Sunday, May 5, 2024

5.5.2024 - The Stolen Child

The Stolen Child by Ann Hood 

Many thanks to NetGalley and WW Norton for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by a favorite, Ann Hood.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Three storylines that come together beautifully, as we follow Nick, an elderly grumpy WWI veteran, as he tries to bring closure to an issue that has haunted him for decades before he dies.  Jenny, a young college dropout working at IHOP, answers his ad in the paper for an assistant.  They soon travel to France, meeting interesting characters along the way, to solve the mystery of what happened to a baby entrusted into Nick's hands during the war.

Such a beautifully-written story - the characters are flawed, realistic, yearning to be better.  I adored the Museum of Tears, an Italian craftsman's life work, and Enzo's story brought me to tears.  The depictions of France and Italy, as well as the food descriptions, made this such a transportive read.  The story mostly takes place in the 1970s, which added an element of romance and mystery to the struggles of communication before cellphones.  Themes throughout of regret, fate, forgiveness make this book a very highly recommended read!

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