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A core impacting novel. When I finished Stone Yard Devotional, I had many thoughts and ideas shooting off inside my mind. In fact my mind felt like it was caught in the middle of old west gun battle. Firstly, I don't know if I dreamt the setting for Stone Yard Devotional or had long conversations with my mum years ago, about visiting a NSW rural convent to have an immersive experience. For many years I've sprouted to friends and family, I'm the atheist nun. I've my reasons, beyond a fascination with ritual, sacrifice, and austere living.

The question at the heart of Stone Yard Devotional is forgiveness, how does forgiveness work? Especially self forgiveness? A daughter - mother relationship that comes into its own, in analysis, analysis that leans into the stories that happen around us, and with us. The observations that are often only made many years later. Understanding that's only possible (perhaps) when time has past.

As for grief - some of us are knitted with it. Grief is not other. Grief frames process, ways of living, and even choices.

Solitude is a vehicle to understanding
Solitude is the miracle

Stone Yard Devotional is my favourite Charlotte Wood novel, to date. It will sit with me always, and it will live on my shelf - there anytime I need it.