Once a spirited, independent woman with a rebellious streak, Masha's life was forever changed by a tragic event 12 years ago. Unable to let go of her grief, she finds comfort in her faithful canine companion Haizum and peace in the quiet lanes of her town's swimming pool. Almost without her realizing it, her life has shuddered to a halt.

It's only when Masha begins an unlikely friendship with the mysterious Sally Red Shoes, a bag lady with a prodigious voice and a penchant for saying just what she means, that a new world of possibilities opens up: new friendships, new opportunities, and even a chance for new love. For the first time in years, Masha has the chance to start living again. But just as Masha dares to imagine the future, her past comes roaring back....
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THE WISDOM OF SALLY RED SHOES by RUTH HOGAN (2018) | ISBN: 978-1-473-66901-7 | Publisher: Two Roads, an imprint of John Murray Press, Hachette UK

Loved the pace, the characters and the insightful reflections.

Received from rainbow3 in the advent calendar of books in December 2019. This looks and sounds rather interesting, so may not be overlong on tbr.

Well, this did not stay on tbr for too long. Perhaps I have something positive to thank Covid-19 for after all - having to stay home and getting more of tbr read!!

I loved this book and found it very hard to put down as became more deeply engrossed throughout the book. The female characters in particular, all sprung to life from these pages, although Masha's friend Edward was an exception, and I felt it was a very hopeful and warm hearted storyline despite the themes of death, grief, cancer and cemeteries which sound as though they should be the opposite. The central theme was really the process of returning to life after a death (in this instance of a child) and working through the grief phase, however this is not a sad or difficult book to read - quite the opposite. Indeed, there are many 'silly' and very precious moments throughout the book, many supplied by Haizum the dog and some by a typographical dinner guest. Masha is the central main character and in parallel runs the story of Alice, an over protective mother to Mattie, and who we later find out to be dying from cancer. Masha becomes friendly with 'Sally Red Shoes' and Kitty, both eccentric and quirky characters in their own ways, and together they help Masha find her way back to being herself and living life to the full whilst Alice, in contrast, comes to painful terms with dying and trying to adjust her ambitions for Mattie to live on without her. For me, this story exudes hope and resilience from all the characters, shows a lot of tolerance and has a great focus on the lighter side of life. However, I did find the ending to this story a little abrupt and really wanted more about the last transitioning of Masha (new marriage and reuniting) but I guess that would be another book.

Currently I do not have a plan for this book so shall make it available but who knows ....

Added to the Already Crossed Bookbox for its outward journey.

Happy travels little book. This book is from an author whose work I have consumed in recent years. I really enjoyed this book but it is time it found some new readers.

Chosen from the already crossed bookbox