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sheryl_macca's review
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.5
I read The Keeper of Lost Things then somehow skipped The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes and went onto Queenie Malone's Paradise Hotel. TKOLT was emotional, eccentric, charming and magical. QMPH is a rollercoaster, it's romantic, dramatic and it's a fantasy novel.
The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes has the charm and eccentricity of TKOLT and it has a shocking twist reminiscent of QMPH but I missed the magical/fantasy element. This book is more light-hearted and witty instead. Romance features in a number of ways for a number of characters but this diluted the impact that QMPH had.
TWOSRS has a few of my favourite elements which Hogan regularly uses; multiple POVs, a small cast of characters and a strong female lead. The central settings are a cemetery and a lido which are quirky and beautifully metaphorical. It also felt much more personal than the other books and indeed Hogan explains why in the authors note at the end.
TWOSRS is essentially about grief in its many forms. Grief for those lost (whether they had actually died or not). Grief for the person you used to be and for the full life you once had. Grief for the inevitable that has yet to actually occur. There is grief that brings about fear and guilt and grief that motivates and empowers. There is grief that sadly separates people and grief that brings people together. Each character's experience of grief is unique and offers us an insight and a lesson. It's a truly beautiful story.
When the twist comes you're riding the wave of this beauty, you're enjoying the emotions and you're ready for the perceived ending. Hogan lulls you into a false sense of security with ease then she smacks you in the face from your blind side without apology. I was so bemused I had to read it again and take a breath before continuing.
Ruth Hogan is still a favourite author of mine, I will still read every book she writes but this one just lacked that element of magic and fantasy that I'd become accustomed to and so it just misses out on the 5 stars I expected to give it.
The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes has the charm and eccentricity of TKOLT and it has a shocking twist reminiscent of QMPH but I missed the magical/fantasy element. This book is more light-hearted and witty instead. Romance features in a number of ways for a number of characters but this diluted the impact that QMPH had.
TWOSRS has a few of my favourite elements which Hogan regularly uses; multiple POVs, a small cast of characters and a strong female lead. The central settings are a cemetery and a lido which are quirky and beautifully metaphorical. It also felt much more personal than the other books and indeed Hogan explains why in the authors note at the end.
TWOSRS is essentially about grief in its many forms. Grief for those lost (whether they had actually died or not). Grief for the person you used to be and for the full life you once had. Grief for the inevitable that has yet to actually occur. There is grief that brings about fear and guilt and grief that motivates and empowers. There is grief that sadly separates people and grief that brings people together. Each character's experience of grief is unique and offers us an insight and a lesson. It's a truly beautiful story.
When the twist comes you're riding the wave of this beauty, you're enjoying the emotions and you're ready for the perceived ending. Hogan lulls you into a false sense of security with ease then she smacks you in the face from your blind side without apology. I was so bemused I had to read it again and take a breath before continuing.
Ruth Hogan is still a favourite author of mine, I will still read every book she writes but this one just lacked that element of magic and fantasy that I'd become accustomed to and so it just misses out on the 5 stars I expected to give it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
Moderate: Cancer