BOOK REVIEW

‘ Love Means Second Chances’: A novel about abortion rights

By Dinae Anderson

May 28, 2012

Women’s reproductive rights, primarily the right to abortion, are still under attack. With recent attacks by the Catholic Church and right-wing extremists, it is only appropriate that Susan Elizabeth Davis has published her first novel, “Love Means Second Chances.” Set in 1991, college student Christy, whose family is Catholic, battles with her protective but loving mom, Carole, when she decides to have an abortion. The story also revolves around Carole’s own past, when she became pregnant with Christy and her soon-to-be husband had wanted her to get rid of her child. With the help of Christy’s grandmother, Mary Louise, the two women explore how much love is needed at times of a struggle like this.

Davis gives a modern voice to the topic of abortion in a fictional story — and does a great job at it. Not only does the book inform the reader about important facts about reproductive matters, but that blends perfectly into a storyline that’s filled with love, compassion and even grief.

Besides being a strong pro-choice novel about today’s society, it is one of the most humane and responsive books I’ve read in a long time. I am very surprised that this is actually Davis’ first novel! I would highly recommend this book for anyone not only with an open mind, but with an open heart as well.

Anderson is a high school student in New York City and a member of Fight Imperialism, Stand Together (FIST).

The book can be purchased from http://www.lovemeanssecondchances.com