The Imperfect Art of Caring

The Imperfect Art of Caring - Jessica Ryn

Description

One small act can make a big difference

Violet Strong is strong by name but not by nature, or so she thinks. She listens but never talks about herself. She’s friendly but doesn’t have many real friends. She’s become good at keeping people at a distance ever since she left home at eighteen and never looked back.

But when Violet is forced to return home to care for her estranged mother, Glenys, she quickly finds out that life as a carer isn’t easy. Feeling overwhelmed, she’s forced to turn to the other local carers, including childhood friend, Adam, for help.

Although returning home still feels like a mistake, maybe it will help Violet right some wrongs. After all, she can’t keep running from her past forever, and in learning to look after others, perhaps Violet can start to finally love herself…

Review

This is the most heart warming book I have read in a long time.

Violet is forced to return to her childhood home to look after her estranged Mother, as her sister is leaving for New Zealand. I was as shocked as Violet was when her sister said she would be leaving soon - that evening! Violet had only just arrived home and was a little bewildered with her new responsibilities, especially as her Mother had no interest in her being there.

I really felt for Violet, and then there was the reason she had left home all those years ago. But what was that reason? We are left wondering for a very long time. Lots of little side stories are woven into the main story, some very worrying. I was anxious that it was going to be alright in the end.

The home Violet knew has been subdivided into flats and we begin to discover with Violet who the tenants are. My favourite was Tammy who lived on the top floor. She has learning disabilities and her Mother died recently - she's been left in a world she doesn't understand. Luckily Violet helps her with that. But in turn Tammy helps Violet in ways we cannot foresee at the beginning of this friendship.

Lots of brilliant characters who are so true to life. As are the experiences they have with both officialdom and the world at large.

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. My thanks to HQ stories for a copy of the book. It's a story that will stay with me for some time.

Comments

No One Would Do What The Lamberts Have Done - Sophie Hannah

Description The twistiest murder mystery you are ever likely to read? A story about a family that does the unthinkable in order to save the life of one of its beloved members? Both? Or something else altogether? You'll have to read until the very last word in order to find out… You think it will never happen to you: the ring of the bell, the policeman on the doorstep. What he says traps you in a nightmare that starts with the words, 'I'm afraid…' Sally Lambert is also afraid, and desperate enough to consider the unthinkable. Is it really, definitely, impossible to escape from this horror? Maybe not. There's always something you can do, right? Of course, no one would ever do this particular something – except the Lamberts, who might have to. No one has ever gone this far. Until Sally decides that the Lamberts will… 'An incident involving a dog in a small village escalates to an all-out conflict, turning neighbour against neighbour, and culminating in murder. Bu...

The Dilemmas of Work Women - Fumio Yamamoto

Description The classic Japanese bestseller published in English for the very first time - a darkly funny and relatable book portraying the lives of five women 'Witty, wise and thought-provoking' Cecelia Ahern 'Crackles and pops with humour, empathy and intelligence' Lisa Owens, author of Not Working 'So brilliantly written that I kept trying to memorise sentences in order to repeat them to people later' Roxy Dunn, author of As Young as This Izumi needs to get a job. Haruka needs to stop talking about how she once had cancer. Katō needs to get through a shift at the convenience store without being harassed. Mito needs to break up with her boyfriend - or marry him. Sumie just needs somewhere to live. In this classic Japanese bestseller, published in English twenty-five years after it took Japan by storm, the lives of five ordinary women are depicted with irresistible humour and searing emotional insight. Review A collection of short ...

A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder - Louise Candlish

Description A gripping new thriller from the author of Our House, packed full of stunning twists! ‘Louise Candlish has a gift for examining hotly topical issues with intelligence, wit, and a keen eye for observational detail. A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder is a smartly constructed psychological thriller with a wicked twist in the tale. Flawless!’ Lucy Clarke ‘A terrific story, witty, engaging and a total page-turner.’ Liz Nugent 'A whip-smart, razor-sharp domestic thriller… a fiendishly twisty plot. Gwen is my new obsession!' Isabelle Broom ‘A brilliant mess-with-your-mind slow burn thriller. Louise is a master manipulator and this is not to be missed’ Nikki Smith 'Louise Candlish excels at issue-led plots. A clever “through the keyhole” take on neighbours.' Jane Corry 'Meticulously plotted with twists and turns aplenty. It's a truly addictive read.' Hannah Beckerman Her secrets will be the death of you. It’s rare for a r...

BOOKSIMO

Search This Blog