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A review by fromsarahsbooknook
This Must Be the Place by Maggie O'Farrell
5.0
“What redemption there is in being loved…” -Maggie O’Farrell, THIS MUST BE THE PLACE
I have incidentally stumbled into a series of books that (at least in part) reflect on the rich interconnectedness of people and the way our lives and decisions and histories don’t belong only to us, but also to the people we love and are closest to. I’m taken with the notion and the way it — at least to me — reveals both our significance and our smallness at the very same time.
THIS MUST BE THE PLACE by Maggie O’Farrell is my most recent read on that theme. First, I must tell you that I still think about her HAMNET about once a week. That book lives rent-free in my head, and I have a feeling this novel of hers will too. THIS MUST BE THE PLACE spans decades, continents, jumps perspectives each chapter, is written in third person, first person, and even dips into second person for a segment. One chapter consists entirely of an auction catalogue that is just the most clever embodiment of “show don’t tell” I think I’ve ever encountered.
For me, THIS MUST BE THE PLACE is that perfect alchemy of art and enjoyment in which one doesn’t sacrifice the other. It’s beautiful and rich while still being entertaining and approachable.
I have incidentally stumbled into a series of books that (at least in part) reflect on the rich interconnectedness of people and the way our lives and decisions and histories don’t belong only to us, but also to the people we love and are closest to. I’m taken with the notion and the way it — at least to me — reveals both our significance and our smallness at the very same time.
THIS MUST BE THE PLACE by Maggie O’Farrell is my most recent read on that theme. First, I must tell you that I still think about her HAMNET about once a week. That book lives rent-free in my head, and I have a feeling this novel of hers will too. THIS MUST BE THE PLACE spans decades, continents, jumps perspectives each chapter, is written in third person, first person, and even dips into second person for a segment. One chapter consists entirely of an auction catalogue that is just the most clever embodiment of “show don’t tell” I think I’ve ever encountered.
For me, THIS MUST BE THE PLACE is that perfect alchemy of art and enjoyment in which one doesn’t sacrifice the other. It’s beautiful and rich while still being entertaining and approachable.