THE BITTLEMORES - A Novel Review

 

Talking cows, oh my. What was the author thinking? Yet this is what led me to want to read The Bittlemores, by Jann Arden. But have no fear, this isn’t a cute kind of story about talking farm animals, far from it. In fact, this novel covers a number of dark topics such as poverty, alcoholism, long-term neglect, isolation and abuse. As for the talking cows, the author intended for the cows to be considered characters in a book, who only talk to each other. She considers cows sentient beings, with feelings, and ways of communicating with each other beyond the understanding of humans. And the fact that they can talk takes nothing away from topics it bravely covers. In fact, it enhances our perspective of the cruelty they experience on the farm at the hands of Harp Bittlemore.

Harp’s wife, known only as Mrs. B. throughout the story, is unable to carry a baby to term, so after numerous miscarriages, she elects Harp to steal one from a nearby hospital. Quite a feat in this day and age, but during a time before cameras were everywhere, Harp simply pulls the fire alarm in the small hospital and steals a baby girl from the nursery and walks out with it during all the chaos. Though Mrs. B. has longed for a child, she and her husband seem unable to give the child what it needs. Instead, their dirty deed sets them down a path of no return. Harp starts drinking to cover up his guilt, and Mrs. B., who loves to cook, eats her way to gargantuan proportions to replace the love she doesn’t receive from Harp.

They decide to name the little girl Margaret, whose only source of affection comes from the cows she helps to care for. At fourteen, Margaret decides to get back at her “parents” by becoming pregnant and causing them humiliation. Once the child is born, Margaret runs away and leaves her baby, Willa, behind with the Bittlemores.

As the years go by, Margaret has made a new life for herself, but regrets leaving her child behind and though fearful of her daughters reaction, wants to get her back. With the help of her truck-driver friend, Tilly, they set out to do just that.

Meanwhile, a police constable Bev Oldman, while working on a cold case – the kidnapping of Margaret years prior -- winds her way toward the Bittlemore farm seeking justice.

As you can see, there’s a lot going on in this book and Arden does a wonderful job of pulling all the different threads together and bringing all the key characters to the same place at the same time for the showdown.

While many have found this story difficult to read due to the cruelty to animals, what gives us hope for better days ahead is watching Willa come into her own and knowing that her mother wants to find her. Not only that, but Willa is also not completely alone in the world. Besides the affection of the three cows, Berle, Crilla, and Dally, Willa has a school friend who stands by her side, as well as her favorite teacher, Ms. Bevan, who steps in to assist Willa during a crisis.

The author, Jann Arden did a wonderful job of building suspense as we are introduced to new characters in the story. And knowing that there are people in the world working in Willa’s favor to save her from her fate keeps us reading to the end. You won't be disappointed. I know, I wasn't.