A one-in-a-million story for anyone who loves to laugh, cry, and think about how extraordinary ordinary life can be. Not to be missed by readers who loved THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY, ELIZABETH IS MISSING or THE SHOCK OF THE FALL.
Miss Ona Vitkus has – aside from three months in the summer of 1914 – lived unobtrusively, her secrets fiercely protected.
The boy, with his passion for world records, changes all that. He is eleven. She is one hundred and four years, one hundred and thirty three days old (they are counting). And he makes her feel like she might be really special after all. Better late than never…
Only it’s been two weeks now since he last visited, and she’s starting to think he’s not so different from all the rest.
Then the boy’s father comes, for some reason determined to finish his son’s good deed. And Ona must show this new stranger that not only are there odd jobs to be done, but a life’s ambition to complete..
My Review:
‘The Boy’ ( you never learn his name) starts to visit Ona, a hundred and four year old Lithuanian woman for part of his scout duties. He feeds the birds, does various jobs around the home and when he becomes her friend they decide that she should and could become a World Record Holder. She looks forward to his visits and enjoys talking him about her life. And the one day he stops coming. She feels let down but then a few weeks later the boy’s father turns up and takes over his duties.
One life is cut tragically short, two others are trying their hardest to rebuild theirs. A big part of the rebuilding involved becoming friends with another who has had a long life and had experienced every life event in it. Both Quinn and Belle are very protective towards Ona, understanding the friendship that their son had with her. I loved her spirit, she still had her independence and was determined not to give in to people like the realtor who was waiting for her opportunity to pounce.
The relationship between the three was very special and lovely to read. Yes at times it was poignant but there was also humour, trust and friendship.
With thanks to the publisher for the copy received.
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