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Every Shade of Happy
Every Shade of Happy | Phyllida Shrimpton
2 posts | 1 read | 3 to read
'He suddenly wished more than anything that he'd lived for today, and for all the thousands of todays he'd had, regardless of what hurdles life had thrown at him.' Suddenly uprooted from everything and everyone she knows, bubbly fifteen-year-old Anna Maybury and her mother are forced to move in with the grandfather she has never met - a bad-tempered old man who disapproves of her very existence.At ninety-seven, Algernon breaks his days up into a routine governed by the relentless ticking of the clock on the mantelpiece. It gives his life the structure and order he craves, but he's also incredibly lonely.And soon, so is Anna. Her colourful personality doesn't seem to fit in at her new school and she begins to feel herself turning as dull and grey as the uniform.Surprisingly, it's cranky old Algernon who is determined to do something about it. With a road trip to Cornwall on the cards and important life lessons to learn, it's going to be a summer neither of them will ever forget.An emotional, uplifting read that will make you laugh and cry, perfect for fans of Mike Gayle, Eva Woods and Marianne Cronin.
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robinb
Every Shade of Happy | Phyllida Shrimpton
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This was a recent 5⭐️ for me. A great feel-good generational story.

#alphabetgame
#LetterE

@ozma.of.oz @Kdgordon88 @ravenlee @JacintaMCarter

Deblovestoread Thanks for the tag and stacked 💜 2y
robinb @Kdgordon88 👍😊💙 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing 2y
34 likes3 comments
review
robinb
Every Shade of Happy | Phyllida Shrimpton
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Pickpick

I fell for this lovely book hook, line and sinker (that‘s a lot 🤣). A generational story centered around Algernon (a crotchety but redeemable 97 yo), Helene (his “wayward” estranged only child) and Anna (her 15 yo daughter who is only looking to express her free-spirited self) as they begrudgingly find themselves having to take up house together. This is told in alternating Algernon/Anna perspectives and works flawlessly that way. The three 🔻

robinb must cautiously weave a way through minefields from their pasts to move toward understanding and ultimately healing. And while revisiting their pasts they must also contend with immediate concerns like new jobs, new schools, new bullies and new old age issues. And while Helene is a very important part of the story, this is above all Algernon‘s and Anna‘s story…what they learn from and about the other and what they gain from that knowledge. 🔻 2y
robinb This author brought these characters to life in such a way that I felt all the emotions, saw all the missteps, heard every sigh and sob as if I were hovering above them in the room. Aaargh, just so good. And if I had to pick (please don‘t make me!), the scenes of Algernon‘s boyhood in Cornwall were definitely among my favorites…so hauntingly beautiful and poignant. And ultimately I came away with joy, hope and laughter. Highly recommended. 5/5⭐️ 2y
Bklover Wow! This sounds wonderful! 2y
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robinb @Bklover it was just wonderful. I hope you‘ll check it out and let me know what you think. 😊 2y
kspenmoll Fabulous review- sounds wonderful! 2y
robinb @kspenmoll thank you! So good. 😊 2y
49 likes2 stack adds6 comments