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A review by translator_monkey
The Ophelia Girls by Jane Healey
4.0
Beautifully written. Another reviewer put it best: the author writes the way dreams feel. I couldn't agree more.
Two tiny histories are offered in tandem - the first is Ruth's story from the early 1970s, her involvement with her friends in their homemade photography project as the Ophelia Girls, dressing up in turn-of-the-century togs and floating on the river's surface - or just below - and the second is the late 1990s story of Ruth's daughter, Maeve, a cancer survivor, still unsure of who she is at the brink of 17, having spent most of her recent past fighting her disease instead of being an otherwise everyday teenager. The histories provide a glimpse at two summers, one for each character, with the common thread the mildly (?) creepy Stuart, Ruth's childhood friend, who insinuates himself back into adult Ruth's life for the summer, and appears to be trying to insinuate himself very much into Maeve's life.
The reader recognizes classic grooming behaviors very early on, both from Ruth's flashback and Maeve's story. This was a particularly stressful read, because the reader is the only one picking up on the cues, to the point that we'd like to just quickly insert ourselves into the book and whisper into the ear of the loved ones who should have a better idea of what Stuart is all about. Argh.
There's a little something for everyone in this book; I've heard that's the Jane Healey standard - using lighter-than-air words to lightly tiptoe through memories that are common to almost anyone: youth, love, loss, and overcoming the harshest elements of each while trying to maintain the tenderest as well.
Four stars. Time for me to go grab more from this author. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a pre-pub ARC. This in no way influenced my rating or review.
Two tiny histories are offered in tandem - the first is Ruth's story from the early 1970s, her involvement with her friends in their homemade photography project as the Ophelia Girls, dressing up in turn-of-the-century togs and floating on the river's surface - or just below - and the second is the late 1990s story of Ruth's daughter, Maeve, a cancer survivor, still unsure of who she is at the brink of 17, having spent most of her recent past fighting her disease instead of being an otherwise everyday teenager. The histories provide a glimpse at two summers, one for each character, with the common thread the mildly (?) creepy Stuart, Ruth's childhood friend, who insinuates himself back into adult Ruth's life for the summer, and appears to be trying to insinuate himself very much into Maeve's life.
The reader recognizes classic grooming behaviors very early on, both from Ruth's flashback and Maeve's story. This was a particularly stressful read, because the reader is the only one picking up on the cues, to the point that we'd like to just quickly insert ourselves into the book and whisper into the ear of the loved ones who should have a better idea of what Stuart is all about. Argh.
There's a little something for everyone in this book; I've heard that's the Jane Healey standard - using lighter-than-air words to lightly tiptoe through memories that are common to almost anyone: youth, love, loss, and overcoming the harshest elements of each while trying to maintain the tenderest as well.
Four stars. Time for me to go grab more from this author. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a pre-pub ARC. This in no way influenced my rating or review.