The perfect book

5 joyous stars

Wreck is wholly and completely the right book at the right time for me. Occasionally I want to live inside a book and Wreck instilled that feeling deep in my soul. What a joy and delight! I literally contemplated moving back to the good ol' US of A based on the nostalgia I felt reading this tale. I laughed heartily, felt an array of emotions, nearly cried, and was enchanted by the mystical, magical journey of Rocky and her family in this rollicking novel.

Sadly, I must report that though I have Sandwich, I did not grasp it came first in this series. Complete flub, on my end, but I am ecstatic that when I go back to pick up Sandwich (likely on the flight to America for Thanksgiving), I will be snorting with glee to find out what happened before the events of Wreck. This, alone, makes the journey worthwhile.

Wreck is terrific fun full of the crazy machinations of Rocky, mainly, and her strange rash which has spiralled into an unending comedy of errors and discovery that can only happen in healthcare Americana. It is frightful, funny, sad in its accuracy and length of protracted investigation. Ok, not only in America, as medical diagnosis is a tricksy craft everywhere in the world, I grant you, but it definitely had a twist that made it feel uniquely American.

I fully understood the crazy sense of Rocky's thinking and all she experienced. She is every woman... though with a more generous spirit, full of wisecracks and surrounded by the funnest family. All the characters that peopled Wreck are thoroughly delightful. Unrealistically sharp and witty with few cross words spoken but utterly charming in all other respects. There is a thread running throughout the novel that grounds it in easily avoidable tragedy, which weighs heavy on Rocky, her daughter Willa and son Jamie. Though sad and shocking it adds an appreciation for life in a touching way. Rocky learns this lesson and it is a beautiful way to close. It keeps the whole story from floating off into farce. Actually, there are quite a few gentle, solemn moments that bring a realness to the proceedings. Genius writing balancing it all so deftly.

Wreck saved me from the dark and depressing times we live in. It was bright and joyous and a terrific distraction from all the badness that exists in the world. Catherine Newman, you are now on my 'authors to look for' list and I am jolly chuffed to have found you. Thank you!