The Red Address Book

 Author: Sofia Lundberg
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: HMH Books, 2019
Pages: 304
Rating: Recommend

Synopsis: Meet Doris, a 96-year-old woman living alone in her Stockholm apartment. She has few visitors, but her weekly Skype calls with Jenny - her American grandniece, and her only relative - give her great joy and remind her of her youth.

When Doris was a girl, she was given an address book by her father, and ever since she has carefully documented everyone she met and loved throughout the years. Looking through the little book now, Doris sees many crossed-out names of people long gone and is struck by the urge to put pen to paper. In writing down the stories of her colorful past - working as a maid in Sweden, modeling in Paris during the 30s, fleeing to Manhattan at the dawn of the Second World War - can she help Jenny, haunted by a difficult childhood, unlock the secrets of their family and finally look to the future. And whatever became of Allan, the love of Doris' life?

Review: This book was a slow starter, as a lot of character driven novels are for me, but I was compelled to stick with it. I'm so glad I did. 

I loved Doris and she took on the appearance of my own, now-deceased, grandmothers as the story progressed.

If you enjoyed A Man Called Ove and/or Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk, this book is for you.