This is my first novel by Lucy Dillon, but in browsing her titles I see that she writes stories about heartbreak and loss and redemption, that seem to feature warm-blooded canines as well. Sounds like a pretty good formula to me!
Those were the themes which drew me to A Hundred Pieces of Me. Gina Bellamy’s marriage is over in a flash. Instead of planning the next trip they’ll take or the next adventure they’ll have, she’s moved out of her house into a spare white apartment. She sees it as a chance to start over, to reevaluate each of her things. As the boxes from her old life literally fill her flat, she decides to work through them methodically, getting rid of things that have no place in her new life.
She’s drawn to the idea of keeping 100 things, so she begins a list as she decides to keep things. Some of the items have sentimental value, some are functional, and some she simply likes. As she unpacks and decides to keep or get rid of the items, the story takes us back to the time when that item meant something to her. It was a great way to handle flashbacks and fleshing out the character of Gina.
She’s working on a huge remodel project of an historic home, but she sees strife between driven Amanda (who is never around) and Nick, her creative, laid-back husband. Then timid greyhound Buzz comes into her life, pulling her even more out of her comfort zone.
This novel was long (almost 500 pages), and maybe it was a little too long, but I can’t think what I would have cut. The characters were well-developed and are memorable. The issues range from divorce, to cancer, to strained parental relationships, to the loss of a parent, childlessness, first love, and they are all themes which resonate.
I’ve seen a couple of Lucy Dillon’s novels around, and I’d be inclined to pick up another one after this one.
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One of you (U.S. only) can win a copy. Just follow the instructions in the widget, beginning by leaving a comment.
sounds like a good read.cute cover too!!
This sounds like a wonderful read! I’m always looking for new authors!
Several aspects draw me to this novel:
–the process of simplifying
–recording the memories associated with items or pieces of my life’
–dealing with different the pain and hurts of life.
Books about dogs always tug at my heartstrings! Looking forward to reading how all the characters’ lives intertwine.
Interesting idea for a book…..makes me wonder what I’d list as my top 100 things to save. Although 100 is a big number when it comes down to packing. Anyway, that’s a really interesting idea! 🙂
A captivating and memorable story which I would enjoy greatly. thanks.
I need a new book to read!
Sounds like a good book. Thank you for the giveaway!
i would like to win for my BFF she likes and has a hotdog
I would love to win a copy of this book.
I am always looking for new authors to follow. This would be great!
I like the idea of only keeping 100 items.
Sounds like an interesting read.
I am intrigued by the idea of only keeping 100 things. It sounds like a great book to curl up on the couch with on a rainy Saturday afternoon.
Would love to read this!
Thanks for the great giveaway!
sounds like a good book to read
This sounds like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway!
It sounds like a very interesting book, and I love the cute cover. Thanks for having this giveaway.
The themes you cite are of interest to me as well. The idea of paring down one’s belongings is intriguing, though a bit frightening to someone who is a collector (in my case, books, of which I have far more than 100). I can see how revisiting memories associated with each, as well as the act of passing along unneeded items, could be cleansing.
Love the cover book sounds perfect for me.
This sounds like a very moving story.