Official Review: Harper Lee and Peppermint Candy

[ALynnPowers]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Harper Lee and Peppermint Candy" by Paula Hennessy.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Harper Lee and Peppermint Candy is the name given to the two person book club that Megan and her grandmother, Addie, began some years ago so that Megan wouldn't fall behind in her education after she was first admitted to a psychiatric facility. The novel of the same title, by Paula Hennessy, follows this pair of women through critical turning points in their lives. I would classify this book as a contemporary young adult novel, though older readers would have no trouble enjoying this book as well.

Megan has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and has been in and out of psychiatric care units for the past few years. Her divorced parents have been less than supportive of her, and her grandparents just want to enjoy their retirement in peace. As Megan approaches her eighteenth birthday and is admitted into residential treatment yet again, her parents decide they have had enough of dealing with her. Her father is too busy advancing his career and preparing to be a father with his new wife, and her mother goes away on a "spiritual journey" in attempts to find her own peace of mind. Megan is left at the psych facility feeling abandoned, so her grandparents once again step in to show their support.

Though Addie is excited about getting Harper Lee and Peppermint Candy running again, especially since Megan has managed to encourage others in the facility to participate as well, Addie has her own problems to deal with. As Megan finally begins taking huge strides in her recovery, Addie can no longer escape the fact that her own time with her family might be coming to an end.

The characters in this book are extremely well-written. In the beginning, I was torn between feeling bad for Megan and wanting to slap her in the face, and it was touching to follow her development as the story progressed. Then there is Megan's mother, who is so difficult to deal with that even Gandhi would be tempted to throw a public tantrum. Her grandparents are almost too sweet and down-to-earth to be believable, but Addie's ability to be the comic relief despite her own troubles just made me love her. More lovable characters show up throughout the book, including staff members and other patients of the unit in which Megan is admitted.

The author doesn't tiptoe around sensitive subjects when discussing young adults with mental issues and the effects these issues have on those around them. It is also easy to see how children's environments can affect their mental health. Hennessy has experience with working in a children's psychiatric unit, and I find it fascinating that she could take us inside such a facility and give us a behind-the-scenes look at what might go on there.

The only negative thing I have say to about this book is that there were a handful of errors scattered throughout the story, mostly with punctuation and the use of quotes within quotes. However, these errors are minor and didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story. This is a book filled with emotions, and it made me happy, sad, angry, hopeful, and a mixture of all of the above. I am pleased to give Harper Lee and Peppermint Candy a rating of 4 out of 4 stars and would recommend this book to anyone looking for a realistic story about what it means to be a family.

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Harper Lee and Peppermint Candy
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[zeldas_lullaby]

That's a great review!!

[PashaRu]

Great review. It made me mostly sad, maybe because of the basic premise of the book. But I love the idea that a troubled youngster and her grandmother could share something special. And I love the title and what it means in the story.

[zeldas_lullaby]

One of my grandmas dies a few years ago at almost 94 years of age. She was always being supportive and saying, "You can do it! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." And, "Get an education!" And, "Women in the workplace are riddled with jealousy." (Not sure how that fits in, but she was always saying it.) She was a nice old lady, born in 1918. Her goal in life was to live a loooong time, and she did! Reading this review inspired me to write a little tribute, I guess.

[gali]

It isn't my cup of tea, but I am glad you enjoyed the book. Thank you for the review.

-- May 1st, 2015, 6:31 am --

One of my grandmas dies a few years ago at almost 94 years of age. She was always being supportive and saying, "You can do it! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." And, "Get an education!" And, "Women in the workplace are riddled with jealousy." (Not sure how that fits in, but she was always saying it.) She was a nice old lady, born in 1918. Her goal in life was to live a loooong time, and she did! Reading this review inspired me to write a little tribute, I guess.

She sounds great indeed.

[zeldas_lullaby]

Thanks! She was great. She was almost singularly focused on being supportive and encouraging. I think she's still with me sometimes, in a way.

OK, I just thought of another memory: she got followed home by the police because she knicked their squad car without knowing it, while she was pulling out of a parking lot. They knocked on her door and asked if she knew she'd knicked their car. She wound up inviting them in for milk and cookies.

[bookowlie]

Great, insightful review. Although the parents distanced themselves from the troubled girl, it's nice that she and her grandma had a close bond. At least, there was someone who cared about this girl.

[ALynnPowers]

Thanks for the comments everyone!

The family dynamics in this story were great. So dynamic and realistic. At first I thought it would be "lame" to have an old lady as one of the leading characters, but then she turned out to be my favorite. I really wish my own grandmother was as great as Addie.

[Rachaelamb1]

Sounds like a touching story. Thanks for the review!

[ALynnPowers]

Sounds like a touching story. Thanks for the review!

You are welcome. And it was very touching. I was kind of in tears at the end.

But I can't say why...

[Rachaelamb1]

Sounds like a touching story. Thanks for the review!

You are welcome. And it was very touching. I was kind of in tears at the end.

But I can't say why...

Yes don't give away the ending!

[ALynnPowers]

I would never do such a thing!!!

[Jesska6029]

Beautiful review! The title of the book is really what drew me first - such an intriguing title. I'll make a note to pick this one up!

[Amheiser]

This review makes it seem like the author does a good job of creating interesting characters that would make a good story. I like the subject of the story too, and that the author tells what it is really like for people with mental problems. This book sounds like one that I would be interested in reading. Good review!

[bookowlie]

Beautiful review! The title of the book is really what drew me first - such an intriguing title. I'll make a note to pick this one up!

I agree, I love the title! It's fun and memorable.