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katykelly's review against another edition
3.0
Poignant narration on grief, friendship and courage
3.5 stars
I haven't read the author before, and intend to read her first shortly, so DID enjoy this enough to read more. There were a few thoughts I had as I listened where things grated on me, but overall, I found this moving, with a few shocking moments.
The majority of the story is Masha's, a woman who lost her child over a decade ago and has not been able to recover from the grief since. In a parallel narrative, Alice is almost smothering her own teenage son with love and going through her own difficulties. Masha meets two older women, the Sally Red Shoes of the title as well as the irrepressible 'free spirit' Kitty Muriel, who both may have some lessons to teach her form their own long lives.
I admit, I burst into noisy, messy tears while out jogging listening to this. Some moments were unbelievably heart-breaking. Listening to the scene in which Masha loses her little boy - very hard to picture and to read.
There are characters I liked as well - I understood Masha's pain, I enjoyed Kitty's open, loving nature.
But there were also aspects that exasperated - it's not usual to have two exemplars, two 'guardian angels' for a character to learn from, and I did feel at times that Sally didn't add that much to the story, that her story and character could have been subsumed into Kitty's or taken out, as Kitty was very much the stronger of the two.
It took me until nearly the end to understand the point of Alice and her story, again, it seemed extraneous, even as a counterpoint to Masha and her son's relationship, despite the moving story happening for Alice and her son Mattie. Though, this does change very suddenly at the end. And the end too, brings us up short, leaving no wind-down or epilogue, it's an unanticipatedly swift conclusion. And one that leaves many questions unanswered, and relies on coincidences.
On the whole, it's a bittersweet and uplifting story of a woman moving through the stages of grief, though the last few chapters psychologically pull some of that apart.
I hear wonderful things about Hogan's debut and I look forward to trying it, and I'll likely be listening to this as well.
This book made a very gratifying audio-read, with two voices provided for Alice and Masha, though I found initially that I wasn't always sure from the voice alone whose story I was listening to, and needed context from the text to clarify who it was that was speaking to me. Both were clear and smooth readers, but not different enough to be instantly recognisable. The story itself was easy enough to follow as an audiobook.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy, for an honest review.
3.5 stars
I haven't read the author before, and intend to read her first shortly, so DID enjoy this enough to read more. There were a few thoughts I had as I listened where things grated on me, but overall, I found this moving, with a few shocking moments.
The majority of the story is Masha's, a woman who lost her child over a decade ago and has not been able to recover from the grief since. In a parallel narrative, Alice is almost smothering her own teenage son with love and going through her own difficulties. Masha meets two older women, the Sally Red Shoes of the title as well as the irrepressible 'free spirit' Kitty Muriel, who both may have some lessons to teach her form their own long lives.
I admit, I burst into noisy, messy tears while out jogging listening to this. Some moments were unbelievably heart-breaking. Listening to the scene in which Masha loses her little boy - very hard to picture and to read.
There are characters I liked as well - I understood Masha's pain, I enjoyed Kitty's open, loving nature.
But there were also aspects that exasperated - it's not usual to have two exemplars, two 'guardian angels' for a character to learn from, and I did feel at times that Sally didn't add that much to the story, that her story and character could have been subsumed into Kitty's or taken out, as Kitty was very much the stronger of the two.
It took me until nearly the end to understand the point of Alice and her story, again, it seemed extraneous, even as a counterpoint to Masha and her son's relationship, despite the moving story happening for Alice and her son Mattie. Though, this does change very suddenly at the end. And the end too, brings us up short, leaving no wind-down or epilogue, it's an unanticipatedly swift conclusion. And one that leaves many questions unanswered, and relies on coincidences.
On the whole, it's a bittersweet and uplifting story of a woman moving through the stages of grief, though the last few chapters psychologically pull some of that apart.
I hear wonderful things about Hogan's debut and I look forward to trying it, and I'll likely be listening to this as well.
This book made a very gratifying audio-read, with two voices provided for Alice and Masha, though I found initially that I wasn't always sure from the voice alone whose story I was listening to, and needed context from the text to clarify who it was that was speaking to me. Both were clear and smooth readers, but not different enough to be instantly recognisable. The story itself was easy enough to follow as an audiobook.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy, for an honest review.
sarahthereadingaddict's review against another edition
5.0
An amazingly uplifting book, full of difficult subjects that are turned into life and happiness.
Life is tough sometimes but if you want a rainbow you've got to put up with the rain (you'll see where that comes in, if you read this book)
Beautiful book and the ending was not expected at all, and is sad and happy in the same breath.
Lovely friendships and relationships well worth a read.
Life is tough sometimes but if you want a rainbow you've got to put up with the rain (you'll see where that comes in, if you read this book)
Beautiful book and the ending was not expected at all, and is sad and happy in the same breath.
Lovely friendships and relationships well worth a read.
granolagrandma's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.5
Not my usual type of book but the eccentric characters were so much fun and it had a satisfying ending!
ljesica's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Masha is grieving. She has been grieving for 12 years since she lost her son Gabriel. She has good friends, a good job and a wonderful wolfhound named Haizum. She knows her grief has become a burden to all of them.
She hangs out in the graveyard a lot. Which is where she meets an eccentric older lady who comes every day to feed the crows. Masha calls her Sally Redshoes. She is wild and wonderful and sings and dances and wears tulle and red shoes. She uses “good evening” and “F off” interchangeably and affectionately and she slowly helps Masha learn how to live again. How to dance for Gabriel’s memory instead of drowning in it.
I started this one a few times, but was still deep in my own grieving for Weasley so I kept putting it down. But it was actually much funnier than I anticipated. The good old British way of laughing through tears comes through in all forms and helps you learn to hope. I really liked it.
sb27's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Borrowed from the library. Didn't know what to expect. The title really doesn't match the story.
But interesting to read about cemeteries and how the Victorians mourned. Lovely to see Masha come back to life with the help of her friends.
But interesting to read about cemeteries and how the Victorians mourned. Lovely to see Masha come back to life with the help of her friends.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
blovessummer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
jelomath's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25