I actually finished this book about 2 weeks ago. After patting myself on the back for being ahead of the game and ready to join the discussion right on April 1, I totally forgot that was yesterday!
I loved the book, in spite of a talking octopus, Cameron’s unlikeable character and several over-the-top coincidences. (I also loved “The Art of Racing in the Rain” in spite of the dog narrating the book.) It was easy to figure out that Cameron was Tova’s grandson – but I was OK with that.
One of the things I really liked was the author’s decision to let the reader know fairly early, as impossible to miss, that Cameron is Tova’s grandson. We got to be in on the discovery as it played out.
@ignatius, I thought the same thing. I was glad the author didn’t try to make a half-baked “mystery” out of something that was about to be pretty obvious to the reader. Marcellus simply told us.
I absolutely loved the book. I loved Marcellus. I loved Tova. It is a sweet book in a time of so much turmoil. I do beg to differ about Marcellus. He is not a talking octopus. He is a thinking octopus.
I wasn’t surprised about Cameron’s turn around. He had upheaval as a child and Tova and her world gave him some stability. He was craving it, even if he didn’t realize it. I would like to think that it works out with Avery.
I am so glad that we read it, and I have a feeling that I will read it again.
While I didn’t enjoy hanging around with Cameron, I was willing to believe in his turn around. He had an aunt who loved him, but she was a hoarder. I thought it was interesting that the book chose not to have him find his mother.
I was not a fan of the Knit-wits. In fact, I’d say to some extent this was a function of the author’s relative youth.
Just had zoom book club, with this title (which I had selected a few months ago, based on reading it when it was first released). We all liked the book, though we too had some eye rolling regarding all the coincidences.
I asked if Cameron might have been different if Tova had raised him. The answer was yes… and that she would have been different too. Glad they did end up together ultimately.
@mathmom: I’d bet you’re right. The author missed the mark depicting what should have been a deep friendship among a group of women who lived the ups-and-downs of a long life together.
Great question! How would they have been different? I’m guessing Tova wouldn’t have been as lonely. Her life would have had more purpose. A living reminder of her son would have definitely been a positive. I wonder how her relationship with Cameron’s mom would have been? Would his Mom still have been an addict? Would having other people know what she had been through ease her burden? As far as Cameron, I assume knowing who his father was would give him comfort and closure. I want to believe that his life would be better. The outcome of his life would still be impacted by how his mom turned out in this new scenario.
I am definitely okay with some of the more simple plot lines in the book. Sometimes you just need a book with a happy ending.
I think baby / little boy Cameron would have brought Tova and her husband Will great joy after a terrible loss. It makes me sad that they missed all those years with him.
Maybe I read too much into this, but my sense is that Cameron’s mother would not have been an addict had she immediately told her story. It was the burden of such a terrible secret that drove her to drugs. I still don’t understand why she was silent.
Anyone have any thoughts on the purpose of Tova’s brother Lars in the story? The relationship seemed pretty insignificant. I guess it showed us more loneliness on her part. Did she push him away after her son died? Was she too difficult to be with after her son died? Or was it Lars who did not know how to deal with her grief? Their lack of a relationship seems strange, considering they both appear to be good people.
I agree that Lars was a mystery. I agree that it was all part of pushing people away in her grief. And I guess it was a bit of a catalyst for her deciding to sell her house. (I kept hoping the sale would fall through and she and Cameron could live there.) However on further reflection, I think for her to move to a more aging in place friendly place and putting Cameron in a position to be on his own, was a better resolution.
Quick post. My sister and I are on a little four day vaca in Lancaster County, so it’s been challenging to post.
Loved the audio of this book, and like others, had trouble with a 70 year old woman depicted as so VERY old, but minor detail.
Loved the author didn’t make Cameron’s relationship to Tova, the mystery.
The real mystery was what happened to her son, and while it was contrived, it lead to a happy ending, tidy, for all. I needed this book at this time, great selection,
Yes, but it was kind of a red herring for me. I thought for a while Lars was going to figure into the story in some significant way (in flashback).
Do we ever learn exactly what transpired with Erik and Daphne on the boat? Bits and pieces are revealed, but I wasn’t quite clear on precisely what happened.
We don’t. I think that Daphne probably did something dumb that caused Erik’s death. Her guilt would explain her disappearance. As I said before, I was surprised that the author chose to leave that thread hanging.
My reactions are pretty similar to a lot of those here. I didn’t think I’d be interested in a book with an octopus character, but that was my favorite part. The audiobook narrator for Marcellus was especially good. I learned a lot, and the connection with Tova made sense.
On the other hand, the audiobook narration for Tova, and especially for the Knit-Wits, didn’t do them any favors. Tova was an interesting woman, and but read aloud, her dialogue was so stilted–“good heavens,” “my dear,” etc. I’m almost Tova’s age, and I don’t know anyone who talks like that, not even my mother’s generation. And the Knit-Wits sounded meddlesome and annoying, sometimes treating Tova as if she were a child. They didn’t seem to recognize that her job at the Aquarium was a way to stay close to the memory of her son.
I enjoyed the portrayal of long friendship with Cameron, Brad, and Elizabeth much more; it felt a lot more nuanced.
The loose ends with Daphne bothered me, too. She was in the yearbook, had an unusual name, yet only Adam knew of her connection to Erik, and it seemed nobody noticed a change in her behavior, her pregnancy, or her disappearance?
Agree, with the tone of the Knit wits, meddlesome, but caring ? Clearly, Tova stayed connected with the group for so long, so they weren’t that intrusive.
It worked for me, because it showed me, Tova wasn’t such a loner, she chose her connections, including her Marcellus.
Please help clarify the ending for me. I listened to the story, and don’t have print version, so I may have misunderstood
I thought there was some kind of explosion, or malfunction on the boat, which erased the possibility of Eric’s suicide for Tova, and the burden that she carried for so long.
I believe she was happy her son had girl he loved in his short life, even though she was surprised he had secrets.
mary13 mentioned about selling the family house, and all along I thought the sale would be canceled, fall through, and Cameron and Tova would live happily ever after.
But,Tova moved on, in all ways, and as mentioned her new townhouse overlooking the water, seemed perfect .