About the Book
Enid isn’t clear about much these days. But she does feel a strong affinity with Olivia, a regular visitor to her dementia home in a small coastal town. If only she could put her finger on why.
Their silent partnership intensifies when Enid, hoping to reconnect with her husband Roy, escapes from the home. With help from an imaginary macaw, she uncovers some uncomfortable truths about Olivia’s marriage and delves into her own forgotten past.
Format: Paperback (336 pages) Publisher: Lightning Books
Publication date: 9th May 2023 Genre: Contemporary Fiction
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My Review
The author takes us inside Enid’s head, moving between her struggle to understand her current reality and her memories of happier – and unhappier – times. Enid’s moments of lucidity when she recalls her early years with Roy and her daughter’s childhood are all the more heartbreaking for their fleeting nature. However, despite her declining mental state, Enid still demonstrates a sense of mischief, exemplified by a memorable scene involving a carrot.
One of the most heartbreaking elements of the book for me was Enid’s continuing belief that she would be reunited with Roy when that seems as if it will be impossible. Her realisation that if it’s going to happen it has to be down to her demonstrates not only the depth of her love for Roy but also her determination. Cue, the great escape by means of the number 47.
In fact, the book is full of heartbreaking moments. For example, Roy’s lonely, empty days following Enid’s move to the care home. Watching the birds visiting the feeder in the garden, he muses that at least restocking it will give him something to do. ‘There was life in the garden. When Roy turned, he would be back in the house, alone and in the silence.’ I loved Roy and my wish for everyone would be that they find someone who loves them the way Roy loves Enid. He is the perfect contrast to some of the other male characters in the book. Recalling one particularly troubling episode, Enid observes, ‘Her husband had turned his anger into something productive. That is what made Roy the man he was’.
I also loved the bond that formed between Enid and Olivia, born out of a shared experience of unhappy relationships.
The author captures the guilt that family members feel when forced to make the decision that a loved one must move to a care home especially, as in Barb’s case, when this involves splitting up a couple. Barb comes across as an immensely sympathetic figure, someone who demonstrates her unconditional love for Enid even during her mother’s most difficult mood swings. I also think the way the author depicts the care workers who look after Enid illustrates just what a remarkable job such people do.
Frances Quinn’s quote on the back cover of the book says, ‘If it doesn’t make you cry more than once, I don’t know what’s wrong with you’. If that’s the test then I can definitely say there is nothing wrong with me.
I received an advanced review copy courtesy of Lightning Books.
In three words: Tender, emotional, touching
Try something similar: Three Things About Elsie by Joanna Cannon
About the Author
Alongside his accidental career in finance, Tim Ewins performed in stand-up comedy for eight years. He also had a very brief acting stint (he’s in the film Bronson, somewhere in the background) before turning to writing fiction.
His first novel, We Are Animals, was published by Lightning Books in 2020. He lives with his wife, son and dog near Bristol.
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