The Map of Us

The Map of Us was a really pleasant surprise. It was quite different than the Eleanor’s and Harold's this may be linked with. Nothing particularly tragic happens, and there is no great need for catharsis and a good cry.
The book is made up of short, discrete, chapters. Although there is a literal, and metaphorical map, in the book, it felt more like a patchwork quilt. The reader is introduced to a number of disparate pieces, which are cleverly woven together towards the end of the book.
For me, Violet, in her big house, with a head full of dreams, and Tilly, who sees the world through statistics, are very similar. They understand the world through a different prism to most people. The Map of Us allows them to triumph through their odd way of doing things, and improve the world around them.
There is a pleasing menagerie of lovely characters. I particularly liked Sidney, who helps Violet with her vile brother David, a real pantomime villain. To quote Philip Henslowe in Shakespeare in Love:
“Love and a bit with a dog, that's what they want.”

Tilly is a statistician, compiling a report on why her marriage has failed. Her father is building competitive sand art. Daniel is wondering how committed to his healthy snack business.... what will unite them, and the rest of the characters, is love.
This is a feelgood novel with a cast of quirky and likable characters, and the author deftly balances this against the obvious pain and loss that each of the characters is entitled to feel before their stories are resolved, to avoid being twee or sentimental.
A cracking read, that deserves to be really popular.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick, easy, feel-good read. Perfect for a holiday read. It made me smile and made me want to get my typewriter out.
It explored family and the patterns we follow, and it’s written in a way that keeps you inferested. 4/5. I’d recommend to friends that like Jojo moyes, Sophie Kinsella and Giovanna Fletcher.

Lovely, engaging opener which introduces us to Violet North whose blue typewriter is the linchpin of the story. The plot contains a perfect mixture of humour and sadness, and for some reason certain elements reminded me of the poignant old couple in Pixar’s animated film “Up”.

Tilly’s father is a sand artist, her brother is a world authority on the colour blue, her sister has an out-of-control handbag addiction, meanwhile her mum has to contend with the never-ending deaths of their washing machines (due to aforementioned sand)! I found the characters were well thought out, each had their own quirks and unique traits and I felt invested in all of them.

This is a heart-warming and charming love story with an important message to prioritise what’s really important in life. Made me think of the empty jar/Philosophy teacher lesson.

Some could find the story a little too sickly-sweet and the ending a tad predictable but if you’re looking for a nice, feel good read I definitely recommend. I was in the right mood to fully embrace the cheese and had a genuine smile on my face when I finished reading it.

A unexpected gem of a book, which I read with a big daft grin on my face. It might have made me well up in places as well. I absolutely loved it!

Tilly is a statistician. To understand the collapse of her marriage, she writes a report. With diagrams and footnotes.

Violet is in her mid-20s, alone and effectively housebound. She starts writing on a borrowed typewriter to explore the world she can't visit in person. She will become Tilly's grandmother.

Alongside these two unconventional, inconvenient women grow a chaotic family of characters - quirky, believable (mostly!), warm and beautiful. And an oddball collection of inanimate objects set on making their own characters known (Washing Machine #76 is a classic). There's also a dog in a wheelbarrow. What more do you need?!

Thank you #netgalley for the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review. #TheMapOfUs is one of my surprise favourites of the year, and is out on Saturday.

Quirky, original and humorous. The Map of Us takes an unusual form and you may not have any idea where it's going, but then it all falls into place and makes sense. Short chapters, almost stories of their own, have you whizzing through the book with ease.

I thoroughly enjoyed the quirky and heartwarming #TheMapOfUs by @jules_preston_. Moving, intriguing, hopeful and endearing, it was an utter delight to enter the life of Violet North, Albert Galbraith and a little blue typewriter.