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For readers of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and A Man Called Ove, a life-affirming, deeply moving "coming-of-old" story, a celebration of how ordinary days are made extraordinary through friendship, family, and the power of forgiving yourself--at any age.
"At a time when people are having to isolate, [this novel is] a balm, offering an expansive sense of love and possibility at a time when the main characters feel like those chances are gone." --Christian Science Monitor
The world has changed around seventy-nine-year-old librarian Millicent Carmichael, aka Missy. Though quick to admit that she often found her roles as a housewife and mother less than satisfying, Missy once led a bustling life driven by two children, an accomplished and celebrated husband, and a Classics degree from Cambridge. Now her husband is gone, her daughter is estranged after a shattering argument, and her son has moved to his wife's native Australia, taking Missy's beloved only grandchild half-a-world away. She spends her days sipping sherry, avoiding people, and rattling around in her oversized, under-decorated house waiting for...what exactly?
The last thing Missy expects is for two perfect strangers and one spirited dog named Bob to break through her prickly exterior and show Missy just how much love she still has to give. In short order, Missy finds herself in the jarring embrace of an eclectic community that simply won't take no for an answer--including a rambunctious mutt-on-loan whose unconditional love gives Missy a reason to re-enter the world one muddy paw print at a time.
Filled with wry laughter and deep insights, The Love Story of Missy Carmichael is a coming-of-old story that shows us it's never too late to forgive yourself and, just as important, it's never too late to love.
Genre: General Fiction
"At a time when people are having to isolate, [this novel is] a balm, offering an expansive sense of love and possibility at a time when the main characters feel like those chances are gone." --Christian Science Monitor
The world has changed around seventy-nine-year-old librarian Millicent Carmichael, aka Missy. Though quick to admit that she often found her roles as a housewife and mother less than satisfying, Missy once led a bustling life driven by two children, an accomplished and celebrated husband, and a Classics degree from Cambridge. Now her husband is gone, her daughter is estranged after a shattering argument, and her son has moved to his wife's native Australia, taking Missy's beloved only grandchild half-a-world away. She spends her days sipping sherry, avoiding people, and rattling around in her oversized, under-decorated house waiting for...what exactly?
The last thing Missy expects is for two perfect strangers and one spirited dog named Bob to break through her prickly exterior and show Missy just how much love she still has to give. In short order, Missy finds herself in the jarring embrace of an eclectic community that simply won't take no for an answer--including a rambunctious mutt-on-loan whose unconditional love gives Missy a reason to re-enter the world one muddy paw print at a time.
Filled with wry laughter and deep insights, The Love Story of Missy Carmichael is a coming-of-old story that shows us it's never too late to forgive yourself and, just as important, it's never too late to love.
Genre: General Fiction
Praise for this book
"Here is a love story of the most important kind: that of coming to love oneself through accepting and returning the love of others--be it people or dogs." - Elizabeth Berg
"A soulful, refreshing and tender book." - Stephanie Butland
"The most beautiful and the most moving book I’ve read in a long time. It will comfort you and it will break your heart." - Emma Flint
"Masterful and a real page-turner. Missy is a joy . . . the humor and courage with which she faces loss and ageing are handled with such wit and empathy. The world needs more assured female voices like Beth Morrey’s. Her novel is a breath of fresh air!" - Felicity Hayes-McCoy
"A generous-hearted story showing the transformative power of friendship and community. . . . A fabulously enjoyable book!" - Sarah Haywood
"A joyful, tender, life affirming STUNNER of a book that has made me want to make the most of everything, grab hold of people and all the good moments." - Cressida McLaughlin
"A beautiful story about love, loss, guilt and the power of friendship." - Jill Mansell
"For everyone with an Eleanor Oliphant-shaped hole in their heart, this is the book to fill it. Gorgeous characters, heartfelt storytelling and the sort of book that lifts your heart." - Eithne Shortall
"A novel that reminds you that everyone deserves a second chance, even at seventy-nine. Bittersweet, tender, thoughtful and uplifting, The Love Story of Missy Carmichael is a story and a character that stays with you. I loved it." - Nina Stibbe
"Deeply moving, charming, and filled with wit and empathy - you can read on every page the love and care that Morrey has for each of her characters and by the end you'll love them too." - Kathy Wang
"Moving but not sentimental (just as Missy would like it), this is a deeply satisfying read. Missy is a fantastically real character, as complex, frustrating, vulnerable and surprising as any I’ve met in print. I miss her already." - Eleanor Wasserberg
"A soulful, refreshing and tender book." - Stephanie Butland
"The most beautiful and the most moving book I’ve read in a long time. It will comfort you and it will break your heart." - Emma Flint
"Masterful and a real page-turner. Missy is a joy . . . the humor and courage with which she faces loss and ageing are handled with such wit and empathy. The world needs more assured female voices like Beth Morrey’s. Her novel is a breath of fresh air!" - Felicity Hayes-McCoy
"A generous-hearted story showing the transformative power of friendship and community. . . . A fabulously enjoyable book!" - Sarah Haywood
"A joyful, tender, life affirming STUNNER of a book that has made me want to make the most of everything, grab hold of people and all the good moments." - Cressida McLaughlin
"A beautiful story about love, loss, guilt and the power of friendship." - Jill Mansell
"For everyone with an Eleanor Oliphant-shaped hole in their heart, this is the book to fill it. Gorgeous characters, heartfelt storytelling and the sort of book that lifts your heart." - Eithne Shortall
"A novel that reminds you that everyone deserves a second chance, even at seventy-nine. Bittersweet, tender, thoughtful and uplifting, The Love Story of Missy Carmichael is a story and a character that stays with you. I loved it." - Nina Stibbe
"Deeply moving, charming, and filled with wit and empathy - you can read on every page the love and care that Morrey has for each of her characters and by the end you'll love them too." - Kathy Wang
"Moving but not sentimental (just as Missy would like it), this is a deeply satisfying read. Missy is a fantastically real character, as complex, frustrating, vulnerable and surprising as any I’ve met in print. I miss her already." - Eleanor Wasserberg
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