Veronika Gasparyan

Like some of the other reviews have mentioned, there were a lot of typos in this book. However, I tried to keep that from taking away from the message of the book, which pretty much robbed my soul. If even only a portion of this book is true, then my heart breaks in half for the author. Some of the experiences seemed a bit outlandish, but who am I to say that it didn’t actually happen? People go through extremely difficult situations all the time and are somehow able to survive, so I’m not going to say that the author is a liar. All in all, either way you look at it, I enjoyed this book from the beginning to the end (though the end did break my heart even more).… (plus d'informations)

The horrific tortures Armenian Veronika Gasparyan went through as a young child doesn't make Mother At Seven a novel to ready in a relaxed mode. A dysfunctional Sochi based family isn't even a right label for the behavior Vera's mother showed ever since the birth of Vera's brother Tigro. The lack of love, intimacy, and taking up responsibilities that belong to Motherhood, is shocking. A father who's absent at crucial moments, apparently saving the lives of others as ER medic, but insufficiently stepping up against what's going on at home. Then a cruel uncle Armen that abused Vera for whatever reason he and Vera's mother would like to see. No wonder development in school was under pressure, self-esteem destroyed, and talents not valued.

Grandpa, and a very few friends are the only glimmers of hope in Vera's young life. When grandpa passes away, and Vera is prohibited to befriend Aslan, a Georgian. From a technical side I missed the reason why Armen disappeared from the scene in the last chapters of the book. The pace alternates. Some scenes are described in painful details, other periods are skipped. The visit notably with Armen to the dentist has a kind of open ending, just as the sudden trip with dad to relatives in the United States. There's a sequel in the making. I really would learn about the change from the Sochi years of modern slavery to newfound freedom and restoration.… (plus d'informations)