January 2019 is counting down, and our monthly meeting is scheduled for tonight.
The Lost for Words Bookshop by Stephanie Butland is our choice for this month. A New Adult novel set in York, England, Lost for Words details the life and travails of Loveday Cardew. Loveday is an antisocial, twenty-something woman who works at the titular bookshop and seems to have problems with men.
Lost for Words unfolds in three time frames which alternate chapters throughout the novel. Though no longer a unique narrative style, it works well to add to the tension and suspense of Loveday’s story.
Present day chapters are labeled “Poetry” and deal with her present-day relationship with her boss, Archie, and a new boyfriend, Nathan. Nathan, a poet, and all around nice guy, seemingly has the power to pull curmudgeonly Loveday into a stable, loving relationship, something she resists, while at the same time being unable to avoid. Kind of like a moth to a flame.
The chapters set in the distant past of her childhood are labeled “Crime”. The reason for this becomes clear as the novel progresses, and Loveday’s memories and emotions slowly trickle out. Possessing an unhappy childhood is almost a pre-requisite for an interesting fictional character, and Loveday is no exception. She has allowed her estrangement from her mother and her years in foster care to create a shell around her personality which only Archie seems to be able to penetrate. Archie, the devil-may-care bookshop owner, is larger than life and knows all kinds of colorful people, leading Loveday to wonder how many of his tall tales (“We met in a bar in Kentucky.” “Remember the Odessa Affair?”) are actually true. Archie is the backbone (or spine) of her story and he defends her to the end.
“History” is the name given to the chapters dealing with the more recent events of ex-boyfriend Rob and they allow us an in-depth look into Loveday’s insecurities and fears. Ms. Butland does a great job with all her characters, but I think Rob is one that is written particularly well. As his character arc unfolds, his actions and dialog become increasingly reprehensible, and in a way, mirror Loveday’s “coming of age”, only not in a good way.
The three time-lines come together in a very compelling manner, and I went from thinking the book was rather slow, to being unable to put it down. I stayed up way too late reading, but it was worth it.
As all the pieces come together, we get an inside look at several relationships, including the abusive relationship between her parents which ends in a “Crime”, the difficult and abusive “History” with mentally ill Rob, and the “Poetic”, but daunting, love affair with Nathan. The story builds to a crescendo, culminating in tragedy for Loveday. But despite her self-doubts, at the end, we know that Loveday has the inner resilience to pull through.
Sounds like an interesting read? Pick up a copy and meet us at the Locust Grove Public Library tonight at 6:30.
LocustGroveBookClub 