This book ripped me apart. It's hard to find the words to describe how it made me feel. Hatred toward Gerald's family and any family that treats children that way. Frustration. Heartbreak.
King breaks down the roots of this family's issues so there's no question of where the fault lies and it's terrible to read and know that nothing is going to change. And yet this couple was allowed to be married and have children and other couples aren't? That's beside the point.
I truly do wish that it was required by law for every pregnant family to take a brief class on basic parenting and the consequences of neglect. Or of treating one child better than the rest.
I wish I had more coherent thoughts about this book because I do think it's an important one that every single person should read. And I'm glad it's YA so that maybe future parents can draw from Gerald's experiences.