The Book of Beginnings

I went into this book blind, knowing absolutely nothing about it and what a treasure to encounter! It is a wonderfully creative and original story reflecting the form, nature and value of friendships, whether they are lifelong or fleeting. At its heart lies kindness. Lost and lonely souls find each other, without judgment, and in doing so, they help each other to heal. I particularly enjoyed how unlikely characters formed such strong bonds—Jo, Ruth, and Malcolm, so different in age and in temperament, yet drawn together in genuine connection. This theme was cleverly echoed in Malcolm’s stories of those buried at Highgate Cemetery, where the friends playfully imagined how ghosts might interact if paired together. The idea of these strange, mismatched encounters, among the living and the dead, was a brilliantly executed and captivating concept. The shop (and the notice board) are symbolic centerpieces. Jo’s refuge, initially small and invisible, slowly became a place of stories, voices, and transformation. Through it, she learned about others and about herself, piecing together her life after her painful entanglement with her ex-James. The characters are so colorful and well written; Ruth the runaway vicar, Eric the Viking optician, Caramel Toffee Girl and Malcolm the hesitant ghost-story writer. Even the cemetery and its 100,000 souls felt alive with possibility. This book left me with a truth both simple and profound: sometimes the deepest love is found not in romantic relationships, but in the unlikeliest of friendships.

Having read the brilliant "The Keeper Of Stories" I was looking forward to this book even though it's not my preferred genre. I wasn't disappointed. It really is a feel good story about friendship and relationships. It is very well written and you cannot but like the main characters. Perhaps a little bit cheesy at the end but overall a great read. Recommended

The book tells the story of Jo Sorsby who has gratefully taken up the challenge to run her elderly uncle’s stationery shop at a time when she really wants to disappear from her old life. The relationship she thought was going well has ended and, as well as being devastated by the end of the relationship, she is also grieving the possibilities which might have come from it. At the heart of this book is friendship and finding it when you perhaps least expect it. Jo becomes friends with customers of the shop, in particular Ruth ‘the runaway vicar’ and elderly Malcolm who is just beginning to become the person who he always wanted to, especially with the encouragement of his new friends. There’s a lot about love in the book too and I thought what Ruth says at one point is just wonderful “…a best friend can be a lifelong love. There is a fundamental truth, comfort and joy in having a best friend…. All over the earth there are unacknowledged love stories, making the world a better place.” All three main characters are to some extent still trying the find their place in the world and find out just what they want from life. The author writes so beautifully about the yearnings, fears, worries and dreams of her characters and imbues her story with hope. Faith and belief is an important theme too with Ruth obviously living her life according to her faith, Malcolm lost his when younger and Jo just isn’t sure. I appreciated that Ruth never tries to convert her friends but quietly shows how everything she did was influenced by her beliefs. As Jo comes to realise, when Ruth works with those who are sick, scared or bereaved what she really brings to them is hope. I particularly enjoyed the part of the story revolving around Highgate cemetery ghosts. Malcolm has a great interest in those buried in the cemetery whether famous or just an average person. The three friends imagine the ghosts of two of the ‘residents’ meeting and what they would say to each other. It was fascinating to read about the people they had chosen and despite being so different, they all taught Jo, Malcom and Ruth something important about themselves. I loved getting to know Jo, Ruth and Malcolm and seeing how they blossomed as their friendship developed. The Book of Beginnings ends with one of the shortest epilogues I’ve ever seen and it was absolutely perfect! I just adored The Book of Beginnings from beginning to end. It is a gorgeous book full of warmth, emotion, hope and new beginnings. I’m really pleased to hear that Sally Page has another novel due out in August this year and I can’t wait to read that one too.

This warm, slow-moving story set in a quiet stationery shop in North London features three people whose lives need purpose. Jo’s relationship of 6 years has broken down, so time spent in a different location taking care of her uncle’s stationery shop while he is ill, is a welcome change. Despite her reticent nature she begins to make friends with some of her customers and the people in the neighbouring shops. As she orders new fountain pens and interesting notebooks she gets to know Malcolm, an older man who is still in mourning for his mother with whom he has always lived, and then they both become acquainted with Ruth, the “runaway vicar,” who has featured in the news after leaving her parish suddenly. Gradually the three very different characters spend more time together and following Malcolm’s interest in the nearby Highgate cemetery they research some of those who were buried there, imagining their conversations if they met as ghosts. These new friendships cause Jo to attempt mending her broken friendship with her childhood friend, Lucy. As her friend is still in their home in Yorkshire it is difficult to overcome their disagreements but gradually peace is achieved. Meanwhile Jo’s personal relationship with one of her new neighbours goes wrong but Ruth and Malcolm keep her spirits up and we learn a great deal about the lives of people such as George Eliot whose comment, “It is never too late to be what you might have been,” is taken to heart by the three of them. This lovely book has introduced me to Sally Page and I have already ordered her first book, “The Secrets of Flowers.” An amusing, delightful story, “The Book of Beginnings” was a wonderful holiday read.

I prefer fantasy fiction so I was surprised at my reaction to a book with a contemporary setting and a bit of romance. This book is extremely well-written, with the lyrical flow I look for. A woman copes with a breakup while taking over management of an uncle's stationary shop. She makes new friends with past griefs and regrets of their own. The book includes a developing romance that threads delicately in and out of the tale, but it does not detract from the primary attributes of the book - the rise and course of friendship, the revelations and healing of traumas, the literary adventures, the detailed description of the stationary shop, the loving attention paid to fountain pens, to the act of writing, to words that are written. The visual imagery created by the description of clothing, interiors, paper, monuments and more enhance an extremely engaging story.

The book was very reasonably priced, in good shape as described and came well before the expected date. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy from this seller again.

Lo estoy leyendo ahora y va mejorando con cada pagina.

A lovely, uplifting book, written by a wise woman who imparts her wisdom gently in the midst of a charming story

What a beautifully written story about love, loss and dear friendships. A whole book of lovely characters and a warm feel good read, what more could you ask for. I loved this book.