A review by tien
Lola's Secret by Monica McInerney
4.0
Lola is in her 80s and let’s face it, she’s been through a lot in life. She’s had the joys, the losses, had loved, has a child, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Her life is full and now that another Hot Christmas is approaching (note: she’s in Australia), she’s keen to have some time to herself. Or is she really wanting some time to herself for herself?
At first, I thought I’d really like Lola – the humorous introduction of Lola joking around with her son and of her fashion statement as well! I can really picture her walking down the street and even working at my local St. Vincent de Paul! She’s loud (not necessarily in volume), blunt, and a totally out-there type of personality. And then… we are told her One Big Fault, she’s a busybody. Someone who just had to involve herself because she thinks no one else will or can fix a problem! Oh, I really wasn’t sure if I was gonna like this grandmother!
The book was told mostly from Lola’s perspective so we were given permission into her minds and hearts. It’s a great journey reading a coming-of-age novel but it is amazing journey to read that as people we can continue to develop & learn; maturity isn’t a condition of age but a state of wisdom. Lola may have lived a long life but she wasn’t stuck in the past. She may reminisce but she has also gone with the flow (even my 60yo mother isn’t as techy as she is!) and moseyed along with The Age- the 21st century.
Whilst the book is looking toward Christmas, it wasn’t too suffocating with all the “good cheer” but of course, you cannot have Christmas without a ‘good cheer’. We only want good things come Christmas time but this isn’t always the case however, that doesn’t mean that we cannot have ‘good cheer’. Even when things aren’t going the way it’s supposed to, that’s life! And that doesn’t necessarily mean a bad thing. In fact, it might be just magical in conclusion.
An enjoyable pre-Christmas reading -I know, it’s only October but the major department stores have their Christmas decorations up already! In any case, I’ve got to get this review out so you can have a good pre-Christmas reading prior to all the rush, right? While you’re at it, get some Clare Valley wine into you too and chillax ;)
Thank you The Reading Room for providing a print copy
At first, I thought I’d really like Lola – the humorous introduction of Lola joking around with her son and of her fashion statement as well! I can really picture her walking down the street and even working at my local St. Vincent de Paul! She’s loud (not necessarily in volume), blunt, and a totally out-there type of personality. And then… we are told her One Big Fault, she’s a busybody. Someone who just had to involve herself because she thinks no one else will or can fix a problem! Oh, I really wasn’t sure if I was gonna like this grandmother!
The book was told mostly from Lola’s perspective so we were given permission into her minds and hearts. It’s a great journey reading a coming-of-age novel but it is amazing journey to read that as people we can continue to develop & learn; maturity isn’t a condition of age but a state of wisdom. Lola may have lived a long life but she wasn’t stuck in the past. She may reminisce but she has also gone with the flow (even my 60yo mother isn’t as techy as she is!) and moseyed along with The Age- the 21st century.
Whilst the book is looking toward Christmas, it wasn’t too suffocating with all the “good cheer” but of course, you cannot have Christmas without a ‘good cheer’. We only want good things come Christmas time but this isn’t always the case however, that doesn’t mean that we cannot have ‘good cheer’. Even when things aren’t going the way it’s supposed to, that’s life! And that doesn’t necessarily mean a bad thing. In fact, it might be just magical in conclusion.
An enjoyable pre-Christmas reading -I know, it’s only October but the major department stores have their Christmas decorations up already! In any case, I’ve got to get this review out so you can have a good pre-Christmas reading prior to all the rush, right? While you’re at it, get some Clare Valley wine into you too and chillax ;)
Thank you The Reading Room for providing a print copy