A review by bookthia
Etta and Otto and Russel and James by Emma Hooper

emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This is a difficult book to review because it surely isn’t something everyone will like.  But I adored it. Etta is 83 years old and has never seen the ocean. So she leaves her husband Otto a letter telling where she’s gone and and she begins her walk to the Atlantic.  Told through letters and flashbacks, Etta and Otto’s story is interwoven with Russell (Ottos childhood best friend) and James (is James real? He is real to Etta).  Beautiful deep flawed and believable characters, told with love and compassion and an understanding of trauma, Etta and Otto and Russell and James will stay with me.