The Weight of Air

The Weight of Air is a compelling story, particularly once Jack and Mabel arrive in New York, and try to join the circus and find Mabel's mother. It picks up on some issues not commonly seen in fiction: a woman in an unusual job. A woman who is bigger and stronger and earns more than her husband. A woman who struggles with feelings of unworthiness. A woman searching for her identity. The story also touches on mental illness, particularly postpartum depression and OCD. Both are dealt with in a realistic yet sympathetic manner, and provide valuable insight into the problems faced by those who suffered rom mental illness in a time before modern medications were available. \\n\\nThe underlying research was a definite strength. It gave the story a feeling of authenticity, yet Duffy never allowed the research to overwhelm the story. The focus was always on the characters, their relationships, and their predicaments (and there were plenty of predicaments). Overall, I thought the story was excellent, and certainly met the high standard I've come to expect from Kimberley Dufy books. Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.