For All She Knows is contemporary literary fiction by Jamie Beck, a reliable author, who writes a lot of great books. This is the third in her Potomac Point series, and they’re all very good books. The story’s about two friends, Grace and Mimi. They have different parenting styles with Mimi much more relaxed about things than Grace, but they’re great friends despite their quite different personalities. Their relationship is like sisters, and they don’t think it could ever be broken. Mimi provides Grace with inspiration and the kind of flamboyant fun that Grace wouldn’t have in her life otherwise, whereas Grace provides Mimi with a kind of stability she doesn’t have in her own life. And they both have different kinds of relationships. Mimi is a solo mother, who doesn’t have a great relationship with the father of her child, and Grace has a solid marriage until her teenage son is badly injured.
Mimi’s son has a party which starts off with just a few kids watching TV. Mimi goes out and while she’s away it turns into a full blown party with alcohol during which Grace’s son falls, or is pushed, down the stairs and may never walk again. The whole community is affected, and litigation ensues because it’s a requirement of Grace’s medical insurance, and there is the question of a lack of parental oversight. Grace and Mimi are estranged and we wonder if they are ever going to be friends again. Through a lot of the book we’re waiting to see whether the boy will walk again or not and as you can imagine if your parents or even if you’re not apparent, a pretty horrible situation all round, and of course, there’s the pain of the boy’s recovery. If you like contemporary literary fiction that looks at socially important themes, then I think you’ll really enjoy this book. In fact I recommend the whole Potomac Point series.
