2L

Do you think Kim’s mother should be released? Do you think Kim should forgive her mother?

No I don’t think Kim’s mother should be released. She was an awful mother. I don’t think Kim will ever forgive her mom.

I think redemption works for some people. It's been a number of years since Kim's mother was incarcerated for harming her children. While I wouldn't expect Kim to forgive or forget, on paper she looks like a likely candidate for parole. Or did she do something else that I can't remember.

This is a difficult one. Clear the mother must have been mentally ill but her actions were child abuse and her actions caused great cruelty, and caused the death of Kim’s brother whilst they were tied to a hot radiator in summer (this is something I do remember from the previous books! It stays with you!). I’m all for redemption in some things, but struggle with this concept where someone has been murdered - that murdered person doesn’t get to live the rest of their life so why should the murderer. Where child murder is concerned I feel this even more.
I don’t know how Kim could forgive her mother for what she did in the circumstances.

Throw away the key!
Kim’s mother does not deserve Kim’s forgiveness. Even if the inability to let go is damaging to Kim’s psyche. Some things are just not forgivable.