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jss's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Abandonment, Child abuse, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Minor: Kidnapping and Forced institutionalization
madamelacy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Trafficking, Child abuse, and Rape
Moderate: Death and Grief
kelly_e's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Author: Mary Lawson
Genre: Literary Fiction
Rating: 4.5
Pub Date: January 1, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Wise • Human • Absorbing
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Sixteen-year-old Rose has gone missing and her seven-year-old sister Clara is distraught. Clara's only comfort is Moses, the cat she is caring for next door and belonging to elderly Mrs. Orchard who left for the hospital weeks ago, and still hasn't returned. When Liam Kane, a newly divorced man in his mid-thirties moves into Mrs. Orchard's house, Clara cannot figure out why he is there. Nearing the end of her life, Mrs. Orchard wants to make amends for something the occurred thirty years ago.
💭 T H O U G H T S
This was the quiet, character-driven novel I desperately needed. With three distinct and interconnected voices, it's a solid depiction of small town Canada. With beautiful and emotional writing, Mary Lawson creates mystery in this wise, absorbing, and deeply human story.
I'll admit I felt completely invested in the narrative and the lives of each of the three main characters. The characters are the star of the show, with the plot seemingly taking a back seat most of the way. Lawson captures the different stages of life flawlessly in each of the protagonists voices. And of course, I couldn't help but love the addition of Moses the cat.
Overall, I a quietly reflective and compassionate read focusing on grief, remorse, and, of course, love. I was just so touched by this novel in a way I wasn't anticipating and will be looking forward to exploring Mary Lawson's backlist.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• anyone who likes a well-written character-driven novel
• readers in need of a 'quiet' read•
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Maybe it's a matter of tenses. Of grammar. Our love existed, it does exist, it will exist. On the great continuum of time perhaps it is the tenses that will cease to be."
Graphic: Grief, Miscarriage, Infertility, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, and Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual assault, Fatphobia, Terminal illness, and Rape
⚠️ CW: missing child, divorcejrkinyak's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Grief, Infertility, Kidnapping, Medical content, Miscarriage, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Trafficking
lgmelcher's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Mental illness and Kidnapping
Minor: Rape
lotus36's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Mental illness and Grief
Minor: Death, Vomit, Infertility, Kidnapping, and Terminal illness
lou_o_donnell's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Rape, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, and Trafficking
mattypallett's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Mary Lawson’s tone was immediately apparent to me and helped give this book - and these characters - a strong sense of identity and authenticity.
Though the perspectives are heavily intertwined, the narrative surrounding Mrs Orchard was probably my favourite. She felt like such a real, loving, yet flawed character.
I personally would’ve liked a little bit more of a conclusion to the Clara storyline, but I do understand why it was finished in the way it was.
Graphic: Death and Grief
onion's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death, Infertility, Medical content, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Rape, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Grief, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
cozjetez's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Kidnapping, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Rape