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A review by mg_in_md_
The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes by Ruth Hogan
4.0
Having recently read and enjoyed the author's debut novel, I was delighted to see that her second was available for early review via NetGalley. The luscious language and imagery, as well as the three dimensional characters and worlds they inhabited drew me into this novel from the first page. I felt equally drawn to the two alternating storylines, wondering how they would connect right up until the end. This second novel was every bit as wonderful, magical, and engaging as the debut, and I look forward to continuing to read works by this author in the future.
Most of the story is told in the first person by Masha, who is still trying to come to terms with a tragic event that occurred 12 years prior. Her palpable grief is still as raw as it was when the event occurred. The reader can see that Masha is sleepwalking through life while those who care about her are unable to help her move forward; their pain over her sadness is equally moving and tangible. However, a chance encounter with an eccentric bag lady whom she calls Sally Red Shoes changes the trajectory of Masha's life. The two strike up an unlikely friendship, and Masha begins to reexamine her life and relationships in a profound, transformative way. This storyline is infused with a wide range of emotions that immersed me fully into Masha's world. I enjoyed spending time with her and her friends, and felt transported into each scene.
The rest of the story is told in the third person, centering around a single mother named Alice whose own burdens are slowly revealed to the reader. The third person narration felt like an effective method for experiencing Alice's story and its progression over the course of the novel, providing a bit of distance and perspective. The emotional connection I felt to Alice was just as strong as the one I felt with Masha.
While this novel deals with heavy themes, I felt that they were handled with a great deal of care and humanity. I felt that this gave the novel emotional depth and allowed me to fully connect to the stories. The writing was beautiful and gave a magical feel to the story. The power of connections are at the heart of this novel, and will undoubtedly cause readers to reflect on their own lives and relationships long after reading the final page.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the opportunity read an early copy of this novel; I can't wait until it is released over the summer, so I can discuss it with my reader friends!
Most of the story is told in the first person by Masha, who is still trying to come to terms with a tragic event that occurred 12 years prior. Her palpable grief is still as raw as it was when the event occurred. The reader can see that Masha is sleepwalking through life while those who care about her are unable to help her move forward; their pain over her sadness is equally moving and tangible. However, a chance encounter with an eccentric bag lady whom she calls Sally Red Shoes changes the trajectory of Masha's life. The two strike up an unlikely friendship, and Masha begins to reexamine her life and relationships in a profound, transformative way. This storyline is infused with a wide range of emotions that immersed me fully into Masha's world. I enjoyed spending time with her and her friends, and felt transported into each scene.
The rest of the story is told in the third person, centering around a single mother named Alice whose own burdens are slowly revealed to the reader. The third person narration felt like an effective method for experiencing Alice's story and its progression over the course of the novel, providing a bit of distance and perspective. The emotional connection I felt to Alice was just as strong as the one I felt with Masha.
While this novel deals with heavy themes, I felt that they were handled with a great deal of care and humanity. I felt that this gave the novel emotional depth and allowed me to fully connect to the stories. The writing was beautiful and gave a magical feel to the story. The power of connections are at the heart of this novel, and will undoubtedly cause readers to reflect on their own lives and relationships long after reading the final page.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the opportunity read an early copy of this novel; I can't wait until it is released over the summer, so I can discuss it with my reader friends!