Hi blog, McCarthy released a new book! To be honest, when I first saw it, I was just like 'aw I remember adoring her novels', but that was it. But then recently, out of desperation to have a new novel in my hands, I decided to open up to her again. I didn't think I would enjoy an author who I liked as a year 8-9 girl. But I wasss wrong.
The thing I love about her books is that whole coming-of-age vibe. They generally have the same skeleton - a girl with a somewhat normal life, but something is missing. And the novel takes you through that turmoil with a pleasing release at the end. You kind of feel free. The general themes revolve around family, friendship and love. And I love that by the time you finish reading, you learn that you can find happiness from the simplest things. It's almost like therapy.
The Convent was a very McCarthy-esque novel. I loved it, but I can't really tell what I love about it. The story is kind of just there, its sooo normal, and yet the simplicity is so profound. But rather than giving you vague praises, I'll tell you about the book itself.
Sadie sits at the top of the family tree, who's lifestyle results in the loss of her baby girl Ellen (to custody). Ellen then becomes part of a convent which she then leaves to have Cecilia. Cecilia then ends up becoming a nun at the convent, who then leaves and has a baby which she gives up for adoption. That baby is Peach. So yeah, they're all related.
And the story weaves through mainly Cecilia and Peach. They come to a gradual realisation that what they are missing from life, is eachother. I dunno, LOL I just summed that up so horribly. It is not a bland biscuit I swear.
The story is set in Melbourne, predominantly the Convent (figures) in Abbottsford. Currently, it serves as a cafe and chill out area etc but through Ellen and Cecilia, you learn about how nuns used to reside there. And then it became a shelter for women in need. And at one stage is was a prison? Lol I am obviously inept at history. It really struck me at first when I was in the first chapter, where the convent was described. I was like 'hey, my mum lived in a convent with some housemates and nuns when she first came here', so I asked her about it. Turns out she went to the convent this novel is about. Her time in the convent was right in between Cecilia's and Peach's time though. I asked her about her time there (not something I've ever done before) and she told me of being looked after by Sister Margaret and learning English and smuggling chickens into the convent. == (she still does that to this day, but in our backyard gawd) What she told me about the Sister really stuck with me though. It was as if she had read this book. More than anything, I found myself fascinated by the sisterhood. It was harsh, but it also seemed so...easy. My mum told me the Sister who looked after her followed this path after heartbreak. (I have not had my heart broken) but doesn't the idea of it sound so tempting? To close yourself off into a world where you don't have to sweat the small stuff, and where you're kind of bffls with all the girls there? haha. It sounds comfortable, but I'd totally be doing it for all the wrong reasons. Now I've forgotten what I was on about.
Yes, the setting is Melbourne.
Onto the characters. Can I please smoosh up the book and shove it up my vena cava? I love them. They are so real. By real I don't mean they're so much like you and me. But they're just so down to earth and transparant (in a good way). Like, there's none of that bitchy bullshit girls (myself included) get sucked into. And they are so loyal in the simplest ways. They feel genuine care, they can sense when one's under the weather, they don't backtalk, they love each other with the entirety of their heart. It's such whole hearted friendship. There was this one scene, I don't think the author meant much about it, but I could not stop crying my arse off. Peach and Cassie had a tiff going on and a friend asked them what was up? Because we read through Peach's POV, we see her think. And I don't know how to describe this, but she just keeps all turmoil to herself without hinting Cassie's said/done anything less than favourable as if it wasn't even something to consider. Does that make sense? Like, she did not even think for a second about venting her frustration at the expense of her friend. They loved each other. I'll find the quote lol.
''What's with her?' he says under his breath when I next pass.
I shrug and smile. She might be driving me crazy, but there is no way I'm going to backbite her.' p 178.
Okay, admittedly it doesn't sound all that a="a" admired="admired" alone="alone" but="but" closeness.="closeness." dismissed="dismissed" easily="easily" how="how" i="i" matter="matter" nbsp="nbsp" no="no" p="p" party="party" really="really" she="she" so="so" standing="standing" the="the" third="third">I also love Det so much. She's awesome! I want her in my life. She needs more lines.
And of course I love Peach, she's so easy to relate to.
If I had to point a finger at anything I didn't like, it would be Sadie's story. Because her's wasn't very well developed so we're kind of left with a very generic, woeful story.
The first chapter was so descriptive I died from imagery overload. I was picturing a bowl on a hill on a cat etc etc cause everything was 'like' something. Just tell me the tree is green :( I don't need green like grass cause then I see grass on a tree instead of a GREEN TREE. (I made up that example), but either I quickly adjusted or she settled down.
I like how Fluke's just a side story. I have no care for that boy lol. Then again, I didn't find much of a chance to warm up to him. He was kind of just there. Like lots of things.
This is a really shit review, but right now, I don't have the right mind to finish it off or read over it.
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