BOOK REVIEW
A Year of Marvellous Ways
Author: Sarah Winman
Marvellous Ways is a ninety year old woman living in a caravan near a creek in Cornwall.
It is a time when England is struggling to recover from the effects of two world wars.
Marvellous is an eccentric character who swims naked in the creek each day, irrespective of the weather, and spends most of her time sitting on the steps of her caravan with her binoculars hoping that something new may wash into her life – and one day it does.
Francis Drake (Freddy) is a soldier returning from France and has promised a dying friend that he will deliver a letter to his father in London. After leaving a devastated city Freddy, who is shattered both in body and spirit somehow loses his way and finds himself in the creek where Marvellous has her home.
In true Sarah Winman style, the relationship that is formed between these two people is nothing but charming and inspiring.
Marvellous believes it is her mission to bring Freddy ‘back to life’ while nearing the end of hers. She learns of Freddy’s lost love, Missy, and his desire to find her. They share their life stories and care for each other in times of sickness and despair. They believe in each other.
Sarah Winman has ‘done it again’ for me. She is a superb storyteller and left me wanting more of the impossible being possible.
ROSALIE HOWARTH
Author: Sarah Winman
Marvellous Ways is a ninety year old woman living in a caravan near a creek in Cornwall.
It is a time when England is struggling to recover from the effects of two world wars.
Marvellous is an eccentric character who swims naked in the creek each day, irrespective of the weather, and spends most of her time sitting on the steps of her caravan with her binoculars hoping that something new may wash into her life – and one day it does.
Francis Drake (Freddy) is a soldier returning from France and has promised a dying friend that he will deliver a letter to his father in London. After leaving a devastated city Freddy, who is shattered both in body and spirit somehow loses his way and finds himself in the creek where Marvellous has her home.
In true Sarah Winman style, the relationship that is formed between these two people is nothing but charming and inspiring.
Marvellous believes it is her mission to bring Freddy ‘back to life’ while nearing the end of hers. She learns of Freddy’s lost love, Missy, and his desire to find her. They share their life stories and care for each other in times of sickness and despair. They believe in each other.
Sarah Winman has ‘done it again’ for me. She is a superb storyteller and left me wanting more of the impossible being possible.
ROSALIE HOWARTH
