Twilight Child
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Twilight Child is a fiction novel by Warren Adler
| Twilight Child | |
| Author | Warren Adler |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Fiction |
| Publisher | Stonehouse |
| Publication date | May 2001 |
| Media type | Hardcover/Paperback/E-Text |
| Pages | 293 pages |
| ISBN | ISBN 1-931304-60-2(Paperback) |
Contents |
[edit] Plot introduction
When forbidden from seeing their grandchild, a couple decides to take the matter to court.
[edit] Plot summary
Frances recently lost her husband, she now has to raise their son, Tray, on her own. Her husband’s parents, Charlie and Molly, help out as much as they can. In a way, Charlie is attempting to replace his deceased son with the grandchild. Frances is nervous, she already felt she had to share her husband with her father-in-law. She does not want the same to be true with her child.
After meeting Peter, Frances quickly remarries, much to the chagrin of her former in-laws. Frances looks at the marriage as a clean break. She can start again with Peter, have him adopt Tray, and they could make a new family. For the sake of Tray, not wanting to provide too much confusion during the adjustment period, Frances decides that all communication should be cut off with her former in-laws.
Two years go by. Charlie and Molly lost their son, they do not want to give up their grandson as well. Knowing Frances will still not allow them to see Tray, they decide to sue for visitation rights.
Both sides claim to be acting for the good of the child. Charlie and Molly feel that a grandparent’s love is essential for his development. Frances believes moving forward is best. In fact, they are all acting on their own accord. Charlie and Molly need Tray more than Tray needs them. Frances will not let go of old grudges against Charlie, the true motivation for keeping them at bay.
The suit goes to trial. The judge, a widow herself, is placed in the position of deciding what is truly best for the child, a factor that everyone else seems to be ignoring. No one is happy when the judge decides to bring Tray into court to ask him what he wants. Both sides had kept Tray out of it. They viewed him as innocent and do not want harm him emotionally. Even though they express this concern, they do not do anything to stop the judge from meeting with the seven year old.
[edit] Major themes
The breakdown of communication is at the forefront of the novel. As a lawyer points out, such a matter does not need to be taken to court. It should be resolved in the privacy of one’s home. Charlie, Molly, and Frances do not attempt to understand each other. They merely believe want they want and expect others to believe it as well.
The trial has allusions to the judgement of Solomon (1 Kings 3:16-28), as both sides feel it would be detrimental to bring Tray into the courtroom. The child certainly will not be cut in half, but a part of his innocence will be sacrificed when brought into their fight. It is a moment for one of them to step up and prevent the child from harm.
