This one is a gem!
STORY SUMMARY
Emmeline is a little girl who lives a fairy tale kind of childhood with her father. The live on a remote island in a group of islands off of British Columbia/the Pacific Northwest.
Her father teaches her about the world through her senses, specifically through the sense of smell. However, he doesn't explain to her about the mysterious scents he keeps in little glass bottles in drawers that line the wall of their cabin. Emmeline has never known her mother and her father does not speak of her. She also doesn't know about the origin of the little machine that makes scents that are stored in the bottles.
As Emmeline grows up and becomes a pre-teen, she is curious about the bottles and the scent-papers. One day, something totally unexpected happens and she is thrust into the real world. She discovers that it is a place of betrayal, love, ambition, and revenge. She wants to understand her past so she must unlock the many clues to her real identity......and this becomes a quest that challenges her heart as well as her imagination.
Who was her mother? Is she really still alive? and what about Fisher the boy who helped her get through high school when she had to leave the island? What happens when she goes to the big city in search of him and her mother?
MY THOUGHTS
This book is very provocative and a real page turner. It's got a quiet lyrical beauty that I was totally immersed in. This is also a "coming of age" novel that includes childhood stories, families lost and found, and how scent can conjure up our memories and shape the course of our lives.
I did a little research only to discover that yes many businesses/stores use scent to attract customers to certain products. We actually talked about this as a family and made a list of the mall stores that entice people in with various scents.
The character development is very well done in this novel. I loved Emmeline and Fisher and felt devastated at what happened with her dad. (I don't want to ruin it for you so I won't elaborate on that).
I liked her mother at first....and then....not so much.....
The ending is beautiful. But it was a little bit abrupt. I was sad when the story ended but also it gave me ideas as to what might happen next. It's very well crafted.
This book touches on the themes of single parenthood, isolation, betrayal, friendship, love, forgiveness, letting go, money, domestic violence, hard work, perseverance.
In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 14 and older.
On a scale of 1-10. with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 10.
4 comments:
Sounds good. I will see if the library has it. I am stuck in a fascinating, but slow going nonfiction. Happy July 4th!
I will admit I did not read your post on the book. I want to go into it blind. It's on my list to read for July. I've read a couple others of hers and really liked them so I'm looking forward to this one too.
Oh this sounds good!!
I finally finished this so can read your review and comment. LOL. I wasn't sure at the beginning but I really liked this book. Very unique story.
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