Book Review: Morning in This Broken World

Morning in This Broken World, a novel by Katrina Kittle, is an amazing story of a newly widowed woman and a family desperate for a home.

Vivian Laurent grieves the death of her husband. She’s left their house vacant so that she could be with him at an assisted-living facility. But now he’s gone and she is alone.

Suddenly, the world changes with the invasion of Covid. The facility is going into lockdown. Going into quarantine, being stuck in the apartment without her husband is something Vivian can not bear.

In the meantime, Luna, a compassionate nursing assistant at the same facility, has a big problem. She and her two children are threatened with an eviction notice. Her estranged husband’s support check bounced and they are already behind in their rent. Luna has been especially kind to Vivian’s husband and Vivian and Luna’s daughter have become friends when the girl occasionally visited the facility. The eleven-year old daughter, Wren, is wheel-chair bound with cerebral palsy. Her sullen and defiant older brother, Cooper, has pretty much given up on the whole world.

Suddenly, it all comes together. Vivian leaves the facility and, together with Luna and her children, go to Vivian’s home. The housemates weather the pandemic together, but certainly not trouble-free.

How this newly-formed “family” manage is a testimony of strength born of necessity. Everyone must contribute to the well-being of all, pooling talents, accepting the bad with the good, and overcoming old prejudices.

Morning in this Broken World is a lovely novel, full of heart. I especially appreciated the natural, expressive dialog. I gained new insights into human behavior as this newly-formed family found their way. I loved Vivian’s feisty attitude and big heart. I witnessed Wren and Cooper grow in their new environment, finding the freedom and space to develop. And I watched as their mother, Luna, could finally find her own strengths without the worry of providing the basics for her family. This is a book teens and adults will enjoy and appreciate.

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