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Alexis Something Rose moved to The StoryGraph's Reviews > Forever Home
Forever Home
by
by
5 stars, hands down
Disclaimer. This might be more of a love letter than a book review. Either way, I tried my best.
I love Graham Norton.
That's it.
That's the review.
On a more detail-oriented note, I was blown away by how utterly human this story is. It is very much character-driven, and it does a superb job of exploring the relationships between all the characters—Carol and her parents Moira and Dave, Carol and her partner Declan, Declan's de jure wife Joan and her kids. A lot of the story deals with parental responsibility and guilt, as well as the extents you go to so as to save your life and the life of your children.
The characters were all so well fleshed out and real. I rooted so much for the protagonist Carol who has to deal with all kinds of stuff—starting with some petty idle gossip because she is a school teacher in a small town, which makes her somewhat of a public figure, and ending with the unexpected darkness in Declan's past that she cannot even discuss with Declan himself. I empathised with Carol so much when she admonished herself for being a passive lump that allows things to happen to her. And I could not but marvel at and admire Carol's mother Moira—an 80-year-old powerhouse of a woman.
The writing style is delightful as ever, and I laughed so much at Graham Norton's sharp descriptions of his characters and biting observations of the stuff they say and do.
With all the dramas that Carol has to go through (from small and tedious to horrific and chilling, or rather, freezing), with all the emotional bumps and bruises she suffers as she uncovers more and more of the dark and tragic past of her partner's family, this story is ultimately nothing but pure kindness and compassion, with a fair share of good-natured irony sprinkled here and there because come on, it's Graham Norton! :)
This story is as witty and smart as it is moving and poignant, and more than once it brought me to tears as I was reading about the bonds that the characters developed.
This book is my 8×8 pan of brownies and my therapy—all in one.
Once again, Graham Norton has made this world a better place, and I cannot thank him enough 💌
Disclaimer. This might be more of a love letter than a book review. Either way, I tried my best.
I love Graham Norton.
That's it.
That's the review.
On a more detail-oriented note, I was blown away by how utterly human this story is. It is very much character-driven, and it does a superb job of exploring the relationships between all the characters—Carol and her parents Moira and Dave, Carol and her partner Declan, Declan's de jure wife Joan and her kids. A lot of the story deals with parental responsibility and guilt, as well as the extents you go to so as to save your life and the life of your children.
The characters were all so well fleshed out and real. I rooted so much for the protagonist Carol who has to deal with all kinds of stuff—starting with some petty idle gossip because she is a school teacher in a small town, which makes her somewhat of a public figure, and ending with the unexpected darkness in Declan's past that she cannot even discuss with Declan himself. I empathised with Carol so much when she admonished herself for being a passive lump that allows things to happen to her. And I could not but marvel at and admire Carol's mother Moira—an 80-year-old powerhouse of a woman.
The writing style is delightful as ever, and I laughed so much at Graham Norton's sharp descriptions of his characters and biting observations of the stuff they say and do.
With all the dramas that Carol has to go through (from small and tedious to horrific and chilling, or rather, freezing), with all the emotional bumps and bruises she suffers as she uncovers more and more of the dark and tragic past of her partner's family, this story is ultimately nothing but pure kindness and compassion, with a fair share of good-natured irony sprinkled here and there because come on, it's Graham Norton! :)
This story is as witty and smart as it is moving and poignant, and more than once it brought me to tears as I was reading about the bonds that the characters developed.
This book is my 8×8 pan of brownies and my therapy—all in one.
Once again, Graham Norton has made this world a better place, and I cannot thank him enough 💌
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Reading Progress
October 5, 2022
– Shelved
October 5, 2022
– Shelved as:
to-read
October 6, 2022
–
Started Reading
October 6, 2022
–
0.3%
"Damn it, I just can’t miss Graham Norton’s new book! ❤️🩹
I had to go back and renew my Audible membership!
Looks like this October has just got a whole lot better! 🎧"
page
1
I had to go back and renew my Audible membership!
Looks like this October has just got a whole lot better! 🎧"
October 8, 2022
–
Finished Reading
October 29, 2022
– Shelved as:
read-in-2022
Comments Showing 1-3 of 3 (3 new)
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by
Jessica
(new)
Oct 16, 2022 05:15PM
I’m johnny come lately to Norton’s writing but your review, in particular, prompted me to pick this up. Another British comedian I like is Richard Osman. I read his “The Thursday Murder Club” earlier this year and loved pretty much everything about it. Highly recommend & appreciate your review!
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Jessica wrote: "I’m johnny come lately to Norton’s writing but your review, in particular, prompted me to pick this up. Another British comedian I like is Richard Osman. I read his “The Thursday Murder Club” earli..."Thank you, Jessica! 🥰 I hope you'll enjoy this one!
Yes, Richard Osman! Funny story (it's not funny, actually): I've had The Thursday Murder Club on my TBR for a while now, and only very recently have I realised that Richard Osman is "that guy on the telly"—he was one of the panelists on QI! Something finally clicked in my head! 🤓
So i'm hoping to pick up The Thursday Murder Club some time soon! Thank you for this rec! 📚💛
Terrific review, Alexis! I had no idea Norton was such a great writer and his narration is amazing!!
