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Helen Brown has written several books about the cats in her life , each of them wonderful. There were Cleo, Jonah, and Bono, and I recently reviewed her latest book, Mickey: The Cat Who Raised Me, about her childhood cat. When I like an author, I tend to look back to make sure I haven’t missed any of their books. I was delighted to come across Tumbledown Manor, a 2016 novel about a woman who buys a dilapidated house in Australia. Even though this is not a cat book, it does feature a cat.
From the publisher:
From New York Times bestselling author Helen Brown comes a witty, uplifting novel about a woman who discovers that it’s never too late to build the home–and the life–you’ve always longed for.
For writer Lisa Trumperton, the dilapidated manor house that once belonged to her great-grandfather is far more than the sum of its battered parts. It’s the chance for a new start on her own terms.
Lisa sets to work refurbishing Trumperton Manor, assisted by her son, his friends, and a “Gray Army” of retired handymen. … There are floods, fires, and catastrophes, but there are new allies too, including a one-eyed cat, a stubborn cockatoo, and a rugged landscaper with an irresistible grin. Piece by piece, the house is pushing Lisa beyond her old limits, daring her to embrace something bigger, braver, and more rewarding than she ever dreamed.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the likeable, at times quirky characters. Not surprisingly, the formerly feral one-eyed cat was my favorite. The story is a bit slow moving at times, but Brown’s writing style is so beautiful and descriptive, I still didn’t want to stop reading. I was also too invested in the various characters after the first couple of chapters to give up, and wanted to know how the story would end.
If you enjoy books about women who overcome adversity, you will love this book.
Tumbledown Manor is available from Amazon.
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This sounds good. I like these kinds of books too.