A review by sandysmith
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

What a ride such an amazing book, that has you riding waves of emotion, sad yes, but it is so much more than this, funny, thought-provoking, joyful, It's a full range of emotions. Lenni is 17 and has a life limiting condition, meets 83 year old Margot in hospital. They bond over art therapy and agree to paint their lives in one hundred years of their memories. The relationships are beautifully written and created, written from two viewpoints, whilst obviously most of flash backs belong to Margot, Lenni, and her views on life grabs you. Her relationships with others are also wonderfully written, and I could help but fall in love with both Lenni and Margot but the other characters, too, especially Father Arthur, the new nurse, and the tattooed porter and a few chickens. "Do you know, she said slowly, that the stars we see closest are already dead? Well that's depressing, I took my hand from hers. No, she said gently linking her arm through mine. It's not depressing, it's beautiful. They've been gone for who knows how long, but we can still see them. They live on.they live on". There is loads to consider and reflect on. My favourite type of book is one that makes you think and this book will stay with me for some time. Its brilliant just brilliant.
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