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I thought this new book of Charlotte Wood’s would be right up my alley.
Three women who after over forty years of friendship, were struggling with their own memories and grief after the death of Sylvie, the glue who kept them together. They meet over Christmas, six months after Sylvie’s death to clean out her beach house as a favour to her daughter. But tensions, intolerances and secrets rise and one wonders if they can be overcome.

This is not quite the book I was expecting, although I shouldn’t be surprised with this authors writing after reading her previous book.

I found it very raw, dark and depressing but strangely compelling. It really made me wonder how these women were friends. They seem to have been quite dynamic women in their earlier lives and I guess this is where the authors writing comes to fore. These women are each are facing their own mortality and changes in life circumstances.
I was particularly upset for Finn, Wendy’s old dog of 17years who she couldn’t bare to part with. I could understand her actions but it made me very sad. Although in the end it made sense of why she took him, he actually had a pivotal part.

I was originally toying with this book to be my choice for book club next year, considering some of us have been friends for over 20 years. But on reflection, I don’t think it would suit my group and I can see this coming down to Finn and how he is in the story.
Thank you to Allen and Unwin for a copy to read.