Hello Beautiful

This was devastatingly sad, achingly beautiful, and I am a sobbing mess.

Another character driven story, another favorite. I should have guessed just by the cover that I would love this.

Hello beautiful is a family saga happening between 1960 and 2008. It's a story about love, friendship and family, and how we are shaped by the persons in our lives, both in their presence, absence and silences.

It's a story about acceptance, and in seeing all of a person, choosing to love that whole.

It's a story about “infrastructures of kindness”

I loved all the characters, William sadness and large heart, Sylvie's caring nature and Julie's determination.
The supporting characters feel like family to me now.

William
William's body—tired and bored by his hesitant mind—had to set off fireworks in his nerves and muscles to alert him that something of import was taking place.“You were afraid of her light?” “No. I was afraid I was going to put her light out. That my darkness would swamp her light.”He wasn't walking away—he was standing in fire. “I see all of you,” he said, but his voice was quiet.“I think sometimes”—now it was his turn to pause—“we need another pair of eyes. We need the people around us.”Sylvie”Sylvie was composed of question marks and feelings that she didn't know what to do with, as if her hands were full and she was wearing pants with no pockets.”“Sylvie leaned against the wall. Because she was clear about what she didn't want, she was alone. She was no longer who she used to be, and she wasn't yet whoever she was becoming.”Julie“I'm a self-sufficient adult, Alice. That's rare for a woman, and I'm proud of that fact.”

Ann's writing is gorgeous and this book will remain in my heart and mind for a long long time. I wish I could give it more stars ⭐️