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Closed Doors
Closed Doors: A Novel | Lisa O'Donnell
6 posts | 2 read | 1 to read
A young boy on a small Scottish island where everyone knows everything about everyone else, will discover that a secret is a dangerous thing in this tense and brilliant tale of from Lisa O'Donnell, the bestselling author of The Death of Bees, winner of the 2013 Commonwealth Book Prize. Eleven-year-old Michael Murray is the best at two things: keepy-uppies and keeping secrets. His family thinks he's too young to hear grown-up stuff, but he listens at doors; it's the only way to find out anything. And Michael's heard a secret, one that might explain the bruises on his mother's face. When the whispers at home and on the street become too loud to ignore, Michael begins to wonder if there is an even bigger secret waiting to be discovered. Scared of what might happen if anyone finds out, and desperate for life to be normal again, Michael sets out to piece together the truth. But he also has to prepare for the upcoming talent show, keep an eye out for Dirty Alice, his arch-nemesis, and avoid eating Granny's watery stew. Closed Doors is a vivid evocation of the fears and freedoms of childhood and a powerful tale of love, the loss of innocence, and the importance of family in difficult times.
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Mshookquilts
Closed Doors: A Novel | Lisa O'Donnell
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Interesting. A story of how an assault & rape damage both the victim & family told through the eyes of a preadolescent. When others also are attacked, he watches his whole community deal with the damage and attempted repair.

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Amiable
Closed Doors: A Novel | Lisa O'Donnell
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Ugh. Our library, which had cautiously reopened in September after being closed since the pandemic began, has been forced to shut its doors again. Wear your damn masks, people!!

Scochrane26 Mine has been open since about June but has shut down again, except for curbside. 4y
JennyM This makes me sad to read. Sorry it‘s been closed again. Hope you‘ve got plenty of books to keep you going. Look after yourself 4y
AmyG I hate to read this. 4y
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thegirlwiththelibrarybag Sad to hear but possibly good news for the staff - it can be terrifying having people come in and watch them not take precautions. I work in a library in Melbourne, Australia - we‘ve been closed for the majority of the year but things are heading back to normal now but everyday brings careless behaviour (ie. masks worn incorrectly, not observing social distance) 4y
KatieDid927 Oh man! 4y
Liz_M ☹️ 4y
Tattooedteacher Mine is still closed. Heartbreaking. 4y
59 likes7 comments
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suzie.reads
Closed Doors: A Novel | Lisa O'Donnell
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Looks like it is going to happen any day now 😔 I worry for the children already so far behind with their education, for the children who rely on their free hot dinners and most of all I worry for the children who's safe place is being at school.
I am all for protecting the children from this awful virus but when not one child has any symptoms it seems mad. We are going to enjoy our residential tomorrow for three days, it could be it for a while!

TrishB There‘s no right or wrong here is there, but they do seem to be safer in school. Hope you have a good few days, 5y
suzie.reads @TrishB it is difficult and I understand parents taking children with underlying health issues out. We have a boy with leukaemia who has left for now. I just worry for parents and the economy as a whole 😔 5y
Slajaunie We are closed for the next 3 weeks. Our school system is offering free hot meals to all students 18 and under no matter if you are private school or not. I‘m happy about that if the parents take advantage of it. I have at least 1 Baby I know is abused. I worry about him and his siblings especially if they are stuck in the house. ☹️ 5y
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britt_brooke Our schools are closed until April 1. Meals are being provided for those who need them, but it‘s still a major hardship for families who cannot afford to take off from work. Luckily, I‘m a stay at home parent, but it‘s really a dire situation for many. I hate this. 5y
britt_brooke @Slajaunie I worry about those in abusive situations. No reprieve at all. Breaks my heart. 5y
marleed Today Kansas schools closed for the remainder of this school year. 5y
suzie.reads @Slajaunie @britt_brooke @marleed just been reading that they're going to offer support for children on free school meals over here and have skeleton schools for children who's parents work for the NHS or emergency services. 5y
TrishB But thanks to you for helping keeping it all going 😘 5y
britt_brooke @suzie.reads That‘s great news! 💚 5y
55 likes9 comments
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Tove_Reads
Closed Doors: A Novel | Lisa O'Donnell
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Finland is closing down. We are under crisis legislation at the moment. I was wondering if people would be interested in a buddy read? A book most of us could easily get hold of now. Project Gutenberg? Stay safe, my friends! ❤️❤️❤️

julesG Good idea. Though I'm not sure how the homeschooling will unfold, so can't say how much I can contribute. 5y
Tove_Reads @julesG Ours is working well. Kids get hourly things to do and then the send the assignments in, and people seem to be really happy about this system. 5y
julesG It feels like the teachers run around like headless chicken while the kids fiddle their thumbs waiting for content to appear online. 5y
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Tove_Reads @julesG Any ideas about books? 5y
zezeki I'm currently taking part in buddy read for The Professor by Charlotte Bronte. I started it few days ago, downloaded it from Project Gutenberg. You're welcomed to join. 😀 5y
julesG Something uplifting? So, no Russian authors please. No idea what all Project Gutenberg offers. Maybe Gulliver's Travels? 5y
35 likes6 comments
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BethM
Closed Doors: A Novel | Lisa O'Donnell
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Took them long enough but we're officially closed tomorrow due to cold. Reading and baking all day!

mcipher Enjoy your day off!! 6y
54 likes1 comment
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mrp27
Closed Doors: A Novel | Lisa O'Donnell
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#nov📚📷 #🚪

I read the tagged book, written by the author of The Death of Bees, and liked it. The other two titles are on my tbr.