Virginia MacgregorReviews

CW: A plane crashes killing everyone aboard. One MC is dealing with guilt of booking her brother's plane ticket on the ill-fated flight and the other MC is dealing with the guilt that his father was the pilot. Reference to real terrorist plane crashes.

I still don’t know what to say about this book. I loved the original idea, and all the characters. They were all so real, and we got to know about the motivation of even the negative ones. Everyone was complex and very well written. The short chapters, telling the story from four different points of view got me reading well into the small hours more than once, I just couldn’t put it down. Then came the climax… and the book didn’t end. It dragged on for another 30 pages. My excitement and enthusiasm turned into a polite interest. Almost all loose ends were tied up in the end, some of them not very satisfactorily. I don’t mean the opposite happened of what I was expecting, but that I felt like some decisions and reactions didn’t suit the characters.

Read more here (contains major spoilers after the warning line!):
https://blueisthenewpink.wordpress.com/2016/08/09/lets-read-too-much-closure/

Publicado originalmente: El Extraño Gato del Cuento

Qué cosa más adorable es este libro. Para mí fue uno de esos libros en el cual a los poco párrafos de empezar a leer ya sabía tenía muy probablemente mi libro favorito, de esos que te da miedo acabarlo por miedo a que te decepcione. La narración hecha por niños es algo que muy recientemente estoy experimentando y hasta ahora han sido en su mayoría muy buenas experiencias.

Algo que he notado en algunos escritores europeos es que es son más diversos, en cuanto a personajes, lugares y cultura. Sé que tiene que ver el que no sean norteamericanos pero cuando ellos me dan personajes de diferentes países, ya sean árabes, pakistaníes, libios o griegos, se me hacen naturales, extremadamente ricos de leer. What Milo Saw no fue la excepción, eso sin contar la ternura, y a veces un poco de tristeza, que es leer sobre los pacientes del asilo.

Milo es un niño maravilloso, se me hizo casi imposible no encariñarme con él o su cerdito Hamlet. Es difícil encontrar un libro sobre discapacidad, son muy pocos, y que tengan la calidad de este libro, mucho más difícil aún.

Le puse cuatro de cinco porque soy un adulto sin corazón ni alma. El final me gustó mucho en cuanto como le fue a algunos de los personajes porque en lo que leí el libro, para mí fue obvio que ellos son mucho mejores personajes que yo y si hubiera acabado de otra forma los personajes y la historia no hubieran sido lo que fueran. Es de esos finales que te dejan un poco con la duda, un tanto... no sé como ponerlo.

Hay una historia muy cortita rondando por ahí, se lllama "Where Hamlet Went", la historia es contada por el cerdito Hamlet y es una preciosura de historia corta. Si la escritora decidiera escribir libro para niños, tenía una lectora asegurada. De verdad es muy linda, pero solo pueden leer si leen What Milo Saw primero.

Sin duda una mis mejores lectura del año.

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An easy, light read about Milo, a boy who sees the world in a pinhole. He was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa and eventually could be blind forever. Due to his condition, his grandmother has trained him to see the world differently, more observant to the tiny details. As such, when his grandmother was placed in a nursing home, he could immediately detects the bad vibes happening there. This book captures Milo's journey in uncovering the truth behind that nursing home and also realizing his family's predicament along the way.

I did enjoy Virginia's straightforward prose, great for younger readers, especially the simplicity and innocence of Milo. It touches the importance of family and humanity, the right and wrong of the world from the a few narrators i.e. Milo as the main one with a few others such as his mom, Sandy and grandmother, Lou. Though not as intriguing but it was still an exciting read nonetheless. If you have enjoyed Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, you will definitely like this.

My full review here:
http://www.sholee.net/2017/02/mpov-what-milo-saw.html

This is an absolutely delightful story, beautifully written in a style unique to Virginia Macgregor. I have named What Milo Saw in my top 20 books of 2015, so I was absolutely delighted when I was invited to read an advance copy of The Astonishing Return of Norah Wells.

Norah's daughters, Ella and Willa, are such vibrant characters that they were an absolute pleasure to read. I found it hard at first to remember who was who as their names are so similar, but once they made it into my heart I could tell them apart. Ella remembers her Mum, Norah. She didn't know why Norah had left them and had set up a Twitter campaign to find her Mum. Willa was just a baby when Norah left and Norah's friend, Fay, is the only Mummy that she knows. Their lives are thrown into turmoil when Norah returns.

Norah's story is so emotional. It is clear that she never stopped loving her family so it's really hard, as the reader, to understand why she left. Virginia Macgregor tells Norah's story so compassionately that, by the time all of the jigsaw pieces fell into place, the whole Wells family felt very dear to me.

The conflicting emotions of Ella and Willa were portrayed so sympathetically. Ella is so angry that her Mum doesn't appear to have a good reason as to why she left. Willa, on the other hand, is quite accepting and is more than happy to have two Mums. They are both amazing girls and Ella is a perfect example of how we lash out at those we love whereas Willa reminds us to accept people for who they are.

This is a truly magical book with an unconventional family that you will surely fall in love with. Without a doubt, The Astonishing Return of Norah Wells is sure to become one of the big hits of 2016.

I received this e-book from the publisher, Sphere, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was another book that hooked me from the first page; I couldn't put down and finished it in two sittings. Milo is such a wonderful character and despite only seeing a little bit of the world through his "pinhole" he sees things that other people don't notice. I finished this book thinking "wow, I really do take my sight for granted". As Milo rushes to expose the Forget Me Not nursing home before he loses his sight, I found myself swept along with the gang and was punching the air in delight every time Nurse Thornhill got captured on camera and the noose around her neck tightened.

The residents were a spunky bunch and sometimes Nurse Thornhill's actions were difficult to read about, as we have seen bad press about nursing homes. I know the majority of homes are respectable and well run, but unfortunately this story could be more fact than fiction for some residents of nursing homes.

I liked the story of Tripi - we often hear of illegal immigrants in a negative way, but Tripi was willing to work and make a better life for himself. The story of his escape from Syria was heart-wrenching and again with the things we have seen on the news, we can apply this to real life which makes it even more poignant.

I mustn't forget Hamlet the pig! He is as loveable as Milo. They complement each other and it was lovely when Milo sent Hamlet to Gran's nursing home to keep her warm at night. A completely unselfish act by a wonderful little boy. Now where do I buy one of these teacup pigs?

This book is ideal for readers who loved Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time but I would also put it alongside RJ Palacio's Wonder. As I can't imagine what it would be like to lose my sight, this book really made me feel grateful for what I have. I am in awe of people who don't let things like losing their site get in the way of life, as I'm sure I would be afraid to leave the house. Although it is sad that Milo is losing his sight, he doesn't feel sorry for himself, and I found myself feeling respect for him rather than feeling sorry for him.

Despite the sad subject matter, it really is a feel good book! I laughed out loud quite often at some of Milo's observations. The author has really got inside Milo's skin and has written a most excellent book that everybody should read.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It took me until I was finished to really form an opinion on this one. I had to see if my suspicions were true, if the journey was worth the page count...and while truthfully it still felt a bit drawn out, it WAS good. It felt real...or as real as something like this can be experienced from the outside. Tragedy strikes...it doesn't care who you are, or the promises you've made, nor how the lives of those left behind will change, because they WILL change inevitably. The bigger piece is how we adjust to those changes...how we choose to carry on, and how we take that piece of those no longer here with us through our days. Christopher and Air form a bond that can't be broken, though it is tested time and time again, and while they'd much rather have those that are currently lost in their arms, the connection they've made will help them pull through the darkness into the light...and as far as the stars.

** ARC received for review; opinions are my own

I like this story a lot. The story of a couple, Sam and Rosie, who have given up. They can't have children so they are going to adopt. That wasn't working so well for them either. They were positioned to have two different children which fell through both times.

Now, they have a chance with Jonah. An seven year old boy from Kenya who has a special, very different background from the rest of the children at the foster home. He was found at the airport alone and he won't tell anyone anything about where is from.

I loved Jonah in this book. I felt so sorry for him. Rosie was constantly getting on my nerves, but that was just her character. A woman who wanted a child so bad that she would overcome all obstacles including her husband.

A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed and sped right through. I had to know what happened to Jonah, Rosie & Sam. Poignant and emotional.

Thanks to Little, Brown Book Group and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Macgregor really knows how to pull at the heartstrings. At first I was a little irritated with Rosie because she had this all or nothing insanity about her that seemed to border on a selfish obsession but then I realized as someone who has never been in her position it was really unfair to judge what someone like her would do so I tried to read from a more sympathetic stance. That goes to a lot of Macgregor's writing though that she so deeply examines the emotional spectrum of what someone who desperately wants a child feels and what they're willing to do (within legal and moral reasons) to obtain one.

I liked how she tried to capture the culture and settings in Africa as I felt like I was walking on the beach with them at one point. You could just tell she wanted to give honor and respect to how this story started and one of the worst plagues that affects so many over there.

As a parent I felt myself get deeply pulled into the story as I began to put myself in her shoes and cheer Rosie on as she found that Mama Bear strength to want to protect her 'cub' at all costs. She became this amazing hero as she tapped this incredibly deep reservoir of love and selflessness for an innocent child.

When Macgregor threw a couple of more twists at the end I felt myself holding my breath hoping that she would PLEASE give these poor people a happy ending after everything they had to endure.

Nine-year-old Milo Moon and his pig Hamlet are on a mission. Milo suffers from a genetic condition called retinitis pigmentosa; he sees the world through a pinhole and will eventually go blind. His father has left home and is having a baby with another woman and his mother is just not coping. When Milo's 92-year-old gran is moved into a nursing home suffering from dementia Milo begins to notice that things are not right, especially the bruises on his gran's wrists. Used to caring for his Gran, Milo can see that she is going downhill fast. Unable to find help, Milo enlists the help of Syrian refugee Tripi, the nursing home's cook, to help investigate and expose the heartless Nurse Thornhill.

A great read, Milo is a fantastic wee chap who has an exceptional outlook on the world.

Norah Wells dropped her eight-year-old daughter Ella off at school, left her baby Willa with her friend Fay and wrote a note for her husband Adam asking him not to try to find her. Then she walked out of her house on Willoughby Street and away from them all. Six years later she returns without warning only to find another woman in her place. Fay held everything together when she was gone, Norah's youngest daughter calls her 'Mummy' and she shares Adam's bed. Each member of the family has questions for Norah and deals with her return in their own way. But what happens to 'The Mother Who Stayed' when 'The Mother Who Left' walks back into their life?

Full of wonderfully well rounded, complex characters and issues. A fantastic read!½

I originally planned on giving this 4/4.5 stars but I am so besotted with the delightful Milo Moon that I've decided on 5. It is a long time since I've been so taken with a character, but I defy anyone not to love him.

Milo is a 9 year old boy, with retinitis pigmentosa, a condition which means he sees life through a pin hole, but often spots the things that others don't. He loves, his Mum, his Gran and his teacup pig Hamlet, and lives at home with them after his father left them for "The Tart". Life isn't easy since the split, but Milo is comfortable in his little world that revolves around those he loves the most. Things change after his beloved Gran is put into a care home as her dementia means his Mum just can't cope any more.

Milo begins to see that his Gran is unhappy and failing, largely due to a complete lack of care bordering on abuse in the care home. The problem is no-one will listen so Milo makes it his goal to get things changed and make people see exactly what is going on.

Milo is such a delightful but determined little character and his relationship with his Gran is really touching and at times heartbreaking. I suspect that some people might find the book a bit twee and simplistic, but each to their own. The inclusion of adult characters such as Tripi the Syrian cook, and glimpses of the lives of the other inhabitants of the home, means that the we get different storylines and viewpoints, which help the book flow and prevent it being totally childlike.

The book introduces themes which reflect contemporary social issues such as care home abuse and the treatment and plight of refugees. But it does so in a way that blends the themes into the plot and makes you think about the humanity and the reality of the situation.

As the plot develops you find yourself hoping that Milo can succeed and despite the themes involved the book also has it's truly comic moments and characters that lighten what could be a depressing scenario. You will need to read the book to see how things work out for Milo and his Gran, and I thoroughly recommend that you do.

I received a review copy via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

A story full of "Aahh" moments.
Loved this even though I don't usually read "soppy" books!
Highly recommended.
I was given a digital copy by the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest unbiased review, which I am happy to give.

Light-hearted detective story

This light-hearted novel is multi-narrated but mainly deals with Milo Moon, a boy with pinhole vision, who lives with his mother, Sally, and his great-grandmother, Lou, and a pig called Hamlet.
Lou is placed in an old people’s home which, at first glance, seems ideal.

Another important character is a Syrian illegal immigrant working at the home and searching for a long-lost relative.

The book is engaging and entertaining while also dealing with current issues: abuse in retirement homes, the Syrian conflict, displaced citizens and sex trafficking.

A very good read, I recommend this to anyone who wants a satisfying read with happy endings for all concerned.

Milo Moon is 9 years old and has a condition which means he sees everything through a pinhole. This means he tends to notice a lot more than other people. His mum and dad have split up and his dad now lives with The Tart and his great-gran has to go into a nursing home, upsetting the balance of his life. But he soon realises that things at the Forget Me Not home are not what they seem and he decides to expose it and Nurse Thornhill who runs it.

This book has a feel of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. It's about a child but it's not a children's book at all. It tells the story from the points of view of Milo, his mum, Sandy, Tripi, who works as the cook at the home and Lou, Milo's great-gran. I really liked this way of telling the story which meant it wasn't all from the viewpoint of a child and we could see all sides of the story.

It's a lovely book, full of innocence in a way but with a serious storyline. I liked the characters and how it all came together.

I decided to stop reading this book. It was too whimsical, too saccharine. It’s about a kid! But it was such a fun, easy read I thought I’d read just one more page or maybe a chapter and within a day I’d read the whole thing.

This is the story of nine-year-old Milo who has retinitis pigmentosa. His condition means his vision is restricted to a pinhole. Meanwhile, Milo’s family is falling apart. His dad has left for another woman and his gran is going into a care home. Milo decides he has to bring his gran back home and that, while he may not be able to see the bigger picture, he is able to focus in on what matters.

The story has a cast of quirky characters, from Milo’s mum, a beautician who is letting herself go, to Gran and her fellow residents, to a Syrian refugee working as a chef at the care home. And yes, the plot is fairly predictable and the story doesn’t bear much relation to reality but along the way Milo does learn about the adult world of secrets and deception and why good people sometimes hurt each other.

Mainly though, it’s a page-turning, joyfully escapist story. Not saccharine but genuinely sweet.
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I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley.

Milo has major vision problems. Despite this, he looks out for Gran, his great-gran, who is becoming increasingly confused. Milo covers up for her confusion, and as a result much of what she gets up to is never noticed by his Mum.

After a major incident at home, unfortunately not noticed by Milo in time, Milo’s Mum wants Gran to go into a home.

The chosen home is not all it seems on initial inspection, and the behind-the-scenes goings on make for fascinating reading.

4*

Alison