Name: The Weight of a Thousand Feathers
ISBN: 9781408871539

Brian Conaghan

How far would you go for someone you love? What would you do if they asked? When Bobby Seed's mum asks him the impossible question, how will he answer?

The Weight of a Thousand Feathers

Amanda Kordeliski

Eleanor Luhar

I actually finished this nearly two months ago, so this review is only going to be short. But I definitely thought this book deserved a review!
Bobby Seed is a young carer, looking after his mother who has MS. This book describes how her condition declined, affecting her every day life. Bobby not only has to care for himself and his poorly mother, but his younger brother who has an undiagnosed learning difficulty.
Because of his responsibilities, Bobby doesn’t have much time for any normal teenager activities. Then he finds a support group for young carers like him, providing a much-needed break from his daily routine. He begins to make friends there, and even goes on a weekend break with the group.
Bobby’s mum begins to request things for her birthday. First, she asks to get stoned – it relieves the pain and reminds her of her younger days, she says. But then things get darker, and Bobby finds himself stuck in an awful place, with a decision no son should ever have to make.
I found this to be incredibly raw and honest. Obviously I don’t know whether it’s actually accurate or relatable, but it was definitely emotional. And there was a certain part with Lou, a friend Bobby makes at the carers’ group, that was just… wow. It was shocking and strange but sad, too, really. I thought it was really fantastic overall. 4.5 stars.