of this memoir is written from the perspective of what actually happened in the Klebold family world from the time of awareness. 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.
"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."
In this account, Klebold also takes full responsibility for missing the signs that Dylan was depressed and in trouble admitting he did in fact show outward signals of suicide that she dismissed not recognizing them for what they were at the time, but now understands after consulting with numerous mental health experts.
"To the rest of the world, Dylan was a monster, but he was my son."
Excellent follow-up story to COLUMBINE, but a very sad and terribly heartbreaking read. (Having raised a son, I can attest that teenagers are often a difficult species to decode.)
Final Note: Author profits from this book will be donated to research and charitable foundations focusing on mental health issues.
Reading Progress
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Such an eye opener ... I am so glad I read this book.
Looking forward to your review, Carol! :)
Anne wrote: "This must have been a difficult read, Carol. I had the opportunity to see Sue Klebold in interview, and came away so very impressed by her strength and courage."It was Anne.....very detailed in respect to the actual shootings, and the horror of afterward. Would have liked to see the interview.
Heather wrote: "Such an eye opener ... I am so glad I read this book."I agree Heather. Tough read though.
Jennifer wrote: "Looking forward to your review, Carol! :)"Thanks Jennifer. :-)
Jen wrote: "Great review, Carol"Thx. Jen! :-)
Stephanie wrote: "Great review... sounds tough. Glad she is donating profits."Thanks Stephanie....I was glad to see that she was donating profits too.
This is a fantastic review, Carol!
Carol, great review. I hope to find time for this. Will be a tough one though.
Great review Carol. It took a serious nudge from a friend for me to decide to read this one, but it's definitely worth it.
Kelli wrote: "This is a fantastic review, Carol!"Thank you Kelli! :-)
Candi wrote: "Carol, great review. I hope to find time for this. Will be a tough one though."Thanks Candi! Hope you can get to it. It's one of those books that needs to be read, and yes, it was a tough one in many respects.
Esil wrote: "Great review Carol. It took a serious nudge from a friend for me to decide to read this one, but it's definitely worth it."Thx. Esil! I so agree that it's a worthwhile read.
Great review Carol! I read Columbine last year, and think enough time has passed to give this read. How wonderful that the proceeds go to mental health issues.
I do plan to read this. I have not added it but it's been on my list waiting for a time when I feel I can read it. Appreciate your comments. Great review.
Debbie "DJ" wrote: "Great review Carol! I read Columbine last year, and think enough time has passed to give this read. How wonderful that the proceeds go to mental health issues."Thank you Debbie! Be prepared to relive Columbine as well as see it from the perspective of a mother. Whew!
Carol wrote: "I do plan to read this. I have not added it but it's been on my list waiting for a time when I feel I can read it. Appreciate your comments. Great review."
Thank you Carol. Look forward to your thoughts! Tough read!
It was Anne.....very ..."
There are several posted to YouTube, using search words: "Sue Klebold interview"
Anne wrote: "Carol wrote: "Anne wrote: "This must have been a difficult read, Carol. I had the opportunity to see Sue Klebold in interview, and came away so very impressed by her strength and courage."It was ..."
Thanks Anne.......will check it out! :-)
Wonderful review. I was deeply moved by this book. So well-written and so profoundly heartbreaking.
Dawn wrote: "Wonderful review. I was deeply moved by this book. So well-written and so profoundly heartbreaking."You are so right Dawn, I felt the same way...and thanks!
Wow, intriguing review, Carol! And a brave memoir...and brave of you to read it. Thank you for making me aware of this one.
Sharyl wrote: "Wow, intriguing review, Carol! And a brave memoir...and brave of you to read it. Thank you for making me aware of this one."Thank you Sharyl! Tough but worthwhile read.
