Cheer Up, Mr. Widdicombe - Evan James

As the pandemic continues, I have not been going to book club in person, so the library has once again become a favourite place for me to find books. Last time I went, it was to pick up a book I put on hold months ago and while there I walked around and saw this book. The cover is inviting and the library had marked it as a book with interesting characters, so I thought why not?

This book is written differently than most, there are no chapters. The book is separated into three parts and follows multiple characters. The library was right that there are interesting characters. The story takes place over the summer at the island home of the Widdicombes. Frank Widdicombe is a semi-retired tennis pro and Carol Widdicombe is his slightly eccentric decorator wife. They clearly come from money and seem to have the luxury of time to follow their unusual pursuits. They also have a son, Christopher, a gay artist who strives for his parents disapproval, but finds they are only supportive of him and his pursuits. Other characters include Michelle, their personal assistant, Bradford, a rich acquaintance who claims to be writing a screenplay but really spends most of his time high, Gracie Sloan, a self-help author and friend of Carol, and Marvelous, a gardener hired to plant and take care of what else, but a vegetable garden.

All the characters have weird traits and obsessions. Carol is determined that Frank is depressed, only to later become depressed herself. Frank, in a weird response to Gracie, decides to start writing a self-help book. Michelle and Bradford end up in a short, but apparently serious relationship, judging from ensuing heartbreak. Gracie is probably the most unusual character with her self-help lifestyle and search for new inspiration. And Marvelous, well he seems to change a few people's lives when he enters the scene.

Overall, I found the book intriguing and wanted to know what would happen to the characters. I read it quickly, so I guess I enjoyed it!