The Better Part of Worse : A Novel of Hope - Denise-Marie Martin

The Better Part of Worse

A Novel of Hope

By: Denise-Marie Martin

Paperback | 21 January 2025

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"An affecting, decades-spanning tale of love and mental illness." - Kirkus Reviews

"Martin keeps the pace humming with heart-breaking plot twists and resonant emotional moments, transforming the narrative into a powerful rendering of the 'true meaning of love.'" - BookLife Reviews

The Better Part of Worse is a gripping family saga that explores the meaning of family, the devastation of mental illness, the resilience of love, and the enduring hope that survives even the most overwhelming challenges. Set against the backdrop of the 20th century's most tumultuous decades, the story follows Jamie Murphy, a former seminarian turned family man, as he grapples with his wife Katie's mental illness in the late 1920s. For three decades, Jamie and his daughters hold on to the faint hope of Katie's recovery.

Katie's journey sheds light on the harsh realities of mental health care and the restrictive social norms of the time. It also highlights the groundbreaking impact of the first antipsychotic medications, such as Thorazine, which offered new hope for treating severe mental illness.

An unforgettable love story marked by human brokenness and powerful redemption, the novel bears witness to God's miraculous ability to bring light out of the darkest circumstances.

Industry Reviews

"In this engaging and evocative historical novel, Denise-Marie Martin explores the far-reaching impact of severe mental illness on individuals and families through a lens of deep faith-and without sugarcoating the struggles or ignoring the wreckage left in the illness's wake. The Better Part of Worse is a story about the true nature of love, which is never easy but always redemptive. Highly recommended!" - Rhonda Ortiz, award-winning author of the Molly Chase series

"The Better Part of Worse is a love story, a historical fiction novel, and a mystery wrapped up perfectly. The novel emphasizes the resilience of love and the enduring hope that can flourish even amidst the challenges of mental illness while celebrating the loving choice of adoption. A powerful line from the novel: 'God brings good out of even the hardest things' captures this beautifully. Every page drew me deeper into the characters' lives, brought to life through Martin's meticulous research and heartfelt storytelling. I simply couldn't put it down." - Leigh Ebberwein, award-winning author of the Saints of Savannah series.

"Denise-Marie Martin has woven a heart-breaking yet beautiful tale in her historical novel The Better Part of Worse. This post-World War I story of family bonds, oaths to God, and desperate clinging to goodness in the midst of mental illness evokes deep emotions the whole way through. I wasn't too far in before I could barely set it aside. I fell in love with the characters and found myself wanting them all to triumph over whatever was holding them back, whether it be vice or victimhood. Martin stays true to what we've come to expect from her--excellent research of topic, splendid character development, and the gamut of emotions. I am proud to give my endorsement and highly recommend this unforgettable novel." - Mary Jo Thayer, three-time award-winning author of Close to the Soul.

"I absolutely loved this book. The characters are well-developed, the setting and time period are well-represented and well-researched, and the story is compelling. It's not an easy read, but it's an important one that defines the uniqueness and the irreplaceability of every human being, no matter how they were conceived. If I could give it more than five stars, I would. Highly recommend!" - Ellen Gable, award-winning author of more than ten novels.

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