Review: Beryl Eichenberger

The Bookshop Ladies, by Faith Hogan (Head of Zeus)

Anything with “book” in the title is an immediate attraction and so far I have not been disappointed. There is always a magic released when books are involved.

The Bookshop Ladies by Faith Hogan is a delightful book club read. Its easy narrative sweeps you along, the twists surprising, the outcomes fairly predictable but all in all, it held my attention.

It starts in Paris, a retirement party for an acclaimed gallerist and art dealer, a drive home that ends in tragedy and a revelation that sets in motion a ricocheting chain of events event – changing lives, settling scores, but ultimately leaving everyone in their rightful places. And with the background of a bookstore – well, what could go wrong?

It’s a novel that will certainly draw some tears but have you smiling at the end.

What would you do if your dying husband revealed he had a daughter? Bit of a shock to the system, given that you had tried for children only to lose them. And how had this loving husband hidden this? Who, what, why: a flurry of questions assails Joy Blackwood at her husband’s announcement.

An accident on their way from home from his retirement party and the urbane and caring Yves Bachand is lost to Joy, leaving more questions than answers.

When a valuable painting that hung in his study is left to the unknown Robyn Tessier, who lives in Ballycove, Ireland, Joy’s hackles rise and determination drives her to uncover the secret. Had she lived for years believing Yves to be the faithful husband? Their closeness a sham? Hard to believe, but as the doubts creep in Joy decides to deliver the painting herself and face this “daughter”.

From Paris to the sleepy village of Ballycove and the deliciously captivating characters who live there. The twinkly eyed, astute Uncle Albie who lets the top floor flat in his home to Joy; his giant tortoise Dolly Parton, a quirky pet who enjoys resting amongst the books; Albie’s taciturn son Leo, who runs the bakery started by his father; and great-niece Robyn Tessier – proud owner of the soon-to-be-opened but absolutely chaotic bookshop. She’s young, painfully shy, hopelessly in love with childhood friend Kian – and totally unaware of her biological father.

Into this mix comes the grieving widow Joy, hurt, unsure of how she should handle this situation. But what seems certain is she cannot reveal her mission just yet…

It’s an enchanting story as Joy (by name and nature) finds herself entangled in the lives of these welcoming people. Coerced into volunteering to help Robyn in the bookshop, their relationship develops as Joy uses her skills to launch the shop. When Robyn’s artist mother, Fern, returns from Dublin, Joy is determined to hate her but, not unexpectedly, she finds a kindred spirit. And naturally, “just yet” stretches until revelations almost destroy lives and loves.

Hogan weaves a tightly knit tapestry of people, planting them against a backdrop of books, community, how simple efforts can have enormous results, and solving what appear to be insurmountable problems. While the story itself is complex, it is an echo of what we know.

It’s life-affirming, drawing you in, speaking to the soul, reminding you good can come out of mistakes and that “family” doesn’t have to be biological.