Take a Look at Me Now

Bubby Welter's world is shattered at the age of fifteen when his mother, Carrie, has a mental breakdown. A coming-of-age novel, Take a Look at Me Now, depicts the impact that mental health struggles have on the individual suffering, and on those in her orbit. It is also about seeking out, and coming to terms with, lost fathers. Bubby's family situation is upturned by his mother's illness, but he has problems of his own: the embarrassment of botching a robbery, nearly destroying a close friendship and his being duped by a charming girl. In an effort to face his fears and anger, he undertakes a search for the father he never knew. The story captures the sense of stagnation and uncertainty in Bubby's and his mother's lives, with both characters seemingly stuck in their own worlds. It leaves the reader wondering how each of their agonies will affect their relationship and what changes lie ahead for Bubby and Carrie.