Diane S ☔'s Reviews > Zorrie

Laird Hunt is a master storyteller. In less than 200 pages he gives us the life of a hard-working woman of the thirties. It is a simple story, simple only in that there are no big scenes, no car chases, because we know life, in fact, is never simple. Zorrie wants what we all want, security, a home, family, friends, love, and a way to make a living. It also takes place in my own stomping grounds in Illinois and Indiana, places in which I'm very familiar.

Her parents die when she is young and she is raised by a rather cold aunt. When Zorrie is 21, her aunt dies and leaves her with nothing. It is now up to her to find her own way. She spends time working in Ottawa, working with radium, painting the dials on watch faces. She doesn't stay long, but long enough to make two good friends and for the detriments of this work to have an effect , showing up later in her life. From there she eventually finds the place she will call home. This book is her story.

The tone is a quiet melancholy one, the prose, the phrases, beautiful. Zorrie, herself draws the reader into her life. We care about what happens to her, her life is not easy, but in many ways it suits. She makes the best of what she has and if her life is not particularly joyful, it has its moments. It feels real, authentic, one can envision this life, there is no phoniness. I'll just say it left it's mark, since I woke up in the morning still thinking about this story.

This was a read I shared with Esil and Angela, and the first in a long time where we all gave it five stars. I always feel fortunate when I share a reading journey with them.

If you liked the novel Miss Jane, or the novels of Kent HarufI think you'll enjoy this one.

ARC from Edelweiss.