A shory gem of a novel about a kindhearted widow who opens a bookshop in 1959... not to the delight of the other residents in the small town where she lives.

I have just mailed this to friend BCrosser in Porto, Portugal, in kind return for the receipt of a Byatt book via the Relay Index! I enjoyed this little slice of life book even though I wasn't totally enraptured. The portrayal of individuals is exquisite, and it would be all too easy to lose a little faith in the kindness of others upon reading it! I don't believe in ghosts or rappers and so couldn't much accept that in the story, however. It is a pretty quick read, and I am left wishing Florence Green a better place to live!

Surprise mail from the other side of the Atlantic arrived today. While taking a break in the collection of Nordic short stories I'm reading, I'm diving right into this one. Thanks mme Clinton!

There are small-minded people, extraordinary people and quite normal courageous people in a small village. No surprise to me who grew up in the countryside - but the book made me think about the different bookshop attempts I've tried to support by buying books there. Touching story.

Off to Cnotp this morning. Happy reading!

Arrived today thank you nypon :)
I've read The Blue Flower and although I didn't like it I wanted to give the author another chance.

Check back on Monday evening for your wings, I'll PM you and post to the forum when it's done...

Well Penelope Fitzgerald has redeemed herself in my eyes! I read this little book yesterday and really enjoyed it. I am always fascinated by the kind of close-knit communtities where everybody knows each others business, so the comments made by Florence to Milo when he changes his routine really tickled me! I felt sorry for Florence, who certainly deserved better than she got. No happy ending in this book, and I too hope she finds a better life in a much nicer town!

I am going to release this for the Well Travelled Wild Release Challenge today...

RELEASE NOTES:

**RELEASED FOR THE WELL TRAVELLED WILD RELEASE CHALLENGE**

I left this in the telephone box on Park Road - Happy Reading!