let me sing you gentle

Our reviews of

Let Me Sing You Gentle Songs by Linda Olsson

Genre

Literary Fiction (View all)

Synopsis:
Veronika, a writer in her early thirties, rents a house in the Swedish countryside to finish her novel. She is also cocooning herself from her past. She befriends Astrid, a reclusive older woman who has lived in the village all her life. Olsson leads us through the flowering of their unusual and tender friendship, as they slowly and carefully reveal their life histories and sometimes heart-rending pasts. The Swedish landscape is always a powerful presence and measures the progress of the women's relationship; as the icy winter and bare trees give way to spring and then summer, the women's friendship deepens.Veronika divulges the death of her fianci James, a New Zealander, and Astrid exposes her terrible family background: a mother who committed suicide, an abusive father, an unhappy marriage and the death of her daughter. As the women grow closer, they find peace within themselves.A stunning first novel by a new writer with genuine talent. She is highly praised by her mentor Witi Ihimaera.

Ann's Review

4.75/5

Reviewed: December 2009
I read this on Colleen’s recommendation and thoroughly enjoyed it (Annette’s and her reviews are in the Oct/Nov guide). A sensitive poetic portrayal of a friendship between two women, each carrying a hurt that has them seeking isolation as a solace. With Sweden as the back drop Olsson has produced a memorable and stirring story that I would happily recommend to all.