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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Another amazing book by Genevieve Graham! I was so excited to get an ARC of this book because I always know I’m going to get treated to some well written Canadian history. Our two main characters are Sassy, a young hippie still figuring out her place in the world, and psychiatrist Marion who is struggling to find a work/life balance. The two become fast friends when they meet in the elevator of their building on Isabella Street. Together they navigate the turbulence of cultural change in Toronto during the 1960’s.
These characters are so well written and grow so much during their storyline. I was pulled right in and learned quite a bit about that time period in Canada without feeling like I was in a history lesson. The storyline was well wrapped up but I’m going to be thinking about Sassy and Marion for awhile yet.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC of this book!
These characters are so well written and grow so much during their storyline. I was pulled right in and learned quite a bit about that time period in Canada without feeling like I was in a history lesson. The storyline was well wrapped up but I’m going to be thinking about Sassy and Marion for awhile yet.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC of this book!
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
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:
Complicated
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
On Isabella Street is a captivating and moving account of the human condition in 1960´s Canada. It’s was a time of protests, activism, music and counterculture and the era is vividly brought to life. It’s surprisingly atmospheric.
The story unfolds, in what today is a nondescript building on 105 Isabella Street in Toronto. At the time it was built, I’m sure it was considered sleek and modern. But it’s real significance lies in the little community it houses. Within its walls, a group of characters come together, forging friendships, offering each other unwavering support, and for listening to each other in a story full of secrets and lies.
There are two main characters, Sassy, a hippie and musician who has big dreams, but is a bit immature at the start of the story. Then there’s Marion, a compassionate psychiatrist concerned with the closure of mental institutions and the heartbreaking release of patients still in need of care.
As with all of Genevieve Graham’s novels, there is some little known aspect of Canadian history that brings the plot together. Apart from 105 Isabella Street, that is. Everyone knows about the US and the Vietnam War. What many readers may not know (I certainly didn’t) is that Canada also played a fairly significant role. Not only did many Canadians voluntarily fight in Vietnam, but Canada also manufactured and supplied weapons to the US and even built the Huey helicopters used in the war.
This story deals with many hard hitting topics such as war, the psychological effects of trauma and is an exploration of grief and guilt. Most of all though, the underlying theme, is the importance of courage, friendship and standing up for what you believe in.
If you love historical fiction and what something that isn’t about WWII, then pick this one up. It comes out April 22.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC.
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-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
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I always look forward to a book by Canadian author Genevieve Graham. Her stories have heart, and she puts a lot of time into her research which means I know I'll get an entertaining story and come away knowing more about Canadian history.
In her upcoming book On Isabella Street, Graham tackles the turbulent 60's - a time of counterculture, the Vietnam War, and deinstitutionalization of mental patients and its direct impact on the increase in homelessness on Toronto streets.
The story is set around two women - Marian Hart, a psychiatrist who lives a quiet life. She is a rule follower and is adamant that the hospital where she works is making a big mistake by releasing its patients struggling with their mental health (and PTSD) onto the streets.
Sassy Rankin is a privileged 20-something hippy folk singer who is part of the counterculture and desperately misses her brother who is fighting in Vietnam. The only things these two women have in common is where they live - 105 Isabella Street in the Church-Wellesley area of Toronto and their devotion to the causes they each hold dear.
Graham covers a lot of historical ground, and the story is filled with many interesting historical tidbits - many of which readers may not know. Readers are also given a vividly described landscape - from what Toronto was like in the 60's, to the impact of PTSD on returning veterans and how poorly they were treated upon their return, women's rights and their roles in war, and the civil unrest of the era.
The story flows easily and the pages turning quickly in this 430-page book. The connections between characters and the way the plot rolls out are delightfully serendipitous and readers will be glued to the pages of this powerful and evocative story that covers a lot of personal and historical elements.
You can be certain that Graham will immerse you in the era, entertain you and teach you in equal measure. And despite the serious themes, ultimately this is an uplifting story about family, friendship, hope, tenacity, healing and discovering your path in a very uncertain world.
Preorder this book for its April 22, 2025 release date!
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada for the complimentary advanced digital and print copies which were given in exchange for my honest review.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
So vvidly written with extremely well researched detail reading On Isabella Street was like entering a 1960's time capsule. The sounds, the subculture, the attitude and atmosphere are totally "groovy", landing the reader right in 1967 Toronto.
Two very different women, living in the same building, strike up a lasting friendship during the turbulent 1960's. I loved the way freespirited Sassy and serious Marion became friends and the sense of community they shared with their neighbours. I love well developed side characters, and there is no shortage of them, including Daniel, a Vietnam Vet, who happens to be the son of Grace and Rudy in an earlier Genevieve Graham book, Come From Away.
I loved learning about the hippie movement, draft dodgers/war resisters, and the music of the 1960's from Sassy. On the serious side, Marion is an intelligent doctor who brings to light the history of mental care and its subsequent deinstitutionalization that saw vulnerable and potentially dangerous patients left without care. I was so interested in this history that I ended up doing my own research while reading this one. It was interesting, and Graham has it all spot on! I never skip her notes as there is so much good information and resources.
With every Genevieve Graham book, I am left with strong emotions, and often, there are tears. On Isabella Street was no different, but I'm glad to say they were happy tears this time. The ending was beautiful and so satisfying. I loved this book and will recommend it to everyone.
Two very different women, living in the same building, strike up a lasting friendship during the turbulent 1960's. I loved the way freespirited Sassy and serious Marion became friends and the sense of community they shared with their neighbours. I love well developed side characters, and there is no shortage of them, including Daniel, a Vietnam Vet, who happens to be the son of Grace and Rudy in an earlier Genevieve Graham book, Come From Away.
I loved learning about the hippie movement, draft dodgers/war resisters, and the music of the 1960's from Sassy. On the serious side, Marion is an intelligent doctor who brings to light the history of mental care and its subsequent deinstitutionalization that saw vulnerable and potentially dangerous patients left without care. I was so interested in this history that I ended up doing my own research while reading this one. It was interesting, and Graham has it all spot on! I never skip her notes as there is so much good information and resources.
With every Genevieve Graham book, I am left with strong emotions, and often, there are tears. On Isabella Street was no different, but I'm glad to say they were happy tears this time. The ending was beautiful and so satisfying. I loved this book and will recommend it to everyone.
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-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
Graham just keeps getting better and better - this is my favourite of hers to date! On Isabella Street is both thought-provoking and heartrending, delving into two lesser-known events in Canadian history: our involvement in the Vietnam War, and the deinstitutionalization of mental health care. With impeccable research and endearing characters, Graham transports us to 1960s Toronto, and tells a spellbinding tale full of warmth and grace about freedom, families, and the enduring power of love. You will adore Sassy and Marion's friendship, and how each of them grow throughout the novel. There are also lots of threads that tie everyone together in surprising ways... this is truly well done!
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
adventurous
emotional
informative
slow-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:
No
I really enjoyed this story about a time period I’ve not read much about, and certainly not from the perspective of Canadians’ involvement in Vietnam.
The book starts off slowly, building the two characters and making the reader feel like we know Sassy and Marion in their separate lives before they come together. The world of 60s-era Toronto is brought to life, with real details like a love-in with Buffy Saint Marie performing.
The second half of the book is where the plot really picks up. The characters are thrown deeper into the Vietnam conflict than you might expect, and they find themselves connected far more than they knew.
At the same time there are themes of mental illness and (what would now be known as) PTSD in veterans, along with the deinstitutionalization happening in psychiatric hospitals in Ontario at the time. This is interesting in a historical context and also in juxtaposition to the current process underway in Nova Scotia after the provincial human rights commission ruled that living in community is a human right. However this time it’s recognized that there needs to be support in place, they can’t just close the institutions and leave the folks to fend for themselves on the street.
A well written, clearly well-researched, evocative story.
I was given an advance copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review.
The book starts off slowly, building the two characters and making the reader feel like we know Sassy and Marion in their separate lives before they come together. The world of 60s-era Toronto is brought to life, with real details like a love-in with Buffy Saint Marie performing.
The second half of the book is where the plot really picks up. The characters are thrown deeper into the Vietnam conflict than you might expect, and they find themselves connected far more than they knew.
At the same time there are themes of mental illness and (what would now be known as) PTSD in veterans, along with the deinstitutionalization happening in psychiatric hospitals in Ontario at the time. This is interesting in a historical context and also in juxtaposition to the current process underway in Nova Scotia after the provincial human rights commission ruled that living in community is a human right. However this time it’s recognized that there needs to be support in place, they can’t just close the institutions and leave the folks to fend for themselves on the street.
A well written, clearly well-researched, evocative story.
I was given an advance copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, War
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Car accident