Sometimes a book just grabs me and moves into its own space in my head. The characters become real and I think about them as if I know them. I get 3/4 of the way through this kind of book and then start reading really, really slowly so I don’t ever finish. Of course I do eventually finish. At the same time,I want to know the ending but I also don’t want to leave the characters behind. Does that happen to you? I think I have a particular genre that takes me to this place.

I really enjoy books that I would call grown up fairy tales, they aren’t quite Science Fiction or Fantasy. I mean books like The  Ocean At The End of The Lane or The Graveyard Book, both by Neil Gaiman. I suppose I enjoy the language, the flourish and the pure story. A Year of Marvellous Ways by Sarah Winman ticked all of my boxes and I simply loved it.

This book is pure story. The language takes a little getting used to and then a few pages in, you suddenly get it. It is flowery, descriptive and she must have a very good memory or thesaurus. If you like a story and a book that is a break from life, I hope you read this tale and enjoy it as much as I did.

The story brings people together who simply fit and they have their own piece of the story. The main character, Marvellous is an oddity who I grew to love. The setting is in the past and about a simple way of living and acceptance of others. The story builds the characters past and present. It is so well written and a joy to read.

I loved it and thought it so well written that I have offered my copy to the Head of English at a local university . He was rather taken with the offer and he will be reading it soon.

Thank you Hachette for sending me this copy.