Overall I felt that the premise was better than the execution. The story started off okay but it quickly became rather repetitive and a little bland, especially when the "communication" started. The writing was nothing to write home about and ultimately, neither was the story.

A sad story at times for this woman named Oma.
Thankfully she had a dear friend named Comfort who helped and understood Oma.
I enjoyed this book, though it was difficult to read at times.
"kindness" to all" is the message .

I received this ARC from netgalley.com in exchange for a review.

Marthanne is Oma, Oma is Marthanne ... one person who is two. Set in 1930's Georgia, poverty is rampant and everyone struggles to live from day to day, week to week, year to year. Mental illness is not to be acknowledged and spoken of. Comfort, Oma's co-worker, tries to help in the only way she knows how to help, by being a friend.

The story line was interesting enough and the ending was ok, but I struggled to get through this book. It could have been several pages shorter, I found the language kind of tedious and boring.

2.5☆ rounded up to 3☆

Odd book. I almost put it down after the violent first chapter and the death in the second (what exactly WAS wrong with Sara?) I figured out the issue with Oma/Martha Ann pretty quickly but didn't especially like them- either one of them. I liked Comfort, who was a woman ahead of her time. I had a hard time keeping Royce and Lawrence straight initially but not once the secret was revealed. It is well written and I'd like to see more from Brandon. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

This book, man did this book make me feel. Considering the era this book takes place in I had to set aside my current beliefs and how I feel about certain topics to fully immerse myself into this book. Once I did I was able to fully commit myself to the book, and boy am I glad that I did.

Marthanne/Oma are two incredible personalities in one package. They are complete opposites of each other but have to communicate (despite seeing each other face to face), most of the book is trying to make this work, while also facing the complications or being mentally ill in an era where not much was known. Comfort was a incredible delight, she was such a warm-hearted but logical person. She was the rationale, the person with the most reason and surprisingly the most understanding with what was going on with everyone.

I also really loved Royce, I'm really glad the author didn't take him down the road I thought he was going to go down. Brandon did an amazing job on her research and giving her characters life. At first the multiple point of views really bothered me, I thought 'oh great another story I have to try and keep track of all the characters', by the end of the book I knew everyone pretty well and I never once had to go back a chapter to remember any of the characters.

I had wished the ended was different, it sort of broke my heart with what every one of these characters went through. Although the ending pretty much tore me up, it actually left me with some peace of mind. Brandon's ending was realistic, something you get too much everyday. I once even had to remind myself that this was fiction and I was not reading someone's memoirs.

In the end I am so glad I read this book despite the heaviness of it's contents.I'll be on the lookout for more of Brandon's work since I've enjoyed this one so much.

I really enjoyed this novel. The characters are interesting and mental illness is dealt with respectfully. I would highly recommend it.

Show Me a Kindness tells the story of a woman with multiple personality disorder, Marthanne/Oma. What makes it interesting is that it is set during the Depression in 1930, and mental illness was very taboo at the time. I really empathized with "both" characters. I was rooting for them to be happy.

It also tells the story of a young black girl, Comfort, and her strange friendship with both girls. She helps them on a day to day basis to try to make sense of what is happening to them and trying her best to help them.

The subject of homosexuality is also touched on here, which was very taboo back in 1930s Georgia.

All in all, I found this story very interesting and would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction. 4 stars!

This is a beautifully written puzzle told in a very authentic voice of the time that it takes place. You are a little confused and then gently led into the realization of what is taking place. The dialogue and setting seems entirely timely, as does the customs and mores of the time. A woman has an unhappy home and leaves town to try to form a new life. The kindness of a woman on the train is what chooses that life for her, as she is offered a meal and a place to rest. And the story unfolds as she gets a job at a diner and starts to meet people in the town. Her closest confidant is a black maid named Comfort and she plays a key role in the story as well. Enjoy this journey back in time and revel at how skillfully the author has wrought her characters. Superbly told