4*
In this thoughtful novel, author Ruth Hogan (The Keeper of Lost Things) takes a deep dive into the emotions of grief and guilt from two voices. Masha lost her son over 12 years before, but she has never fully grieved or forgiven herself for what she perceives as her negligence. It isn’t until a dinner party with friends on the night of her son’s 14th birthday that she has an epiphany (at her friend Epiphany’s home, no less), realizing the negative impact her refusal to let go and live has had on her friends and family. “My grief has become an addiction; a bad habit like a tattered comfort blanket that I have hung on to for far too long.” It is the titular Sally Red Shoes, the crow-loving, opera-singing, elderly & muddled ragamuffin she meets on her frequent sojourns to the cemetery, whose words of wisdom help her find a way past her grief. Then there’s Alice, the over-protective mother who, when facing her own mortality, worries that her sins will be beyond forgiveness. However, she’ll make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that her son is protected if the worst comes to pass.
Other characters, such as Kitty Muriel Peachey, the “vintage sex siren” who sashays into Masha‘s life when she needs her most, sharing her own story of tragic loss, and Edward, her gay best friend and honorary father to her son who has grieved alongside her, show her that opening up to the possibility of love and joy is the way to honor the memory of their loved ones. Despite the heavy nature of grief, the humorous conversations and commentaries on life keep the story from being morbid and depressing. Unfortunately, the ending was very abrupt if not surprising. It’s unfortunate that readers, who are privy to Masha and Alice’s inner thoughts throughout the book, are deprived of them when curiosity all but demands it. Still a worthy purchase!
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
Other characters, such as Kitty Muriel Peachey, the “vintage sex siren” who sashays into Masha‘s life when she needs her most, sharing her own story of tragic loss, and Edward, her gay best friend and honorary father to her son who has grieved alongside her, show her that opening up to the possibility of love and joy is the way to honor the memory of their loved ones. Despite the heavy nature of grief, the humorous conversations and commentaries on life keep the story from being morbid and depressing. Unfortunately, the ending was very abrupt if not surprising. It’s unfortunate that readers, who are privy to Masha and Alice’s inner thoughts throughout the book, are deprived of them when curiosity all but demands it. Still a worthy purchase!
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
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