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Feb 26, 2017
Another marvelous, wonderful book from Heather O'Neill! Everything about her writing is delightful. Her similes, for example: a character "exhaled a row of smoke rings that looked like a row of ballerinas in tutus spinning by"; or, describing a boxer dog that "looked as if it were squeezing its face out of a turtleneck sweater"; or a pay phone that "swallowed the coin quickly, like a dog that doesn't chew its treat." The story begins with the main characters as children. It follows their childhood dreams through to often difficult adulthood, preserving always the childlike wonder and aspiration. In acknowledgments, the author mentions her daughter as her "trusted associate." Without knowing the age of her daughter, it is clear that she grew up, or is growing up, with a mother who never lacks for a magical and well-told story. Highly recommended.