The Forgotten Guide To Happiness by Sophie Jenkins

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Avon; ePub edition edition (9 Aug. 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0008281807
• ISBN-13: 978-0008281809

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

Sometimes, happiness can be found where you least expect it…

Twenty-eight-year-old Lana Green has never been good at making friends. She’s perfectly happy to be left alone with her books. Or at least, that’s what she tells herself.

Nancy Ellis Hall was once a celebrated writer. Now eighty, she lives alone in her North London house, and thinks she’s doing just fine. But dementia is loosening Nancy’s grip on the world.

When Lana and Nancy become unconventional house mates, their lives will change in ways they never expected. But can an unusual friendship rescue two women who don’t realise they need to be saved?

Review

The Forgotten Guide to Happiness is a book that will make you smile. The plot is narrated by Lana Green, an author whose first book was a huge success; the plot based on her  travels around the world an her romance with the lovely Mark.  Unfortunately Mark left her for someone else, so when she presents her next book about the failure of the relationship, the rejection, the heartbreak the publishers reject the book as being too depressing; they reject the book about rejection – the irony.  In need of money and a new story Lana tries to find inspiration for her writing.

This is one of those books that will have you laughing out loud, there are some brilliant one liners and the situations that arise give room for a lot of humour.  Lana is a wonderful character, she is warm, witty, intelligent but ultimately broken hearted.  Throughout this book she makes some wonderful new friends who show her that happiness, and a new story, can be found where you least expect it. After her meeting with her agent she goes to the pub and meets Jack, as they get talking he decides her will be the inspiration for her new literary hero; unfortunately Lana doesn’t see him as hero material.  Jack takes her on fake exciting dates and tries to behave in a the manner of a romantic hero.  It is through him she meets Nancy, a famous author who unfortunately now has dementia, and begin an friendship that helps both of them.  Nancy was my favourite character, she had wonderful moments of lucidity and say something profound before forgetting who she was.  Sophie Jenkins has obviously researched the effects of dementia on the patient and their family.  There are some laugh out load moments with the confusion, but it was treated with great respect.  For me one of Nancy’s most wonderful comments was when Lana too her to her local bookshop and on entering Nancy said “smell those words”.  This is such a beautiful phrase of that moment when you see all the books on the shelves, and is a brilliant observation.

Sophie Jenkins has a delightful way with words and with her characters.  This is a book for book lovers and authors who will understand many of the cringe worthy moments, and the feelings of the characters. Within the writing class there are many debates on what makes a good book, how different things mean different things to different people and that sometimes you have to look at those closest to you for inspiration. The supporting cast of characters were an eclectic mix,  especially in the writing class that Lana teaches.  All bring a sense of warmth to the book and their diverse ideas make a very interesting read.

I loved reading The Forgotten Guide To Happiness , it made me laugh out loud and cry at certain points.  It certainly opened my eyes to the literary world and how hard it can be to get that second book published and how hard the rejection can be.  Yes, it is an easy read and you know roughly where the book was going but sometimes it is nice to read a book like this that you know will make you feel happy and fuzzy inside.  A funny, warm, witty and uplifting read; great for the beach.