SIPSWORTH

SIPSWORTH by Somon Van Booy

You know that book that sits on the shelf at the bookstore or the library that you pick up, consider, and then put down. Next time you visit the bookstore or library you go through the same routine. Then, finally, after the third visit where you go through the same routine again, it makes it into your pile, because it just continues to intrigue you? Meet one of my such occurrences, SIPSWORTH.

SIPSWORTH is a reminder for all of us younger and middle age folks how easy it is for the elderly to fall through the cracks of the unnoticed and forgotten in life even if once upon a time they were someone important.

Helen Cartwright is returning home to England after living most of her life abroad in Australia. She's returning to the very village she was raised in but didn't bother to stay connected to. Everyday looks like the one before: a lot of shuffling around, a lot of empty nothingness. Helen's just waiting for the day when her life is over. That is until the day she meets a common little mouse she names SIPSWORTH. Through first trying to remedy her mouse issue, to then caring for SIPSWORTH, doors of purpose in life begin to open that have been shut for a long time. SIPSWORTH is a true reminder that sometimes the little things in life make the biggest impact.

There are a couple of parts that will leave you scratching your head as to how realistic the situation is, but hang tight. Despite this, I was glad I stuck through and finished the book.

HEADS UP- There is a passing mention of a gay relationship with a side character.