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dawnlizreads's review against another edition
3.0
Masha's story is beautifully told and by itself, would be a lovely story of someone finding their way back to life after trauma.
Alice's story is also poignantly told, particularly how it progresses.
However, I did struggle with how the stories connect (it becomes clear as the story goes along). I won't explain why as would probably give too much away. I think I would have just preferred to have Masha's or Alice's story rather than both.
Alice's story is also poignantly told, particularly how it progresses.
However, I did struggle with how the stories connect (it becomes clear as the story goes along). I won't explain why as would probably give too much away. I think I would have just preferred to have Masha's or Alice's story rather than both.
bianca89279's review against another edition
5.0
4.5
The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes charmed the pants off of me.
Ruth Hogan’s writing is beautifully descriptive, making the settings come to life. She builds the story slowly, allowing us to know the main characters, via their parallel points of view. Masha is a grieving mother, unable to move on with her life, even though it’s been twelve years since her son died. Alice is a single mother to Michael, now a changing teenager. He’s the apple of her eyes.
Masha is fascinated with the Victorian graveyard in her neighbourhood, where she spends countless hours, either by herself or in the company of her adorable wolfhound, Haizum. Besides her job as a psychotherapist, she enjoys swimming in an outdoor pool, no matter how cold it gets.
As they say, the devil is in the details. This is the case here as well. The settings and their descriptions are beautiful. There’s a large cast of quirky and interesting characters. I enjoyed the “word of the day” that popped up now and then and, incredibly enough, learning about the Victorian era ‘death business’, and a few other bits and pieces.
Although there’s death, pain and grief, The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes ends up being a feel-good, life-affirming kind of novel, which I savoured and found satisfying.
Highly recommended
I’ve received this novel via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes charmed the pants off of me.
Ruth Hogan’s writing is beautifully descriptive, making the settings come to life. She builds the story slowly, allowing us to know the main characters, via their parallel points of view. Masha is a grieving mother, unable to move on with her life, even though it’s been twelve years since her son died. Alice is a single mother to Michael, now a changing teenager. He’s the apple of her eyes.
Masha is fascinated with the Victorian graveyard in her neighbourhood, where she spends countless hours, either by herself or in the company of her adorable wolfhound, Haizum. Besides her job as a psychotherapist, she enjoys swimming in an outdoor pool, no matter how cold it gets.
As they say, the devil is in the details. This is the case here as well. The settings and their descriptions are beautiful. There’s a large cast of quirky and interesting characters. I enjoyed the “word of the day” that popped up now and then and, incredibly enough, learning about the Victorian era ‘death business’, and a few other bits and pieces.
Although there’s death, pain and grief, The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes ends up being a feel-good, life-affirming kind of novel, which I savoured and found satisfying.
Highly recommended
I’ve received this novel via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
mugglemom's review against another edition
4.0
Another wonderful, colorful, and character-driven novel by Ruth Hogan!! I'm going to follow her now because her writing brings me such joy. Her prose is vivid and controlled!! I went through many emotions - but not extremes.
This story starts a bit slow but the ending just left my jaw hanging! Love all the tiny bits of history woven thoughtfully throughout the novel.
I love love 'Sally' - from her potty mouth to her indelible read on ppl! Masha wasn't my fav character but by the end of the book, I see her role in the novel for what it is worth. I personally don't know a Masha (at this moment) but I know ppl like Masha throughout my life. Alice could have been ripped from the headlines of any paper on the planet - and I bet there are more Alice's out there than we know.
What the real wisdom is - life is no joy ride, never promised and just get on with it!!
Highly recommend!!
This story starts a bit slow but the ending just left my jaw hanging! Love all the tiny bits of history woven thoughtfully throughout the novel.
I love love 'Sally' - from her potty mouth to her indelible read on ppl! Masha wasn't my fav character but by the end of the book, I see her role in the novel for what it is worth. I personally don't know a Masha (at this moment) but I know ppl like Masha throughout my life. Alice could have been ripped from the headlines of any paper on the planet - and I bet there are more Alice's out there than we know.
What the real wisdom is - life is no joy ride, never promised and just get on with it!!
Highly recommend!!
pickwickthedodo's review against another edition
1.0
Excuse me?? What on earth did I just read?
This was such a lovely, moving story about a woman coming to terms with her grief and realising it's still okay to live her life after the horrific loss of her young son.
And then????
It turns out her son DIDN'T die years ago? He was TAKEN BY SOME RANDOM WOMAN FOR WHOM I'M SUPPOSED TO FEEL SYMPATHY? What the actual fuck?
AND THEN???? She finally gets her son back but we don't get to see any of that. There's a ridiculous time jump portraying them as a happy family. He's a teenager now, he's lived for A FULL DECADE thinking someone else was his mother, and now that woman is dead and he's just supposed to seamlessly fit into this new (original) family??? With no problems? No settling? No development whatsoever? Fuck right off with that.
I cannot imagine the awful feeling of bait and switch if a person read this book on their healing journey from losing a child. It almost felt cruel.
You'd get no stars from me if I had it my way.
This was such a lovely, moving story about a woman coming to terms with her grief and realising it's still okay to live her life after the horrific loss of her young son.
And then????
It turns out her son DIDN'T die years ago? He was TAKEN BY SOME RANDOM WOMAN FOR WHOM I'M SUPPOSED TO FEEL SYMPATHY? What the actual fuck?
AND THEN???? She finally gets her son back but we don't get to see any of that. There's a ridiculous time jump portraying them as a happy family. He's a teenager now, he's lived for A FULL DECADE thinking someone else was his mother, and now that woman is dead and he's just supposed to seamlessly fit into this new (original) family??? With no problems? No settling? No development whatsoever? Fuck right off with that.
I cannot imagine the awful feeling of bait and switch if a person read this book on their healing journey from losing a child. It almost felt cruel.
You'd get no stars from me if I had it my way.
susannavs's review
3.0
All tied up in the end, but I was a bit irritated by Masha's treatment of some of her patients - it's not up to the psychologist to ridicule why a patient is seeing them. Even if only to her internal monologue.
spowers2627's review against another edition
4.0
Ruth Hogan writes beautifully about how a mother copes with her grief. After years of self-inflicted condemnation, Masha begins to see the impact her grief has on her family and friends. She begins a slow awakening, seeing people through a new lens. A well told story with an unexpected ending.
pinkduchess's review against another edition
4.0
Just lovely
Slow starter but I am glad I stuck with it
I feel richer for having read this x
Slow starter but I am glad I stuck with it
I feel richer for having read this x
portybelle's review against another edition
5.0
Well, what to say about The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes? It is a book which could be terribly sad but instead is wonderfully warm and uplifting.
The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes is full of memorable characters. There is Sally herself, of course, with her red shoes and red hat, her tendency to swear as a form of greeting and her fondness for feeding the crows in the graveyard. Kitty Muriel is determined to live her life to the full despite past sadness and is not afraid to try new things even at the age of 70. Masha is a mother who has never got over the loss of her infant son and practises drowning at her local lido, where she swims daily whatever the temperature. Another character seemingly separate from these main three is Alice. Alice is a single mother who dotes on her only child having also suffered great loss in the past. I couldn't quite work out her link to the story then when it became apparent, I couldn't believe I had missed it!
Masha is works through her grief by thinking about dying herself, visiting her 'other family', the residents of Highgate Cemetery who she creates life stories for in her imagination, and considering becoming a cemetery guide. She is fascinated by the Victorian's attitude to death. Death was a constant companion in the days before antibiotics and they had a much more practical approach. There was all kinds of advice on how to prepare for 'a good death', mourning photos of the deceased were not uncommon and of course they built grand cemeteries, places to come and remember their dead. Yet, as Masha knows, this did not mean they did not feel the losses as keenly as we do in today's society, where death is almost an unspoken word.
What really spoke to me throughout the book was the quiet encouragement from the two older ladies to Masha and the wise words they gave to her about living life to the full, even after great loss. They showed by example that life is for living. I just want to share one piece of Sally's wisdom which really moved me:
"When the music ends for someone you love you don't stop dancing. You dance for them as well."
Kitty's words about being able to carry on with life after tragedy because she believed that the joy of being alive would eventually be brighter than the darkness of what she had lost left me with a lump in my throat. She was such a vibrant, exuberant woman that it was hard to imagine she had come through such sadness. And yet, this shouldn't have been a surprise because which of us hasn't suffered loss? The characters in this book are so fully rounded that of course they are going to have loved and lost and carried on, just like us in the real world.
The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes really is a wonderful read and a touching and uplifting story which I won't forget. The characters will dance on in my mind for some time. I adored this tender-hearted book and you'd certainly be wise to get yourself a copy.
The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes is full of memorable characters. There is Sally herself, of course, with her red shoes and red hat, her tendency to swear as a form of greeting and her fondness for feeding the crows in the graveyard. Kitty Muriel is determined to live her life to the full despite past sadness and is not afraid to try new things even at the age of 70. Masha is a mother who has never got over the loss of her infant son and practises drowning at her local lido, where she swims daily whatever the temperature. Another character seemingly separate from these main three is Alice. Alice is a single mother who dotes on her only child having also suffered great loss in the past. I couldn't quite work out her link to the story then when it became apparent, I couldn't believe I had missed it!
Masha is works through her grief by thinking about dying herself, visiting her 'other family', the residents of Highgate Cemetery who she creates life stories for in her imagination, and considering becoming a cemetery guide. She is fascinated by the Victorian's attitude to death. Death was a constant companion in the days before antibiotics and they had a much more practical approach. There was all kinds of advice on how to prepare for 'a good death', mourning photos of the deceased were not uncommon and of course they built grand cemeteries, places to come and remember their dead. Yet, as Masha knows, this did not mean they did not feel the losses as keenly as we do in today's society, where death is almost an unspoken word.
What really spoke to me throughout the book was the quiet encouragement from the two older ladies to Masha and the wise words they gave to her about living life to the full, even after great loss. They showed by example that life is for living. I just want to share one piece of Sally's wisdom which really moved me:
"When the music ends for someone you love you don't stop dancing. You dance for them as well."
Kitty's words about being able to carry on with life after tragedy because she believed that the joy of being alive would eventually be brighter than the darkness of what she had lost left me with a lump in my throat. She was such a vibrant, exuberant woman that it was hard to imagine she had come through such sadness. And yet, this shouldn't have been a surprise because which of us hasn't suffered loss? The characters in this book are so fully rounded that of course they are going to have loved and lost and carried on, just like us in the real world.
The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes really is a wonderful read and a touching and uplifting story which I won't forget. The characters will dance on in my mind for some time. I adored this tender-hearted book and you'd certainly be wise to get yourself a copy.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
2.0
"grief is not a linear thing. It re-boots unexpectedly at a certain smell or sight or sound, and some days I still feel as though my world is like a patchwork quilt that coming unstitched."
This was a very sad, quiet novel that is very well written. It has a lot of moments about grief that were so well explained, I was almost crying. Masha is a wonderful character - both witty and funny but also sad and wounded. Her journey to try to come out of her blanket of grief was very moving.
Alice is another POV that pops up through-out the story and a POV I didn't like as much. She was more preachy and god-fearing. I found her storyline a distraction from Sally Red Shoes and Masha and the journey of the dogs and the friends and the swimming. I was disappointed, in the end, when it was all wrapped up so neatly. I didn't mind the frayed ends and the messiness that is....life. I wish I'd liked it more.
This was a very sad, quiet novel that is very well written. It has a lot of moments about grief that were so well explained, I was almost crying. Masha is a wonderful character - both witty and funny but also sad and wounded. Her journey to try to come out of her blanket of grief was very moving.
Alice is another POV that pops up through-out the story and a POV I didn't like as much. She was more preachy and god-fearing. I found her storyline a distraction from Sally Red Shoes and Masha and the journey of the dogs and the friends and the swimming. I was disappointed, in the end, when it was all wrapped up so neatly. I didn't mind the frayed ends and the messiness that is....life. I wish I'd liked it more.