#BookReview: The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin @itsmcronin @susanW1F #LenniAndMargot

Hi everyone. Today, I have a book review for you from debut author Marianne Cronin. I discovered this book via NetGalley and received a free ARC of this book. This is by far the BEST book I’ve read this year … and, perhaps, ever. It’s that good. This is definitely an author to check out.

 

 

About the Book:

An extraordinary friendship. A lifetime of stories. Their last one begins here.

Life is short – no one knows that better than seventeen year-old Lenni Petterssen. On the Terminal Ward, the nurses are offering their condolences already, but Lenni still has plenty of living to do.

When she meets 83-year-old Margot Macrae, a fellow patient offering new friendship and enviable artistic skills, Lenni’s life begins to soar in ways she’d never imagined.

As their bond deepens, a world of stories opens up: of wartime love and loss, of misunderstanding and reconciliation, of courage, kindness and joy.

Stories that have led Lenni and Margot to the end of their days.

The One Hundred Years is a celebration of life, hope and kindness. The perfect read to shine a light on dark days.

My Review:

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for this Advanced Review Copy.

It’s a long time since a book affected me as deeply and thoroughly as this one did. The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot will stay with me. I chuckled. I laughed out loud. I cried. And I sobbed. … Seriously, hubby had to fetch me the box of tissues while trying to work out why his calm wife was suddenly so distraught and snotty! No book has done this to me. Ever.

Every single character came alive. I didn’t read this book, I lived it. This is one of those stories that pulls you in so deeply that you forget completely that you’re actually reading a book. I devoured this read and only stopped once or twice because I had to.

Somehow, to give this five stars falls way short. I’d give it a hundred–one for each year–if I could. And I cannot believe this is a debut novel. For certain, I’ll be checking out anything else that the author Marianne Cronin writes. Go and buy this book. You’ll love it. And it will change you. By far the best book I’ve read this year.

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NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.

5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.


I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by 🙂

14 Comments on “#BookReview: The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin @itsmcronin @susanW1F #LenniAndMargot

    • It sure was, but in all the best ways. Thanks, Mark. Wishing you all the best for 2021 🙂

  1. Wow, Harmony! That is very high praise for this book! I will definitely have to check it out!

    • Oh, Jan, you seriously have to check out this book. I can’t praise it highly enough. 🙂

  2. Extraordinary review, Harmony. I rushed to Amazon, but it won’t be out until June. Lucky you for having snagged the ARC. It sounds like a must-read for me. Thank you.

    • A definite must read. You’ll need a box or three of tissues too, lols. Thanks, Gwen 🙂

    • I think this is an ‘every-person’ sort of a book. Something for all. I’m in awe of this writing. Thanks, Priscilla 🙂