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A Town Called Solace

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A Town Called Solace

Written by: Mary Lawson
Narrated by: Maggie Huculak, Tajja Isen, Ian Lake
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NATIONAL BESTSELLER • LONGLISTED FOR THE 2021 BOOKER PRIZE • NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE GLOBE AND MAIL, CBC AND THE DAILY TELEGRAPH • New York Times bestselling author Mary Lawson, acclaimed for digging into the "wilderness of the human heart," is back after almost a decade with a fresh and timely novel that is different in subject but just as emotional and atmospheric as her beloved earlier work.

A Town Called Solace, the brilliant and emotionally radiant new novel from Mary Lawson, her first in nearly a decade, opens on a family in crisis. Sixteen-year-old Rose is missing. Angry and rebellious, she had a row with her mother, stormed out of the house and simply disappeared. Left behind is seven-year-old Clara, Rose’s adoring little sister. Isolated by her parents’ efforts to protect her from the truth, Clara is bewildered and distraught. Her sole comfort is Moses, the cat next door, whom she is looking after for his elderly owner, Mrs. Orchard, who went into hospital weeks ago and has still not returned.

Enter Liam Kane, mid-thirties, newly divorced, newly unemployed, newly arrived in this small northern town, who moves into Mrs. Orchard’s house—where, in Clara’s view, he emphatically does not belong. Within a matter of hours he receives a visit from the police. It seems he is suspected of a crime.

At the end of her life, Elizabeth Orchard is also thinking about a crime, one committed thirty years previously that had tragic consequences for two families, and in particular for one small child. She desperately wants to make amends before she dies.

Told through three distinct, compelling points of view, the novel cuts back and forth among these unforgettable characters to uncover the layers of grief, remorse, and love that connect them. A Town Called Solace is a masterful, suspenseful, darkly funny and deeply humane novel by one of our great storytellers. Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Emotions Heartfelt Tearjerking
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One of my favourite authors and this novel does not disappoint. Love Lawson's characters, and her writing style. This was the first Lawson novel that I listened to. Bravo to the narrators - you were all wonderful. I often felt as if I was watching a wonderful play

a warm hug

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This is such a lovely story and the writing is subtle and so intelligent. I loved the performances! Bravo all around.

A terrific story so well told

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A beautiful story of interconnected lives woven seamlessly by a talented author and skillfully narrated .

A Story Worthy of Listening

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I like listening to multiple perspectives, even though two of the narrators stories are so close together the story kind of repeats itself a bit. I was engrossed so much to know what happened to these people and how they got to this point.

I love that it takes place in Northern Ontario, even though it takes place in the 40s, it's still so soothing to hear about places I know and terms only Canadians know about.

All three narrators were terrific. Only gripe about this book is the simplicity of the abrupt ending.

A Cozy Mystery

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Wonderful narration of a very entertaining story of love, loneliness, an act of passion and finding home.

Finding Home

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