I just finished reading Lost Lake, which makes the fifth book I’ve read by Sarah Addison Allen. (I’ve read – and own – all of hers except for First Frost, her newest, which I’m dying to get my hands on.) I loved Lost Lake, and it’s got me thinking of all of the reasons why I love Sarah Addison Allen’s books. There are many, so I decided to make a list:
1. My discovery of Allen is a library browsing success story. I picked The Girl Who Chased the Moon off the shelf because I loved the title. And I quickly became hooked on the author.
2. She was my introduction to magical realism, which I can now claim as one of my favorite genres. Magical realism basically means that the story could happen – except for that hint of magic that makes almost anything possible. The possibilities are so intriguing, and Allen handles them so well.
3. Her stories are about relationships, but not necessarily the romantic kind. Yes, romance is often part of the story. But more importantly, her books are about families. Building and repairing the connections that mean the most.
4. Her characters are quirky. I think Devin from Lost Lake may be my favorite character of hers yet. But everyone has a little quirkiness. Sometimes that’s because of the magic, and sometimes that’s because the character is just weird.
5. Her characters have real heartaches. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one or a difficult childhood, her characters have lived through some real challenges and are coming out stronger on the other side.
6. The locations sometimes provide the magic in and of themselves, and I want to visit them all!
7. Allen’s writing is delicate. That’s the best word I could find to describe it. It’s gentle, with just the right phrase on every page. It’s never crude or harsh. It creates the atmosphere that pervades each of her books.
I could probably keep going on, but I think I’ll rein myself in here. I have thoroughly enjoyed every book I’ve read by Sarah Addison Allen, and I hope you have – and will – enjoy them as well!
1. My discovery of Allen is a library browsing success story. I picked The Girl Who Chased the Moon off the shelf because I loved the title. And I quickly became hooked on the author.
2. She was my introduction to magical realism, which I can now claim as one of my favorite genres. Magical realism basically means that the story could happen – except for that hint of magic that makes almost anything possible. The possibilities are so intriguing, and Allen handles them so well.
3. Her stories are about relationships, but not necessarily the romantic kind. Yes, romance is often part of the story. But more importantly, her books are about families. Building and repairing the connections that mean the most.
4. Her characters are quirky. I think Devin from Lost Lake may be my favorite character of hers yet. But everyone has a little quirkiness. Sometimes that’s because of the magic, and sometimes that’s because the character is just weird.
5. Her characters have real heartaches. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one or a difficult childhood, her characters have lived through some real challenges and are coming out stronger on the other side.
6. The locations sometimes provide the magic in and of themselves, and I want to visit them all!
7. Allen’s writing is delicate. That’s the best word I could find to describe it. It’s gentle, with just the right phrase on every page. It’s never crude or harsh. It creates the atmosphere that pervades each of her books.
I could probably keep going on, but I think I’ll rein myself in here. I have thoroughly enjoyed every book I’ve read by Sarah Addison Allen, and I hope you have – and will – enjoy them as well!
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