Pieces of Happiness: A
Novel of Friendship, Hope and Chocolate. Ann Ostby. Carole Baron - editor. Knopf
Doubleday Publishing Group. August 2017. 320 pp. ISBN #: 9780385542807.
After
Kat spent years traveling around the world with her husband Niklas on humanitarian
missions, he dies and Kat is a bit lost.
So she invites her Norwegian high school best friends to live with her
on the island of Fiji. Ingrid, Maya,
Sina, and Lysbeth agree and the reunion and aftermath is wonderful and
stunning!
Age
shapes all of us but sometimes a different circumstance propels a person into
change. Each chapter is narrated by one of the five friends. Deciding to
abandon one’s staid images, jettison a leech of a son, permit one’s sensual
side to emerge, engage in leading the initiation of a “chocolate” enterprise, becoming
a trusting child, abandoning one’s judgmental standards and so much more fill
these pages. These women cooperate with,
challenge, and learn from each other.
Atetha
is a native Fijian who teaches them all about the rich culture of this land
where people learn to find joy in life, no matter what problems exist, and
share that richness with each other in dance, food, art, language and more. A friend helps the women when they decide to
produce a chocolate business from the cocoa trees on Kat’s property. Many latent gifts begin to grow in each
character during this time.
Secrets
are a surprise that initially shock the reader but how these characters
interact about these secrets is phenomenal, almost unreal but delightful!
When
people think of the tropical islands, the relaxed, lush background induces one
to relax and live a “vacation” style.
This is true but there is so much more that the islands have to teach
these women and Anne Otsby has captured it all in a highly recommended, delightful
read!!!!!
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