An interesting read, but one that I am not sure about.

The premise of the story is interesting, where/how we live in buildings and how this has an impact on who we are, but I am not sure that it fully delivered on this idea. The story meandered with no central story underlining everything, with the central point of why the church was actually purchase never explained or really suggested at.

A disappointing story.

I first read Lohrey <a href="https://booksaremyfavouriteandbest.com/2021/12/17/my-latest-listens-6/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a few years ago</a>, and was keen to see if <em>The Conversion</em> matched my initial experience. It did. Lohrey writes about places and spaces with extraordinary skill - a totally immersive reading experience. This book has interesting layers (Lisa explores them in her thorough <a href="https://anzlitlovers.com/2023/11/22/the-conversion-2023-by-amanda-lohrey/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">review</a>) - at the face it's about the conversion of a church into a home but that undersells the guts of this novel - it's about who we are in a relationship (and who we think we are); it's about the changes that life-stages force upon us; and it's about grief and anger. I hope this book gets made into a film - it will be visually spectacular.

4/5

I received my copy of <em>The Conversion</em> from the publisher, Text Publishing, via <a href="https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/301679" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NetGalley</a>, in exchange for an honest review.

Readers who prefer thoughtful, perceptive fiction to fast paced, plot driven novels will find a lot to enjoy here. The challenge of remodelling the church reflects the sudden changes in Zoe's life and how she views her marriage. In a broader sense the book also covers themes of changes in society and landscape. Lohrey has again written a quietly contemplative novel which deftly handles many ideas whilst keeping the reader engaged.

Love it, I love all her works. She is accomplished, literary author with twists and turns in her different books. Really enjoyed this, urban move to a different location. Reflection on life, thank you to#netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Beautifully written and intense, I was drawn into this book and found it hard to stop reading even though the characters themselves didn’t grab me and I’m not sure that I understood all the imagery. Zoe and her husband Nick are thinking of a move to the country and Nick gets enthused about an old church going cheap but Zoe doesn’t like the idea. Then after Nicks death she goes ahead and buys it anyway. There’s many themes, grief and memory, betrayal, solitude, nature, religion and community.
A good novel but not one I loved.

In a similar vein to The Labyrinth, The Conversion uses the idea of creating something - taking apart, building, restoring - as a means to navigate and work through large life changes. How do we embrace the space we find in our lives? Do we attempt to wrest control of it, or do we let our selves, as we are, be absorbed by it? Beautiful, reflective and insightful writing lets this book meander along at its own pace, slowly revealing the pieces of main character Zoe's past as she faces her future. Nothing much actually happens in this book, but it's not meant to - so don't come to it expecting a pacey or twisty read. It's a quietly gripping story, contemplative and perceptive, and readers of Lohrey's other work will find much to appreciate in The Conversion.

After having enjoyed The Labyrinth so much last year, I couldn't resist the opportunity to read an advance copy of Amanda Lohrey's new novel. That, and the fact I've been watching a lot of restoration/renovation shows on TV lately. In any case, it seemed like a sure bet - and it was. It didn't quite have the same impact on me as the award-winner, but I think anyone who enjoyed that novel will be happy with this one too.

In the face of changing financial circumstances, and having become empty-nesters, Nick and Zoe are considering a tree-change. Nick's quite keen on a small, newly deconsecrated church in rural NSW, but he's having trouble getting Zoe across the line. She keeps stalling, lacking the same vision for the place that Nick has.

A year passes. Ultimately it's quite an unexpected and sudden decision that sees Zoe arriving in Crannock to take possession of the church, alone. She's still uncertain how to turn the building into a home, but the intent is there. Before long she has a job at the local hospital, and is beginning to feel a sense of belonging in the town. Each time she tries to make a start on the conversion of her church, she finds she can't get past the problem of what to do with the windows. And then the local high school drama teacher comes to Zoe with a proposition.

This is a short, quiet novel that covers a lot of ground. Lohrey's writing is elegant and her ideas are clever and interesting. Recommended to all admirers of literary fiction.

Beautifully written reflection on putting your life together after seismic changes have intervened. Lohrey takes us on a journey using a church, a play, a new job and friends to follow the thinking behind the coping mechanisms of what seems natural, day to day but it is actually what keeps us going. Reflections on the power of houses and living spaces was especially interesting in what where we live could mean. Her characters, led by Zoe are real , even the drama teacher, everyone is working through their own issues. Should be in a quiet place in the country for maximum effect. Thanks to @netgalley for an advance copy to review in return for an unbiased review.