The Collected Regrets of Clover - Book Review

 

The Collected Regrets of Clover

Mikki Brammer

4 stars

Pub date May 2023

 

 

 

We don't often talk about death but typically treat it as though it only happens to other people. The story told here is about living and dying and what we do in-between. 

Clover is a lovable, and imperfect human dealing with her small life and what she has given away in her grief for so many years. 

Her heart starts to break open and she finally learns so much as she 'walks' to the end with the dying as a death doula.

We're all just walking each other home.  Ram Dass

 Mikki Brammer has given us many lessons through her wonderful characters, people who embodied how life should be lived, Grandpa, Leo, her neighbour, each showing Clover hope, joy and a new way to be in the world. Each of them having experienced their own loss yet still living a colourful life.

As with life each day, we see that death is the opportunity to re-think our choices. Using the gift of her opening heart, her world expands to include others. She becomes more brave as those whose lives are ending are teaching her. She starts to take chances that she wouldn't of previously and begins to see the people around her with a more forgiving heart.

Clover shares her soul growth with us the reader in this sweetest, loveliest book which should not be missed. She reminds us that it is not just the big regrets that we will have in our last days, but also the simple. There is a wonderful description about the years of missing out on mangoes, that you should look out for. It is not a sad book, but one that will inspire us all. 

She/We begin to understand that Life is not simple or easy, but when you choose to surround yourself with the love of others, it is better.

Thank you #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for this arc for my unbiased opinion. This book is a marvel and will stay with me for the thought provoking words and images of crammed apartments, bustling (but lonely) streets, bookstores with owners that know you, and a shelf with 3 important notebooks.

I look forward to reading more from Mikki Brammer.

Are you planning to read a certain number of books in 2023? Tell me!

Until next time.


 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Secret Life of Sunflowers - Book Review

Image
  The Secret Life of Sunflowers Marta Molnar 2.5 stars (but keep reading my review for what I learned) Told through the voices of Johanna van Gogh (1887) and Emsley Wilson (current), this book held promise but failed to deliver. I was fascinated by the story of Johanna, who is largely unknown for her role in bringing her brother-in-law’s artistry to the public. She is the reason that I kept reading. The story line for Emsley, her character, and the challenge she faced was weak in holding my interest. I typically would not review a book here that I wouldn't recommend to a friend. So let me tell you why you are now reading this. van Gogh was certainly a tormented soul (as many true artist types were/are), but the way his fame and appreciation of his life became prominent was unknown to me. What this book offered me was the curiousity to look a little deeper into his fame and how easily the world would have been deprived of his talent. I found the author’s experience in adventure/rom...
Read more

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - Book Review

Image
  Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Jamie Ford 4.5 stars Jamie Ford has captured me again. This is the second book of his that I’ve read. His more recent The Many Daughters of Afong Moy (2022) was my introduction to his words and both brought the most heartwarming story to his readers. In this debut novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet (2009) you are led into the troubling time of the Japanese internment during the 2nd world war. This sad time when thousands of Japanese were sent to camps, were forced to build their own shelters, and lived in the most uncomfortable of conditions. What comes through prominently is the nature of the Japanese people who were affected, including those born in the USA. Their loyalty to the USA was not shaken as they endured the circumstances of their captivity. Ford tells us the facts with no judgement on the less than desirable reactions of the citizens. What the foundation of all his words is Hope. Do not miss the author’s notes where ...
Read more

The Picture Bride - Book Review

Image
  The Picture Bride Lee Geum-yi 3 stars I realize that this book was a translation, so be prepared for the stilted language that did not flow, sentences that are choppy and it took some resolve to work through. Although aspects of the Korean independence were an important part of the background, I was not able to assimilate that story and found it quite confusing. It was interesting to know that many Asian people chose to settle in Hawaii and how difficult it was to establish yourself to gain any kind of affluence. The history of descrimination held true and is always difficult to hear. The female characters were interesting enough but if I had borrowed this book from the public library, it would have gone back early. If you have some prior knowledge and/or interest in the Korean culture, you will likely be more inclined to persevere. This book was a slog for me. The deceptions told to secure a young bride, is saddening of course, but not entirely surprising. The emotion that was r...
Read more