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A Town Called Solace Kindle Edition

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 8,140 ratings

NATIONAL BESTSELLER
LONGLISTED FOR THE 2021 BOOKER PRIZE
NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE GLOBE AND MAIL, CBC BOOKS AND THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
 
"I've been telling everyone I know about Mary Lawson . . . Each of her novels is just a marvel" —Anne Tyler

New York Times bestselling author Mary Lawson, acclaimed for digging into the "wilderness of the human heart", is back after almost a decade with a fresh and timely novel that is different in subject but just as emotional and atmospheric as her beloved earlier work.


A Town Called Solace, the brilliant and emotionally radiant new novel from Mary Lawson, her first in nearly a decade, opens on a family in crisis. Sixteen-year-old Rose is missing. Angry and rebellious, she had a row with her mother, stormed out of the house and simply disappeared. Left behind is seven-year-old Clara, Rose’s adoring little sister. Isolated by her parents’ efforts to protect her from the truth, Clara is bewildered and distraught. Her sole comfort is Moses, the cat next door, whom she is looking after for his elderly owner, Mrs. Orchard, who went into hospital weeks ago and has still not returned.
 
Enter Liam Kane, mid-thirties, newly divorced, newly unemployed, newly arrived in this small northern town, who moves into Mrs. Orchard’s house—where, in Clara’s view, he emphatically does not belong. Within a matter of hours he receives a visit from the police. It seems he is suspected of a crime.
 
At the end of her life, Elizabeth Orchard is also thinking about a crime, one committed thirty years previously that had tragic consequences for two families, and in particular for one small child. She desperately wants to make amends before she dies.
 
Told through three distinct, compelling points of view, the novel cuts back and forth among these unforgettable characters to uncover the layers of grief, remorse, and love that connect them.
A Town Called Solace is a masterful, suspenseful, darkly funny and deeply humane novel by one of our great storytellers.
Popular Highlights in this book

Editorial Reviews

Review

NATIONAL BESTSELLER
LONGLISTED FOR THE 2021 BOOKER PRIZE
A
GLOBE AND MAIL BEST BOOK
A
DAILY TELEGRAPH BOOK OF THE YEAR

“This deftly-structured novel draws together the stories of three people at three different stages in life, each of whom is grappling with loss. We were captivated by
A Town Called Solace’s beautifully paced, compassionate, sometimes wry examination of small-town lives.” —2021 Booker Prize Judges

"Completely absorbing...
A Town Called Solace pleases at every level. It's a captivating tale suffused with wisdom and compassion." ―Toronto Star

“A lovely, gentle novel with edge.” —
Saga (UK)

“That clear-eyed humanism—the sort that is rooted firmly in the reality of life, but holds out a glimmer of potential for a measured, minor-key redemption—is classic Mary Lawson.” —
The Globe and Mail

“Lawson's writing is clear and emotive. . . . [A] poignant novel, rightfully recognised by the Booker judges.” —
The Telegraph (UK)_

“Lawson is a graceful writer whose un-showy style always hides surprising depths.” —Toronto Public Library 

 “This is Mary Lawson’s fourth novel and I’d recommend a binge immersion. She has carved out a world in northern Ontario that’s vividly, absorbingly real; she captures tones and voices with exactitude in writing that’s idiomatic but never flashy and carries you along from midnight to dawn, oblivious of the time.” —Literary Review (UK)

"Lawson's books are a pleasure to read—they conjure a space where quiet reflection and owning your past mistakes bring gentle rewards; they feel kind and wise and brimful of empathy." —
The Times (UK)

"Lawson's writing is such that it appears effortless but, as all the strands come together to create a rich and satisfying tapestry, her genius for storytelling becomes apparent." ―
Irish Independent

"Exquisitely poignant." ―
Good Housekeeping

You can't get much farther north than the Ontario of Mary Lawson's icy, compelling stories of calamity and redemption.
A Town Called Solace keeps you breathless with anxiety, then relief and finally even joy." ―Observer (UK)

"I've been trying to tell everybody I know about [Mary Lawson]. . . . [Each of her novels is] just a marvel." —Anne Tyler, author of Redhead by the Side of the Road

“Poised, elegant prose, paired with quiet drama that will break your heart. The sort of book that seems as if it has always existed because of its timeless perfection.” —
Graham Norton, bestselling author of Holding and A Keeper

“An assured and engaging look at one of my favourite subjects: what we owe to other people. How long must we keep their secrets, and how long do we wait for those we love? Darkened by pain,
A Town Called Solace is even so a kindly book; Clara’s lost sister flashes through it like a red-winged blackbird. Warm, clear, and beautifully grounded in the bedrock of the Canadian Shield.” —Marina Endicott, author of Good to a Fault

“I loved reading
A Town Called Solace. . . . It’s beautifully written and so finely crafted; told in the kind of prose I most admire because it takes what appears to be complicated and makes it clear. . . . These interwoven stories of three people at different stages of life, and yet each struggling with their own form of loss and grief, will stay with me the way good friendships stay with you. It’s already one of my favourite books of the year.” —Rachel Joyce, author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

About the Author

Mary Lawson was born and brought up in a small farming community in Ontario. She is the author of three previous nationally and internationally bestselling novels, Crow Lake, The Other Side of the Bridge, and Road Ends. Crow Lake was a New York Times bestseller and was chosen as a Book of the Year by The New York Times and The Washington Post, among others. The Other Side of the Bridge was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Lawson lives in England but returns to Canada frequently.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08CTGSSR9
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Knopf Canada (February 16, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 16, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1282 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 299 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 8,140 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
8,140 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and enjoyable. They appreciate the believable characters with well-developed personalities. The story is described as heartwarming, sensitive, and well-told. Readers praise the writing quality as beautiful and brilliant. They describe the book as quiet and heartwarming, with an unobtrusive style that portrays how the characters touch each other's lives.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

16 customers mention "Readability"16 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it delightful, with tenderly developed characters and a well-crafted narrative style. Readers of literary fiction and cozy mysteries will appreciate the author's skill.

"...The characters are believable and endearing. Readers of literary fiction and cozy mysteries will love this one." Read more

"I enjoyed this book and I liked the way the two main character's stories entangled, but it felt like a lot of build up for the ending, which I..." Read more

"...place of my favorite Mary Lawson novel, Crow’s Lake, it is still a rewarding read that offers up people I truly cared about. 4" Read more

"Pure delight. A quiet novel, A TOWN NAMED SOLACE, delves into the hearts of the three narrators with quick strokes...." Read more

15 customers mention "Character development"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters believable and well-developed. They appreciate how the author allows them to enter the minds and hearts of the characters. The two main characters' stories intertwine, though some felt it was too many characters.

"...This book is a genuine pleasure to read. The characters are believable and endearing...." Read more

"I enjoyed this book and I liked the way the two main character's stories entangled, but it felt like a lot of build up for the ending, which I..." Read more

"...Her characters are so clearly and beautifully written, shaped by circumstances of their family situation, ones they don’t always have control over ...." Read more

"...However, the characters provide enough intrigue that you stick with them...." Read more

11 customers mention "Story quality"11 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story's quality. They find it touching, sensitive, and well-written. The story builds tension as it explores a young girl's missing sister and a man. Readers appreciate the realistic ending.

"This novel is a moving story about a young Canadian girl who misses her runaway sister and a man who has divorced his wife and feels rootless...." Read more

"...kinds of great feels and quite honestly, the ending is probably more realistic to true human nature than what I pictured in my head...." Read more

"Very moving story about Liam, his somewhat complicated childhood and his inheritance from the Orchards, a couple he had lived and bonded with as..." Read more

"...on this tiny gem of a book with very likable characters and an engaging story." Read more

6 customers mention "Pacing"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing. They find it engaging, with stories about love and sadness. The book explores families and communities across generations. Readers appreciate the author's skill in crafting the story and its overall quality.

"...In all of them she writes about families, sometimes in crisis, sometimes dysfunctional, always struggling, families who will move you...." Read more

"I loved this book! A story about love and sadness, but also about how a person can change. I’m so glad I read it!" Read more

"This is a great novel that tells of disparate people connecting in love across generations and within communities...." Read more

"Loved the relationship Liam had with Clara and it was similar of the relationship he had as a little boy with Elizabeth...." Read more

5 customers mention "Writing quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality. They find the book clear and beautifully written, describing the author as superb and one of the best contemporary writers. The story is well-told and described as wonderful.

"...Her characters are so clearly and beautifully written, shaped by circumstances of their family situation, ones they don’t always have control over ...." Read more

"...Mary Lawson, a quietly brilliant creator, is one of my favorite writers...." Read more

"This story is beautifully writte,the characters are drawn so well...." Read more

"Her best yet, and that’s saying a lot. She’s a superb writer." Read more

4 customers mention "Beauty"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's beauty. They say it portrays vivid, well-drawn characters and relationships. The writing style is unobtrusive yet masterful.

"...Lawson beautifully portrays how these three characters touch each other lives in ways that are filled with love and care...." Read more

"...Her style is unobtrusive but masterful." Read more

"This is the most beautiful book I have read in years. It's one I will read again, probably more than once and that is rare for me...." Read more

"An excellent book with vivid, well drawn personalities and tight plot" Read more

4 customers mention "Heartwarming"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming and enjoyable to read. They describe the characters as endearing and sweet with innocence.

"...The characters are believable and endearing. Readers of literary fiction and cozy mysteries will love this one." Read more

"...Seven year old Clara is smart and wise and sad, sweet with innocence and one of the most responsible children I know in books or in real life...." Read more

"The characters came to life and were endearing. I needed a book that not only held my attention, but was overall calm...." Read more

"Gentle, heartwarming and a joy to read..." Read more

4 customers mention "Quietness"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's quietness.

"...chapters, with three points of view, it is in many ways a quiet story, my favorite kind...." Read more

"Pure delight. A quiet novel, A TOWN NAMED SOLACE, delves into the hearts of the three narrators with quick strokes...." Read more

"This is a quiet, understated story but it drew me right in. I enjoyed it so much that I have now ordered all of Mary Lawson's other books...." Read more

"Quietly brilliant. I disappear reading Mary Lawson's characters--I become them or they become me...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2022
    This novel is a moving story about a young Canadian girl who misses her runaway sister and a man who has divorced his wife and feels rootless. The author, Mary Lawson, sees the world through the eyes of very different small-town characters. Woven throughout the story is a compelling mystery about what happened to a rebellious sixteen-year-old girl.
    Clara has been missing her wayward sister, Rose, for weeks. After an explosive argument with their parents, Rose briefly talked to Clara about staying in touch before Rose ran away, presumably to Toronto. In her child’s mind, Clara feels she must keep vigilant for a message from her sister. Their parents are frantic but try not to scare Clara, who is already upset. The police are contacted, but there are no leads. The parents endeavor to provide some normalcy, going about their routine. They make Clara go to her elementary school but allow her to stand by the front and side windows, maintaining a vigil for Rose’s return.
    Clara has another responsibility besides going to school. She promised the elderly next-door neighbor, Mrs. Orchard, that she would feed her cat, Moses, while Mrs. Orchard was in the hospital. Clara lets herself in using the key Mrs. Orchard gave her, feeds Moses, and plays with him before returning home.
    One evening as she maintains her watch for a returning Rose, Clara sees a man enter Mrs. Orchard’s house. He brings in huge boxes and sets them down on the floor. Then he walks around, picking up mantle pictures and objects and scrutinizing them. Clara is outraged. What right does this man have to be in Mrs. Orchard’s house and touching her things? Instead of bothering her parents, who have enough on their minds with her missing sister Clara determines she will investigate.
    After watching the man for a few days and seeing when he leaves, she figures out his schedule. She continues to slip over to the house when he isn’t there to feed Moses, who now hides but comes out when Clara calls. Clara thinks the man is unaware that Moses is in the house. One afternoon the man unpacks one of his large boxes. Clara waits until he leaves, goes over and feeds Moses, and then repacks his box carefully putting his things back in the way he had them. She puts back pictures and objects the way Mrs. Orchard had originally placed them. She watches by the window as the man returns and appears stunned by her rearrangements.
    From there, the story builds in tension as the reader finds out what happened to Rose and who the mysterious neighbor is. This book is a genuine pleasure to read. The characters are believable and endearing. Readers of literary fiction and cozy mysteries will love this one.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2022
    I enjoyed this book and I liked the way the two main character's stories entangled, but it felt like a lot of build up for the ending, which I pictured and hoped would be entirely different. It also kind of felt like a love story was haphazardly thrown in at the end. This was a general consensus among other members of the book club. I would still recommend reading it, it gives all kinds of great feels and quite honestly, the ending is probably more realistic to true human nature than what I pictured in my head. Overall a good read, but lower your expectations for the main characters in the ending.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2021
    Mary Lawson has been on my list of favorite writers ever since I read [book:Crow Lake|8646] a number of years ago. I was compelled to read her other two novels and now this, her latest. In all of them she writes about families, sometimes in crisis, sometimes dysfunctional, always struggling, families who will move you. Her characters are so clearly and beautifully written, shaped by circumstances of their family situation, ones they don’t always have control over . She takes you to the towns she writes about and from the first pages, she invites you not just to visit, but to live there for a while. She takes you so easily into the minds and hearts of her characters and she allows you to know them, feel what they are feeling and to feel for them. By the end of her books, you don’t want to leave them behind.

    In the 1970’s in a small town called Solace in Northern Ontario, Canada, we meet three characters who are connected to each other indelibly. In alternating chapters, with three points of view, it is in many ways a quiet story, my favorite kind. Seven year old Clara is smart and wise and sad, sweet with innocence and one of the most responsible children I know in books or in real life. Clara carries the burdens of loss and grief that are difficult even for adults to handle and I dare you not to be heartbroken for her. The kind Mrs.Orchard, Clara’s next door neighbor and friend speaks to her dead husband and lives with memories of a little boy she loved who once lived next door to them. As her story evolves, it’s a sad story of loss, that is tempered by the love she and her husband share. Liam, an unhappy man at a crossroads in his life has his own memories, mostly of a sad childhood, until some beautiful memories surface when he comes to Solace. Lawson beautifully portrays how these three characters touch each other lives in ways that are filled with love and care. I was once again moved by Lawson and I could not recommend her novels more.
    5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Mandy Cragg
    5.0 out of 5 stars A good book
    Reviewed in Canada on July 14, 2024
    A good read
    A story and characters that draw you in to their world . I didn’t want it to end
  • so13
    4.0 out of 5 stars délicat
    Reviewed in France on June 24, 2024
    Lu en anglais - Très agréable - un vrai bon moment de lecture.
  • Karine D.
    4.0 out of 5 stars A very well written book with a nice flow and interesting characters
    Reviewed in the Netherlands on April 22, 2022
    A nicely threaded plot, around three main characters. First there is Elizabeth, now resting on her hospital bed and making the inventory of her life, strengthened by the fond memories of her departed husband. Then there is Liam, whom was her neighbor kid when he was little, always coming around in search of kindness, attention and love, which he didn't receive from his own parents. In the present (which is in the 70's), he is now the neighbor of Clara, a 8 year old girl whose rebellious teenage sister just disappeared.

    This character driven book has little plot, and if anything it is escapism at its best. There is the quaint little village, with its charming inhabitants. And Liam who is at a crossroad in life after he left his wife and job, conveniently inherits some money and a house to start over. This syrupy affair is slightly counterbalanced by the disappearance of Rose, but just not enough to be honest. But what I really found interesting is the fact that all three are battling mental illness, and that has been rendered beautifully and on point.

    All in all, a very well written book with a nice flow and interesting characters, but just a little too simple and lacking depth and insights, hence the 4 stars.
  • Gauri
    5.0 out of 5 stars Soul rendering Story.
    Reviewed in India on April 21, 2022
    It was a soul rendering story. Brought me to tears at many points. All characters are well developed and have depth to them. Would definitely recommend this book.
  • HLeuschel
    5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling, moving and beautifully written
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 23, 2021
    Sometimes a book comes along and from the very first sentence it has the right tone, the right rhythm, and fascinating characters that instantly feel relatable and are easy to engage with all along the narrative journey. When I finished the last paragraph, I was bereft, sore-eyed and emotional about this astounding piece of writing.

    Clara, Elisabeth Orchard and Liam — have each suffered tragedy. These three main characters, a young girl, an elderly woman and a middle-aged man (who moves into the woman’s house after her death and becomes Clara’s new neighbour) are so vividly drawn that I felt I was standing right in the middle of their lives, walking alongside them, visiting the local cafés, the nearby lake and standing in the living room with little Clara, who is so deeply struck with missing her sister that she refuses to leave the window in case she may miss the return of rebellious runaway teenage Rose.

    What I loved about this book is that it portrays loneliness, the need for connection and belonging as well as the grief that comes with loss with deep compassion yet also without sugar-coating mental pain that can hit a person hard at any age. By alternating between the three points of view, the author creates carefully crafted layers of suspense and anticipation which carry the different storylines all the way through the book until the final resolution. This structure creates an emotional page-turning reading journey and the switches move effortlessly between the past and the present, adding surprising elements and engaging dialogues that give each protagonist their distinctive voice and backstory.

    By the time the story ends, I felt that I witnessed a perfect example to why being human can be so hard and is often complicated and confusing. I warmed to each one of the characters and their stories taught me yet again why fiction when well executed shows that people’s behaviour cannot be seen in black and white. What drives them is complex and unique and touches on many big themes such as love, grief, family history and crime.

    I’ve intentionally said very little about the story itself, simply because I don’t want to give away anything from this

    If you enjoy books by Anne Tyler, Alice Munro and Elizabeth Strout, you’ll find that Mary Lawson’s style of writing is right up your street.

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