BookBrowse Reviews A Town Called Solace by Mary Lawson

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A novel of love and loss set in Canada's far north.

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Mary Lawson's novel, A Town Called Solace, is set in a small town several hours north of Ontario, Canada. The narrative unfolds from the perspectives of three individuals whose lives are in upheaval: Seven-year-old Clara, whose teenage sister Ruby has run away; Elizabeth, Clara's elderly neighbor, now hospitalized; and Liam, a 35-year-old man who leaves his home in Toronto for the refuge of Elizabeth's house in Solace, thereby deferring decisions he must make about his failing marriage and the job he hates.

The book's plot was somewhat of a surprise to me because, well, there actually isn't much of one. Readers might expect, for example, that Ruby's disappearance and ultimate fate would be central to the story, but it receives only minimal attention. The author's considerable talent instead lies in creating unique and memorable characters, and she's at her best here. She brilliantly breathes life into Clara, Elizabeth and Liam as they experience losses, which they meet with resilience, making the most of their situations even as they struggle to understand how they've arrived at this point in their lives. The characters are unrelentingly realistic and sympathetic, and, while the concerns of each might seem mundane on the surface, their inner turmoil is completely relatable. Indeed, I'm hard-pressed to think of many other novels that reach the high character-development standard the author sets here.

In spite of a rather run-of-the-mill plot, the book is quite the page-turner. Lawson captures the reader's attention by raising questions that pull us into each character's story. It's soon apparent, for example, that Elizabeth has had a complex history with Liam (who she hasn't seen in 30 years), but that part of the plot unfolds slowly as she reminisces about her past and contemplates her impending death. By the time this and other tensions are resolved, readers are so heavily invested in the characters themselves that the original plot points seem inconsequential.

Lawson doesn't paint a comprehensive portrait of Solace itself, but she definitely nails its small-town feel. Minor details conjure up the atmosphere of the rural community, adding a sense of authenticity without explicitly describing the physical aspects of the environment. We learn, for instance, that there are only two restaurants in town, just one of which is open in the off-season when vacationers cease driving through, and which only serves two menu items. While Lawson's portrayal isn't groundbreaking in any way – readers encounter nothing unexpected – her sketches are perfect and avoid cliché.

One of my favorite parts of this novel, one of the aspects that make it a real stand-out, is its ending. As in real life, there are no hard and fast resolutions here. Lawson doesn't wrap up her tale in a neat little package, tying up each loose end, but leaves readers with the hope that the future holds good things for all concerned. She has created a feel-good novel without allowing it to devolve into a trite "happily ever after" conclusion, and it cements her reputation as a masterful storyteller.

My only complaint is that the timeline isn't clear, with large chunks occurring in the past without that being obvious at first. At the end of a chapter told from Clara's point of view, for example, she finally comes face to face with Liam. The following section is narrated by Elizabeth from her hospital bed, and then the next opens with Liam speaking to a contractor about repairs to the house. Only at the end of that lengthy chapter does Liam encounter Clara, at which point readers realize the chapters overlap, with the time frame backing up to show the day from his perspective. I found the technique confusing and largely unnecessary, something that could have easily been clarified in the chapter title if not within the narrative itself.

That said, A Town Called Solace is a quick, pleasant read, and I highly recommend it to those looking for a quiet, character-driven novel. Its subject matter makes it appropriate for all audiences, and it would make a great selection for book groups in particular.

This review was originally published in The BookBrowse Review in December 2021, and has been updated for the July 2022 edition. Click here to go to this issue.