Eddie's Reviews > The illustrated mum

I think this is one of Wilson's darker and more depressing novels, geared toward slightly older children. Marigold is great at getting tattoos, not so great at anything else. Especially naming children - poor Dolphin. Dolphin doesn't even like dolphins. I remember that. The novel focuses on Marigold's spiral into depression, and touches on some sensitive subjects - mental health and depression, alcoholism, learning difficulties, bad parenting... At the age of eleven or whenever I read this book, I couldn't relate to a single one of those issues, but the book still got to me.

I found the book quite fascinating. Mental health issues - Marigold, as it turns out, suffers from manic depression - have always held interest with me. And poor awkward little Dolphin turns out to be quite gutsy and resourceful, which is nice. I felt for her. It sure as hell can't be easy dealing with a crazy momma.