Today I have a review for Three Things About Elsie, Joanna Cannon’s newest release out on Tuesday. I won this stunning ARC from Books with Taylor on Instagram HERE. She is fun to follow with news of upcoming releases and beautiful book pics.
My Thoughts:
Before I start the review, you should know that I have an affinity for the number three. Sometimes I notice I have three of the same item in my grocery cart, or when I buy something I really, really like, I want to have three of it- a back-up, and one more back-up for good measure. I never take this too far, but the number three is fun for me. A bonus! 😂 So when I saw the title Three Things About Elsie, I knew there would be something extra special about this book.
84-year-old Florence is our narrator, and at the beginning of the novel, she has just fallen in her assisted living apartment. Poor Florence is on the floor waiting for someone to find her, and in that time, she worries about about a terrible secret that may be exposed. She tells the reader the following about Elsie, her best friend:
“There are three things you should know about Elsie.
The first is that she’s my best friend.
The second is that she always knows what to say to make me feel better.
And the third thing…might take a little bit more explaining.”
There is an underlying mystery to be solved, and these elderly women, along with their friend Jack, set out to solve it. Florence and Elsie are thick as thieves, lifelong friends, true to each other, and a testament to friendship.
As the mystery is examined, Florence notices things are missing, out of place, out of the ordinary, and if she brings this up to the people who care for her, the threat of moving her to a new place with more supervision is looming (because clearly the problem “must” be memory loss due to her age). Florence’s memories of the past are hazy and not always exact, which can be frustrating for her, and understandably so.
Overall, I found Three Things About Elsie to be an uplifting story about the love between friends, aging and challenges with memory, loneliness and the needs for independence, importance, and utility at any age.
My mom usually reads my reviews, and I say this with the gentlest heart. The biggest takeaway from this book for me personally reinforces something I strive for (and not always successfully): to always let my aging parents know they are vitally important in my life. They have many useful and helpful ideas to offer, and they continue to be wise to the ways of the world.
Thank you to Taylor at Books With Taylor on Instagram for my ARC win. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
There are three things you should know about Elsie.
The first thing is that she’s my best friend.
The second is that she always knows what to say to make me feel better.
And the third thing… might take a little bit more explaining.84-year-old Florence has fallen in her flat at Cherry Tree Home for the Elderly. As she waits to be rescued, Florence wonders if a terrible secret from her past is about to come to light; and, if the charming new resident is who he claims to be, why does he look exactly like a man who died sixty years ago?
From the author of THE TROUBLE WITH GOATS AND SHEEP, this book will teach you many things, but here are three of them:
1) The fine threads of humanity will connect us all forever.
2) There is so very much more to anyone than the worst thing they have ever done.
3) Even the smallest life can leave the loudest echo.
Lovely review, especially your declaration to your mother. Beautiful.
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Thank you, Jonetta! I really appreciate your kind words!
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As always a beautiful review. You are very fortunate with your mother.
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Thanks, Marialyce! I truly am. My mom is one of my very best friends. ♥️
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Lovely review ♥
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Thank you, Priyasha! 💗
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Gorgeous picture. Wonderful review. I added this one to my growing tbr list. Happy Sunday. ♥️
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Thanks, Virginia! I hope you’ve had a wonderful Sunday, too! 💗
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Isn’t that odd: I just this moment posting my latest Three Things… before seeing your review! Sumptuous photo. Lovely critique!
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That is fun, Paula! I was going to tell you a while back that I like that you use the number three in your Three Things, but I didn’t want to seem too…wackadoodle. 😊 Thank you for your compliments! And I loved your Three Things!
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Wackadoodle! That sounds like a marvellous thing to be. Henceforth I shall aspire to wackadoodleness! 🙃
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I thought you might like that word, Paula! I looked it up to find its source and was surprised it’s made its way into the Oxford dictionary! 😂
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Brilliant! I will use it at the earliest opportunity. Thank you, Jennifer. 🤗
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It’s so great that your mum reads your reviews! I haven’t read this novel yet but it sounds like a really warm and wonderful story that shows there are some good people and things in life :-). I really love the pic too!
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Thanks so much, Inge! She and I like so many of the same books, and it makes me happy she’s out there reading what I write! Now my husband can’t be bothered with reading my reviews… 😉 ♥️
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Awesome review Jen! I can’t wait to read this one, thanks to you!😊💖
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Woo hoo! Can’t wait for your thoughts on it, Sus! ♥️
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Lovely tribute to your parents – bet your mom blushed! 😉 This book always reminds me of an old Alan Bennett story that was televised as a monologue – Cream Cracker Under the Settee. The actual story is quite different, but it was also about an elderly lady who had fallen and was waiting for help to arrive.
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Thanks, FF! She made a joke about me saying she was wise! 😂 Oh, that is very interesting about the monologue. I wonder if somehow that inspired the book?
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I saw it coming but it was beautiful 😀 Love this author, although Sheep is my favorite, not this one!
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It was beautiful, Annie! I am definitely going to check out Sheep!
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Beautiful review and its so wonderful that your mom reads your reviews. This does sound like an amazing read, glad you enjoyed it.
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Thanks, Diana! It’s so special to me that she reads them too (can’t get my husband to do it! 😂).
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This sounds lovely! I’ll have to check it out.
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It had such poignant messages, Lisa! I hope you enjoy it if you are able to work it in!
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Lovely review Jen! You’ve made me even more excited to read this now. Beautiful edition as well, I have the UK Battenburg hardcover. 😋
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Thanks, Beth! I am super excited to see what you think. It’s a unique read. Is your edition the pretty yellow and pink quilted look? ♥️
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Yes! Like Battenburg cake! Have you heard of it? It looks good enough to eat!! 😛
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Yes! For some reason, I didn’t put it together. Now I want to try that cake! It looks hard to make? But beautiful and yummy!
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Such a wonderful review! I’ve been wanting to read this one for a while (its been in my Amazon cart for months, lol). I’m definitely going to buy it now ❤ I just hope I'll get a chance to read it this year, lol.
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Thanks, Stephanie! I definitely understand about reading it this year! I loved how it became an uplifting story and such an honest and sweet portrait of friendship. I hope you enjoy it as much I did. 💗
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You’re welcome! I knew you would, and I just keep buying more books (I went ahead and bought this one and The Bucket List, lol), so that’s just more books to look at and hope I get to read. That sounds so wonderful! I know I will love it! ❤
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Wonderful review! I’ve never really paid much attention to this book, but the cover enticed me and your review has definitely made me consider adding it to my TBR! 🙂
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Thanks, Zuky! It’s a quiet read, not much happening, but it’s a wonderful story of friendship. I love the UK cover with the Battenberg cake! A friend above brought my attention to that being what it is- yum!
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I enjoy a quiet read every once in a while 🙂
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Me, too! Especially when the storytelling is good! ♥️ Happy Friday!
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❤
Lovely review!
Love it how your mum actually follows your blog.
I've seen this book on Audible the other day but kinda skimmed over it. It had a different cover (bubblegum pink!!) and thought it's some chick lit.
Seems like quite an interesting story and i love this version of the cover a lot.
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Thanks, Norrie! Another of my UK friends told me it was Battenberg cake on that cover with the pink and yellow? I thought it was a quilt! 😂 This story was so engaging and just lovely and uplifting in the end. This cover is so pretty, too. ♥️
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Ha! I didn’t think it was a cake either… 😀
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Another awesome review Jennifer! I have to say though as much as you are drawn to 3s I tend to avoid them. I don’t know why but I don’t like having an odd number so I need a 2 or 4 of something skipping the 3. LOL
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Thanks, Carrie, and thank you for all the blog love today. ♥️ I get it with the even numbers. I think that is probably the more natural pattern to be drawn to, but what was weird and fun is when I posted this on GR there were several others who also love 3s! 😊
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I’ve never read anything by Joanna Cannon, but I heard a lot of lovely things about this particular novel. It’s definitely on top of my TBR list.
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This is a wonderful read, Ayunda. I hope you enjoy it, and I look forward to your thoughts!
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