I will never cease to be in awe of the skill of the storyteller, and their imagination to create such unique plots, and here is one. Still Life by Sarah Winman follows a mixed bag of truly loyal friends through post-World War II Italy, who discover the richness of art, the joy of dinners with friends and the wonder of non-judgmental support, as they find their way to reconnections later in life. It relays the story of a chance encounter between a soldier and spy, yet it’s not a war saga or an espionage thriller, not is it a love story, but a truly comforting testimony to the treasure of companionship. No friendship is ever wasted, was the lesson I took from the book. It was my surprise find for last year containing my favourite quote of the year “My mother was the knot that stopped the unravelling of our family”. Aren’t they all?
Title: Still Life
Author: By Sarah Winman
Published: November 2, 2021 by GP Putnam’s Sons
