Book review: Dear Lily by Drew Davies
Title: Dear Lily
Author: Drew Davies
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication date: 17th May 2019
My rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Summary:
“Dear Lily,
It’s me, Joy, your much wiser and (very slightly) older sister. I thought I’d start a new tradition of letter writing – now that we’re long distance.
On the plane over here, I began to cry in seat 21C. I think the magnitude of it finally hit me, after everything that happened…
I haven’t even unpacked yet – the only thing I’ve taken out of my suitcase is Harville, your beloved childhood teddy. Sorry for stealing him, but I need him more than you do. Every time I look at that little brown bear I think about our childhood. Remember that dance we made up to Annie’s ‘It’s a Hard Knock Life’? (Remember the broom choreography?)
I’m also sorry for abandoning you – I’ve always been your agony aunt, and a buffer in your infamous shouting matches with Mum. But I had to leave, Lily, I had to.
Anyway, I’m here now. I’m here to start over, and to face up to the past. I want to learn to laugh again, and to find someone to love who will maybe even love me back. You always told me I was just getting by, not actually living, so I’m finally doing it. Wish me luck, little sister.
Love,
Joy x“
My review:
Sometimes authors manage to perfectly capture in words and feelings what the average adult goes through and Drew Davies certainly managed to do this with ease in Dear Lily. This book made me laugh, reminisce and wonder and that is exactly what I was hoping for when I decided to read it.
Dear Lily is told through a series of letters and this format cultivated an even stronger connection between Joy and Lily. Each chapter represents a letter that Joy writes to her sister Lily soon after her decision to move to Denmark. Not only were the letters insightful and wonderful but also allowed for discussion of some difficult topics that people usually don’t like to bring up face to face. It is somehow so much easier to do so in writing and this manifested itself as the chapters and letters evolved and the conversations become deeper as it Joy opened up to Lily and shared everything on her mind.
The characters are incredibly witty and genuine. Several times throughout the book I felt like I either was Joy or I could be a very good friend of hers as her struggles of living life in a foreign country started to develop one after another, very similar to my experience living abroad. So many of the cultural differences such as difficulties to make friends and attempts to understand her colleagues at work were sincere and extremely well incorporated. As each new letter was introduced I felt an even stronger connection with Joy and a willingness to keep reading and find out the original reason she decided to write these letters to her sister.
Unfortunately, I had a feeling very early on into the book about what really happened to Lily and I was right. This didn’t interfere with my experience while reading this book however I didn’t feel enlightened once details on Lily were revealed towards the end. If I have to be picky this would be my only concern with this book as all other factors worked wonderfully together to create a truly captivating read. The writing is excellent and the story is heartfelt and beautifully told. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to connect with the narrator and to those readers who thrive on passing through a range of emotions during their reading experience.
13 Comments
Kristina
I don’t think i’ve ever heard of this book – and only by the summary and the start of your review, you got me. I So wanna read this!
I specially like the writting by letter format, it’s so easy to read – without being “erh”, you know, you still very much get into the mind of the characters!
Darina
I think that you’ll really like this one, it’s got everything you need for a perfect read! And the letter format definitely helps, I agree!
Stephen Writes
Brilliant review, Darina! I can see that you really connected with this book, and it tells an impactful story.
Darina
Thanks, Stephen! I did connect with it and it stayed with me a long time afterwards too.
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Madam Mim
I’m so intrigued by this! It sounds great… I’m definitely going to check it out!
Darina
It was a really great book. I hope you like it if you decide to read it!
Yvo
Fab review! A shame you guessed the truth early on, but I still like the sound of the story in general.
Darina
Thanks, Yvo! It didn’t really take much away from the book even though I guessed where the story was going, it was still pretty good.
Shruti | This is Lit
Ooh I love epistolary novels and this one seems very moving! Adding it to my TBR!
Darina
It was very moving! I hope you enjoy it!
jennifertarheelreader
You’ve definitely enticed me with this one, Darina. It sounds powerful. Lovely review!
Darina
Thanks, Jennifer! This one was heartbreaking at times but so beautifully written.