A review by birdieex
The Last List of Mabel Beaumont by Laura Pearson

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I didn't find myself getting absorbed into this book, but it was a pleasant surprise at the end. I believe I had a hard time relating to the characters, as I'm only in my mid 20's (at the time of reading/reviewing) and child-free.


Mabel's character, while initially reminding me of my grandmother in ways that were a bit challenging, showed a depth and complexity that I grew to appreciate. Her interactions with others, though sometimes a bit prickly, felt authentic, especially considering the recent loss of her husband.  I saw one reviewer say she seemed autistic-coded, which adds an interesting perspective as I am autistic myself and can definitely see where they were coming from.

Example:

When Mabel and her friends are going to find Dot's old house.

 

This the one?' Patricia asks.
It strikes me as a silly question, so I don't bother to answer it.
'Mabel?' Julie asks, touching my elbow.
'What?'
'Is this Dot's old house?'
'Well of course it is. Why do you think I'm staring at it?'

 

She could have simply been admiring the scene, maybe she saw something that caught her eye. She stopped walking without explanation, so I found it reasonable her friends are going to question why. 

And there were some quirks, like her insistence on calling Patty by her full name. Certain word choices, like the repeated use of "affronted," caught my attention, but didn't detract from the overall heartwarming message of the book.

Regardless, the book surprised me. I expected not to like it, but I pushed through and I'm glad I did. It was heartwarming, showing it's never too late to branch out from old ways and grow.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Grief, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Infertility, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Abandonment

Minor: Cancer, Domestic abuse, and Blood

Explanations for domestic violence:

Mabel noted she is scared her husband might hit her, but then she remembers he never would. It was simply a fear. He was not abusive.

Mentions of pregnancy and miscarriage, and hospitals. Asking why someone never had children. Mild-moderate descriptions of miscarriages in hospital.