Forgiveness, growth, acceptance, and human kindness
Review:
After reading Joella’s first novel, A Little Hope, last year, I couldn’t wait to be absolutely torn apart by his writing again. A Quiet Life tells the tale of grief in different forms - loss of a parent, a significant other, and a child. It takes you through the lives of 3 main characters who are all struggling to live their lives after losing those who mean the most to them. He shows how important it is to lean on those around you and how sometimes it’s okay to sit in your pain for a moment as long as you eventually pick yourself back up and start living your life for those you lost. A Quiet Life expertly weaves the lives of strangers together in the simplest and most meaningful way.
Joella has a way of giving the most insignificant parts of every day life an extraordinary meaning. Showing us that our actions, no matter how big or small can drastically change someone else’s life. Every action triggers a reaction which then triggers another action. The biggest things I’ve taken from both of his incredible novels is that everyone is going through their own kind of hardship that you may know nothing about and it doesn’t take much to be kind to someone. In this novel, Chuck, Ella, and Kirsten - as well as all of their respective friends - rallied around each other during their hardest times despite being strangers. They found understanding and support in each other which then helped them find the strength to persevere through their pain. That kindness, whether it was giving a physical gift, like a car, to help their daily life or simply acknowledging that you see their struggles and they are not alone, can change the trajectory of someone’s life.
What truly makes Joella’s writing and storytelling so moving is his books aren’t flashy dramas with unrealistic twist and turns - he writes about life - the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful. A Quiet Life is a tale of forgiveness, growth and acceptance. It is a beautiful depiction of real life and human kindness. Joella has done it again and I could not recommend a book or an author more.
Rating:
5/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️