Falling angels by Tracy Chevalier

I came across this book by complete chance as I was looking for fabrics in a local second hand shop. I thought the name ("När änglar faller" in Swedish) sounded mildly interesting, and the back of the book was nice. I was surprised to find that the book I pulled out was written by the same woman who wrote the book about the girl with the pearl earring that I read when I was about twelve. That book was a bit over my maturity level at that point, but I really did love it, so of course I bought this one too. Besides, it was just 27 kr...
Also, hey, first non-Greider book review..!

Summary

The book describes itself as the tale of two young girls becoming unlikely friends, as well as both their families being forcibly dragged into a chaotic life due to one of their mothers dissatisfaction with her life. I think that description doesn't fully do it justice -- we get to follow these girls, Maude and Lavinia, throughout their childhoods ending, both slowly over the years and suddenly as the rest of the world interferes with it. All the while we get the perspective of many people around them -- all with a distinct voice in their respective chapters (shoutout to Simon, what a lovely character). We're also given multi-faceted takes on the treatment of women at the time, in a way that doesn't strike me as preachy nor dismissive. The ending is tumultuous and actually hit me really hard. I'd tell, but -- as annoying as it is to say -- you should go read it for yourself. Be ready for some quite genuine tears/tragedy in some parts, though.

Thoughts and feelings

Honestly, I read this book in a bit over a day. It really lended itself to being devoured. That made it all the more obvious that Chevalier is amazing at writing time passing. At the start of the book Lavinia and Maude are about five or six years old, and the way it's written very much reflects it. It really made me think back on the perceived wisdom one felt as a child, and generally left me immediately fond of the characters. I am thoroughly impressed by the way that the children had consistent voices all throughout the book, despite ageing nine years and that fact also being able to shine. As I went back to the very start I recognised the voices but was surprised by the difference -- they'd grown so organically.
That's just one example of an attention to detail that impressed me, to be honest. The other one that sticks out... painfully strongly is that Ivy May -- Lavinia's little sister -- says something that boils down to the fact that since she says so little, the things she does say hit hard. I'm not spoiling anything, but oh god. She was right, which is in line with her character in general. It's hard to review a book that really is a bit of a must-read, eh?
I'm still in the mist of just finishing a book, so I may hold off on saying much more for now. What I do want to say is that even if you read the first chapter and are a bit worried about the story to come (I know I was worried it was going to be a smut-fest), I urge you to stick with it for a chapter or two. Long enough to find yourself adoring Simon's antics, Maude in her nerdy glory, Lavinia's slightly mean but loving personality, and -- not to be dismissed -- Ivy May's rare, but wise, words.

I'm off to borrow the book about the girl with the pearl earring from my mum now. Oh yeah, I liked that one enough to get it for my mum! I should see if Chevalier has written anything else -- if so, I ought to read it.