Having read the synopsis, did the book meet my expectations? The book went above and beyond expectations as it gave me a lot more to think about than what I would have expected. I was anticipating sadness, anger and all those emotions that we connect with grief and it was with surprise that I then also found myself laughing aloud and smiling at the quirkiness of some situations and characters.
Was it a page-turner? This book came to the toilet with me because I couldn’t put it down. I wanted to know what would happen to Grace, of course, but I also got attached to all the other main or minor characters in the novel and I felt like I could go on reading forever.
Did I like the ending? Yes, very much so. It could all have gone terribly cheesy and predictable… but it didn’t. Phew!
Did the book leave me with unanswered questions? No, but I grew so fond of characters like Betty, Grace’s parents and the three wise men that I’d love a whole other book (or books, why not!) about them.
Three words to describe it. Funny. Touching. Unpredictable.
Do I like the cover? I love it! It’s so simple and it captures Henry and Grace so well. It’s probably one of my favourite covers this year so far.
Will I be recommending this book? Yes, definitely. It is a story about love, loss, family, identity, hope and it is delightfully well written. The storyline vaguely reminded me of How to Talk to a Widower by Jonathan Tropper, while the wit made me think of A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka. But then again, Eithne Shortall has a unique voice and this book doesn’t need comparisons!
Was it a page-turner? This book came to the toilet with me because I couldn’t put it down. I wanted to know what would happen to Grace, of course, but I also got attached to all the other main or minor characters in the novel and I felt like I could go on reading forever.
Did I like the ending? Yes, very much so. It could all have gone terribly cheesy and predictable… but it didn’t. Phew!
Did the book leave me with unanswered questions? No, but I grew so fond of characters like Betty, Grace’s parents and the three wise men that I’d love a whole other book (or books, why not!) about them.
Three words to describe it. Funny. Touching. Unpredictable.
Do I like the cover? I love it! It’s so simple and it captures Henry and Grace so well. It’s probably one of my favourite covers this year so far.
Will I be recommending this book? Yes, definitely. It is a story about love, loss, family, identity, hope and it is delightfully well written. The storyline vaguely reminded me of How to Talk to a Widower by Jonathan Tropper, while the wit made me think of A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka. But then again, Eithne Shortall has a unique voice and this book doesn’t need comparisons!