Hannah Webber fears she will never be a mother, but her prayers are finally answered when she gives birth to a son. In an era of high-stakes parenting, nurturing Sam’s intellect becomes Hannah’s life purpose. She invests body and soul into his development, much to the detriment of her marriage. She convinces herself, however, that Sam’s acceptance at age fourteen to the most prestigious of New … England boarding schools overseen by an illustrious headmaster, justifies her choices.
When he arrives at Dunning, Sam is glad to be out from under his mother’s close watch. And he enjoys his newfound freedom—until, late one night, he stumbles upon evidence of sexual misconduct at the school and is unable to shake the discovery.
Both a coming-of-age novel and a portrait of an evolving mother-son relationship, The Nine is the story of a young man who chooses to expose a corrupt world operating under its own set of rules—even if it means jeopardizing his mother’s hopes and dreams.
more
Compelling, THE NINE by Jeanne McWilliams Blasberg, had me hooked from the get-go. A book about smother-mothers, whom you can and can’t bequeath the gift of trust, and resiliency, the adversities the protagonist encounters throughout the pages had me cheering loudly from his side of the court. I highly recommend this five-star book!
This book provides a look into a private school while telling about some of the many sacrifices that parents have made for their children. Little do they know what goes on behind the closed doors of this institution.
A neurotic mother, a son accepted at a New England boarding school, disturbing secrets within a secret group. The son was the most likable character, and his experience at Dunning provided him an unforgettable life experience — an education from the school of hard knocks. I liked the ending.
It’s hard to give an opinion on a book that deals with mother- son relationships when you are not a parent yourself, but let someone lay a hand on, or harm one of my nephews, and hell hath no fury like an aunt scorned. Let my inner “Regina George” be unleashed.
This novel is absorbing, it gives you so many different emotions. You want to really feel for Hannah, this is her son, her one and only, she’s wanted him so bad. She’s wanted nothing more than the best for him since before he was born. I can’t imagine what it’s like to finally have the son you’ve wanted, so I probably would smother the poor kid too.
Sam, finally of age and away from his hovering mother, about to finally make some of his own decisions on his own terms. You’re so happy he gets away from the helicopter mom, off to an elite school, off to make friends and do boyish things. How can you possibly not root for both of them, even though you have two alternating voices speaking with two separate sets of emotions?
As with any coming of age, the difficult topic start to come into play, and it’s no different for Sam. The bulling, sex and drugs, the secret society and brotherhood at the private school and most importantly the decisions that need to be made in order to be socially accepted. We see the pressures that both mother and son need to make as individuals and the continuous misunderstandings between them that frustrate even the most patient person.
This story has many layers, addresses many important and relevant issues of todays world (peer pressure, bullying, drugs) and allows you to get an idea of how strong a parental bond can be. There is enough suspense and stressful moments to keep you turning the pages, and really makes you think. Smooth writing, great sophomoric novel. 4 solid stars. I look forward to Ms. Blasberg’s future work.
I just would like to thank Jeanne McWiliams Blasberg, Suzanne Leopold of Suzy Approved Book Tours and #partner @SheWritesPress for the copy of this book for my unbiased and honest opinion for review.
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “The Nine” by Jeanne McWilliams Blasberg, She Writes Press, August 20, 2019 part of Suzy Approved Book Tours
Jeanne McWilliams Blasberg, Author of “The Nine” has written an intense, captivating, intriguing, thought-provoking, and emotional novel. The Genres for this Novel are Fiction, and Contemporary Fiction, with Suspense. The timeline for this story takes place mostly in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events in the story. The author describes her dramatic characters, as complex, complicated, each having their own set of problems.
Hannah Webber is an obsessed mother, who wants only the best for her son. Hannah and her husband are at odds what might be best for Sam. When the opportunity arises, Hannah decides that Sam should go to an elite and prestigious high school. Dunning is a boarding school with a specific set of rules. Hannah wants to be involved in her son’s life.
Sam’s adjustment to Dunning is difficult. The younger students are treated much differently by the other students and there is peer pressure. It seems that there are secrets. Sam feels very alone and thinks his way of belonging will be by “entering a side door”. Sam discovers some disturbing evidence of inappropriate things that are going on. This is also a coming of age book, and Sam has to think of where his loyalties are. There is a tremendous amount of pressure and betrayals.
I love the way the author discusses the important issues in contemporary society today. Bullying, drugs, sex, peer-pressure are some of the topics discussed. A mother-son relationship is explored. The author also mentions the importance of family, trust, emotional support, communication, love, and hope.
I would highly recommend this thought-provoking novel. Happy Reading!