Tayari's Blog: 72-Hour Hold by Bebe Moore Campbell

Posted by TayariJones on August 23, 2005 06:22 PM
Filed under Bookshelf

While I was stranded on the runway at O'Hare I read Bebe Moore Campbell's new novel, 72-Hour Hold. My overall impression is that this is certainly a book worth reading.

The title, 72-Hour Hold, refers to the only recourse that a family has when a loved one, over the age of eighteen is mentally ill and in need of care. If the ill person does not want to go to the hospital, you can only hold her involuntarily for three days.

In many ways, this novel is Moore way of bringing to light the challenges faced by parents of mentally ill children who are adults on paper. Most of the novel centers of the mother's attempt to find care for her daughter, Trina.

I can say that I learned a lot from reading this novel and it forced me to think what it would be like to live with a person who is so seriously ill. There is a lot of talk about people who suffer from depression, ADD, etc., but most of the time we think about care for individuals who are slightly off ballance. The daughter in this novel is seriously ill-- in her paranoid state she belives her mother is trying to kill her. She is violent and delusional. And there is nothing that the mother can do.

I had only one small quibble with this novel. There seemed to be an over-emphasis on the "beauty" of the daughter. I actually found this to be a little bit distracting. Bebe Moore Campbell is such a fine writer that I was a bit taken aback by this sort of superficial description.

But this is just a minor thing. Overall, I thought the book was well done and enlightening.

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There are 2 comments on "72-Hour Hold by Bebe Moore Campbell". If you'd like to leave a comment, click here to jump down to the comments entry form.

Comment #1, by Ruth

Hi

I've not read 72 Hour Hold yet. I've read a free first chapter and it's on the TBR list.

Having read your comments, I'm wondering if the author is trying to contrast the character's inner turmoil and outer beauty. Maybe she stressed it too much. It's a fine line -- that one between too much and just right, especially in writing. I'll hold judgment until I've read the book.

Thanks for your comments on this book and others. I've added quite a few to the TBR stack from your weblong.

Thanks, Ruth

August 24, 2005 06:46 AM

Comment #2, by Ladylee

Did you get a chance to check out Bebe Moore Campbell's session at NBCC?? Amazing!

I've never been the biggest Bebe Moore Campbell fan, but after going to her session at this year's NBCC conference and hearing her tell the story behind the book, I definitely put the book on my reading list. I will definitely read it soon.

August 25, 2005 04:08 PM

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