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A review by byronic_reader
Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Stone Yard Devotional is a book that was oddly satisfying to read. There is no traditional plot and nothing much happens throughout the story at its surface. But when you look deeper, what you find is a profound exploration of grief, loss and a search for purpose.
The prose is sparse and reflects the stone yard and the convent the narrator lives in. The narrative itself reads like a diary entry with short, meditative paragraphs. I liked the questions that revolved around faith, loss, and the world in general, and I could relate with the narrator a lot.
Especially as a person who struggles with my faith and religion, I found myself questioning a lot of things I have known. We have no proper clarity on why the narrator joined the nunnery even though she is an atheist. I ended up with more questions than when I started the book and it left me wishing the book was a bit longer.
The narrative is punctuated by 3 pivotal events, and with each event, we see the narrator's personal growth as she confronts and comes to terms with her past behaviours, the death of her parents, and her life in general.
Stone Yard Devotional is a reminder to us all that even in the middle of all the chaos, there's a quiet space within us where we can grow and heal. It's a book that stays with us even after the final page is turned. Wood's ability to bring out profound emotions with a minimal narrative is what stood out most for me.
The prose is sparse and reflects the stone yard and the convent the narrator lives in. The narrative itself reads like a diary entry with short, meditative paragraphs. I liked the questions that revolved around faith, loss, and the world in general, and I could relate with the narrator a lot.
Especially as a person who struggles with my faith and religion, I found myself questioning a lot of things I have known. We have no proper clarity on why the narrator joined the nunnery even though she is an atheist. I ended up with more questions than when I started the book and it left me wishing the book was a bit longer.
The narrative is punctuated by 3 pivotal events, and with each event, we see the narrator's personal growth as she confronts and comes to terms with her past behaviours, the death of her parents, and her life in general.
Stone Yard Devotional is a reminder to us all that even in the middle of all the chaos, there's a quiet space within us where we can grow and heal. It's a book that stays with us even after the final page is turned. Wood's ability to bring out profound emotions with a minimal narrative is what stood out most for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Death of parent