A Town Called Solace
12 journalers for this copy...
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This novel was longlisted for the 2021 Book Prize. It weaves together the lives of an elderly woman dying in a hospital, a young girl whose sister goes missing and a man trying to leave his failed marriage and big-city job behind. Lawson's writing reminds me of Alice Munro's and she explores small-town life in Northern Ontario in the same way that Munro did for Southern Ontario, though there's a little more suspense and darkness in Lawson's writing.
It's surprising to me how completely engrossed I was in the stories of very ordinary people, though perhaps these people encountered more than their fair share of misfortune. I'd also liked Lawson's earlier book, Crow Lake, very much.
It's surprising to me how completely engrossed I was in the stories of very ordinary people, though perhaps these people encountered more than their fair share of misfortune. I'd also liked Lawson's earlier book, Crow Lake, very much.
This is my choice for the Favourite Book of 2022 Roundabout hosted by dark-draco. It is actually a second copy, as the first copy has been stalled.
Here is the order in which it will be travelling:
mathgirl40 (Canada)
mcsar (Canada) -- skipped for now
valpete (USA)
Echode (USA)
Cross-patch (UK)
Greenbadger (UK)
Poodlesister (UK)
Estelle1806 (Ireland)
Fifna (Netherlands)
Von Asdrasthe (Austria)
Sonkku (Finland)
Icila (France)
Here is the order in which it will be travelling:
mathgirl40 (Canada)
mcsar (Canada) -- skipped for now
valpete (USA)
Echode (USA)
Cross-patch (UK)
Greenbadger (UK)
Poodlesister (UK)
Estelle1806 (Ireland)
Fifna (Netherlands)
Von Asdrasthe (Austria)
Sonkku (Finland)
Icila (France)
This book was supposed to go to mcsar, but she cannot be reached, and then to Valpete, but she informed me that she already has access to a copy, so it's now on its way to the next reader on the list, Echode. Enjoy!
This was a very fast read. Loved all the characters, especially, Clara, who is the delightful 8-year old sister. Glad I was able to read this on an electronic device and have Mathgirl80 forward the hard copy to the next reader.
And it has landed in Seattle! Much gratitude for procuring another copy, mathgirl40...
Finished 2/16/23:
It had me at Moses the cat! (I had my own Moses the german shepherd RIP)
Very engrossing. The author was skilled at writing from the POV of different characters & their distinguishable voices. A small town in Ontario becomes the haven for some messy lives and big mistakes.
It's not a hopeful story, but a great one, nevertheless.
Finished 2/16/23:
It had me at Moses the cat! (I had my own Moses the german shepherd RIP)
Very engrossing. The author was skilled at writing from the POV of different characters & their distinguishable voices. A small town in Ontario becomes the haven for some messy lives and big mistakes.
It's not a hopeful story, but a great one, nevertheless.
Released 1 yr ago (3/1/2023 UTC) at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On its way to Cross-patch ✈️
Journal Entry 8 by Cross-patch at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Tuesday, March 14, 2023
It has arrived and has joined a very small tbr pile.
Journal Entry 9 by Cross-patch at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Monday, March 20, 2023
This is a self-confessed book about trust and acceptance. I remember loving Crow Lake, another novel dissecting family relationships. It has left me feeling calm and emotionally satisfied. One cannot ask for more. Thank you mathgirl40.
Journal Entry 10 by Cross-patch at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Released 12 mos ago (3/22/2023 UTC) at -- By Post or by Hand--, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Off to Greenbadger.
Journal Entry 11 by greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Friday, March 24, 2023
This has arrived with me, thank you.
Journal Entry 12 by greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Friday, March 31, 2023
Set in Solace, a small town in the north of Ontario. Clara is 8, and she thinks that if she doesn't stop looking out the window her big sister Rose will come back. The only thing that she leaves it for is to feed old Mrs Orchard nextdor's cat while Mrs Orchard is away. But then a strange man comes to the house and starts moving Mrs Orchard's things. The story follows Mrs Orchard, in hospital and reliving the past, Clara as she tries to make sense of all the changes in her world, and Liam, gifted Mrs Orchard's house and also trying to make sense of his life after leaving his job and his marriage. This is a lovely book, I really like the sense of community in Solace, how people look after each other and how their interactions gradually bring a sense of understanding and healing.
Journal Entry 13 by greenbadger at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, April 5, 2023
Released 11 mos ago (4/5/2023 UTC) at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Posted to Poodlesister.
Journal Entry 14 by Poodlesister at Walthamstow, Greater London United Kingdom on Thursday, April 6, 2023
Thanks for the book and postcard!
Journal Entry 15 by Poodlesister at Walthamstow, Greater London United Kingdom on Friday, May 5, 2023
I really liked Crow Lake, the only other Mary Lawson book I've read. I also really enjoyed so many aspects of this book, and all the different emotional layers, plus yes Moses, a great character, one of many characters I enjoyed getting to know. Thanks for choosing it mathgirl40.
Journal Entry 16 by Poodlesister at Book Roundabout , -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Saturday, May 13, 2023
Released 10 mos ago (5/13/2023 UTC) at Book Roundabout , -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Travelling to estelle1806
Received in record time! Thanks Poodlesister.
I also enjoyed reading this book and got quite attached to the three main characters, especially Liam, and to the story that linked them together.
Some parts should maybe have been more developped - like Liam's childhood - but this is my own curiosity. It was a good read all in all.
Thanks for sharing mathgirl40!
Some parts should maybe have been more developped - like Liam's childhood - but this is my own curiosity. It was a good read all in all.
Thanks for sharing mathgirl40!
Travelling to the next reader on the roundabout, enjoy!
Please let us know when you release it again...
Please let us know when you release it again...
Arrived today, thanks estelle1806. And thank you for the stickers!
This story really drew me in right from the start, the pace is just right and the writing is good. Loved Moses the cat!
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing!
On its way to Andrasthe.
Got it!
So I read the book in a day, my first day of summer holidays to be exact. I enjoyed the imperfect characters and thought the author did an especially good job depicting Clara. Elizabeth I thoroughly liked and Liam as well.
I have lost my mum (66) this year and had to tell my daughters (7&5) what happened. Nobody was expecting it. I emphatically felt for Clara when she found out about her beloved neighbour and found the way her parents dealt with the various catastrophies dreadful - even if some of it might be understandable. Kids perceive more than adults think and I find a good portion of honesty is the best policy and keeps the trust between children and parents. Clara's frustration and disorientation caused by her parents' behaviour was brought to the page in an ingenuous and powerful way. This alone made the novel stand out.
I could have done without the obligatory librarian with her hastily mentioned backstory and the way the author handled Rose's return - the way people reacted to that - was lacking. Then again, it wasn't really her story, was it? Still, those parents ... phew!
Thank you for including this book. For me it kind of resonated with one of the other picks: "Anxious People" by Fredrik Backman. The plot was not as important as the characters and the mundane turned out to be quite special.
So I read the book in a day, my first day of summer holidays to be exact. I enjoyed the imperfect characters and thought the author did an especially good job depicting Clara. Elizabeth I thoroughly liked and Liam as well.
I have lost my mum (66) this year and had to tell my daughters (7&5) what happened. Nobody was expecting it. I emphatically felt for Clara when she found out about her beloved neighbour and found the way her parents dealt with the various catastrophies dreadful - even if some of it might be understandable. Kids perceive more than adults think and I find a good portion of honesty is the best policy and keeps the trust between children and parents. Clara's frustration and disorientation caused by her parents' behaviour was brought to the page in an ingenuous and powerful way. This alone made the novel stand out.
I could have done without the obligatory librarian with her hastily mentioned backstory and the way the author handled Rose's return - the way people reacted to that - was lacking. Then again, it wasn't really her story, was it? Still, those parents ... phew!
Thank you for including this book. For me it kind of resonated with one of the other picks: "Anxious People" by Fredrik Backman. The plot was not as important as the characters and the mundane turned out to be quite special.
I received book already last week but forgot to update the info here. Thank you!
I liked the book. Only the end remained a bit open I think.
Released 4 mos ago (11/5/2023 UTC) at Tampere, Pirkanmaa / Birkaland Finland
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
I will send the book to next reader.
The book is now with me, thank you.
A bit of fresh air, you want to leave in Solace. Thank you mathgirl40.
Do you want the book back ?
Do you want the book back ?
On its way to Paulanni, I hope that you enjoy it.
Journal Entry 30 by Paulanni at Riihimäki, Kanta-Häme / Egentliga Tavastland Finland on Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Thank you for sharing the book, Icila! Wow! With all the positive and appreciative comments I feel like I have been given a chance to participate in last year's Favourite Book Roundabout.