Sipsworth is a lovely, but also heartbreaking tale about an aging widow and end of life issues. Short and sweet, here is my book review Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy.

Loneliness

Helen Cartwright has spent thirty years living in Australia. But after the death of her husband and son, she returns to her childhood village in England to live out her days. Helen doesn’t know anyone in the village any longer, and spends her days alone contemplating when the end will happen. That is until the strangest friend becomes her companion.

Sipsworth

Through a series of small events, Helen befriends a mouse she calls Sipsworth. As she cares for the mouse daily, her needs for supplies and advice on mouse health, creates an opportunity for her to interact with people in her community. Helen has avoided getting to know or reaching out to anyone, but now Sipsworth brings her in contact with a shopkeeper, a cardiac doctor, a veterinarian, a librarian and a small boy, and her neighbors.

Community

Through this new community Helen finds a family and a reason to live, all because of a chance encounter with a tiny mouse.

Book Review Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy

This lovely story explores the topics of aging, loneliness and grief, while also touching on the goodwill compassion and kindness of strangers. A world where many people live out their days alone and in solitude, Sipsworth creates a story of finding a way to move forward and live fully when all seemed to be lost.

I enjoyed the book very much. ****Four stars for Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy. See last week’s book review Martyr by Kaveh Akbar.

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