Charlie Laidlaw

This book touched me in so many ways. Even when you've been handed so much in this world, it doesn't mean you can't be touched by tragedy and loss and pain. Emma is an amazing narrator, giving the reader a peek into her life as she remembers it - as the daughter of a popular film star and granddaughter of an eccentric physicist, with her mother being the most constant player in her life. You could almost feel the emotions pouring off the page - those around Emma as she perceived them, and Emma's herself. I love how the tone of the story changed based on what time period of her life we're reading about. When she's a child, the writing is much more simplistic and child-like, in contrast to the more eloquent writings of older Emma. I love that her need to find her place in the universe draws her to her grandfather's work, and theories of how the universe is all connected. I admit I teared up a few times while reading this, but I thoroughly enjoyed the story from start to finish. Cannot recommend enough if you're looking for a story that will tug at your heartstrings while making you reexamine the events and connections in your own life.… (más)

Whether writing something more serious, meant to touch you at your core, or satire, trying to make you laugh in the face of more serious events, Laidlaw seems to have a magic pen. Carole feels so relatable (although that might be because of my age). Her emotions just kind of poor off the page, and it's almost like you've entered a secret place in her mind, and you're watching it all unfold, even though she isn't the narrator. Following Carole's journey was a wonderful experience. Another brilliant story from Charlie Laidlaw!… (más)