Review by Melinda Garza
The Charmed Bracelet by Viola Shipman
tells a unique story of one's life by the significance of each charm. This story
tells the history of Lolly, Arden (Lolly's daughter), and Lauren (Lolly's
granddaughter). It takes place in Scoops and in Lost Land Lake.
One day Arden gets word that her elderly mother is not doing well due to a mild cognitive impairment and so she and Lauren decide to take a trip to visit Lolly. The trip is to find out what is wrong with Lolly but turns out they learn of many other things about their history by listening to Lolly and the stories behind each charm.
Arden is finally able to find love again and Lauren learns to be honest about herself and where she wants her life to go. Lauren is a college student studying what Arden wants but that is not Lauren's passion. She finally gets the strength to voice what she wants to do. That strength comes from Lolly and her charms stories. Without this roadtrip to Lolly's, none of the women would have experienced what they did via the stories that came from the charms they proudly jingled around their wrists.
Each of them has their own charm bracelet and each charm has a significant meaning and story behind it. Several examples of the charms and their meanings are the half heart charm which means to a life where we are never separated, the puzzle charm which is to a life filled with friends who complete you, the ice cream charm which means to a sweet life filled with a passion for what you do, the book charm for a story that will never end, and the mustard seed charm which stands for a life filled with faith.
Lolly's experiences were best told by sharing the stories behind the charms. The charms are pieces that encompass love, loss, and life.
This story is so sweet and really shows how ones life has so many personal stories and how they shape our own journey through life.
On a personal note, I own a charm bracelet and each one has its own story behind it so I could truly relate on a personal level to this story.
Purchase the book at:
About
the Author:
VIOLA SHIPMAN is a pen name for Wade Rouse, a popular,
award-winning memoirist. Rouse chose his grandmother’s name to honor the
woman whose charm bracelet and family stories inspired him to write his debut
novel, which is a tribute to all of our elders. Rouse lives in Michigan
and writes regularly for People and Coastal Living, among other
places, and is a contributor to All Things Considered. To
date, The Charm Bracelet has been translated into nine
languages. He is at work on his second “heirloom novel,” which will
be published in 2017.
Connect with the author at:
Thomas Dunne Books is giving one
lucky winner a print copy of
The Charm Bracelet by Viola Shipman
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