Although I erroneously published this blog post in advance, actually significantly in advance (!), of the publication date I am delightedly to repost as I was fortunate enough to get a place on the blog tour.
A book guaranteed to both uplift you yet not before it’s brought a tear or two to your eye. A story of hope and redemption, resilience and determination, loyalty and kindness. Just the ticket for these beleaguered times we’re living in right now.
Homelessness is the focus and very much the ’there but for the grace of God go I’ phrase comes to mind as diverse homeless people offer, reluctantly sometimes, their stories. All cemented together by the main character’s tale, whose perfect name is Dawn Brightside. It’s a killer! (Sorry, couldn’t resist it!). But so is her story.
Jessica Ryn creates a fusion of light hearted writing with a deadly serious intent, not a bad achievement for a debut novel. With a subject that could go down the bleak and hopeless route, Ms. Ryn has created the opposite. In fact she almost makes living in a homeless hostel seem desirable!
The hostel, St. Jude’s, is another main focus in the story managed by the almost but not quite stereotypical Grace who has her own story. This demonstrates in no uncertain terms that whether you have a roof over your head or not your life can be a hidden turmoil. Mental health is also a major topic in the story and it is dealt with on a number of levels from the subtle to the obvious. But always with an empathic understanding that dominates the narrative.
Dawn is quirky and eccentric, there was an almost Walter Mitty like quality to some of her optimistic dreams and aspirations. But in spite of her situation, her ability to not just put others before herself but to move heaven and earth to achieve a goal was exemplary. Would that the world contained more Dawn Brightsides. I don’t want to give away anything of the plot of course because there’s nothing worse than a spoiler. Good things and bad things happen in this book, happy things and sad things happen in this book. But ultimately the conclusion is a joyous one for nearly everybody.
My thanks to HQ stories and Harper Collins for an advance proof of this delightful tale and for a place upon the blog tour. Do check out what other bloggers have to say about this book.
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