The Good Mother - by Kathy M. Dixon

The Good Mother is a psychological novel, set in rural Oklahoma in the early 1960's. It is the profound story of an abused child named Melanie. As she struggles with physical, emotional, sexual and religious abuse, she has to find ways to survive. Anorexia, bulimia, and multiple personality disorder are some of the ways Melanie finds to cope.

Desperate for help, she creates the fantasy of a Good Mother who will come one day and heal her. As Melanie fantasizes about this Good Mother, she imagines what a Good Mother would be like, and how her life would be different if this Good Mother would appear. During the course of Melanie's own search for survival, she creates a prototype to direct her own healing, a sort of reference point. While a senior in high school, Melanie meets a lady named Victoria Franklin who is the high school counselor. At this time, Melanie's anorexic condition climaxes. At the point of death, Melanie collapses and Victoria steps in to see if she can help the child. Miraculously, or divinely inspired, Victoria, seems to understand what the child needs to overcome and survive. Against the counsel of other professionals, Victoria breaks the standards and ignores the advice of others, becoming an intimate part of Melanie's healing process. She becomes Melanie's physical manifestation of the Good Mother. It is risky but something must be done.

Find out what happens. Read The Good Mother, by Kathy M. Dixon.

FIRST NOVEL BY LOCAL AUTHOR IS A MUST-READ
By Larry Russell, editor The Wynnewood Gazette, Thursday June 14, 2001

Kathy M. Dixon, a former resident of Wynnewood, has a winner in her first novel, "The Good Mother."

Mrs. Dixon said she spent 20 years on this first effort. Whatever she went through, whatever changes she made over those 20 years, she has fine-tuned her first book in the style of an seasoned professional.

When you pick up "The Good Mother", don't expect a lovely romance or even lovable characters. Do expect dialogue and insight into dysfunctional families that will hold you riveted and keep you turning the pages.

Dixon takes the reader through the blow by blows of the central character's life. Her name is Melanie, a child we know from the womb to adulthood. What Melanie endures will make you cringe, will make you aware that you have known precious children like her whom you did not understand or felt powerless to help, will give you a wake-up call regarding things we do in the name of love, and will reaffirm your belief in the power of prayer.

A BOOK TO ENJOY
Reviewer: Lionel Charles Caws, Waiheke Island, New Zealand, June 8, 2001

Reading any worthwhile novel we all tend to identify with at least one of its main characters, usually the protagonist, and in so doing we may here and there catch intriguing glimpses of the author's own personal reality. Perhaps more importantly for us, though, is that we also, now and then, gain new knowledge of unknown or long-forgotten aspects of our own inner selves and this is certainly what happened for me while reading Kathy M. Dixon's The Good Mother.

Whether in rural Oklahoma, or downtown Timbuktu, the manifest cruelty of children towards a perceived 'odd child out', and the long-suffering indifference and downright meanness of so many role-model adults, seems to be nothing less than par for the course and Ms. Dixon's poignant story readily recalled from forgetfulness the troubled days of my own childhood. So, naturally enough, I quickly found myself empathising with Melanie and appreciating her need to escape into dreams of a Good Mother ever ready to protect and nurture.

Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Dixon's novel, and as with any good book found it very easy to pick up but very hard to put down. I rate it 'tops.'

DEEPLY MOVING... I GIVE THIS WORK 5 STARS
Reviewer, Luan Adams from Oklahoma, June 19, 2001

I have just finished reading "The Good Mother" by Kathy M. Dixon and I highly recommend it. Ms. Dixon has a gift for making her reader feel the emotions of the characters to their deepest level. The sights and sounds of a small town are very real as she depicts the community in which Melanie was brought up. Even the animals she encountered are the more endearing because you experience the deep affection she had for every living creature. As you watch this young girl develop into an insecure woman your heart is torn because of the absolute hopelessness of her situation. At the same time, however, her innner strengths begin to shape her into a productive and happy adult. This is the story of unspeakable injustice to an innocent child and yet it is victorious in the fact that without even being aware of it, Melanie has depth and strength that she is totally unaware of. As you finish the last page you are cheering for the plans she has for the future. It is a story of difficulty, trial and hope. I give this a 5 star rating.