THE SPOON STEALER by Lesley Crewe
A fantastic Canadian tale that will steal your heart
Nova Scotian native Lesley Crewe’s books are well known in Canada, but they are new to me. When I read the back cover description, I thought this seemed like a sweet read that took in part of the Maritimes, to which I am especially partial (although my heart belongs to Prince Edward Island!). A quick search tells me that this is a beloved book in Canada, so it came home with me.
The Spoon Stealer is the story of Emmeline, a young woman living in rural Nova Scotia with her four older brothers and her parents on a farm. From the outset, Emmeline is a heavy-set girl, and she is teased about this, called lazy and generally disdained by her mother particularly. She is, however, close to one of her brothers, Teddy, and he acts as her protector and friend when she has precious else.
When World War 1 starts, Teddy and John enlist and go to Europe. Her mother never recovers from their eventual loss, and Emmeline travels alone to Europe, against her family’s wishes, while Teddyis listed as injured. It is years before she returns and, when she does, she is not greeted especially warmly. The family has descended into a toxic disfunction - more so than ever - but after 10 years of caring for her mother and brother, she leaves again, and is, she believes never forgiven.
Later in life, 70-something Emmeline writes a memoir and joins the local library memoir writing class, led by the nasty Joyce Pruitt. Through the class, she reads aspects of her memoir to a largely enraptured class, and continues reading to a select group when the class disbands. Reading her story, Emmeline recognises that her story in Nova Scotia is not complete, so when a letter arrives to say her eldest brother has left the family farm to her, she determines to go home. Her dog, Vera, travels with her and the conversations between Emmeline and Vera are the very best parts of this novel.
I won’t spoil what happens to Emmeline on her return to Nova Scotia and what awaits her. It is both hilarious and tragic. This book with break your heart, make you laugh out loud and remind you that (almost) everyone can achieve redemption, with “just a spoonful of kindness”. What results is a truly beautiful novel that I did not want to end, and I will not soon forget.
An acquaintance told me which Lesley Crewe book I should read next - it’s called Nosy Parker and I now have a copy! However, it will take a sensational writing effort by Crewe to top The Spoon Stealer for me. I am excited to be going to an author talk with Lesley Crewe in a couple of weeks time, about her new book, too!
Despite the sometimes heavy topics (suicide, mental illness, war), this is a book that is warm like fresh bread from the oven - you cannot wait to see what happens next and you know it’ll be wonderful. The Spoon Stealer is one of the best I’ve read this year.
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