A beautiful but haunting tale of mystery, friendship and intrigued but tinged with a sadness that made me question everything whilst I was reading. Three things about Elsie tells a wonderful story of our main character Flos life, in present day and in her teen years growing up with her best friend Elsie. Weaved throughout the story are amazingly loveable characters, a mysterious and sad plot that has followed Flo through her entire life. I love how the story comes together and shows glimpses into all these different stories. My favourite thread is the throwaway line from a mum about losing her son Frankie when he was little. As a mum, this is your worst nightmare, and hearing how this was just a small moment in Flos life but meant so much to the mother is incredible.
The serious side of the story from dealing with dementia, to how we treat our elderly was handled with care and grace, which I think is important but I love that Flo has a story to tell, and that she gets to tell it. We all have lives we are living, and this story shows the importance of normal insignificant days as well as the grand moments in life, which I think is a brave and beautiful story to tell.
Joanna Cannon tells the story with such authority and passion, obviously her past has made her a very considerate and emotional writer, and for me this is what makes this story. I love a story where I can get to know a character, feel a part of their lives, laugh with them and cry with them. I have never been to Whitby but I travelled with our loveable characters and I could practically smell the sea air and hear the seagulls as I read it.
My one issue, is my own, not with the book or any books really, but I like a book with a real proper ending, even if it is sad or not what you would have wanted. After moving along with all these characters, and grieving to live them, the ending felt rushed and anti-climatic. It is not a negative against the book though, and I would recommend it to anyone.
I think this book was not what I was expecting from the blurb but it was so much more. I believe everyone has a story, and especially as we reach our “twilight” years, we should still tell them and listen to them. This book highlights that and so much more for me. It is a genuinely beautiful book, tinged with a sadness but that us life. We have to rake the good with the bad. Luckily, this books take if friendship and love is definitely good.
As an avid reader and lover of books, I hope to spread my love for books by reviewing as many books as I read, and thanks to Netgalley, I sometimes get the privilege to read books before they are published. This is a wonderful experience and has really opened up the world of books to me, as I find myself reading books I might not have picked up from the shelves. I’d like to say a big Thank You to the Author Joanna Cannon and the Publisher Harper for allowing me to read it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars Overall I give this book 5 stars and would highly recommend it.
Have a look at the book for yourselves! I think it is a beautifully sad tale.
Three Things About Elsie: LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2018
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