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REVIEW
Ordinary Human Love by Melissa Goode is a well written debut. It masterfully delivers eye opening explorations on various complex relationships. Ones with our parents, one between spouses, ones between siblings and with lovers and friends. It takes the literary approach being character driven, delving into deeper themes and exploring social and emotional situations.
Mardi McKee returns to her father’s home after being overseas for eighteen months. She has lost her mother and still very much affected by the hole it has left in her life. But her loss does not end there. Things did not go so well in the romantic department. Her marriage to her litigation lawyer husband ended in divorced. She left her lawyer’s job and has lived on their settlement. But that money is running out. On top of this, she is estranged from Ian, the chef she strayed with during her marriage. The man she adored. But something traumatic happens and fear engulfs her and she leaves Ian in the middle of the night with no explanation, only a few months after her divorce.
What is wrong with Mardi? Does she have commitment issues? Does she pick the wrong men? Does she even know what or who she wants? One might say she escapes overseas to give herself some distance from her problems and/or to work out who she is. This may all be true but one thing we do know is that we can never run away from ourselves. Eventually our past will need to be reckoned with to move forward. And that is what happens on her return. She must sort through all her past relationships with her father, mother, ex-husband and lover. And deal with her friends and their advice and warnings. Not to mention her deep involvement with Ian’s teenage sister Claudia who appears to be emotionally damaged by her toxic mother. Mardi, even with her own struggles, feels the need to nurture this troubled young woman. Mardi becomes a place for Claudia to test unconditional love.
There is a lot of character introspection and questioning of one’s actions and consequences as seen in Mardi’s thoughts when she expresses: ‘I felt sickened by what I had done to Ian and I don’t understand the version of me who left him.’ Ian, also, brings to home the collateral damage of what Mardi has done to him. And then she sees the effects of her behaviour and how it has echoed through not only Ian’s life but others. It is a heavy revelation when it happens but shows growth. Yet, we must remember: she has been on a personal journey trying to sort out who she is, what she wants and does not want. Before she can make anyone else happy, she has to be happy with herself first. Not an easy task to accomplish but after a fair passage of time, travel and unsavoury encounters, she is able to determine where her home is and where her heart belongs. And yes, there is a satisfying ending!
Ordinary Human Love is about many things but at the heart of this story is the need to recreate life after deep loss. Everyone reacts differently and everyone must find a path through the fallen debris. Mardi runs haphazardly at times into the obstacles she faces when emotions run high. But when she slows down and takes a breath, she begins to rebuild something that is unique to her, not what is expected of her. There is a lot of pain, anger and frustration to work through but healing does eventuate.
Melissa leaves a trail of brilliant lines behind that gave me much food for thought. It is a complex read, wading through the gritty drama of another person’s trauma but this character driven novel rooted in reality still shines above the wasteland of regret and remorse. The positives are the hidden nuggets you will find when the light hits the darkness. When someone is willing to be vulnerable and open to the many facets of love—anything is possible. This is a fine debut from a very talented writer. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to the publisher Ultimo Press and Melissa for a review copy.
