Author Meg Bignell
Publisher: Penguin Books Australia
Genre: Modern & Contemporary Fiction, General Fiction, Humour
Year of Release: 2019
Release Date 15th April 2019
Rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Trigger Warning Suicide, Grief
Synopsis
Susannah Parks – wife, mother, cleaner of surfaces and runner of household – is a viola virtuoso. Except she hasn’t picked up a viola for over a decade. She has, however, picked up a lot of Lego, socks, wet towels and other exhibits of mundanity. She has also picked up on the possibility that her husband has lost interest in her. (And frankly, she’s not very interested in Susannah Parks either.) But this year, she has resolved to be very interesting. Also thoughtful, useful, cheerful, relevant, self-sufficient, stylish, alluring and intelligent.
In her highly confidential diary, Susannah documents the search for the elusive spark in her marriage, along with all the high and low notes of life with her four beloved children, with her free-spirited (and world famous) best friend Ria, and with Hugh, the man who fills her heart with burning passion and her washing pile with shirts.
And perhaps amid the chaos she might be brave enough to find the missing pieces of herself.
Review
If you asked Susannah Parks to describe how she spends her days in 2019 she would say being a wife, mother and cleaner is what takes up her days. Ask Susannah Parks how she would’ve spent her days a decade earlier and she would tell you it probably would’ve had something to do with a Viola; what a difference a decade makes.
Whilst Susannah has happily let herself slide into the mundane, she refuses to say the same thing of her marriage of 15 years which of late she has noticed a high possibility that her husband Hugh has lost interest in her and their marriage. She admits she’s not as sparkly or as interesting as she once was……. Well, that stops right now! Say hello to the very interesting, very thoughtful, cheerful, relevant, self-sufficient, stylish, alluring and intelligent Susannah Parks! Probably best she writes this all down in her diary, highly confidential; she’ll also include side notes of her children and the highs and lows of life. It might help her rediscover the lost bit of sparkle amongst other things.
This book has been on my list far to long, in need of a laugh I decided to investigate further, I was advised this book would not be a suitable read, I am glad I ignored this person, and discovered this title for myself if; I had taken this advice I would have missed out on a great read.
I found I was instantly drawn to the plot as I unashamedly admit I am fascinated by other people’s lives and how they live them day to day, I think this must be a universal pleasure?
Thanks to the strong opening I felt an instant connection to the Parks family, it also become clear that Author Meg Bignell had written a laugh out loud story that would ultimately leave a few tears on the cheeks and leaving me an overall a sad sack for the middle to end chapters. (Thank God for Cake!)
Reviewer’s tip don’t read this book when the household is sleeping it’s hard to laugh in a pillow.
I think many authors promise a journal experience, but it can turn out to feel confusing and somewhat stalled. The Sparkle Pages story flows effortlessly for the majority of this book, but I believe slowed when our heroin hits a low point which is to be expected. I think this helped the story and this reader really stay connected from start to finish, I only hope others discover this too when reading.
It’s a real treat to feel a connection to a story; and a bonus to feel as if the characters used to tell this story are three dimensional rather than just words on a page or spoken on audiobook, and if you’ve made me really connect by accessing my feelings like Author Meg Bignell has here within The Sparkle Pages well then get ready because I applaud you! I recommend you! I will add you in my cart. Hard to believe this was her debut novel.
I forged a bond with most of the characters, but I was happiest hiding in the closet with Susannah, I think everyone needs a closet to hide away in sometimes. There were times I was a little confused as to a minor character’s role, but the Author has taken care to remind the reader at different periods; at the same time not turning a reminder into a Groundhog Day scenario.
Mature Readers if you love Modern & Contemporary, General Fiction, that will make you laugh I promise you’ll look no further than The Sparkle pages.