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A review by alexblackreads
The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr

4.0

I think this book captures so perfectly what I love about Sara Zarr. Everything is so meaningful, but nothing is dramatic. It's just a quiet kind of story with characters living their every day lives, but that doesn't mean that it lacks importance. Everything that happens matters so much to the characters and their lives, but it lacks melodrama.

One thing that I love so much is how this book captures Lucy's differences from the average teenagers. And I don't mean this in a "not like other girls" way. Lucy is a 16 year old in high school, but she didn't always go to school full time. For a lot of her life, she was a professional musician and spent more time around adults. It changes how she perceives relationships between adults and teenagers, and how she perceives her own role in the world. It's subtly done and she does have teenage friends as well, but I really loved the execution of that element.

I also really liked the family dynamic. Lucy lives with her parents, grandfather, and younger brother, and each brings their own unique and important relationship to the story. It never felt like their were too many moving pieces or anyone got left out. They were always so well crafted and I really enjoyed seeing each of them played out in the story.

I'm honestly struggling with what else to say. I just enjoyed this book thoroughly. It hasn't been my favorite of Zarr's books, but it's definitely up there. It's such a worthwhile, wonderful book and I'd highly recommend it.