I spotted ‘Nosy Neighbours’ on bookstagram, and thought it looked like something that I would enjoy, especially as I enjoyed ‘The Last Library’, when we read it at The Book Taster Book Club.
However, interestingly, I am not sure that the cover of this book does it justice. This book is a story with a heart, and a message. This is a book that highlights so many key issues – like loneliness, community, grief, and many more – but in a story that is a joy to read.
This is a story about the inhabitants of Shelly House; some, like Dorothy, have lived there for a very long time. But now it is under threat from developers, and the community may be torn apart – so, it is time for action.
Kat has just joined this community after renting a room from Joseph, and swiftly gets caught up in all the goings-on, rather reluctantly as she has her own past to deal with. Yet, it is not long before the residents of Shelly House all realise that maybe they all have more in common than they realise (especially the common enemy in the local developer), and perhaps it is time to move on, build a future and leave the ghosts of the past behind.
Freya Sampson writes brilliant books that centre around fantastic characters. She really understands the range of relationships that we all have in our lives, and the importance of friendship to all of us. And no character is too small: Reggie and Princess (the two dogs in this tale) are just as significant as their human counterparts. These characters are all people who will stay with you for a long time, and will leave a footprint in your heart.
I have, accidentally, read a lot of books recently with cross-generational relationships, and I have to say that there is something heartwarming about them. And it makes you realise how important it is to us to cherish friendships of all kinds, and that we can all learn from each other, older and younger. I would love to hang out with each of these characters from Shelly – even the dark horse who brings quite a revelation at the end.
So, if you want to spend some time with colourful and fascinating characters – this is the book for you.