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Max and Menna

Shauna Kelley
Lucky Press (2011)
ISBN 9780984462742
Reviewed by Tia Bach for RebeccasReads (04/11)

Haunting and memorable, the author transports the reader through love, loyalty, alcoholism, abuse, racism and complete sadness. This debut novel follows the story of Max and Menna, twins struggling to exist in a house of abuse and alcoholism. The townspeople look down on them and their mother. Their lives take a drastic turn when they meet Nick, an Indian boy who understands being an outcast.

We first meet Max in the present struggling to love and trying to find himself. Meanwhile, Menna is raising her niece and sidestepping the pain of revealing her past. Menna reaches out to Max for support. Through a series of flashbacks, Max and Menna alternate telling the story of their upbringing; a journey through love, horrific loss and finally sacrifice. The cycle of abuse and its effects on all their lives are unending. Lily, their older sister, receives the brunt of their mother’s cruelty. All three children yearn to escape. Menna finds hope in love, and Max plans to pursue an education after a principal recognizes his writing talents.  Lily attaches herself to the town bully, Emery, and falls into the trap of familiarity−abuse.

Menna's point of view is stronger and the character is developed more than her twin, Max. As a reader, I wanted more insight into Max, the alcoholic mother and Lily. Still, the story engaged all my senses, propelling me to the end even though I dreaded the inevitable. It harkened back to the classics of “West Side Story” and “The Outsiders”.

Captivating and real, the story overcame some grammar issues and spots of poor editing. The end was jarring, but beautifully told. A true testament to a wonderful writer is creating characters a reader cares about. I cared so much, particularly about Menna, that I sat staring at the last page hoping for more. 

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