What's the Name of That Book??? discussion
Query abandoned by poster
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ABANDONED. Narrator looking back on a childhood where parents murdered whole family except her
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Emma, when did you read this book? Did the parents kill themselves? Or, did they end up going to prison?
I read it maybe 2000-2004?The parents both died as part of a suicide pact. All other kids 'successfully' killed. Just the narrator for whom no attempt was taken on her life.
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It was set in America or Canada, I think in the 1960s or 70s. The book wasn't 'about' the murders as such, much more about the repercussions in her life, particularly the idea that she wasn't chosen to be saved, rather she was simply forgotten about in the moment. That and the fact that her father was sane and adored his kids, but ultimately loved the mother more.
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I know this is abandoned, but it sounds very similar to A Heart of Stone except for the "set in America or Canada" part.https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I think (I could be wrong) it flips back and forth in time, revealing that her mother, suffering from post-partum depression (manifesting itself as paranoia, psychosis, rather than typical depression) decides its best for everyone is the family is murdered. The Dad loves his children, but more than anything he loves his wife and will do anything for her, and so complies in the murders. The narrator happened to be out (I think playing) at the time, didn't get murdered and feels residual pain that maybe she wasn't forgotten because she was merely forgotten.
Yes, very weird! -- and not an easy one to google. Any help much appreciated :)