Sipsworth

“Sipsworth” gives the reader just that. We first meet Helen when she returns to her hometown after decades in Australia. Each day is a set routine centered around tv and radio programs or mealtimes. Other than limited interactions at the grocery store, Helen's life is lonely. The first few chapters are an accurate depiction of the daily lives of many elderly people, which seems to have put some readers off the book.

After finding a mouse nesting near a discarded toy almost identical to one her son played with, Helen begins opening her heart back up to the world and life after being so close to turning her back on both. She's able to reexamine happy and sad moments from her life and realize that there is something to look forward to. Having been a spinster cat lady for many years, I can understand the positive impact of a pet.

In the acknowledgements, the author mentions that he wrote the story while at a hospital in London. While no mice came to stay during his visit, it's pretty interesting to imagine Van Booy being inspired by an older staff member and their possible life outside the hospital.