Whisper Mama: A Novel

By: Linda Haas-Melchert

Narrated by: Talmadge Ragan

Whisper Mama opens in Harrisburg, Oregon, on an August evening in 1925 in the aftermath of a train crash that kills nine-year-old Evelyn Castle’s family. Although shattered, left alone to navigate the world on her own, she finds a way to survive.

Part II takes us to the Oregon Coast in the 1950s, where we meet eight-year-old Elin, Evelyn’s youngest daughter. A forever tomboy, she takes the listener on her own critter-filled journey and through her struggles under the violent hand of her father. All she wants in life is to feel love and to belong.

Part III introduces Elin’s seven-year-old daughter, Lu, in the 1960s. Bashful yet strong, she feels the need to protect herself and her siblings from the ugly intentions of others. She’s in a constant search for calm, for a world she can trust in. She carries the story through, circling back to her beloved grandmother.

The generations come together in part IV in Dallas, Oregon, in 1985. As Lu, now in her 20s, is beckoned home for a heartfelt visit with her mother and grandmother. Whisper Mama is a story about surviving and finally knowing when it’s time to go.

©2017 Linda Haas-Melchert (P)2018 Linda Haas-Melchert

Hit by a train?

This story felt a little far fetched to me. However, it does show how one person can show generation of poverty and abuse. And finally the stopping of it.

Great Storytelling.

I'm actually related to a character in this book. I couldn't believe how vivid she told each generations story and at times you felt you were there. I laughed, I cried and enjoyed the whole ride.

Whisper Mama

I absolutely LOVED this book.A tragedy in the beginning defines a family for years to come.I could relate to so much of this book.It brought back both good and bad memories.Well worth your time. Talmadge Ragan was a wonderful narrator. I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.

Tricking you into Torture Porn

Beginning as a tragic but uplifting story about a girl that loses her family then escapes a cult taking advantage of her loss to find a loving adoptive family that raises her with love and comfort, the story quickly turns to slowly draw the reader into descriptions of abuse that get worse with each generation; first spousal, then child, and finally a series of molestations and violence before the last generation decides to 'stop the cycle of abuse' through the decision "I won't hit my daughter in the face anymore."

If the author was trying to say anything profound beyond creating well written torture porn, the message is completely lost. What was successful is getting me to watch Schindler's List to cheer up after I finished reading the book.