January Book - Faithful: A Novel
- Jan 23, 2017
- 3 min read
Faithful: A Novel
Written by: Alice Hoffman
I'm so sorry this post started that way, but not really because I'm so excited to be reading again. I cannot quite remember why or when I stopped reading good books. Well, in all honesty it might have something to do with my Netflix account, but I might continue to ignore that fact. Anyways, I'm reading again. So, YASSSS.
I'm not sure what it is but I love starting a new book. I think it has to do with all the questions I have surrounding this new book. Is it going to be good? Will I be able to predict the ending? There's a cute dog on the cover, does that mean the dog plays a vital role in the story? I am just such a nosy person that I love diving into a character or a story.
Well let me tell you, if you love dogs you will love Faithful: A Novel. The book is not specifically about dogs, but there is quite a sprinkling of pups in this book. The story follows Shelby, a young woman who goes through a serious of unfortunate events that life has thrown her way. You get to watch this young, and more often than not struggling, woman grow up. It is a coming of age story that is not all sunshine and rainbows (in fact there is some pretty dark stuff), yet it still doesn't come off as whiny. Alice Hoffman does a great job allowing you to see inside Shelby's brain and see her perspective of her situation.
I have searched, what seems like all of the Kindle store, looking for a story of a young woman entering the real world. Finally I stubbled upon this book on Pinterest (So social media isn't so bad if it encourages reading, right?). If you're like me, I enjoy reading stories about people who are going through challenges. I would never wish a struggle upon anyone, however knowing that others have their own specific challenges helps me feel less alone. Characters, like Shelby, experience change and what it's like to get knocked off your feet. I can learn and understand what made a difference and why it makes a difference for these characters in their journey towards resilience. Life works in funny ways. Yet, no matter what life throws your way you can handle it. You might have to crawl to get there, but you will get there. Baby steps are the minimum requirement for moving forward.
It is so easy to look at the final product of something and want it, but forget what it took to get to the final project. At the end of the novel, Shelby seems like such a different person. In fact, she's someone I would totally look up to. But she did not become that person over night, she struggled hardcore. It its easy to overlook all the sweat, blood and tears that went into the process of getting to that final product to becoming someone others look up to. So where does that leave a person? It leaves a person with resilience.
"Life was beautiful, everyone knew that, but it was also bitter and bleak and unfair as hell where did that leave a person?"
Let me know what you guys think. Did you relate to Shelby?
And remember, you are a Gem.
<3 Elsie
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