The Far Away Girl by Sharon Maas

The Far Away Girl

Publication Date: March 02, 2021

The Far Away Girl by Sharon Maas was one of the saddest stories I have read to date. Our main character is Rita. She is a mixed race girl growing up in Guyana without a mother. She lives with her father, but that's about all she gets from her father is a place to live. Rita for the most part entertains herself by taking in any strays that come into her yard or that she hears about from neighbors. The activity of Rita taking in strays and caring for those who cannot take care of themselves mirrors her life throughout the novel. 

Rita's father and mother met and conceived her at a very young age and where not exactly prepared for her arrival. Her mother, Cassie, made the necessary preparations to be ready for Rita's arrival, while her father, Jitty, continued with the lifestyle he had been living. Jitty left the responsibility of Rita completely up to Cassie, that is until tragedy struck. 

I found myself disgusted with Rita's father, Jitty. Not once in the story did he ever do anything for the benefit of Rita. Rita is left to her own devices, except in instances where Jitty would directly benefit. Her behaviour throughout her school years reflects that of a child that doesn't get attention at home. Rita's neighbors in fact give her more attention than her own father does. I wanted to feel compassion for Jitty, being that he lost his mother and father at a young age and maybe did not have a good example of how to be a parent, but Jitty had his grandmother and aunt as guardians and Sharon Maas illustrates that they were involved in his rearing. 

The Far Away Girl does end on a good note for Rita. She does find the family life she needs and deserves and from everything she has been through has zero problem empathizing with any person or animal she comes in contact with, no matter what they are going through. The Far Away Girl taught me that we are not defined by how we were raised, but how we choose to interact with our envrionments. 

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy for an honest review. 

For Purchase: The Far Away Girl