A review by monalyisha
A Town Called Solace by Mary Lawson

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.75

This is going to be kind of a niche review but so be it. šŸ˜… A Town Called Solace reminded me intensely of the part in American Gods when Shadow stays in Lakeside, with all of the small town characters *and* all of the small town mystery, but without an epic war between gods looming in the background. The setting, too, was so familiar: the lake, the cold, the long walk to the diner. I suppose Northern Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada arenā€™t so different. Similarities *would* abound.

I was hooked instantly by Clara (with whom I share the joys of magical thinking OCD), and was rooting for Liam to find connection.

I was a bit taken aback by how abruptly Roseā€™s storyline is ā€œresolvedā€ and by the plain way in which the facts of what happened to her are delivered. Readers should be aware of trigger warnings. Iā€™ll admit that I was surprised to hear, after finishing, that this one was longlisted for the Booker Prize. For the most part, however, I genuinely enjoyed Lawsonā€™s writing and will seek out her back catalog.

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