Reviews

This book took me SO by surprise, I was not expecting it to be a 5-star-er! I literally could not put it down and when I had to I couldn’t stop thinking about picking it back up again. What an incredible story and so beautifully written. Absolutely love the short chapters as they made it so easy to read. The flitting between ‘then’ and ‘now’ really worked in telling the story whilst helping to feed us bits of info. I particularly liked how the style of writing and voice didn’t change though as it kept it consistent. I became very quickly attached to the narrator, Margaret, and all of the other characters we met along her story - even the ones I didn’t like very much. I thought it was getting predictable at times and then it would take a major turn and keep me guessing. And the ending - oh my goodness, it was perfect! It’s not often you can say that. A short but wonderful read.

katykelly's review against another edition

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5.0

Both heartwarming and upsetting, an insight into how the learning disabled have been treated.

I've read similar books before (Grace Henderson Says it Loud) but Margaret makes an eloquent narrator and her story has extra dimensions outside of the 'care home' scenario, that make this a touching and rather memorable audiobook.

Margaret Small is now 75, but she's only been taking care of her own business for half her adult life. Put away by her grandmother for her learning disabilities at age 7, she was only sent out into the world 30 years later. But she's always kept her values, her kindness, her good nature. A love of Cilla Black. Soon after Cilla' death, Margaret starts receiving letters signed 'C' with money and kind words for her. Is Cilla sending her these gifts?

The reader is escorted back through Margaret's long life, back to a childhood bed in a home with nuns, cleaning tasks, ill treatment, friends. Back a few decades to a different social setting, giving insight into how those with differences were viewed, but just as importantly, insight into Margaret's own mind through it all. And her rather sunny and decent self.

I loved listening to the audio voice of Margaret, the older woman telling us about life for her through decades of change and learning, both for herself and much more widely. As we try to unravel her mystery.

Her story takes a few unforeseen directions (and some you can see coming). It's a good look into some hard truths about our social care system. And ultimately an uplifting story about a woman treated badly but coming out the other side with her dignity and humour intact.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample listening copy.

juniper_reads's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

annajgjjgfv's review

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

mizzbooks_'s review against another edition

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5.0

I absolutely loved this book! One of my friends recommended it as a mystery kind of book and I was already thrilled, but I never expected it to be so emotional! The end was crazy, it made me literally stand up and walk up and down my room while I was reading the last chapters because I was trying so hard to understand who this mysterious C. was... Well, who would've thought!!!
I considered this a light read, not a thriller or mystery, but I would definitly recommedn it to anyone who likes happy endings i their books

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