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Title: The Woman Who Kept Everything
Author: Jane Gilley
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: 11th July 2019
Rating: 5 Stars
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| Amazon UK |
The Lady in the Van meets The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry in this uplifting, funny and moving debut novel about a 79-year-old hoarder who is convinced the world is against her.
79-year-old Gloria Frensham is a hoarder. She lives amongst piles of magazines, cardboard boxes and endless knick-knacks that are stacked into every room of her home, and teeter in piles along the landing and up the stairs.
She hasn’t left the house in years, but when a sudden smell of burning signifies real danger, she is forced to make a sudden departure and leave behind her beloved possessions.
Determined she’s not ready for a care home, Gloria sets out to discover what life still has to offer her. It’s time to navigate the outside world on her own, one step at a time, with just one very small suitcase in tow…
Heart-warming and poignant in equal measure, this is a story about the loneliness of life, the struggles of growing old, the power of kindness, and the bravery it takes to leave our comfort zones.
79-year-old Gloria Frensham is a hoarder. She lives amongst piles of magazines, cardboard boxes and endless knick-knacks that are stacked into every room of her home, and teeter in piles along the landing and up the stairs.
She hasn’t left the house in years, but when a sudden smell of burning signifies real danger, she is forced to make a sudden departure and leave behind her beloved possessions.
Determined she’s not ready for a care home, Gloria sets out to discover what life still has to offer her. It’s time to navigate the outside world on her own, one step at a time, with just one very small suitcase in tow…
Heart-warming and poignant in equal measure, this is a story about the loneliness of life, the struggles of growing old, the power of kindness, and the bravery it takes to leave our comfort zones.
What an enjoyable gem of a book this turned out to be. I'm just sorry I didn't read it sooner!
Gloria starts the book rather downtrodden, she is living in a hoarders paradise, but a nightmare for an outsider, she barely cooks, washes from a sink, and seems to have almost given up on life.
When an electrical fault is found, she is moved into a home for a bit, and from there its a journey of self discovery for this marvellous septuagenarian.
I really don't want to spoil what happens from that turning point, but expect adventure, expect family disagreements, and a whole new lease of life for Gloria.
It's always lovely to see an older main character, and Gloria is someone I took to my heart, she has a great personality and a lovely way of looking at things.
It was a sheer joy to read her story, and see her develop over the book.
This is the first book I've devoured by the author, I read it in a few short hours, and was hooked, and it certainly won't be the last.
A truly enjoyable and inspiring read, and I hope to be even a bit like Gloria in my twilight years!
Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily,
Gloria starts the book rather downtrodden, she is living in a hoarders paradise, but a nightmare for an outsider, she barely cooks, washes from a sink, and seems to have almost given up on life.
When an electrical fault is found, she is moved into a home for a bit, and from there its a journey of self discovery for this marvellous septuagenarian.
I really don't want to spoil what happens from that turning point, but expect adventure, expect family disagreements, and a whole new lease of life for Gloria.
It's always lovely to see an older main character, and Gloria is someone I took to my heart, she has a great personality and a lovely way of looking at things.
It was a sheer joy to read her story, and see her develop over the book.
This is the first book I've devoured by the author, I read it in a few short hours, and was hooked, and it certainly won't be the last.
A truly enjoyable and inspiring read, and I hope to be even a bit like Gloria in my twilight years!
Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily,
Now on order - thanks! Cheers from CArole's Chatter
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