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A review by del_devours
Grace's Table by Sally Piper
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
5.0
First of all, let me just say, I really dig the cover on this book. It's simple, but elegant; pictures of dinner paraphernalia set against a blue backdrop evoking images of family dinners at Nannas. I love that the blurb is set within the image of the cookie jar, working with the design instead of dominating it. My complements to Allison Colpoys, who is responsible for the design.
The cover sets the tone for the book. Grace's Table is a literary gem that skilfully weaves a narrative around the complexities of grief, anger, blame, redemption, and family. Piper’s voice is almost poetic, providing vivid descriptions that contrast the beauty of Grace's memories with the starkness and immediacy of her present reality. Transitions between past and present are fluid, creating an engaging and immersive journey into Grace's life.
This is very much a character-driven novel, with Susan’s hero worship of her father and strained relationship with Grace paralleling Grace’s fond memories of her own father and the troubled relationship she had with her mother. The exploration of family dynamics is powerful. Piper draws us into Grace’s life with such ease, she feels like a friend by the end of the book.
The thematic exploration of food adds another layer to the narrative, highlighting how much of our lives and memories are intertwined with it. Piper uses food to evoke strong emotions, both positive and negative, forming a poignant connection to the past, and displaying the wide array of personalities among Grace’s friends and families.
I won’t discuss the ending in detail because, spoilers. I will say that it is powerful and highly emotional, though it did feel slightly rushed after such a long build-up. The slow start might deter some readers, but I encourage you to persevere; you will surely be rewarded with a rich and immersive story that leaves a lasting impression, turning the ordinary act of sharing a meal into a profound exploration of the complexities of life, love, loss, and family.
The cover sets the tone for the book. Grace's Table is a literary gem that skilfully weaves a narrative around the complexities of grief, anger, blame, redemption, and family. Piper’s voice is almost poetic, providing vivid descriptions that contrast the beauty of Grace's memories with the starkness and immediacy of her present reality. Transitions between past and present are fluid, creating an engaging and immersive journey into Grace's life.
This is very much a character-driven novel, with Susan’s hero worship of her father and strained relationship with Grace paralleling Grace’s fond memories of her own father and the troubled relationship she had with her mother. The exploration of family dynamics is powerful. Piper draws us into Grace’s life with such ease, she feels like a friend by the end of the book.
The thematic exploration of food adds another layer to the narrative, highlighting how much of our lives and memories are intertwined with it. Piper uses food to evoke strong emotions, both positive and negative, forming a poignant connection to the past, and displaying the wide array of personalities among Grace’s friends and families.
I won’t discuss the ending in detail because, spoilers. I will say that it is powerful and highly emotional, though it did feel slightly rushed after such a long build-up. The slow start might deter some readers, but I encourage you to persevere; you will surely be rewarded with a rich and immersive story that leaves a lasting impression, turning the ordinary act of sharing a meal into a profound exploration of the complexities of life, love, loss, and family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Child death, Car accident, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Violence, Gaslighting, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abortion, Mental illness, and Bullying