I was a little hesitant on reading this book. I’ll tell you why later. I’m kicking myself right now just thinking of the reason. I want to run and hide.
This novel was a nice contrast to the book I previously finished. It read smoothly, it flowed and weaved it’s way into my heart. If I didn’t have so much going on in my life I would have read it even quicker than I did. Now, let’s get on with the review…
Margaret Dilloway tells the story of two modern day sisters as well as giving us the story of Tomoe and Yamabuki in twelve century japan. The ancient story sends echos into the modern one. In the present, we find a mother with dimensia telling one of her daughters in a moment of lucidity about a hidden book. The novel is about family, friendship, loss, about being a mother, a friend. It’s about family secrets, letting go and living. It explores all of this with the added bonus of the Tomoe story.. It was like getting two stories in one book !!! I loved the Tomoe story even tough the author took some liberties of her own with it. I didn’t mind at all. After all, it is her book. Actually it makes me want to learn more about that particular time period in japan.
Having a sister and not always getting along with her in our younger years has made parts of this book extra special. It raises some questions, at least for me….questions of how well we really know our siblings, our parents, our own children… the fact that if you never ask, you’ll never know; how important is your family history and at what point do you just let go.
On a side note… The snow family is all kinds of dysfunctional, I think I wanted to punch the father in the face at one point !!
After I finished?
When I put the book down I though to myself “there are still things unanswered in this book but that’s ok.” In any other book I would have been a tad frustrated by that fact, but with this book, it just fits.
The cover
Ok, so the reason I didn’t want to pick it up and devour it right away was that I didn’t like the cover. Shhhh, I know, I’m one of those people and I also don’t like yellow very much. But I can see why someone would choose a yellow cover, it just screams to be seen. You seriously couldn’t miss it on the book store shelf. There is a whole psychology behind the colour yellow but I won’t get into that right now.
Something to drink?
If you wanted to drink something with this I’d recommend some jasmine tea or hand rolled dragon pearl tea.
Would I read this again and/or read more from this author.
I don’t need to read this book, it left me with some beautiful thoughts to ponder. I would definitely seek out this author again and I will strongly recommend this book to my sister.
Something that I didn’t like about the book?
Other than the cover, I truly enjoyed this read. I got passed my cover issues after reading the first few chapters.
I’m glad I read this book. I think that sometimes books (just like people) come into our lives for a reason.
Bonus points to this book for making me want to text my sister.
Sisters of Heart and Snow by Margaret Dilloway goes on sale April 7th 2015 by Putnam / Penguin publishing.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher.