The story of one woman, coming to realise that her relationship is over, killed off by the demands of her work in ER, and of one of her patients, a young boy, witness to a horrific crime. So far, so humdrum, but the author has made this magical with some really interesting and special ideas, and with some gifted story telling.


Told with multiple viewpoints, in the manner of Jodi Picoult and with the idea of multiple opportunities to live life differently, reminiscent of Kate Atkinson, the result is a compelling and fascinating story, which I both enjoyed and would recommend.

The writing on this novel is really strong. The characters felt real and authentic. I did spend much of my time reading wondering how the author was going to tie up the loose ends though, which took me out of the reading experience. There's a clue towards the end as to how she would handle it, and I so hoped she wouldn't take that route as to me as a reader it pushed believability to the point of the novel becoming fantasy. So when I finished reading, I didn't have a feel good sensation, but rather disappointment.

If you don't mind a bit of fantasy, then I recommend this story of a young boy, a woman in her thirties, and a centenarian remembering the events of her life. The story moves forward with a good pace.

A beautiful story throughout so don't be put off by the rather violent early event. The narration is by 3 (or 4 really) characters of very different ages and stages of life and time. Although enjoyable to hear each of there tales, I felt that the link between them was never clearly explained and Ben taking on Leo was both unrealistic and somewhat alarming if you think about it so I cannot rate this title as highly as I would have like if the link or explanation had been clearer.

I was completely absorbed in this from the beginning. I didn't re-read the description or look at the reviews before I started reading, so it took me a while to understand how the different stories were inter-related. All the characters were well-rounded and interesting. I particularly enjoyed Clare's early life story, and the details of Lucy's life in the hospital. The way the links unfolded was magical. The ending was a little sudden and slightly too neat, but I quite liked it. I love the way Liese writes and look forward to reading her next novel.

The Possible World is a story told through three different characters. Ben, Lucy and Clare. What follows is something intriguing, thought provoking and almost magical.

Ben is the only survivor of a violent crime that happens to take the life of his mum as well as and many others. At just six years old he is now left alone, scared and seemingly struggling to remember not only the horrific events just past but also who he really is.

When we are introduced to Lucy, she turns out to be the doctor who tends to Ben. She herself is dealing with things in her own life, not as hard hitting as Ben but personal events due to leaving her husband have her questioning her own decisions in life. Having briefly known Ben's mother through work, she seems to be drawn to this boy and almost instantly finds a real connection with him. The question is can she be the one to help him get his memory back?

And then there is Clare who in the beginning seems rather disconnected to Ben and Lucy. She is a woman who has lived through a lot and carries many secrets but as she tells her own life story something quite special and also unthinkable happens.

Now I can't say a lot more about the novel as it would ruin the effects when reading it first hand but what I will say that it was unexpected but in a good way. There are two reasons why I marked it down by one star. The first is because I felt like the ending let it all down somewhat. After a slow paced book that really built up to something, then it all seemed to stop quite abruptly, like something was missing. And that brings me to my second reason, after such a harrowing beginning the crime that took place seemed to become somehow forgotten, as though it was of little importance and I was left wondering why it was even needed in the first place.

Over all The Possible World is a good read, just not quite epic.

I loved most of this book, I just have to admit I struggled with the ending. Liese O'Halloran Schwarz creates 3 vivid characters in this novel, all of whom I found engaging, believable and lovable in their own unique ways. Ben is a young boy who is the only survivor of a brutal homicide involving his best friends and his mother, and at the tender age of 6 has a huge uphill battle to feel a part of this world; Lucy, the A&E doctor who feels an instant connection to Ben and who is struggling with her own personal life falling apart; and finally Clare, a pensioner in the twilight of her years, who feels it's time to share some long-hidden secrets from her past with the world.
While the connection between Lucy and Ben's stories is pretty much instantaneous, Clare's history is woven in much more slowly as the narrative unfolds, and seemingly completely unrelated lives come together in a magical way. This is where I have to admit I really struggled with the story. From such a harsh beginning, mired in the brutal reality of a homicide, to an ending that really requires a huge suspension of disbelief was a little jarring to me, and felt a bit too convenient a way of tying up the loose ends.
It's a real shame, because up until that point the book had me totally gripped and wanting to know what amazing denouement lay in wait. When I got there I really felt let down. I guess I just don't believe in magic any more.

Beautifully written from the perspective of a child. Absolutely inspiring and I adored the storyline. This book was like a breath of fresh air.

A tale sensitivity told tale, in detail, about the events and lives of the three people deeply affected by the horrific event at the start of the book. Such emotion as the atrocities unfold that each has had to endure in their lives. Leo, Ben, Claire and Lucy, their lives brought together in an amazing narrative that will have you weeping tears of sadness and joy in equal measure. A delightful and poignant story that was my privilege to read.
Netgalley review copy in return for an honest review.

I have a feeling that The Possible World is the kind of book that you either immensely enjoy or find deeply unsatisfying. Sadly, no matter how hard I tried, I found myself in the latter camp throughout reading this novel. This is not to say that author Liese O’Halloran Schwartz is devoid of talent – she writes beautifully and has an engaging style. However, the thin plot ultimately undermined the experience.

The Possible World details the lives of three seemingly unrelated characters. There’s Ben, a six-year-old boy who witnesses a traumatic experience and from that point on believes he is called Leo. There’s Lucy, an ER doctor coming to terms with the breakdown of her relationship. And there’s Clare, a 100-year-old lady in a nursing home. Written in first person, each chapter presents a different character’s perspective.

I knew I would have problems early in the novel. Ben’s opening chapter has a gripping storyline but it doesn’t feel as though it was coming from the perspective of a six-year-old. I thought I could overcome this small detail but unfortunately Ben experiences what the doctors diagnose as Dissociative Identity Disorder and we are gradually introduced to a new personality called Leo who I didn’t connect with as easily as Ben. The tone after the first chapter also shifts significantly and is less attention-grabbing.

I had chosen to review this book as the blurb and the cover really stood out to me but overall, I would argue that the blurb doesn’t really depict what this book is about and my expectations not close to being met. I’m not usually the best at predicting the outcome of the novels I read but I could see The Possible World’s end from about a third of the way through. Indeed, the main satisfaction from this read came from making it to the end to find that I was correct. How the book got there may be absorbing for some readers but this is not the kind of narrative I found easy to buy into – ultimately, the plot is flimsy and I was left unsatisfied.

This is not a subject matter that I tend to chose but I must say this book hooked me. It took me a few chapters to get into but once I did I was hooked. So glad I persevered.

A very well written book that is a pleasure to read. Three characters take centre stage, Clare, Lucy and Ben. Their POV's are not in any way distracting. The plotting is excellent and I would highly recommend.

Each of the character's beautiful worlds truly captivated me and very quickly I feel in love with each one of them. The tales of Clare, Ben, Leo and Lucy are heart-warming and relatable stories of lives lived through loss of family, friends, homes and even memories. I went on a journey with each one of these characters through their individual lives, sometimes meeting or narrowly missing each other, but every page I really enjoyed, even when I felt like I needed a little cry.

Their lives are tough whether they are dealing through hardships in hospitals, at home or with partners. But this book really does show that there is a reason to pull through and something really worthwhile waiting on the other side of whatever hardship it is that you are going through. I feel quite close to the characters now as if I know them personally.

This is a book I will probably pick up again in a few years time with a few years more experience and I will be able to relate with each one of them in different ways, but I have no doubt I will enjoy it just as much.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was hoping to read this bok and was first denied access on NetGalley, but then received an email from the publisher granting me access.

This was a book totally different than the books I usually read, nonetheless it was an amazing story. It deals with reincarnation and second chances and tells the story of multiple people whose lives are intertwined. It was written so well. This is definitely a book I'll be reading again sometime soon.

This is a really, really good story that’s beautifully written. The transitions between the POVs are interesting, and I was never bored or indifferent during a different person's point of view. All the characters are written so so well, and they're so different? Clare and Lucy and Ben - it's amazing how well the author has managed to link all the stories together. I loved this book because of how bittersweet it was; and I wanted to keep reading it. I didn't want it to end. (But it did. Cries.)

I couldn't get interested in this book. The story felt drawn out and confusing. I found the three different storylines weren't connecting.

A lovely idea and so very beautifully presented it keeps you hooked through every page until the end.

A story of people whose lives don't work out the way they were supposed to, and fate's delightful way of providing a happy ending for them all.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It moves with a soft rhythm, keeping those pages turning deep into the night, as pennies begin to drop and connections are made. It hits all the right notes with its mingling of past and present, its entwining of mystery, history, the paranormal and the very normal.

The story of three interwoven, but separate lives.

Ben, Lucy and Clare are of different generations, but their lives have a connection in the most surprising way and this develops gradually as the story progresses.

Ben is the sole survivor of a terrible crime in which his mother and many others are brutally murdered. He is only six years old and the trauma of the event forces him to escape into another world and blot out the event which changed his life. Lucy also finds herself at a personal crossroads. She is a doctor in a trauma department who treats Ben when he is first brought in and finds herself strangely drawn to the boy. Clare is old and in a care home. She has a lifetime of secrets and up to now has been reluctant to talk about them. This suddenly changes when she meets another inmate, Gloria, and her extraordinary life is finally recorded. As each of these stories develops, a connection is revealed until all the strands are eventually pulled together in the moving final chapters.

This is a beautifully written study of three lives - one that is just beginning, one in the middle and one moving towards the end. The story of Clare is particularly brilliantly observed, as her hard and brutal life unfolds, revealing her sheer determination for survival against all the odds. Lucy, the ER doctor, finds her escape in emergency situations and caring for others, while disastrously neglecting her own personal relationships. Ben finds the only way he can survive is to inhabit another world and another life.

Jodi Picoult has been quoted on the cover as saying, “Every now and then I come across a book I wish I had written…” I tend to agree. This is a tender and touching story treating the unique situations of each of these lives with great understanding and awareness of the human situation.

I would highly recommend this book.

Jane

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

This book had me snagged- It niggled and niggled at me during every waking moment that I wasn’t reading it. I loved Clare’s story. To me it was her story, with the others just supplementing it. I’m not sure the author invested as much herself into the other characters as she did Clare but their story was so integral to hers that didn’t matter to me.

I enjoyed this story and the interweaving of stories across the different characters and generations. It was a well told and enjoyable read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 enjoyable stars.

This was an great break from the norm for me, I different genre, a different style of book.

Overall I enjoyed the book, it was interesting spanning different time periods and told from different points of view.

However the 3 stars reflects for me the disjointed nature of the chapters told from different perspectives; they lacked a sense of flow.

Equally the Lucy chapters were far too descriptive regarding medical procedures and the treatment of patients. I felt a light disappointment when I had to leave a Ben/Leo and Clare chapter for example.

However I see the many 4 and 5 star reviews so maybe this one just wasn’t my cup of tea.