Masha has spent the last 12 years of her life in mourning with only her dog Hazium and her time swimming at the local pool for comfort. All that changes when bag lady Sally Red Shoes enters her life. Sally doesn’t know how to hold back, she has no reason to, and she lets Masha know just how she feels about the other woman’s life, or lack of one. Can Masha put her past behind her and learn to live again? This is a beautiful story about finding wisdom and love in the most unexpected places

Ruth Hogan paints a vivid picture of the complexities of grief. Her skill in drawing the reader into complex relationships of her characters is remarkable.

I am an avid reader of books of all kinds. I have to say, though, that this book was right down my alley for a good, comfortable read. From the beginning, you can tell there is a bit of a mystery, as the author introduces two women who seem unconnected. And you know that the book will take its time fleshing out the details of this apparent disconnect. Along the way, the reader meets some lovely characters, some of whom made me laugh out loud, others who made me cheer, and yet others whom you weren't supposed to like but you could still see the humanity in them. This book was very easy to read (but not simplistic) and the writing was very descriptive. I would recommend it to anyone looking for some clever writing and a warm read. When it was over, I felt sad, as if I had to say goodbye to some people who had become my friends.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R3LNB6EWHURJMZ/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Hogan has yet again crafted an enchanting story of love and loss filled with a cast of quirky and developed characters. This book will make you laugh, cry, and feel joyful for the tenacity of the human spirit.

This was an absolutely delightful book! Hated to have it end. I really want to read more books by this very talented author. I don't think I've laughed so hard over a book in a very long time. You will laugh and you will cry.

I really loved The Keeper of Lost Things, so I was delighted to check out Ruth Hogan's second novel. The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes introduces quirky, but loveable characters. It's a mediation on friendship and grief.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The story explained grief in the most beautiful and heartbreaking way. I instantly fell in love with the characters and how they helped me understand my own grief and sadness. If you have experienced grief, this book will help you emotionally empathize with losing someone just as the main character Masha did with her son.

Thank you to Ruth Hogan and Crooked Lane Books for a copy of this book.

I truly loved this book, even though it made me cry like a baby. Although the story is about death and mourning, there are some hopeful parts. Having recently lost an Uncle, this book resonated with me and gave me all the feels.

I love Ruth Hogan's writing, and can't wait to read more of her work.

This book stirs deep and slow as you dive deeper into the story. The writing style is simply brilliant and even on such sensitive subjects and moments, it was still really beautiful.

What a lovely introduction to Ruth Hogan's writing! I love a good book that makes you really feel something, and with this one, there were so many quotes and passages that alternately felt like a punch in the gut or that took my breath away that I feel as though I highlighted nearly half the book!

The Keeper of Lost Things has been on my TBR for quite some time, so when I saw that this was available on NetGalley, I requested it right away. I was a little worried that this would be a very heavy read, given some of the subject matter, but it really wasn't. She handles topics like death, illness, and grieving with a sense of poignancy and grace. With the addition of humor (which had me actually laughing out loud at times) and a set of quirky characters to lighten the mood, the story felt perfectly balanced. This book was very well-written and compelling, and rather than being a page-turner, it was one that I wanted to slow down and savor.

Besides Sally, of course, Masha was my favorite character. She absolutely came to life for me, and she felt to real. I loved watching her character develop, as she went through grieving and learning to live again. I rooted for her the whole way, and she ended up feeling like a dear friend.

As for the plot, I love a good duel narrative, and this was no exception. I had an inkling of how everything would turn out, but I didn't see how it would all happen. I feel very satisfied with the ending, and I loved seeing how it all came together.

Overall, this is a wonderful, compelling story, filled with emotion. I was so pleased with Hogan's writing that I must get my hands on The Keeper of Lost Things very soon. This is one of those books that will make you feel a lot and give you a lot to think about. I know Sally Red Shoes will stay on my mind for some time to come.

This is an outstanding book, filled with loss and hope in equal measure. At the heart of it is a mystery of sorts, but one which stays in the background to let the events of the present day take centre stage.
Masham is slowly emerging from a stage of mourning for her son, Gabriel, helped on her journey by a colourful cast of friends and acquaintances, including Sally Red Shoes. Alice is a woman coming to terms with what the future holds for her and her teenage son. The former blossoms out of her grief, the latter is fading into it,. The reader knows they must be linked in some way but the narrative doesn’t push the detail, rather letting the truth dawn gradually.
The characters, main and peripheral, are wonderfully written with a sharp eye for realism and tone and a perfect ear for dialogue. Descriptions of sensations, feelings and places are equally rich and adept.
The book is heartbreakingly sad in places but never mawkish. I wanted the resolution to come but I didn’t want it to end. It deals sensitively and realistically with death - of children, of friends and of old habits. Despite the subject matter there are some marvellous scenes of humour, Masha’s thoughts in particular are sharply amusing.
As well as knowing precisely what to include the author knows what to leave out too and the impact of the ending is all the better for this. I can’t recommend this book enough and I look forward to sharing my thoughts on it upon publication.

I absolutely loved the keeper of lost things and The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes is no different. This book was mesmerizing from the very first page (and obviously the cover!) books don’t usually make me cry, but this one sure as heck did! Must read for everyone.

I enjoyed the sophomore novel by Hogan just as much as her debut. Great characters and powerful themes of loss, grief, friendship and joy. Highly recommended.

Masha is grieving in the way a young woman should never have to grieve, and her friends and family are grieving with her and for her. Then one night, she has an epiphany. She wants to live—not just to breathe and exist, but to really be alive! But, how do you do that with a broken heart? She will need the help of 2 very special women to step out of the cocoon in which she has been encased for so long.

Ruth Hogan has created a masterpiece. My favorite thing about this book is Masha. She thinks thoughts that we all think and the author is brave enough to allow us to peek into Masha’s mind. She is the kind of person you want as a friend. "The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes" bowled me over and changed me in some beautiful way. I can’t stop thinking about the lovely characters I met in this quintessentially British book.

The plot enraptured me from the start. It’s something we must all deal with at some time—grief, and moving on. “I am trying so hard to change; to let go of the grief that hobbles me. And sometimes I can. But grief is not a linear thing. It reboots unexpectedly at a certain smell or sight or sound, and some days I still feel as though my world is like a patchwork quilt that’s coming unstitched.” –Masha

I always comment on any potentially offensive content. There are several instances of swearing, but they weren’t really offensive to me. Sally Red Shoes regularly greets passersby with a cheery “F--- Off!” She doesn’t intend to, but her mind is muddled and that’s what comes out. There is no explicit sex.

This book caused me to laugh out loud, many times, and also caused me to cry. There are 2 different stories told from 2 different points-of-view. Until you become clear on who the characters are and how they fit together, this can be confusing. It didn’t take me long, though, to figure out who’s who.

I recommend The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes, especially to anyone who loves honest stories of pain, love, and growth. It is available for presale until it is released June 11, 2019. I give The wisdom of Sally Red Shoes 5 well-deserved stars

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.”

I admit to being lost and confused, but happily so. This is a story of drowning, physically, attempted, emotionally. This is a story of salvation. This is a wonderful book which I loved and hated to turn the last page and that page was a killer. The writing is gorgeous, poetic, descriptive “...the daylight is dwindling into a crepuscular shadow world and the park resembles an Arthur Rackham illustration with tall black trees stretching their spindle limbs across a purple bruised sky.”

Masha (not her real name but one she has adopted) observes a woman “bundled up in a patched tweed coat... a red woolly hat with a Pom-Pom and red Mary Jane shoes with brown socks.” This is Masha’s Sally Red Shoes (also not her real name but one that identifies her) with a gracious demeanor and a tangled verbal dictionary. They follow and intersect each other through the book but there is another couple who shadow the story. And this is where I kept floundering but never mind.

Ruth Hogan has created the most wonderful, clever and interesting characters, including an energetic, ill-behaved dog, Hazium, named after the Archangel Gabriel’s horse. Hogan teaches us that grief is not linear but something that can unstitch us through a smell, sight or sound. She believes that “When the music ends for someone you love you don’t stop dancing. You dance for them as well.”

The ability to blend such enigmatic and colorful characters while creating an atmosphere and dynamic that moves the story along while you devour the prose is genius writing.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane for a copy

Quirky characters, a Victorian cemetery and a lido. Sounds like a joke but it was a pretty enjoyable book about the journey of a woman in the wake of a health issue. I think it would be a great book club book.

This book left me with so many emotions! Loved it from start to finish and it easily sets an example that there is still joy in the world even after tragedy!

Having recently read and enjoyed the author's debut novel, I was delighted to see that her second was available for early review via NetGalley. The luscious language and imagery, as well as the three dimensional characters and worlds they inhabited drew me into this novel from the first page. I felt equally drawn to the two alternating storylines, wondering how they would connect right up until the end. This second novel was every bit as wonderful, magical, and engaging as the debut, and I look forward to continuing to read works by this author in the future.

Most of the story is told in the first person by Masha, who is still trying to come to terms with a tragic event that occurred 12 years prior. Her palpable grief is still as raw as it was when the event occurred. The reader can see that Masha is sleepwalking through life while those who care about her are unable to help her move forward; their pain over her sadness is equally moving and tangible. However, a chance encounter with an eccentric bag lady whom she calls Sally Red Shoes changes the trajectory of Masha's life. The two strike up an unlikely friendship, and Masha begins to reexamine her life and relationships in a profound, transformative way. This storyline is infused with a wide range of emotions that immersed me fully into Masha's world. I enjoyed spending time with her and her friends, and felt transported into each scene.

The rest of the story is told in the third person, centering around a single mother named Alice whose own burdens are slowly revealed to the reader. The third person narration felt like an effective method for experiencing Alice's story and its progression over the course of the novel, providing a bit of distance and perspective. The emotional connection I felt to Alice was just as strong as the one I felt with Masha.

While this novel deals with heavy themes, I felt that they were handled with a great deal of care and humanity. I felt that this gave the novel emotional depth and allowed me to fully connect to the stories. The writing was beautiful and gave a magical feel to the story. The power of connections are at the heart of this novel, and will undoubtedly cause readers to reflect on their own lives and relationships long after reading the final page.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the opportunity read an early copy of this novel; I can't wait until it is released over the summer, so I can discuss it with my reader friends!

This was my first reading of a novel by Ruth Hogan and I was very impressed by her beautiful writing skill. She tells this heartbreaking story in a masterful way, that reminded me of the writing of other popular authors such as Marian Keyes and Cathy Kelly. The story is told from the two viewpoints of mothers, Alice and Masha. I really enjoyed the story line and I was left surprised by the ending, I honestly didn't see it coming. I look forward to reading more novels from Ruth Hogan in the future.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC.

What a wonderful life affirming book. I really loved it! The way the characters were portrayed they felt so real and there were some real characters, such as Kitty Muriel and Elvis. The dog, Haizum with his wonderful doggy personality was a delight.
The story is about a woman whose toddler, Gabriel, was lost in the river when she fell and became unconscious and how she had grieved for so many years but was slowly turning a corner and getting on with her life. I loved the way Masha, the main character, lived her life, making up stories about all the people buried in the graveyard and trying to live her life by the principles of Lady T. Masha is a strong character and stands by her beliefs so when Sally Red Shoes is attacked she confronts the attackers. She appears to be loved by everyone who knows her and this is apparent by the way she makes a number of new friends in the story.
There is a parallel story about a single parent who has terminal cancer. It was not until I was about two thirds through the book that I made the connection between the two stories and what a connection! The book leaves the reader feeling a number of emotions as there is great sadness, but also great humour in the story.
I had started to read The Keeper of Lost Things when it came out but didn’t really get on with it so abandoned it part way through the book. I shall now revisit it as Ruth Hogan is obviously an author of great talent and I want to read more from her.
Thank you Ruth Hogan for writing such a wonderful book. I didn’t want it to end. Also thanks to Net Galley for allowing me to read and review The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes.

So moving! If you’re sensitive to stories of loss, put this book aside until you’re at a point in your grief or caregiving/healing when you can fully immerse into this story. It has some beautiful points of clarity and the author is a master of characterization.
So much to think about and discuss here! Book clubs will be thrilled with this one!

A beautiful work, and kudos to the publisher for this gorgeous cover. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.

A really enjoyable book with likeable, quirky characters! There is a cast of numerous interesting characters. The story revolves around two women, unknown to each other. We follow each of their stories. I enjoyed those two main storylines, but also the minor stories involving Kitty Muriel, Edward and most importantly Sally. A beautiful story that focuses on dealing with death, learning to live again, and also dealing with one's own mortality. A heavy load , but well done!

I have yet to read Ruth Hogan's first book, The Keeper of Lost Things, but after reading Wisdom, I will be reading every single other book by Hogan! [And my mom read it and loved it so I'm sure I will too!]

Masha's life was changed forever changed 12 years ago during a tragic accident, and it seems like her life has come to a halt ever since. She's lived a hermit life with her dog and her neighborhood swimming pool. But then she meets bag lady, Sally Red Shoes, and her life is forever changed. 

This book was charming, sweet, and irresistible. I loved every page and every character! Now on to The Keeper of Lost Things!

There is no single genre into which this book will neatly fit. It is a feast of skilled observation and writing as varied as a smorgasbord. The primary course is as moving a portrait of loss and grief as I have ever read. However, Hogan crafts so many witty and clever descriptions and scenes that I laughed out loud many times, and even began marking passages to re-read or share later, only to realize that much of the book is now highlighted. The novel serves up an especially sweet and sensitive handling of people who are flawed and complicated, yet compelling, and worth trying to understand. The book covers the slow loss of control that aging or illness can effect. Finally, Hogan also manages to create an intriguing mystery with red herrings, plot twists, and an utterly satisfying conclusion which ties all the threads together. The unusual cast of characters is carefully and slowly revealed. Likewise the storyline, told from shifting viewpoints, moves inexorably toward the delicious resolution. Five oh-so-delectable stars from me.

THE WISDOM OF SALLY RED SHOES – Ruth Hogan
Fiction

England – Present Day

Masha (her nickname) has spent the past twelve years grieving the loss of her child to drowning. Each day she treks to the outdoor pool in town and “drowns”, or attempts to, at least. And each day she climbs out of the pool and goes home to her dog, and on to work as a psychologist. Masha has become an authority on drowning, researching the topic, and has also chosen to read every book on death that she can find in the local used bookstore. For Masha, the only reason for living these days is her dog, her wolfhound Haizum. Losing her child effectively ended her normal life, and these days Masha drifts through each day, trying not to look in the nursery, and walking with Haizum in the cemetery where she is an expert on all of the tombstones. She even dreams up stories about the inhabitant of each grave. And it’s there that she sees Sally Red Shoes feeding the crows.

Sally Red Shoes is not her real name, it’s the name Masha has given her because the elderly lady wears red Mary Janes. When talking to Sally, Masha is constantly surprised at the seemingly mild mannered woman’s racy vocabulary. Sally feeds the crows breadcrumbs every day, swearing like a sailor, but obviously not meaning anything by it. As Masha comes to know Sally, she realizes that this woman is far from crazy, and is warmed by her very honest advice.

In a town not far away, Alice and her son Mattie live alone. Alice is overly protective of her son and Mattie is starting to resent it. Every day she prepares his supper and stands at the window waiting for him to walk up the street after school. Her whole world revolves around Mattie. Alice is certain there are no secrets between them. But lately he has not been sweet, lovable Mattie. There is a tension between them, although at times he reverts back to his old self. Alice just wants everything to be normal and wants Mattie to love her.

THE WISDOM OF SALLY RED SHOES is extremely emotional in so many ways. It’s also thought provoking, humorous, and poignant. Masha is trying very hard to overcome her long depression. She has lovely friends, elderly, caring parents, and a longing for normalcy. But she is probably more normal than she gives herself credit for. Alice is a woman with low esteem and doesn’t know how to handle difficult situations, especially when it comes to Mattie. And Sally Red Shoes is a lovable curmudgeon who helps change Masha’s outlook.

There is plenty of sadness in this novel, but it’s interspersed with some downright hilarious scenes. One chapter, in particular, is a dinner party that Masha attends where one guest brings out the best and the worst in everyone else. I highly recommend this wonderful book. It’s beautifully written and a tribute to the human soul.

Dressed in an oversized, worn coat and wearing scuffed red Mary Jane shoes, an old woman visits the cemetery. She is eccentric. She smiles. She "enunciates her expletives beautifully". Soon she will leave the cemetery, bag of bread crumbs in hand, and feed the crows in the park. It appears that the cemetery is a place of comfort. For Masha, "the cemetery is [my] her sanctuary" as well.

Every week, Masha swims in the Charleston Lido Pool. Actually, she goes there to drown...almost. As a self-professed authority on drowning, she swims underwater and holds her breath as a means of "self-inflicted waterboarding". She is riddled with grief and guilt over the drowning death of her two year old son, Gabriel. While the cemetery is her sanctuary, the pool is her penance. For twelve years, Masha has been "...caught in a rip current of grief and struggling against it gets me nowhere". Haizum, her Irish Wolfhound, is her constant companion and lifeline, that is, until she crosses paths with the old woman that Masha will refer to as "Sally Red Shoes".

According to Sally, "Life is full of small joys if you know where to look for them...even in the darkest of times and places" "Her idiosyncrasies are strangely comforting". Surprisingly, Sally sings an aria in Italian to a group of Italian headstones while Haizum, the dog, tries to harmonize with her. Sally "...shouts and swears, sings to dead people...she is like a naughty best friend...". Is it possible for Masha to take small, forward moving steps to live life to the fullest instead of to just survive?

"The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes" by Ruth Hogan is a rollercoaster of a ride. "Grief is not a linear thing". Masha with Haizum in tow, visits the cemetery regularly finding some measure of peace spending time with the departed. She tends the graves of those who never receive visitors. The novel is not heavy-handed by any means. "Edith Piaf" is the name of Masha's green and white Citroen, a small French car with huge headlamps. There are many witty and laugh out loud passages. Ruth Hogan's sophomore novel is totally engaging. It is a heartfelt, emotional read. Despite the depths of despair, life can go on if you embrace it. An excellent read.

Thank you Crooked Lane Books and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes".

A story that makes you cry and them marvel at the human spirit ability to recover and move on. A story that explores death and grief and love and friendship. It took me a few chapters to get caught up in the story and understand the messages the author was sending but once I got it I could not put this down.

What a beautiful and emotional book this was for me. I too could have used the wisdom of Sally Red Shoes. I loved the quirky characters and empathized very much with Masha. I highly recommend this story to anyone who has experienced loss and grief. Let Sally Red Shoes come into your life. Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

March 15, 2019
The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes by Ruth Hogan

A special thank you to NetGalley, and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book so much I immediately wanted to read it over again! This story was written to perfection from the opening line to the amazing ending. The language is beautiful, yet I found myself skipping over some of the poems and impressive vocabulary to race through the story! Another reason to read it again!

“Life is full of small joys if you know where to look for them.”

What I particularly loved about this book is there was intrigue and mystery from the very start. There was no dump of back-story to weigh it down, yet each concise chapter leaked another clue. It was very much like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. And I LOVE jigsaw puzzles.

The introduction of the main characters in the opening chapters set the stage pretty quickly around graveyards, swimming pools, and the subject of drowning. Masha appears to be obsessed with them all. Masha spends a great deal of time wandering the graveyard with or without her dog Haizum, having conversations with the occupants of the various grave sites. She considers them ‘my Family on the Other Side.’

As the stories unfold for “Sally”, Masha, Alice, and Mattie, (in order of introduction) the theme of death, grief, and dark secrets begins to evolve.

“When the music ends for someone you love you don’t stop dancing. You dance for them as well.”

It was right around Chapter 50, I was lying in bed, my mind turning over the chapters I’d read the night before, when I had the AH HA moment!! So much for sleeping in!

At that point, I was excited to finish it, to see if I am right, and at the same time afraid I am! For the next couple of chapters, I convinced myself I was mistaken, but then another clue. Reading it on my Kindle, I was beginning to hyperventilate at the 95% mark. HOW was she going to finish this in so few pages? The ending was PERFECT!!!!! I couldn’t believe the beautiful way Ruth completed the story.

I laughed, I cried, I wondered, and I loved. All of the things a great read should do for you!

Wow! An absolute gem of a story. The cover, title and author all called my name when I saw this and was not disappointed. It’s a story of death, sickness, grief and guilt told with just enough humor thanks to 3 lovable, quirky women. It was slow going at first but the storytelling became very engaging and the prose kept me enchanted. I found myself pausing and reflecting on many occasions on the quiet bits of wisdom, of which there are many.
I would like to thank Net Gallery for an ARC of this novel and I’d especially like to thank the author Ruth Hogan for writing such a gem while fighting your own battle with cancer.

Who could guess that a baglady could bring such change to one's life? A thoughtful, surprisingly, richly peopled novel studded with poignant and captivating moments.

Sally Red Shoes, given this name because of her red shoes. She's eccentric, feeds the crowd bread, sings to the tombstones, confuses her words. Yet she is a woman of stage wisdom. Live life to the fullest, enjoy where you are, what you're doing and who you're with. Especially, don't worry about what people think.
Masha is a psychotherapist. She lost a son when he was two. No body was found. They believe he drowned. She blames herself.
Alice is a single parent with a teenage son. She has also been diagnosed with cancer. She has a lot to get in order before she dies.
Life is full of twists and turns, ups and downs.
This is wonderfully written book. The characters are "alive" and relatable. Awesome storyline.
Extraordinary! A definite must read!!

This book was a pleasure read. The language flowed so delightfully, I often re-read passages to hear the sound and rhythm of the words themselves. The themes of love and loss were heartbreaking at times. How does a mother live after losing a son? How does she fill her days? Does her heart resume beating? Is there a way to survive after her reason for living is gone? The characters are crafted with care, each one unique with their own problems and joys. This is a book that deserves to be read.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
#TheWisdomofSallyRedShoes #NetGalley

This is one of those book that makes you laugh out and moves you at the same time.
I loved it and I couldn't read fast enough but I was sad when it ended.
Everything is well written and likable: the plot, the characters, and the setting.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Not often will I intentionally put a book down for the pure reason that the book is so good I don't want to finish it.

To be honest with you, I could have finished this book in one sitting. But I wanted the book in my life longer.

The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes is one of the most well-written books I have ever read. I found myself rereading paragraphs to appreciate the beauty of Ruth's words a second time. While the story itself is sad (the death of a young boy and dealing with the diagnosis of cancer) the words that Ruth has chosen make even death sound beautiful. "I hope that heaven exists. Because when the person that you love the most is already dead, it is the one place where you might be reunited, and if heaven is just wishful thinking or an urban myth, the hope of finding them again is gone forever."

Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book in return for my honest review. I can honestly say that when this book hits the shelves I will be purchasing a hard copy to read over and over again.

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books for allowing me to read an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book! It's an inspiring story whether you have gone through a season of loss or not. The characters are vibrant and unique, adding depth and soul to the story. Thank you Ms. Hogan for writing such a beautiful story!

4.5 Stars

This story begins with an older woman in a graveyard, who “throws open her arms and exhales with a perfect top C,” a note that soars past the headstones through the graveyard, down the hill, who no one else hears except the creatures in the trees or those scampering about gathering acorns. She’s momentarily lost in memories of another day, another year, a moment when she was wearing a fine silk gown almost the same shade as the dilapidated red shoes she wears now, along with her tattered tweed coat.

Masha is a woman who has suffered a great loss, and holds onto her grief as if she feels it is a way of proving her love is still strong, that she hasn’t forgotten the tragedy of her life. She prefers the company of those who reside in the cemetery, takes solace in the preservation of the memories that abound on each headstone, the flowers which are left as a token gesture to show they have not been forgotten. The only other love she has in her life is given to Haizum (named for the heavenly horse of the archangel Gabriel in Islamic tradition), her wolfhound who has guided her through years of despair. If not in the graveyard, she can usually be found under water at the Lido, holding her breath and appreciating the silence found there. And yet, while she still has a way to go before she can allow true moments of happiness into her life, there are moments that show her belief that there may be something life still has to offer her, perhaps even love.

Through her friendships with Kitty Muriel, as well as with Sally Red Shoes, among other friends, she finds a way to begin healing, and perhaps even to give herself permission for the possibility of more.

There’s a charm to this story, despite the theme of grief and loss, Ruth Hogan has once again managed to weave enough of her charm through this story to keep it from being overly dark, while at the same time allowing us to feel the all encompassing grief that has kept Masha from moving on for so many years. As well as to share in the joy she allows herself, with the help of Kitty and Sally Red Shoes, to experience as well.



Pub Date: 11 Jun 2019

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Crooked Lane Books

I enjoyed reading this book. It had several twists I didn't see coming and the end of the book was a shock. Three very different women become friends and learn more about themselves as they get closer. Masha's life changed 12 years ago and she has been living in denial ever since. She goes every day to the local pool and tries to drown herself. Kitty's life changes when meets Sally red shoes. It takes time before she learns much about Sally's life but Kitty befriends the crazy lady from the cemetery that feeds the crows. This is a sad dark story about how some people handle grief and life. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

ANOTHER GREAT BOOK! When I say that 2019 has been an amazing year for books, I am not exaggerating. I have been able to read so many books because every one of them is so darn good and I cannot stop reading. I have never read so much or stayed up so late with a book in my hands.

You will adore The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes by Ruth Hogan. And just look at the beautiful cover.

Life has a habit of throwing you a curve ball every once in a while, and there’s nothing you can do about that, but you can always choose how you deal with it. You can lie down and roll over, or you can stand up and fight. But you don’t need do it on your own: there are people who can help. All you need is the wisdom and courage to let them.

Masha is drowning. Once a spirited, independent woman with a rebellious streak, her life has been forever changed by a tragic event twelve years ago. Unable to let go of her grief, she finds solace in the silent company of the souls of her local Victorian cemetery and at the town’s lido, where she seeks refuge underwater – safe from the noise and the pain.

But a chance encounter with two extraordinary women – the fabulous and wise Kitty Muriel, a convent girl-turned-magician’s wife-turned-seventy-something-roller-disco-fanatic, and the mysterious Sally Red Shoes, a bag lady with a prodigious voice – opens up a new world of possibilities, and the chance to start living again.

Until the fateful day when the past comes roaring back.

Though the subject matter is heavy, the writing is not. It’s beautifully written with quirky characters and a little bit of dark humor.

Due out May 3.

Fantastic read from a talented author. Thank you to the author and publisher for a chance to read and review.

Masha's life was changed forever by a catastrophe twelve years ago. She just can't let go, but finds comfort in her dog, Haizum. Sally Red Shoes, a bag lady with a secret history. She also, speaks the things she wants to say but part of it's due to a malfunction in her brain. Masha feels as if drowning, it may be a peaceful end, so she goes swimming everyday as today could be the day. She haunts the Victorian cemetery as the ones buried there bring her a type of peace. Masha has friends , Kitty and the mysterious Sally Red Shoes. This is a sad story with characters who grow and lessons are learned. No matter who you know and how long you know them, there are still hidden things. Where there are birds, there are angels, is something I won't forget. There are children's deaths and the effects of losing those you love. I cried big, ugly tears, but there are some great parts that don't make you cry but that brings hope. I loved this book and recommend it highly. I received this book from Net Galley and Crooked Lane Books

I loved this beautifully written novel about loss, hope, love and redemption. The author has blessed us with some very unique characters that interact in a very satisfying way. We could all use a Sally Red Shoes in our lives and benefit from her insightful wisdom.

Unique writing style ✔️ ⁣
Eccentric characters ✔️ ⁣
A heartbreaking yet uplifting story ✔️ ⁣
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Masha is drowning in her grief. 12 years ago her beloved son drowned. Masha can’t move past this enormous loss and the local cemetery becomes her sanctuary. She meets two women who will help her out of the muck and reclaim her life. This is a beautiful story of grief and how humans can overcome life’s hardships. A heartwarming story of friendship, human complexities, the impact we have on others, and what a beautiful gift life is. It took me awhile to get into this book, as the first third moves very slow. I’m glad I stuck with it because the rest of the book was lovely. This book is a bit darker than her other books but contains the quirky characters and unique writing style that Ruth Hogan is known for. For me, The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars. Thank you @crookedlanebooks for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review.

Masha and Alice are two different women with two different lives but have one thing in common…

"They say that just before you die your entire life flashes in front of you, but for me it is a single fragment. That instant when I woke up and he was gone."

Masha’s guilt from the tragedy of losing her son in a drowning incident has placed her in a state of penance by swimming underwater at the local lido and “playing chicken with death”. Her daily visits to the graves of her ‘Family on the Other Side’ in the local cemetery with her trusted Irish Wolfhound, Haizum, is her sanctuary away from the mournful eyes of strangers. When she meets “Sally Red Shoes”, an eccentric woman there who sings beautifully to the dead while feeding the crows, her life begins to change for the better.

"She would try to hide it from Mattie for as long as she could, but her past had finally caught up with her and now she would have to pay a catastrophic price."

Alice’s life has been secluded and secretive to protect her son she loves so much, but her secrets will have to be revealed once she receives tragic news. Will he forgive her?

The characterization is extremely well done giving the reader a look into desperate lives and healing hearts. Masha and Alice may have different lives, but they would do anything for their child. I enjoy the supporting characters of Edward, Masha’s best friend, and Kitty, Masha’s magnificent and confident new friend who can relate to her grief.

Hogan adds some great character quirks and originality to the story such as Masha’s unusual and comical relationship with her car named Edith Piaf, and her “words of the day” which are interesting and informative.

I love this book! Though it has some dark undertones, the story is about atonement, renewal, and discovery. It is about friendship and loneliness; life and death. Highly recommend.

Thank you to Ms. Hogan, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book with no expectations of a positive review given.

Excerpt from Review: "...Once I got past the first couple of chapters and realized the depth of emotion in what I was reading, I was hooked. There is drama and a bit of mystery in this novel. I enjoyed taking the journey with Masha as she unraveled the mystery behind Sally Red Shoes. I also found Masha’s cemetery travels and musings to be quite humorous. Even more enjoyable was trying to unravel what Masha and Alice had in common – there’s a surprise twist that I figured out halfway through, but many might not get it until the last chapters.

The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes is an incredible journey in which we learn how different people handle grief, but most importantly, the importance of dealing with grief and still being able to truly live your life without finding yourself just going through the motions. An excellent read that I would recommend to anyone."

This was my first experience reading a book by Ruth Hogan, and upon finishing The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes, I immediately added her other books to my must-read list. To be perfectly honest, I didn’t want this book to end. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to these fabulous characters that I had grown to care about. It had me experiencing a whirlwind of emotions and had me completely captivated from start to finish.

This book deals with some difficult, emotional subject matter. While it did weigh heavily on my heart at times, this author has a flair and unique quality to her writing that not only handles the topic with the grace and dignity that it deserves, but she also infuses plenty of wit, quirkiness, and a healthy dose of heart into it as well. When my husband asked me if I was enjoying the book, I told him that I was laughing on one page and wiping my tears away a few pages later. That’s not an exaggeration. I’m just glad that I read it in the comfort of my own home.

The story centers primarily around Masha, her grief, and her journey to healing, but it also follows Alice and her son Mattie. I was intrigued by the two storylines and wondered early on how the author was going to pull everything together. As the story progressed, I could see the pieces falling into place, and it was done perfectly.

I would put the characters in this book right up on the pedestal with some of the characters from my most revered books. They were delightful, charming, eccentric, endearing and I enjoyed every minute that I spent with them.

The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes ranged from heartbreaking, morbid, enchanting, hopeful, inspiring, and meaningful. I would love nothing more than to get into all of the details that touched my heart and lifted my spirits, but this is a journey that was meant for the individual reader to immerse themselves in and reflect on.

This is a book that will not only be on my to-read-again shelf, but also on my list of favorites for the year. Ruth Hogan has a new fan.

*5 Stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love reading a story that makes me want to be a part of it because the characters are so interesting & colorful. Watching Masha develop throughout the story is worth the read in itself but then you have Alice & Mattie's story along the way. I thought the author did a great job weaving a fascinating story & I highly recommend reading it.

Ruth Hogan can paint a picture like no other. Her words color the page and create a detailed scene. If I started quoting all the phrases I loved, I’d never be able to stop. Her characters are vibrant. She can have me alternating between crying and laughing in the space of a page.

I adore books like this, that give us life with all quirks. Masha lost her little boy 12 years ago and has just been surviving. During a dinner party (hilarious and sad), she realizes it’s time to move on. It’s not an easy process. This book reminds us it's wise to have a variety of friends, even some whose real name we don’t know and there’s something glorious about the different strengths they can impart.

This book also called out to me because I’ve always had a thing for graveyards. Like Masha, I find a connection there. I love the concept of a “family on the other side“. When Masha compares thoughts on death present day and historical, it rang very true.

Hazium, a Wolfhound, provides comic relief and there was one scene where I almost fell off the couch from laughing.

While the story dealt with death and loss, it gave me a real sense of peace and comfort. I loved all the characters, their struggles and their valiant fights to keep living their lives.

Make sure to read the Author’s Note. Ms. Hogan states she wanted “a book about hope and living life to the full”, while still tackling some “difficult and painful issues”. She succeeds with spades. Five brilliant stars!

My thanks to netgalley and Crooked Books for an advance copy of this Heartwarming book.