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  • A Mother's Reckoning

  • Living in the Aftermath of the Columbine Tragedy
  • By: Sue Klebold
  • Narrated by: Andrew Solomon, Sue Klebold
  • Length: 11 hrs and 24 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (117 ratings)

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A Mother's Reckoning

By: Sue Klebold
Narrated by: Andrew Solomon, Sue Klebold
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Publisher's Summary

On April 20, 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold walked into Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. Over the course of minutes, they would kill 12 students and a teacher and wound 24 others before taking their own lives.

For the last 16 years, Sue Klebold, Dylan's mother, has lived with the indescribable grief and shame of that day. How could her child, the promising young man she had loved and raised, be responsible for such horror? And how, as his mother, had she not known something was wrong? Were there subtle signs she had missed? What, if anything, could she have done differently?

These are questions that Klebold has grappled with every day since the Columbine tragedy. In A Mother's Reckoning, she chronicles with unflinching honesty her journey as a mother trying to come to terms with the incomprehensible. In the hope that the insights and understanding she has gained may help other families recognize when a child is in distress, she tells her story in full, drawing upon her personal journals, the videos and writings that Dylan left behind, and countless interviews with mental health experts.

Filled with hard-won wisdom and compassion, A Mother's Reckoning is a powerful and haunting book that sheds light on one of the most pressing issues of our time. And with fresh wounds from the recent Newtown and Charleston shootings, never has the need for understanding been more urgent.

All author profits from the book will be donated to research and to charitable organisations focusing on mental health issues.

©2016 Sue Klebold (P)2016 Random House AudioBooks

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heartwrenching

Such an amazing story and well narrated. I really feel for sue klebold and her cause. I learnt so much from her story. so heart wrenching.

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heart wrenching

I admire Sue for her strength to speak out but also her strength to carry on and speak about the importance of mental health in teens

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Not sure how I feel about this book

I feel like Sue was upfront and forthcoming in most areas. I believe she only tried to dissect every inch she could of their lives to find out why or how this could could happen and how she missed it which I believe any parent would do. I don’t feel like she made excuses although I do feel like she found 1 or many explanations and ran with it because it seemed easier to believe it. Regardless of her views on how this happened we have to remember we are NOT the only ones raising our kids so monitor who their friends are and what’s happening at school etc if a teacher says they are concerned about a paper your child has written and believes it to be dark demand to see it from the teacher herself. We are our children’s parents before we are their friends. I think it’s written well and it’s worth the read if you’re open minded Sue tries to make it clear that there is no justification for her son’s behaviour I really do hope she looks at other alternatives as to the “how or why”. I don’t doubt for a second it’s brain illness because no one in their right mind would commit such a crime but focusing on one particular brain illness can also be quite damaging.

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Dig a little deeper.

In her everyday quest of keeping up appearances, Sue Klebold has, it may seem, almost drowned in the murky waters of finger-pointing, blame-shifting, ignorance and deflection, to justify Dylan's actions. I sense that, with further introspect and honesty, Sue may have something more to contribute to the myriad of reasons that lead to Dylan's actions. To all affected by such devastation, including Dylan and Eric, and their respective families, and most importantly, the victims and their families, I'm utterly sorry for the pain of loss that you have and will endure in this lifetime.

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Brilliant

Wow this book was amazing . It was not only well written but the way the story was told has made me view the whole incident differently then I did before I read this book. I can not recommend this book more than I have. Read this book it will change your view on the whole situation

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heartbreaking

a truly tragic event. Sue's desire to learn how her son could carry out such an atrocity is a challenging listen. well written

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A Great Reflection Piece

I loved this from start to finish. I rode a wave of emotions with Sue Klebold and she definitely made me think about the way I parent and the way I respond, interact and listen to my own child.

She has gone through such a difficult time but has come out the other side beaming with love and support for others. Thank you for sharing your story and your deepest thoughts and feelings.

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Heart breaking

Her words could make you feel the impact.
She is brave.
She had to tread a path through a landscape I hope I’d never have to see

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heartfelt and hard

I feel your pain Sue, as you try to piece together answers. I feel Dylan's pain and sense of hopelessness too. Thankyou for reaching deep within and sharing.

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Heartbreaking story from an incredibly brave woman

Sue Klebold should be commended for even considering putting pen to paper, let alone sharing her story with the world.

I felt so much empathy for a woman who loved and continues to love her son so much, but has had the struggle of living with his choices and subsequent aftermath. it wouldn't have felt right if anyone else narrated this story. What and incredibly strong and brave woman.

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