Please don’t shoot me, but I haven’t read The Keeper of Stories. I hope to soon having read The Book of Beginnings. If I have any criticism it’s that the book is a tad over long. There’s some who may say you can’t have too much of a good thing and maybe I was simply too impatient to see how things planned out but that’s my criticism out of the way. I found this a very immersive, very moving story. As a user and lover of fountain pens (I have far too many) I found it absolutely delightful that this wonderful implement is celebrated in literature.
What is also celebrated in this book is peoples’ differences, people finding themselves, people looking for beginnings after they’ve experienced some endings. The characters are delightful particularly Jo although my favorite was Ruth the runaway vicar. And Malcolm was a delight. I felt the book illustrated very realistically the art of getting to know others, that strange intuition that draws you to certain people and how friendships develop and endure. Ultimately it’s an uplifting book that you finish with a smile on your face.
What is also celebrated in this book is peoples’ differences, people finding themselves, people looking for beginnings after they’ve experienced some endings. The characters are delightful particularly Jo although my favorite was Ruth the runaway vicar. And Malcolm was a delight. I felt the book illustrated very realistically the art of getting to know others, that strange intuition that draws you to certain people and how friendships develop and endure. Ultimately it’s an uplifting book that you finish with a smile on your face.