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otl1987's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Miscarriage and Rape
monalyisha's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
This is going to be kind of a niche review but so be it. š
A Town Called Solace reminded me intensely of the part in American Gods when Shadow stays in Lakeside, with all of the small town characters *and* all of the small town mystery, but without an epic war between gods looming in the background. The setting, too, was so familiar: the lake, the cold, the long walk to the diner. I suppose Northern Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada arenāt so different. Similarities *would* abound.
I was hooked instantly by Clara (with whom I share the joys of magical thinking OCD), and was rooting for Liam to find connection.
I was a bit taken aback by how abruptly Roseās storyline is āresolvedā and by the plain way in which the facts of what happened to her are delivered. Readers should be aware of trigger warnings. Iāll admit that I was surprised to hear, after finishing, that this one was longlisted for the Booker Prize. For the most part, however, I genuinely enjoyed Lawsonās writing and will seek out her back catalog.
I was hooked instantly by Clara (with whom I share the joys of magical thinking OCD), and was rooting for Liam to find connection.
I was a bit taken aback by how abruptly Roseās storyline is āresolvedā and by the plain way in which the facts of what happened to her are delivered. Readers should be aware of trigger warnings. Iāll admit that I was surprised to hear, after finishing, that this one was longlisted for the Booker Prize. For the most part, however, I genuinely enjoyed Lawsonās writing and will seek out her back catalog.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
bek67's review
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Remind me to never read another book that is up for a Booker Prize-How in the world did that ever happen! Per its description: A Town Called Solace is a masterful, suspenseful...... I did not find any suspenseful elements in this book. It did cover raw emotions that we experience when going though the trials of life. But I found no suspense at all. Hence the one star for me. Felt more like a cozy mystery in a small town. I did finish it as it was a book club read, but it was a struggle. Mrs. Orchard and her journal musings, My Love-about pushed me over the do not finish edge. I wanted that old bat to die so I didn't have to hear any more of her journal entries!
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
madamelacy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, and Trafficking
Moderate: Death and Grief
kelly_e's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
Title: A Town Called Solace
Author: Mary Lawson
Genre: Literary Fiction
Rating: 4.5
Pub Date: January 1, 2021
T H R E E ā¢ W O R D S
Wise ā¢ Human ā¢ Absorbing
š 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.
š 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.
š R E C O M M E N D ā¢ T O
ā¢ anyone who likes a well-written character-driven novel
ā¢ readers in need of a 'quiet' readā¢
š F A V O U R I T E ā¢ 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."
Author: Mary Lawson
Genre: Literary Fiction
Rating: 4.5
Pub Date: January 1, 2021
T H R E E ā¢ W O R D S
Wise ā¢ Human ā¢ Absorbing
š 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.
š 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.
š R E C O M M E N D ā¢ T O
ā¢ anyone who likes a well-written character-driven novel
ā¢ readers in need of a 'quiet' readā¢
š F A V O U R I T E ā¢ 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."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Miscarriage, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, and Kidnapping
Minor: Fatphobia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Terminal illness
ā ļø CW: missing child, divorcewilma_arnesen's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Rape
mzry's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
I wish I could give this book a higher rating. I was drawn to it when I saw it on the shelves and ended up devouring it, forcing myself to slow down so I could stay in Solace a little longer.
I loved the perspectives of the characters, how different they can be. Lawson does a very good job fleshing out the characters, making them feel real and relatable, even though they vary greatly. I found myself relating to a 7 year old, an elderly woman, and a middle aged divorced man three chapters in.
You don't have to be related to be family. Family are those you trust, and those who value you.
Here's to Clara, Elizabeth, and Liam Kane, Keeper of the Fucking Cat .
I loved the perspectives of the characters, how different they can be. Lawson does a very good job fleshing out the characters, making them feel real and relatable, even though they vary greatly. I found myself relating to a 7 year old, an elderly woman, and a middle aged divorced man three chapters in.
You don't have to be related to be family. Family are those you trust, and those who value you.
Here's to Clara, Elizabeth, and Liam Kane,
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Miscarriage, and Kidnapping
Minor: Rape and Trafficking
jrkinyak's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- 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
I really loved this book. My husband and 8-year-old listened to the end with me and were rapt. Itās lyrical and lovely and has true emotions and describes little moments so particularly and perfectly, and itās uplifting without being pat or superficial. The worst thing about it, for me, was the fatphobia and body-shaming. I guess Lawson didnāt think fat people would read this and see themselves in her descriptions. It really takes me out of a book when an author treats fat people the way Lawson did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infertility, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Grief
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Trafficking
deedireads's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.
TL;DR REVIEW:
A Town Called Solace is a quick read that manages to cover heavy topics while also feeling comforting. The plot is a big formulaic, but I enjoyed it.
For you if: You like books with multiple narrators and nonlinear timelines.
FULL REVIEW:
A Town Called Solace is my first read by Mary Lawson, thanks to the 2022 Booker Prize longlist. And while the plot did feel a little Hallmark Movie-ish (which, on the flip side, actually makes this a much more approachable novel than most Booker books), I canāt say I didnāt enjoy it.
The book has three main characters, all of whom get POV chapters: A young girl named Clara, whose older sister ran away and is missing; her elderly neighbor, Elizabeth (aka Mrs. Orchard), who is in the hospital; and a young man named Liam whoās staying in Mrs. Orchardās house. I donāt want to give too much away, but suffice to say that we learn a lot more about these three characters, especially how Liam and Mrs. Orchardās lives once intersected. The plot builds to a big reveal at the end.
What impressed me about this book was how cozy it felt while also dealing with some whopping heavy themes ā chronic miscarriage and infertility, for one (thatās not a spoiler, but it is a trigger warning), and a missing teenager/sister, for another. It also somehow feels almost quiet AND like a page-turner (I read it in one day). As we discussed at book club, we can see why people compare Mary Lawson to Anne Tyler.
Overall, most of us agreed that we enjoyed it, even if it sometimes felt too tidy or formulaic. Sometimes we litfic readers just need something less taxing to sink into!
TL;DR REVIEW:
A Town Called Solace is a quick read that manages to cover heavy topics while also feeling comforting. The plot is a big formulaic, but I enjoyed it.
For you if: You like books with multiple narrators and nonlinear timelines.
FULL REVIEW:
A Town Called Solace is my first read by Mary Lawson, thanks to the 2022 Booker Prize longlist. And while the plot did feel a little Hallmark Movie-ish (which, on the flip side, actually makes this a much more approachable novel than most Booker books), I canāt say I didnāt enjoy it.
The book has three main characters, all of whom get POV chapters: A young girl named Clara, whose older sister ran away and is missing; her elderly neighbor, Elizabeth (aka Mrs. Orchard), who is in the hospital; and a young man named Liam whoās staying in Mrs. Orchardās house. I donāt want to give too much away, but suffice to say that we learn a lot more about these three characters, especially how Liam and Mrs. Orchardās lives once intersected. The plot builds to a big reveal at the end.
What impressed me about this book was how cozy it felt while also dealing with some whopping heavy themes ā chronic miscarriage and infertility, for one (thatās not a spoiler, but it is a trigger warning), and a missing teenager/sister, for another. It also somehow feels almost quiet AND like a page-turner (I read it in one day). As we discussed at book club, we can see why people compare Mary Lawson to Anne Tyler.
Overall, most of us agreed that we enjoyed it, even if it sometimes felt too tidy or formulaic. Sometimes we litfic readers just need something less taxing to sink into!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility and Miscarriage
Moderate: Child abuse and Death
Minor: Rape and Toxic relationship
meredithamadee's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Miscarriage
Minor: Rape and Kidnapping