Housing Elephants by Eleanor Lloyd- Jones
5 stars
Reviewed by Gaynor
This is a wonderfully beautiful story although I found it took me a little time to find my pace with it as i was left with a uneasy feeling about how the story was going to progress following the prologue. This played on my mind for a time, however, I soon found myself putting that to the back of my mind and i was unable to put it down. The meaning of the title becomes very clear when the full extent of the issues both Eve and Billy have to contend with are revealed. This book is truly a lesson in that you never know what is underneath the surface. Eve suffers from crippling social anxiety and Billy is a somewhat "lost boy" forced to grow up quickly due to life events beyond his control. Their story is sensitively written and the pace of their love story is believable given the issues that surround them.
Each character is well written and the world which is woven by words is so eloquently described that you really see it as you read. This is not a typical teenage love story and it is refreshingly honest with subjects it tackles. I was almost in tears on occasion trying to comprehend the hurt, yet genuine smiles came at the touching and carefree moments.
Although frustrating at first that it ends on a cliffhanger, I'm now glad it does as i was getting closer to the end and hoping that things would change but knowing there wasn't the time. I am looking forward to the conclusion of their story but i will be prepared with a box of tissues as i think i'm going to need it!
I give this a very highly commended 5 Stars.
This is a wonderfully beautiful story although I found it took me a little time to find my pace with it as i was left with a uneasy feeling about how the story was going to progress following the prologue. This played on my mind for a time, however, I soon found myself putting that to the back of my mind and i was unable to put it down. The meaning of the title becomes very clear when the full extent of the issues both Eve and Billy have to contend with are revealed. This book is truly a lesson in that you never know what is underneath the surface. Eve suffers from crippling social anxiety and Billy is a somewhat "lost boy" forced to grow up quickly due to life events beyond his control. Their story is sensitively written and the pace of their love story is believable given the issues that surround them.
Each character is well written and the world which is woven by words is so eloquently described that you really see it as you read. This is not a typical teenage love story and it is refreshingly honest with subjects it tackles. I was almost in tears on occasion trying to comprehend the hurt, yet genuine smiles came at the touching and carefree moments.
Although frustrating at first that it ends on a cliffhanger, I'm now glad it does as i was getting closer to the end and hoping that things would change but knowing there wasn't the time. I am looking forward to the conclusion of their story but i will be prepared with a box of tissues as i think i'm going to need it!
I give this a very highly commended 5 Stars.
Late Night Books Reviewer Gaynor
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