Scan barcode
A review by crazygoangirl
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I finished this book this morning and had a long, cleansing cry. It’s my first 5-star book of the year and a smashing read!
We follow Lenni, a terminally ill teen who befriends Margot, an 83-yr-old terminally ill woman. It’s not a particularly original subject - in that cross generational friendships are in vogue for the past couple of years. What Cronin brings to the subject however is a wonderful writing style in which she finds new ways of stating ancient familiar emotions! Her narrative flows easily as we follow both Lenni’s and Margot’s life stories. Their bond deepens as they decide to paint a hundred pictures for each year of their combined lives, while telling each other their stories.
My heart ached for Lenni - her searing loneliness and her desperate need for love, friendship, compassion, answers. I cheered when she befriended Father Arthur (May God Bless Him!), when she connected with New Nurse and of course when she bonded with Margot. Her short life was as much a gift to her found family as it was to us the readers. Cronin describes in an interview, how Lenni appeared in her head fully formed and ready to tell her story - and that’s exactly how she feels - solid, real and very much alive.
Margot too feels completely authentic - her loves, her flaws and her struggles make her real. Truth be told Cronin infuses all her characters with a wonderfully authentic sentient energy. It makes them come alive on the page and completely believable. And nowhere does she water down the cruel reality of the terminally ill. She doesn’t make it the main focus of the book, but there is an unmistakable thread of poignancy and nuanced sadness that runs through the narrative. I suppose it’s inevitable given the subject, but where there is sadness, how can happiness be far behind? The dialogue between characters and Lenni’s precious humour is outstandingly done. Irony and sarcasm intertwine expertly with a simple narrative tone to keep any sappiness at bay, so that even when we know tragedy is coming, one feels uplifted and inspired rather than depressed.
Loved Cronin’s tone and style throughout. She is eminently readable and I enjoyed how she unfolded Lenni and Margot’s stories through flashbacks. I got very strong Fredrick Backman vibes, especially when Cronin makes connections that I didn’t see coming! I wonder if that’s why she made Lenni Swedish?! I wasn’t surprised to read that her early inspirations were Jonas Jonasson and Rachel Joyce. She writes in their style but makes it her own.
I also loved the verses she included from the poem, The Astronomer to His Pupil by Sarah Williams. They’re now saved in my notes for posterity! For me, these two lines from the poem embody the spirit of Lenni and Margot’s bond,
We follow Lenni, a terminally ill teen who befriends Margot, an 83-yr-old terminally ill woman. It’s not a particularly original subject - in that cross generational friendships are in vogue for the past couple of years. What Cronin brings to the subject however is a wonderful writing style in which she finds new ways of stating ancient familiar emotions! Her narrative flows easily as we follow both Lenni’s and Margot’s life stories. Their bond deepens as they decide to paint a hundred pictures for each year of their combined lives, while telling each other their stories.
My heart ached for Lenni - her searing loneliness and her desperate need for love, friendship, compassion, answers. I cheered when she befriended Father Arthur (May God Bless Him!), when she connected with New Nurse and of course when she bonded with Margot. Her short life was as much a gift to her found family as it was to us the readers. Cronin describes in an interview, how Lenni appeared in her head fully formed and ready to tell her story - and that’s exactly how she feels - solid, real and very much alive.
Margot too feels completely authentic - her loves, her flaws and her struggles make her real. Truth be told Cronin infuses all her characters with a wonderfully authentic sentient energy. It makes them come alive on the page and completely believable. And nowhere does she water down the cruel reality of the terminally ill. She doesn’t make it the main focus of the book, but there is an unmistakable thread of poignancy and nuanced sadness that runs through the narrative. I suppose it’s inevitable given the subject, but where there is sadness, how can happiness be far behind? The dialogue between characters and Lenni’s precious humour is outstandingly done. Irony and sarcasm intertwine expertly with a simple narrative tone to keep any sappiness at bay, so that even when we know tragedy is coming, one feels uplifted and inspired rather than depressed.
Loved Cronin’s tone and style throughout. She is eminently readable and I enjoyed how she unfolded Lenni and Margot’s stories through flashbacks. I got very strong Fredrick Backman vibes, especially when Cronin makes connections that I didn’t see coming! I wonder if that’s why she made Lenni Swedish?! I wasn’t surprised to read that her early inspirations were Jonas Jonasson and Rachel Joyce. She writes in their style but makes it her own.
I also loved the verses she included from the poem, The Astronomer to His Pupil by Sarah Williams. They’re now saved in my notes for posterity! For me, these two lines from the poem embody the spirit of Lenni and Margot’s bond,
Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;
I have loved the stars too truly to be fearful of the night.
Whimsically, lovable characters, a well knit plot and an uplifting story told with honesty, humour and compassion. Indeed, I have loved this book - truly, madly, deeply and encourage you to read it and do the same ☺️ This is a debut novel and now I cannot wait to see what Cronin writes next!
Whimsically, lovable characters, a well knit plot and an uplifting story told with honesty, humour and compassion. Indeed, I have loved this book - truly, madly, deeply and encourage you to read it and do the same ☺️ This is a debut novel and now I cannot wait to see what Cronin writes next!