A Mother’s Reckoning: Living In The Aftermath Of Tragedy

A Mother’s Reckoning: Living In The Aftermath Of Tragedy

In A Mother’s Reckoning, Sue Klebold, for the first time, recounts, based on her recollections, her daily journals, and the difficult and harrowing writings and video recordings her son left behind, the days and months leading up to the tragic shooting at Columbine High School, where 12 students and one teacher, as well as the shooters themselves, died – and the indelible impact on Sue, her family, the community, and our culture.

In large measure, this candid and unflinching narrative was written to explore how Sue and others close to Dylan missed potential signs. How did her beloved golden boy go so utterly off the rails, without her knowledge? Did she miss the indications, subtle or obvious, that Dylan was in trouble? That her child, who had just attended the senior prom and was soon to graduate and go off college, had a dark, secret life, and an inner rage, that she could not even imagine? Is there something valuable and important that she can share with other mothers and families in terms of recognizing the signs that might get others the help they need? In an age when the number of mass shootings has escalated to unprecedented levels, is there something we as parents and concerned citizens and community members can do to help our children and prevent such senseless tragedies?

With fresh wounds from Newtown and Charleston, never has the need or yearning for insight and understanding been more urgent. Author profits from the book will be donated to research and to charitable foundations focusing on mental health issues.