Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by koyalites
The Frequency of Us by Keith Stuart
3.0
3.5/5 stars
It’s been a while since I read a historical, contemporary fiction but this was an easy reintroduction to the genre. The Frequency of Us is a poignant story that follows two main characters - Will and Laura - alternating chapters with their point of views, past and present. We open with Will’s perspective during a bomb raid in his neighborhood where he discovers that his was completely wiped from his life. Cut to the present where Will is now a 90 year-old man living in solitude, Laura finds herself assigned with evaluating him for social services. Laura, with her own set of secrets, decides to help Will reconnect the pieces from his past.
Ultimately the story is about grief, trauma and healing.
I do enjoy stories that feature two timelines weaved together, as one of the characters slowly uncover some mystery of the other. This was similarly enjoyable, though I did feel more invested in one pov for majority of the book (Laura), so non Laura pov chapters felt a little bit of a bore but the prose was smooth so they were still easy to get through.
Both characters were great but Laura stood out more to me, I love how her struggles with mental illness and medication were shown. The author really wrote these characters with care and you can tell, there were several more subtle, mellower moments that somehow hit harder due to how relatable they are. Will in the past did not interest me as much, his personality felt a little monotonous compared to older, present Will. His grumpy yet compassionate personality bounces off Laura’s anxious yet stern personality really well.
Overall, the book was a quick and nice read. It might drag a little bit but still a lovely story for people who are looking for a heartwarming, historical fiction.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a honest review.
It’s been a while since I read a historical, contemporary fiction but this was an easy reintroduction to the genre. The Frequency of Us is a poignant story that follows two main characters - Will and Laura - alternating chapters with their point of views, past and present. We open with Will’s perspective during a bomb raid in his neighborhood where he discovers that his was completely wiped from his life. Cut to the present where Will is now a 90 year-old man living in solitude, Laura finds herself assigned with evaluating him for social services. Laura, with her own set of secrets, decides to help Will reconnect the pieces from his past.
Ultimately the story is about grief, trauma and healing.
I do enjoy stories that feature two timelines weaved together, as one of the characters slowly uncover some mystery of the other. This was similarly enjoyable, though I did feel more invested in one pov for majority of the book (Laura), so non Laura pov chapters felt a little bit of a bore but the prose was smooth so they were still easy to get through.
Both characters were great but Laura stood out more to me, I love how her struggles with mental illness and medication were shown. The author really wrote these characters with care and you can tell, there were several more subtle, mellower moments that somehow hit harder due to how relatable they are. Will in the past did not interest me as much, his personality felt a little monotonous compared to older, present Will. His grumpy yet compassionate personality bounces off Laura’s anxious yet stern personality really well.
Overall, the book was a quick and nice read. It might drag a little bit but still a lovely story for people who are looking for a heartwarming, historical fiction.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a honest review.