Broken for You (Grove Press) by Stephanie Kallos is a beautifully crafted debut novel, a story of repair, healing and redemption
Elderly Margaret Hughes lives alone in the Seattle mansion where she spent her childhood, surrounded by valuable antiques her father collected. She can identify each object and spends her days alone, caring for her house and its precious contents.
Wanda Schultz, although able to capably function professionally, is nursing a broken heart. Her only goal in life is to find her boyfriend who has left her to “find himself.” Abandoned as a child and now as an adult, she clings to the idea of what never seems possible to her, a solid relationship.
Margaret learns she has a terminal illness and forms a plan to take in a boarder. Wanda, who, after her boyfriend left, is living at the YWCA, takes up residence with Margaret. Although their relationship is formal at first, they soon form a bond.
The population in the mansion increases as one person after another finds their way to Margaret’s home, each contributing a vital role. Although on some level Margaret knows where many of her antiques came from, she is suddenly faced with the horror and guilt that they had once been possessions of European Jews and confiscated by Nazis. The household bonds in their determination to do the right thing by these stolen treasures.
This novel is many things, but primary are the importance of family and the power of forgiveness. The many irresistible characters Kallos has woven into this memorable tale all have a story, but eventually their paths lead to the same destination.
Raised in Seattle, I loved the setting and could picture the author’s vivid sense of place. Kallos furnishes just the right amount of detail, so that readers not familiar with Seattle will have an understanding of the area.
Broken for You is a moving, endearing story of survival and triumph.
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I enjoyed this book very much.
Broken For You sounds like a book I’d really enjoy. I’ll see if I can find a Nook edition. Thanks, Mary, for a fine review.
Mary, sounds like a good story. I will add it to my ever growing list.
I enjoyed your review. I look forward to reading the Seattle setting novel.
Mary, this books Broken For You, sounds like a superb read. I really like your book reviews and enjoy reading about other writer’s books. Thanks for sharing this beautiful story.