The Imperfect Art of Caring - Jessica Ryn

 I think if someone had handed me this book with no clues as to the author I would’ve deduced it was by Jessica Ryn. For both the themes and style, first enjoyed in  The Extraordinary Hope of Dawn Brightside, are sustained and explored in The Imperfect Art of Caring. And Ms. Ryn shows herself to be a true champion of those people who can find themselves on the periphery of life. Mostly they are searching or waiting for a way to take their place in the world ,thwarted by themselves, by others or by the systems in place that are not always easy to navigate. We saw it in Dawn Brightside where the challenges and plight of the homeless were investigated in both a real and a touching way. We see it again in the Art of Caring where the underrated and poorly understood existence of the carer is highlighted.

But the story is not just about the carers, it is about those receiving care or are in need of it. It’s about finding the help that is needed for both parties. Does that sound like a serious and sombre premise? A bit ‘I Daniel Blake’? I suppose it could be in the wrong hands but in the hands of Jessica Ryn it becomes a story that will make you laugh, make you cry and make you think. I defy anyone not to want to scoop Tammy up and make everything right for her as indeed Violet Strong tries to do.

 Violet Strong? What a complex character and again I love the play on words with her name. Just as Dawn herself did have a bright side, Violet is actually strong although she doesn’t realise it for much of the book. Violet is the key player in the story but the other characters all have their tales to tell,  and bit by bit the truths are unravelled and revealed as the novel progresses. There is a delightful balance between the apparent simplicity of some characters and the intrinsic complexity of others. And the overall sense of community that develops between them all is heartwarming and so uplifting. It makes you want to go out and form a community all of your own! 

Hurts are healed, bridges are built, progress is made. And so you can reach the conclusion of the book having overcome the tense and worrying moments to feeling satisfied and confident that our characters are all progressing in the right direction.

My thanks to HQ stories for a paperback proof of this book.