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jss's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Forced institutionalization and Kidnapping
kelly_e's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Author: Mary Lawson
Genre: Literary Fiction
Rating: 4.5
Pub Date: January 1, 2021
T H R E E β’ W O R D S
Wise β’ Human β’ Absorbing
π S Y N O P S I S
Sixteen-year-old Rose has gone missing and her seven-year-old sister Clara is distraught. Clara's only comfort is Moses, the cat she is caring for next door and belonging to elderly Mrs. Orchard who left for the hospital weeks ago, and still hasn't returned. When Liam Kane, a newly divorced man in his mid-thirties moves into Mrs. Orchard's house, Clara cannot figure out why he is there. Nearing the end of her life, Mrs. Orchard wants to make amends for something the occurred thirty years ago.
π T H O U G H T S
This was the quiet, character-driven novel I desperately needed. With three distinct and interconnected voices, it's a solid depiction of small town Canada. With beautiful and emotional writing, Mary Lawson creates mystery in this wise, absorbing, and deeply human story.
I'll admit I felt completely invested in the narrative and the lives of each of the three main characters. The characters are the star of the show, with the plot seemingly taking a back seat most of the way. Lawson captures the different stages of life flawlessly in each of the protagonists voices. And of course, I couldn't help but love the addition of Moses the cat.
Overall, I a quietly reflective and compassionate read focusing on grief, remorse, and, of course, love. I was just so touched by this novel in a way I wasn't anticipating and will be looking forward to exploring Mary Lawson's backlist.
π R E C O M M E N D β’ T O
β’ anyone who likes a well-written character-driven novel
β’ readers in need of a 'quiet' readβ’
π F A V O U R I T E β’ Q U O T E S
"Maybe it's a matter of tenses. Of grammar. Our love existed, it does exist, it will exist. On the great continuum of time perhaps it is the tenses that will cease to be."
Graphic: Infertility, Miscarriage, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, and Kidnapping
Minor: Fatphobia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Terminal illness
β οΈ CW: missing child, divorcemeredithamadee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Moderate: Mental illness and Miscarriage
Minor: Rape and Kidnapping
lgmelcher's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Mental illness and Kidnapping
Minor: Rape
lotus36's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Mental illness and Grief
Minor: Death, Infertility, Terminal illness, Vomit, and Kidnapping
lou_o_donnell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, and Pregnancy
jen_again's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Infertility and Miscarriage
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Domestic abuse
onion's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Toxic relationship, Excrement, Kidnapping, and Grief
amnda527's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Minor: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
aeeklund's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Mental illness, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault