Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy
A favorite expression I use is “family of choice,” and today I learned there’s a literary phrase for it: “found family trope.” I like that even more. This trope features an isolated and/or lonely character whose arc involves forming a meaningful connection with others. Fredrik Backman’s novel A Man Called Ove is a perfect example of a curmudgeonly older man on the brink of suicide who—against his will—befriends a lively young family new to his neighborhood.
Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy also falls into the “found family” category. Main character Helen Cartwright is an 83-year-old widow and grieving mother who wishes for death. Soon, through unexpected friendships (starting with a field mouse), Helen finds herself a “family,” makes discoveries, and transforms in ways that I can’t mention here without spoilers.
Our readers were delighted with this story, calling the supporting characters wonderfully likable and Helen “fun getting to know.” We enjoyed the author’s use of language and analogies—such as “Even in death, there’s a queue”—which helped make this a fun page-turner about a quirky woman. We mostly agreed that the improbabilities of the story worked for the book and provided a good antidote to the times we live in.
An important theme of Sipsworth is how women become more invisible with age, sometimes dismissed as “doddering,” when they very well may have major accomplishments behind them. Some of us were displeased with the sudden ending, either wanting more closure or a six-months-later summary. I think that means we were well engaged.
Beth Buechler, Community Contributor
Upcoming Book Discussions (Subject to Change):
August 20: Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica (Murder Mystery)
September 17: The Usual Uncertainties by Jonathan Blum (Short stories) — Hybrid Zoom at Fed with Author
October 8: The Astral Library by Kate Quinn (Magical Realism)
November 12: The Secret Book Society by Madeline Martin (Historical Fiction)
December 10:Heart of a Stranger by Angela Buchdahl (Memoir, Spiritual Guide)
Unless otherwise directed, the Federation Book Club meets via Zoom at 4 PM on the 2nd Thursday of the month.
Contact info@thejewishfed.org with “Book Club” in the subject if you’d like to join.