I recommend this book: I really enjoyed this book. We studied it in school this year and at first I found it a bit slow but after a few pages I started to really get into it. It was easy to identify with the main character Vanessa and I really liked the way the rest of the characters were described, especially the grandfather. Here's a little example; "Well, Peter, you've brought the wood." It was his habit to begin conversations with a statement of the obvious, so that nothing except agreement was possible." I like this because it sums up the grandfather' character in two sentences, even though it's being developped throughout the entire novel. I can't really explain exactly why I enjoyed this book so much, I guess it's because of the subtle humor and the emotion involved. The sad parts are quite moving, and that's difficult to do without making the whole book depressing.

Vanessa was interesting, each of the stories was moving, and the book as a whole was remarkable. Full review: http://www.canadianauthors.net/l/laur... ( )

A series of related stories that combined together equal a novel take place in 1930's Canada. They are told from the point of view of 6 year old Vanessa who describes herself as a "professional listener". She narrates the lives of her parents, aunts, uncles & grandparents during the years of the Great Depression leading up to WW2. Ther is little sentiment here, only the facts of day-to-day lives & the cumulative effect of what we are told can break the heart. ( )