Every Last Cuckoo by Kate Maloy
Sarah and Charles Lucas have been married for somewhere around 50 years when he died unexpectedly. Although their marriage had its rough patches, it was by and large a happy one.
“Every Last Cuckoo” is a story of family and of finding your purpose in life. Although we know early on that Charles is going to die, the first half of the story goest back and forth between the period leading up to Charles’ death and the day of the event itself. The Lucases have a very normal family: nobody is having an out and out feud, but different children are closer to and more comfortable with different parents, there are some strained relationships, and everyone generally wants the best for everyone else. They all gather together for holidays, but don’t always have the smoothest gatherings.
When Charles passes away, Sarah has to learn to live without him both with the help of and in spite of her family. She falls, not completely of her own volition, into relationships with a variety of different people, all of whom show her that life is indeed worth living, even without her husband of so many years.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a read I just fell into. The best phrase I can use to describe “Every Last Cuckoo” is ‘comfortable,’ as ridiculous as it may sound, the book was a like a cozy old sweater. When I read the plot synopsis on the back of the book I was a bit afraid that the situations through which Sarah was going to end up in relationship with all of these people after Charles’ death would be contrived and silly, that she would come out seeming like some old hippy at a commune. Luckily that was not the case. Each of these relationships seemed to come about naturally, I never felt as if the author was intervening to MAKE anything happen, it simply felt like she was relating a story that happened in the way that it had to happen. When you consider that I am at the opposite end of life as Sarah – newly married with a first baby on the way to her 50 or so years of marriage and nearly-grown grandchildren – it is amazing how connected to her character I was.
Maloy has a lot of talent and has written a wonderful little novel. I definitely recommend this one. It also might make a good book for book clubs.
Buy this book from:
Powell’s.
A local independent bookstore via Indiebound.
Amazon.
I’ve read a couple of reviews on this book, and they were all very good. I love the cover too…I know, I’m shallow!
Sandy’s last blog post..Monday Movie Meme – Minor Memories
I’m with Kathy! I was happy to hear you liked it because I’m planning on reading it soon!
Julie P.’s last blog post..Review: The Chosen One & Giveaway
I agree with your review completely. Comfortable is a good description. I read this book in one whole sitting, I just didn’t want to put it down.
Nari – The Novel World’s last blog post..Children’s Book Week
I’ll be reading this soon – glad to see it’s good.
Loved your review. I’m really looking forward to reading this one next month.
Beth F’s last blog post..Review: Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
The problem with reading blogs like yours is that I keep adding to the list of books I’d like to read.
Sometimes you just want a comfortable book, this sounds like it would be very nice at those times.
Laura’s last blog post..Field Trip!
Sounds like a sad, yet uplifting book. Great review!
Wendy’s last blog post..Mailbox Monday
Well, I certainly hope it’s good for book clubs as we’ll be reading it soon!
Amy @ My Friend Amy’s last blog post..A Good Story is a Good Story — Children’s Book Week
I wanted to read this one just on the cover alone but your beautiful review has confirmed that the writing inside is going to be wonderful!!! Great review!!
Staci’s last blog post..Teaser Tuesdays and It’s Tuesday…Where Are You?
This sounds wonderful…and I love the cover! Thanks for the review.
JoAnn’s last blog post..Teaser Tuesdays – May 12
sounds like an interesting book; thanks for the review.
Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)’s last blog post..Interview With Poet Clive Matson, Author of Mainline to the Heart & Other Poems
I’ll be reading this one at some point. Thanks for the review!
S. Krishna’s last blog post..A Wall of White – Jennifer Woodlief
I’ve been wondering about this one. Glad to hear it’s good.
Anna’s last blog post..Giveaway: THE GIRL WHO STOPPED SWIMMING by Joshilyn Jackson
Now that I’ve read the book, I wanted to come back and read your review more carefully. You’ve captured the book really well. Great review.
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