Until The Wind Changes
The Woman With All The Answers by Linda Green is a very entertaining contemporary novel that I absolutely loved. I read it in just two sittings.
The plotline is unique and perfectly executed – what happens when Alexa goes rogue and is merely Pauline from Halifax? Surprisingly it seems to have a plausibility to it!
We witness the importance of mothers or mother-like figures in lives. Mothers spend all their time juggling life, and may forget who they once were. “What… happened to the person I used to? Who had a life of her own, dreams for the future, time to do the things she enjoyed doing.” Mothers need to practice self-care.
Within the book we see the sandwich generation, balancing the needs of both elderly parents and also teenage children. The novel is partly seen through the eyes of a mother who falls into this category. The needs of the two generations are similar but different. Both need to be helped through the minefield that is social media, and also outside pressures.
Mistakes are made. Bad choices will have consequences. We need to own them.
Life is full of regrets. We need to forgive the face in the mirror.
External pressures have kept a teen prisoner in her own house, fearful of the outside world. We see the difference an elderly labrador can have on her life. Owning a dog gives her a purpose, and a reason to get out.
The novel portrays women in their fifties remarkably accurately and with humour. “I can’t just ‘pop up’ onto anything without a groan, a grimace, and creaking joints these days.” This is easy to empathise with. As is: “I’m going to self-medicate with chocolate” – and who hasn’t done that?
Motherhood can be a minefield. “That’s motherhood: 40 per cent worrying, 40 per cent pain and 20 per cent washing.” It can be very lonely if we try to cope in isolation. We all need friends too.
We learn that “sometimes when you’re a mother you do have to do the difficult things which you know are right.”
I loved the inclusion of quotes from movies and television programs – particularly Mary Poppins and the hard stare from Paddington.
The novel is seen through various points of view. All the characters are well-rounded and believable. It is a tale that is easy to relate to, whilst being light-hearted in tone (despite some serious themes), and highly amusing.
The Woman With All The Answers was a delight to behold. I loved it.
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
JULIA WILSON
