Sullivan’s novel is as quaint as a checkered tablecloth in a meadow, and although there are ripples of worry and passion to disrupt the picnic, there are no raging thunderstorms to toss us about. Instead, Sullivan describes small-town life through the eyes of an intelligent, generous narrator who fights off gossip, pettiness and tragedy with compassion, perseverance and forgiveness. Who wouldn’t want to spend a late-summer afternoon or two in the company of such a person?
The subject matter and tone of this novel are completely opposite to Wodehouse’s self-described musical comedies written as novels. Literature about literature usually takes the form of sensitive young men like Stephen Dedalus or Proust’s narrator discovering themselves as novelists. Here the reader is the center. I strongly recommend this unusual novel, but if you haven’t read Wodehouse, I would suggest you start with him, perhaps with How Right You Are Jeeves.
Nell's story contains hidden depths and rich layers of love, loss and wisdom ... full of memorable characters ... Sullivan's canvas may be small, but her message is universal: books—including this one—have the power to amuse, console and transform lives.
Beaulieu seamlessly narrates a sizable cast, suggesting rather than imposing regional accents and deftly underscoring the steel and intellectual curiosity beneath Nell's ladylike forbearance ... Book club appeal further endorses this winning title. Warmly recommended for public libraries.
Reviving characters from previous novels, Sullivan...presents a fresh glimpse into small-town life, and gently but piercingly acknowledges the essential values of kindness and compassion that foster courage in the face of hardship.
... [a] well-told, appealing book ... Nell...emerges as a likable, resilient protagonist in Sullivan’s inspiring novel, which should find its way onto the reading lists of book clubs.
With all the buildup, a more detailed discussion of Wodehouse's novels would have been appreciated. But Nell's enthusiasm for his books evokes a simpler time when reading and friendship could ward off despair. Nell manages to find hope—even love—in every stage of her life, the most satisfying of which is her interaction with her favorite author. Nell’s life experiences read like her book collection—some are part of a series, some stand alone, and all are ultimately comforting and timeless.
