Welcome to Litsy!

Enjoyed this book even though there was heartbreak throughout.

This was such a great summer read and a debut novel to boot! The story is told from two points of view, Ruthie/Norma and her brother Joe, from a Mi‘kmaq family in Nova Scotia. During the summers, the family relocates to Maine for the blueberry picking season. When Ruthie is four, she is stolen and raised by an affluent couple. I loved how well I got to know both Norma and Joe and the writing is quite beautiful. This book needs more readers!

Although the end it wrapped up in a fairly trite bow, I cared enough about the characters have a bit weep at the final resolution.

Ruthie, the youngest member of a Mi'kmaq family disappears in Nova Scotia while her family works the blueberry fields. The novel tells her story as she grows up with the couple that kidnapped her, and also recounts how her birth family was affected by her loss. Peters‘ language is lush and well worth reading.

The plot is entirely predictable but the writing was lush and nostalgic enough to make it a good slow summer read. This starts with a chapter from a man named Joe thinking back to one summer in Maine when his family was picking berries to make money and his sister Ruthie disappeared.

I‘m a longtime fan of Chamberlain‘s— though since discovering her novels over a decade ago, I‘ve tried to ration out her backlog! It‘s hard to believe this one is 23 years old— other than some technology, it has a surprisingly current feel. When Janine‘s daughter doesn‘t make it home from the Brownie camping trip that already deepened the wedge between her and her parents and ex, she‘s determined to bring her home. Gripping, though predictable.

Good on audible. I wasn‘t a fan of how end of life care was handled. It‘s a delicate subject but one that should be discussed, particularly with loved ones. Too often the person who is suffering and dying‘s wishes aren‘t heard because it‘s too hard for the family. I wish it was handled in a different manner but it is basically a light read so I‘ll give it a pass.

Next audible

I‘m posting one book a day from my massive collection. No description, no reason for why I want to read it (some I‘ve had so long I don‘t even remember why!). Feel free to join in!

#ABookADay2023