In Cathy Glass's latest heart-wrenching foster care memoir, Helpless: Are Riley and his two little siblings in danger?, we meet Janie, a struggling mother overwhelmed by the demands of caring for three young children: Riley, Jayden, and Lola. Experienced foster carer Cathy Glass steps in to assist, quickly uncovering a perilous situation far exceeding initial appearances. The children's home life proves to be dangerously unstable, prompting Cathy to take on full care of the siblings. Following the success of her No.1 Sunday Times bestseller, Unsafe, Glass once again delivers a compelling and emotional account of her work, exploring the challenges of rebuilding shattered lives and the fight to protect vulnerable children. This gripping narrative will leave readers questioning the limits of family, safety, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Review Helpless
Cathy Glass's Helpless: Are Riley and his two little siblings in danger? is, as expected, another compelling read. While it marks the end of her fostering memoir series, it doesn't disappoint. Fans of her previous work will find the familiar comfort of her detailed, empathetic storytelling, perfectly capturing the daily realities and emotional complexities of foster care. The book deftly weaves together the challenges faced by Janie, the children's mother, and the three young children under her care, painting a poignant picture of their struggles.
What sets Cathy Glass apart, and what shines brightly in Helpless, is her ability to present difficult situations with sensitivity and understanding. She doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of neglect and parental struggles, but neither does she judge. Instead, she focuses on the practicalities of caring for the children, the emotional toll it takes, and the quiet acts of kindness and perseverance that make a difference. We are given an intimate glimpse into the children's lives, their resilience, their vulnerabilities, and their hope for a better future. The descriptive detail, a hallmark of Glass's writing, brings the children and their environment vividly to life. We're practically there, alongside Cathy, navigating the chaos and the quiet moments of connection. Her ability to make the reader feel so present in these situations is truly remarkable.
However, as several reviewers have noted, the book does feel a bit disjointed. The narrative jumps between several interconnected storylines – Janie and her children, the family dog Max, Cathy's own health issues, a brief respite care case, and a separate interaction with another family. While each segment is interesting in its own right, the transitions occasionally feel abrupt, leaving the reader slightly adrift. This slightly fragmented structure, while not detracting from the overall quality, could have benefited from a smoother narrative flow. The ending, too, felt somewhat abrupt, leaving some questions unanswered and a sense of incompletion.
Despite these minor criticisms, Helpless remains a powerful testament to the dedication and compassion of foster carers. It underscores the significant challenges they face, the emotional sacrifices they make, and the profound impact they have on the lives of vulnerable children. As one reviewer eloquently stated, reading Cathy Glass's books is like stepping into her home as a friend, and this book continues that tradition. While this book might be her last fostering memoir, it is a fitting end to a remarkable series, leaving a lasting impression. Her voice, both honest and hopeful, will surely be missed, but her contribution to understanding the complexities of foster care remains invaluable. I personally found myself captivated, heartbroken, and deeply moved by the stories within, and would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone interested in a compassionate and realistic portrayal of the foster care system.
Information
- Dimensions: 5.08 x 0.94 x 7.8 inches
- Language: English
- Print length: 336
- Publication date: 2024
- Publisher: HarperElement