A review by serendipitysbooks
The Home Child by Liz Berry

emotional informative reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

 The Home Child is a novel in verse inspired by scant details of the life of the author’s great-aunt Eliza Showell who, as a newly orphaned 12 year old, was sent from Birmingham to Nova Scotia. Those details have been supplemented by research and rich imaginings. The language was utterly gorgeous and I was particularly struck by the nature imagery, the way nature provided a solace for Eliza, and the use of vocabulary and dialect distinct to the Black Country area of the West Midlands. A glossary is helpfully included for readers unfamiliar with that language. I was so impressed by the way the author was able to capture so many facets of the experience of the Home Children in such a slim volume. I loved the way the rhythm of “Wolfville” mirrored that of the train taking Eliza’s boyfriend away from her. Two poems titled “The Word” showcase the negative attitudes many Canadians held towards the Home Children, while the two “They say” poems highlight experiences of real children whose experiences were so much worse than Eliza’s. Each poem stands alone but together they tell a cohesive, convincing and compelling story. This is a book that both captured my heart and broke it. Many thanks to @katie.reads.things for gifting me this book. 
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