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Title: Saving Missy
Authors: Morrey, Beth
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 367
Year: 2020
Language: English
Description: Missy Carmichael needs saving from herself. Prickly and stubborn, she has long since pushed away friends and family and now at 79, she has resigned herself to her lonely existence. An unexpected meeting on a walk in the park offers her the chance to change all of that - but only if she is prepared to embrace the challenge of engaging with life again.

Set in London and with a rich and diverse range of characters, this is a poignant story with surprising depth that reminds us of the joy of friendship and the importance of connection.

Categories: Fiction, Community, Humour, Morals/Ethics, Relationships, UK, 2022 Titles, Larger font

Reviews

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By: NAP 009 2024-01-15 10:22:03
4.5 
We all loved this book.

By: NEWP 004 2023-10-25 11:17:09
4 
An enjoyable book. Appreciated by all.

By: PAIHIA 001 2023-10-20 17:03:10
4.5 
We all loved this easy read. Didn't see the 'twist'. Enjoyed the variety of characters and the 'real life' that happened.

By: DUNED 115 2023-09-26 12:15:36
4 
Overall an easy fun read with discussion worthy themes on family/relationships/loss/grief, and the 'putting back together' of those relationships, not necessarily in a traditional way, but one that really worked in this book.

By: TEMUK 001 2023-09-18 11:04:26
4.5 
This book moved several members to tears. The themes of loneliness, loss, family dynamics and secrets were at the centre of much of our discussion.

By: NAP 016 2023-07-13 13:33:57
4 
The group's overall opinion was positive. A good read with some unexpected twists. Initially a number of us thought it was going to be a self indulgent 'poor me' read. However it was refreshing and funny.

By: UPHU 007 2023-07-10 09:41:18
4 
Enjoyed by everyone. Story unrolled slowly with a surprise towards the end. A satisfying read.

By: BLENH 007 2023-06-15 14:46:47
4 
Our group enjoyed the book overall with some aspects of the book creating frustration. Not all characters were well rounded, and it was, at times, a little difficult to comprehend the friendships created by seemingly very different personalities. Most found they really enjoyed the second half of the book. A rather heart warming debut novel however.

By: DANNE 002 2023-05-22 12:24:03
3 
We all thought this was a pleasant book albeit a little predictable. But most of us enjoyed the easy read.

By: TEPAH 001 2023-05-03 11:47:32
4 
Group found the book heartwarming though slightly improbable, but it handled issues of family tension, loneliness, grief and social concerns very well, and the companionship of other humans or animals to counter 'aloneness' also well done.

By: NORTH 003 2023-03-02 14:51:27
3.5 
Most of us found this an easy, pleasant read but some aspects seemed contrived as in the nature of the friends, and the loose ends at the end. There were a number of topics of depth that were able to be discussed, eg. abortion and dementia, and the hiding of secrets.

By: NAP 020 2023-02-13 11:19:19
4.5 
A most enjoyable book. A lot of us could relate to 'Missy'. Well-written.

By: DUNED 083 2022-10-21 11:15:30
4 
None of us were really looking forward to reading this - the cover art and blurb not promising but we all really loved it - once we got past the unlikely premise which set up the whole story! And the fairytale ending. A light read but with enough heaviness of content to engage, some great likeable characters. Just shows you can't judge a book by its cover!

By: FERN 001 2022-10-12 12:23:19
3.5 
Pleasant and enjoyable light read. Prompted some discussion of the issues raised.

By: WAIKA 010 2022-10-10 14:38:27
5 
Brilliant! Loved by all.

By: AKAR 007 2022-08-08 11:22:07
4 
Readable, enjoyable, easy to read and flows well. Well-written.

By: CHCH 422 2022-08-05 11:43:52
3.5 
The majority of the group enjoyed the book. Some members found it thought provoking - in terms of being able to relate to the loneliness of Missy if you were an older woman on your own, and how that might feel for someone in a similar situation. It was easy to read and dealt with the subject of loneliness in a kind way.

By: WAIHEK 001 2022-07-21 11:25:15
3 
Enjoyed by several members as an easy, pleasant read. Several found 'Missy' the character, irritating, and did not finish.

By: ROTO 012 2022-06-27 11:39:15
5 
Everyone enjoyed this book. Great characterisation and a few surprises!

By: TIMAR 007 2022-06-08 13:20:03
3 
A very wide range of opinions on this book. Not considered one of our best reads. Some felt that the young author did not really understand elderly people. The book and story probably improved and became more interesting as it went on. We all found it hard to understand Missy and some of her actions and behaviour.

By: DUNED 009 2022-05-06 11:52:15
3.5 
Some liked the book, while some felt that the characterisation was a bit unbelievable.

By: WHAKA 018 2022-05-05 16:51:53
3.5 
Hard to get into, but worth it in the end.

By: AUCK 166 2022-05-04 16:52:06
4.5 
Widely differing views - rather predictable, but lots of twist and turns. Believable characterisation, and lots of interesting historical details.

By: WELL 042 2022-03-09 09:42:34
4 
Overall enjoyed by everyone. This is a light, easy read.

By: NGON 002 2022-03-02 13:34:47
3.5 
This book whilst an easy read, was controversial. Some of the group really enjoyed it and found it well-written and interesting, while others didn't get past the first couple of chapters. It did engender a lot of discussion which is always a good thing.

By: THAM 009 2021-12-17 12:14:46
3 
'Saving Missy' was a good book; a light read to get our club started. Some members felt there wasn't enough character building. A simple, easy, contemporary read. I felt Morrey depicted Missy and Leo very well.

By: WHAKA 010 2021-11-15 10:31:38
5 
We talked and talked about this book - so many gentle characters that intrigued us.

 
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