2 Book Lovers Reviews

This was my first experience reading a book by Ruth Hogan, and upon finishing The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes, I immediately added her other books to my must-read list.  To be perfectly honest, I didn’t want this book to end.  I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to these fabulous characters that I had grown to care about.  It had me experiencing a whirlwind of emotions and had me completely captivated from start to finish.

This book deals with some difficult, emotional subject matter.  While it did weigh heavily on my heart at times, this author has a flair and unique quality to her writing that not only handles the topic with the grace and dignity that it deserves, but she also infuses plenty of wit, quirkiness, and a healthy dose of heart into it as well.  When my husband asked me if I was enjoying the book, I told him that I was laughing on one page and wiping my tears away a few pages later.  That’s not an exaggeration.  I’m just glad that I read it in the comfort of my own home.

The story centers primarily around Masha, her grief, and her journey to healing, but it also follows Alice and her son Mattie.  I was intrigued by the two storylines and wondered early on how the author was going to pull everything together.  As the story progressed, I could see the pieces falling into place, and it was done perfectly.

I would put the characters in this book right up on the pedestal with some of the characters from my most revered books.  They were delightful, charming, eccentric, endearing and I enjoyed every minute that I spent with them. 

The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes ranged from heartbreaking, morbid, enchanting, hopeful, inspiring, and meaningful.  I would love nothing more than to get into all of the details that touched my heart and lifted my spirits, but this is a journey that was meant for the individual reader to immerse themselves in and reflect on.

This is a book that will not only be on my to-read-again shelf, but also on my list of favorites for the year.  Ruth Hogan has a new fan.

*5 Stars​

 

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