Mrs Harris, Kingdown Karnegie

The Smell of Other People's Houses

Alaska 1970. The story follows:
Ruth- her father passes away and her mother can't take care of her and her sister so they go to live with their gran. Ruth makes a mistake and has to carry around a big secret.
Dora-has some luck financially but her home life is abusive and she prefers to live with her friend, Dumpling, and her family.
Alyce- wants to dance professionally but, since her mum and dad separated, she spends each summer working on her father's fishing boat and doesn't want to upset him by telling him that her audition to go to dance college is in the summer holidays.
Hank- his home situation is awful and, as he has no money,he and his brothers stow away on a ship. When he loses one of his brothers on the water he realises he needs help.
There are lots of coincidences linking the main characters and I found it a little bit confusing at first but, ultimately, it is a story about friendship, kindness,love and salvation. This is not my favourite of the shortlisted books as there are some very strong contenders this year.

Posted on: 18th May 2017 at 09:42 am

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