By Stephanie Wrobel
This book is about a case of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy where fortunately, the victim is saved in time. The perpetrator, her mother in this case, is sentenced to jail time, mostly due to her daughter, Rose Gold, testifying against her in court.
I am always intrigued/abhorred by these cases – again, too much true crime TV. It was nice to see a victim of such a crime stand up for herself and get better. We are also led to believe that maybe she will get even.
The story is told from the perspective of Rose Gold, and her mother, Patty Watts. Some internal motivations and history of abuse are explored. It is also interesting to see how childhood trauma shapes our adult decisions and lives. No one is innocent, and no one will admit their guilt or take responsibility for their actions.
Rose Gold’s revenge is not limited to just her mother. All perceived slights are up for her adjudication. And the twists are as tragic, intricate, and depraved as Rose Gold’s mind has become.
Pros & Cons & Potential Spoilers
Pros
- The part of me that I am not proud of delights in her revenge…initially
- The community support of Rose Gold, though too late to be beneficial, is hopeful
- Did not see quite a few of the twists coming
Cons
- The failing of the health care system for Rose Gold after the trial is hard to stomach
- It seems like unfortunately, there are not enough good people who do the right thing in Rose Gold’s life – everyone does just enough or is out for their own interest