Book Review and Giveaway: Eggshells

By Melissa Amster

Vivian doesn’t feel like she fits in — and never has. As a child, she was so whimsical that her parents told her she was “left by fairies.” Now, living alone in Dublin, the neighbors treat her like she’s crazy, her older sister condescends to her, social workers seem to have registered her as troubled, and she hasn’t a friend in the world.

So, she decides it’s time to change her life: She begins by advertising for a friend. Not just any friend. She wants one named Penelope.

Meanwhile, she roams the city, mapping out a new neighborhood every day, seeking her escape route to a better world, the other world her parents told her she came from.

And then one day someone named Penelope answers her ad for a friend. And from that moment on, Vivian’s life begins to change. (Synopsis courtesy of TLC Book Tours.)

Some things I really liked about Eggshells:
1. Caitriona Lally writes Vivian as a protagonist, yet most of her supporting characters are bothered or annoyed by her. This felt like an interesting way to tell a story.
2. There's an idyllic feel to the story. Vivian can come and go as she pleases and spend her days doing whatever she wants. She has a childlike sense of wonder.
3. It was funny. Vivian reminds me of Amelia Bedelia, who always makes me laugh (even as an adult). She takes so much of what is said to her at face value and it leads to some fantastic misunderstandings.
4. Vivian's fascination with words enhanced the story. I loved reading what she thought a word meant or how it should look, sound, etc.
5. It was an escape from the stress of what is going on in real life. I rarely thought about current events while reading this novel.
6. It took me on an armchair adventure to Ireland.

Some things I would have liked to know more about:
1. Vivian's age. All I know is that she is an adult, but that she's younger than Penelope.
2. Why Vivian won't look in a mirror.
3. Why her family has such a problem with her. We only see this through her sister, but there are some points where she refers to how her parents treated her.
4. Vivian's backstory. We only really know about her present comings and goings. I wanted to know more about her past.
5. What Vivian looks like. We don't get much of a description.

Overall, it was a quirky story that will delight fans of A Man Called Ove, Invisible Ellen, and/or Be Frank With Me.

Thanks to TLC Book Tours for the book in exchange for an honest review. They have one copy to give away! Visit all the stops on Caitriona's tour. (We're pleased to be kicking it off!)

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

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Giveaway ends March 19th at midnight EST.