Title: Margaret of Thibodaux

Author: Jo Taylor

Genre: Literary Fiction

 

Margaret Thibodeaux was eight years old when her mother passed away. Margaret attempts to make sense of this loss while sitting at a post-funeral get-together. The gossiping and rampant speculation of local busybodies about her mother only makes Margaret more curious and upsets her father. Despite the gathered assembly of friends and loved ones, Margaret has never felt more alone, until she is introduced to a young girl named Honey. Honey and next-door neighbor Robert will compose her inner circle of friends as Margaret grows up over the ensuing years. By 1974, Margaret is a teenager who still possesses questions about her mother, which frustrates her father, who is intent on moving on with his life with a new girlfriend named Miss Muriel, which doesn’t sit well with Margaret.

Author Jo Taylor has written a poignant coming-of-age story that combines elements of humor, sadness, and joy in relating the story of young Margaret Thibodeaux. The book begins with a pall of sadness clinging to the Thibodeaux house in the aftermath of the loss of the family matriarch. Taylor’s words aptly convey the mood that permeates the household along with the confused grief that clouds Margaret’s mind.

The relationship between Margaret and her father Jimmy forms a dominant aspect of the story. The void left by the absence of mother/wife has made the house smaller, while also altering the dynamic between Margaret and Jimmy. Despite the love between Margaret and her father, there is an underlying tension between the two due to Jimmy’s refusal to address Margaret’s questions about her mother. The scenes where this conflict comes to a head are portrayed brilliantly by the author.

The reality of coping with the loss of a family member is a struggle, and for Margaret, the grieving process lasts years. The author portrays Margaret’s heartbreak sympathetically and tactfully even as Margaret begins to search for ways to contact her mother. The spiritual element of the story is conveyed through Margaret’s nighttime visits from her mother’s apparition along with an ill-fated attempt to summon her spirit through a Ouija board. Margaret’s refusal to relinquish the memory of her mother and her desire to reach her is understandable yet also gut-wrenching.

The sadness Margaret initially feels is softened when she meets Honey. The addition of Robert completes a tight circle of friendship that remains strong throughout the story. Margaret is balanced by sensible Honey and carefree Robert. The ups and downs in their association resonate with authenticity.

The author hits the highs and lows of adolescence in her portrayal of young Margaret Thibodaux. The specter of Margaret’s mother’s presence is felt throughout the book, but the impact would be magnified with a flashback featuring Margaret and her mother or with the entire family together.

Margaret of Thibodaux is an intelligent and emotionally gratifying novel that explores the journey of Margaret from child to teenager, experiencing joy and tragedy along the way. This is a book that will tug at the heartstrings while also evoking smiles. Author Jo Taylor has written a wonderful book with broad appeal.

 

 

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