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Needlemouse
Time to come out of hibernation...
Sylvia Penton has been hibernating for years, it's no wonder she's a little prickly...
Sylvia lives alone, dedicating herself to her job at the local university. On weekends, she helps out at a local hedgehog sanctuary because it gives her something to talk about on Mondays - and it makes people think she's nicer than she is.
Only Sylvia has a secret: she's been in love with her boss, Professor Lomax, for over a decade now, and she's sure he's just waiting for the right time to leave his wife. Meanwhile she stores every crumb of his affection and covertly makes trouble for anyone she feels gets in his way.
But when a bright new PhD candidate catches the Professor’s eye, Sylvia’s dreams of the fairy tale ending she has craved for so long, are soon in tatters, driving her to increasingly desperate measures and an uncertain future.
Sylvia might have been sleep walking through her life but things are about to change now she’s woken up…
A quirky, charming uplifting novel perfect for fans of Gail Honeyman's Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and Sarah Haywood's The Cactus. The feelgood bestseller about unrequited love, loneliness and the redemptive qualities of hedgehogs featuring the most unlikely heroine of 2019.
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WHAT READERS ARE SAYING
'An eccentrically heartwarming tale of steeping out of your comfort zone. I was rooting for Sylvia' - Lottie, Netgalley
'I was charmed by this tale. A feel-good book' - Heather, Netgalley
'A lovely story with delightful characters. Would highly recommend, especially if you are a fan of Ruth Hogan and Gail Honeyman' - Mary, Netgalley
'An absolutely superb novel about someone who is dissatisfied with her life but feels it's difficult to change. I would highly recommend to anyone who likes a quirky novel to entertain them' - Sue, Netgalley
'Oh how I adored this book which is reminiscent of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine' - Justine, Netgalley
'I like a book that makes me feel uplifted, that soothes the soul, and this book certainly did that. Sylvia is definitely one of my favourite fictional characters' - Joanne, Netgalley
Sylvia Penton has been hibernating for years, it's no wonder she's a little prickly...
Sylvia lives alone, dedicating herself to her job at the local university. On weekends, she helps out at a local hedgehog sanctuary because it gives her something to talk about on Mondays - and it makes people think she's nicer than she is.
Only Sylvia has a secret: she's been in love with her boss, Professor Lomax, for over a decade now, and she's sure he's just waiting for the right time to leave his wife. Meanwhile she stores every crumb of his affection and covertly makes trouble for anyone she feels gets in his way.
But when a bright new PhD candidate catches the Professor’s eye, Sylvia’s dreams of the fairy tale ending she has craved for so long, are soon in tatters, driving her to increasingly desperate measures and an uncertain future.
Sylvia might have been sleep walking through her life but things are about to change now she’s woken up…
A quirky, charming uplifting novel perfect for fans of Gail Honeyman's Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and Sarah Haywood's The Cactus. The feelgood bestseller about unrequited love, loneliness and the redemptive qualities of hedgehogs featuring the most unlikely heroine of 2019.
________________________________
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING
'An eccentrically heartwarming tale of steeping out of your comfort zone. I was rooting for Sylvia' - Lottie, Netgalley
'I was charmed by this tale. A feel-good book' - Heather, Netgalley
'A lovely story with delightful characters. Would highly recommend, especially if you are a fan of Ruth Hogan and Gail Honeyman' - Mary, Netgalley
'An absolutely superb novel about someone who is dissatisfied with her life but feels it's difficult to change. I would highly recommend to anyone who likes a quirky novel to entertain them' - Sue, Netgalley
'Oh how I adored this book which is reminiscent of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine' - Justine, Netgalley
'I like a book that makes me feel uplifted, that soothes the soul, and this book certainly did that. Sylvia is definitely one of my favourite fictional characters' - Joanne, Netgalley
384 pages, ebook
First published April 24, 2019
36 people are currently reading
540 people want to read
About the author
Jane O'Connor
2 books16 followersJane O’Connor is a former primary school teacher turned academic and writer. She grew up in Surrey and lived in London until she moved to the West Midlands in her mid-thirties. Jane’s PhD was about child stars and she is now a Reader at Birmingham City University where she researches children’s experiences of celebrity, media and everyday life. Jane lives in Sutton Coldfield with her husband and two young sons in a house full of pirates, dinosaurs, superheroes and lots of books. She really likes all animals, especially hedgehogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
June 6, 2019
This is Jane O'Connor's debut, a wonderful story about 52 year old Sylvia Penton, the PA and admin support to the Psychology Education Professor Carl Lomax, a man she guards and protects like a rottweiler. Chances are when you first meet her, you are not going to like her, and why should you? She is spiteful, underhand, going on to display all the signs of being a stalker. For 15 years she has been in love with her boss, coveting and treasuring all signs and gestures from Lomax that she thinks prove that he is in love with her, although any evidence to the contrary, she finds excuses for. The only problem is that he is married to Martha, an immovable obstacle to them getting it together. He provides her with an interior life, an emotional defence to counter those who might find her a pitiable woman. Sylvia volunteers at a local hedgehog sanctuary run by old Jonas, giving her something to do at weekends and make herself appear nicer than she actually is to others.
Interspersed in the narrative are facts and information about hedgehogs, such as the Japanese word for hedgehog translates as needlemouse. Much like a hedgehog, Sylvia has been hibernating for years, she has lost the knack for life. Her social life revolves around her kooky free spirited sister, Millie, who insists on including in her social and family life, even though others are not so keen on Sylvia. Millie is married to the love of her life, Kamal, who runs a local deli, and they have a teenage daughter, Crystal. Lomax is going to get divorced and Sylvia is convinced that her chance has come, but he is having his head turned by 33 year old Irish single mom, the glamorous Lola, the newest PhD student. There is no way that Sylvia is going to let Lola stand in the way of her achieving her dream, and she doesn't care what she has to do to split them apart. Only has Sylvia been deluding herself by seeing only what she wants to see in Lomax? As Sylvia's life crumbles on every front, is she going to be able to put away her prickly exterior, come out of hibernation, handle devastating past traumas and begin to truly live again?
I imagine we have all encountered people who are eminently dislikeable and whom people generally swerve to avoid. Sylvia is definitely one of those characters, but O'Connor in her stellar characterisation, tenderly and compassionately reveals that beneath the prickles, the lonely inner Sylvia and the traumas she has suffered in her life that have made her the woman she is today, one who becames so unhinged that her life disintegrates. She has no options but to rediscover who she is and tentatively begin to engage with others, finding the wise Jonas being so supportive, and we discover just how much our needlemouse has misread Crystal through the years, and that the two have such similar personalities. Before I knew it, I found myself beginning to understand and adore Sylvia. An entertaining and emotionally intense read that I grew to love the more I read of it. Many thanks to Random House Ebury for an ARC.
Interspersed in the narrative are facts and information about hedgehogs, such as the Japanese word for hedgehog translates as needlemouse. Much like a hedgehog, Sylvia has been hibernating for years, she has lost the knack for life. Her social life revolves around her kooky free spirited sister, Millie, who insists on including in her social and family life, even though others are not so keen on Sylvia. Millie is married to the love of her life, Kamal, who runs a local deli, and they have a teenage daughter, Crystal. Lomax is going to get divorced and Sylvia is convinced that her chance has come, but he is having his head turned by 33 year old Irish single mom, the glamorous Lola, the newest PhD student. There is no way that Sylvia is going to let Lola stand in the way of her achieving her dream, and she doesn't care what she has to do to split them apart. Only has Sylvia been deluding herself by seeing only what she wants to see in Lomax? As Sylvia's life crumbles on every front, is she going to be able to put away her prickly exterior, come out of hibernation, handle devastating past traumas and begin to truly live again?
I imagine we have all encountered people who are eminently dislikeable and whom people generally swerve to avoid. Sylvia is definitely one of those characters, but O'Connor in her stellar characterisation, tenderly and compassionately reveals that beneath the prickles, the lonely inner Sylvia and the traumas she has suffered in her life that have made her the woman she is today, one who becames so unhinged that her life disintegrates. She has no options but to rediscover who she is and tentatively begin to engage with others, finding the wise Jonas being so supportive, and we discover just how much our needlemouse has misread Crystal through the years, and that the two have such similar personalities. Before I knew it, I found myself beginning to understand and adore Sylvia. An entertaining and emotionally intense read that I grew to love the more I read of it. Many thanks to Random House Ebury for an ARC.
February 22, 2020
2,5 stars
This book just wasn’t for me...the main character was to be slapped from the first to the last page, the plot littered with stereotypes and topped by politically correct subjects just to pleased the entire world.
A few lines here and there were nice but nothing more.
How did I end up reading this book!? this is serious!!!
Questo libro proprio non era adatto a me.... una protagonista da prendere a schiaffi dalla prima all' ultima pagina e una trama stra infarcita di stereotipi conditi da politicamente corretto e buonismo imperante.....qualche riga qua e là simpatica ma nulla di piu'.
Come sono finita a leggere suddetto libro!? questo è grave!!
This book just wasn’t for me...the main character was to be slapped from the first to the last page, the plot littered with stereotypes and topped by politically correct subjects just to pleased the entire world.
A few lines here and there were nice but nothing more.
How did I end up reading this book!? this is serious!!!
Questo libro proprio non era adatto a me.... una protagonista da prendere a schiaffi dalla prima all' ultima pagina e una trama stra infarcita di stereotipi conditi da politicamente corretto e buonismo imperante.....qualche riga qua e là simpatica ma nulla di piu'.
Come sono finita a leggere suddetto libro!? questo è grave!!
June 23, 2019
Oh what a Lovely Book! I discovered this from reading a review in my feed written by my GR friend Paromjit, who has great taste as well as being one of the most eloquent reviewers on GoodReads. Not my usual cup of tea, but the premise appealed to me, and I have very much enjoyed some of the similarly themed books featuring unconventional protagonists that have appeared in recent years, like Eleanor Oliphant & Ove.
I also do happen to like hedgehogs, which is faintly frowned upon here in NZ where they are an introduced species, and while not demonised like possums, rats and stoats, they do compete with native birds for food and eat their eggs. Unfortunately we mostly only see them dead on the road, but I have twice rescued sick hogs and was thankful to discover there is a network of people across the country who will take them in and restore them to health then freedom. I wish we could send them back to England where they belong, and would be appreciated, but reading here that the population has dropped from 35 to about one million tells me they probably have a better chance of surviving here. Anyway, I’m digressing, it’s late at night but I just had to finish this wonderful moving debut novel.
Sylvia is a 52 year old spinster, who has been in love with her boss, Carl, a professor of Educational Psychology at a London university for 15 years, patiently waiting for him to leave his wife so they can finally be together. Unfortunately her feelings are completely unrequited, bordering on delusional, and when he starts showing too much interest in a glamorous new PhD student, Sylvia is determined to protect him, as she sees it, by fair means or foul. She has few friends, and has always lived in the shadow of her vivacious extroverted younger sister Millie, and domineering 80 year old mother.
When the sisters fall out over the reveal of an old secret, Sylvia has only Jonas, a kindly old man who runs a hedgehog sanctuary that she volunteers at, mainly to make herself seem nicer than she is, to turn to. As the year turns, will Sylvia learn to uncurl from her protective ball and open herself up to friendship?
For most of the first half of this book at least, Sylvia is pretty unlikeable, as she writes her diary entries, detailing her bitchy commentary about everyone except her beloved Prof, gleefully plotting to keep her rival away from him. She and her brother-in-law, Kamal, can’t stand each other and she’s even distant from her teenage niece, the mopy Crystal. As we learn more about her past, however, you can’t help but feel a growing sympathy for her desperate loneliness, so that when she finally opens her eyes and reaches out, I found myself cheering her on. I loved the ending, which was both realistic and optimistic without being schmaltzy or too predictable.
The snippets of information about hedgehogs added to my enjoyment of this heartwarming story, except for hearing that they used to be cooked in clay and considered a delicacy in some countries or killed by witch-hunters in the Middle Ages. There are helpful hints on how to help them survive, and what to do if you find one - if they’re out during the day it means they’re sick and need help. Keep them warm, feed them cat or dog food and contact a rescue centre.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc, which allowed me to give an honest review. Needle Mouse is published on 27.06.19.
I also do happen to like hedgehogs, which is faintly frowned upon here in NZ where they are an introduced species, and while not demonised like possums, rats and stoats, they do compete with native birds for food and eat their eggs. Unfortunately we mostly only see them dead on the road, but I have twice rescued sick hogs and was thankful to discover there is a network of people across the country who will take them in and restore them to health then freedom. I wish we could send them back to England where they belong, and would be appreciated, but reading here that the population has dropped from 35 to about one million tells me they probably have a better chance of surviving here. Anyway, I’m digressing, it’s late at night but I just had to finish this wonderful moving debut novel.
Sylvia is a 52 year old spinster, who has been in love with her boss, Carl, a professor of Educational Psychology at a London university for 15 years, patiently waiting for him to leave his wife so they can finally be together. Unfortunately her feelings are completely unrequited, bordering on delusional, and when he starts showing too much interest in a glamorous new PhD student, Sylvia is determined to protect him, as she sees it, by fair means or foul. She has few friends, and has always lived in the shadow of her vivacious extroverted younger sister Millie, and domineering 80 year old mother.
When the sisters fall out over the reveal of an old secret, Sylvia has only Jonas, a kindly old man who runs a hedgehog sanctuary that she volunteers at, mainly to make herself seem nicer than she is, to turn to. As the year turns, will Sylvia learn to uncurl from her protective ball and open herself up to friendship?
For most of the first half of this book at least, Sylvia is pretty unlikeable, as she writes her diary entries, detailing her bitchy commentary about everyone except her beloved Prof, gleefully plotting to keep her rival away from him. She and her brother-in-law, Kamal, can’t stand each other and she’s even distant from her teenage niece, the mopy Crystal. As we learn more about her past, however, you can’t help but feel a growing sympathy for her desperate loneliness, so that when she finally opens her eyes and reaches out, I found myself cheering her on. I loved the ending, which was both realistic and optimistic without being schmaltzy or too predictable.
The snippets of information about hedgehogs added to my enjoyment of this heartwarming story, except for hearing that they used to be cooked in clay and considered a delicacy in some countries or killed by witch-hunters in the Middle Ages. There are helpful hints on how to help them survive, and what to do if you find one - if they’re out during the day it means they’re sick and need help. Keep them warm, feed them cat or dog food and contact a rescue centre.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc, which allowed me to give an honest review. Needle Mouse is published on 27.06.19.
July 16, 2019
4☆ A Charming and Quirky Novel
I absolutely ADORE Hedgehogs 🦔 which we call them in the UK and I love everything about them. So as soon as i see this gorgeous book I jumped at the chance to read it. Just by picking it up I learnt that Needlemouse meant Hedgehog! 🦔
Sylvia is a bit of a recluse, she comes across as quiet brash, obnoxious, opinionated, a lil prickly and overly protective of her boss, who she has a major crush on, some might say she was completely infatuated with him!
If only it was reciprocated! He is married and has no intention of being with Sylvia. Although it doesn't stop her!
Sylvia volunteers at a local Hedgehog Sanctuary, at first it appears that she is there for entirely selfish reasons, but as the story progresses she slowly reveals her softer and nurturing side which was actually pleasantly surprising.
It's here she makes some pretty big discoveries and decisions about her life and future!
What i loved most about this book was all the facts and information weaved in about the Hedgehogs, some I already knew but was still so nice and really did educate.
Sylvia isn't particularly a likeable character she is deeply flawed but she does have redeeming qualities and a vulnerable side you can't help warm too despite not wanting to like her!
This is a story of unrequited love/ obsession/ infatuation, a need to be loved, Secrets, Drama, its a story of life choices, transformation and discovery and of course adorable Hedgehogs.
It's a character driven story that's a slower paced read which really worked well.
So if you are looking for a charming quirky Novel, that has a storyline thats interesting, engaging, poignant and educational then you will really enjoy Needlemouse.
Thank you to Compulsive Readers Tours for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/0...
I absolutely ADORE Hedgehogs 🦔 which we call them in the UK and I love everything about them. So as soon as i see this gorgeous book I jumped at the chance to read it. Just by picking it up I learnt that Needlemouse meant Hedgehog! 🦔
Sylvia is a bit of a recluse, she comes across as quiet brash, obnoxious, opinionated, a lil prickly and overly protective of her boss, who she has a major crush on, some might say she was completely infatuated with him!
If only it was reciprocated! He is married and has no intention of being with Sylvia. Although it doesn't stop her!
Sylvia volunteers at a local Hedgehog Sanctuary, at first it appears that she is there for entirely selfish reasons, but as the story progresses she slowly reveals her softer and nurturing side which was actually pleasantly surprising.
It's here she makes some pretty big discoveries and decisions about her life and future!
What i loved most about this book was all the facts and information weaved in about the Hedgehogs, some I already knew but was still so nice and really did educate.
Sylvia isn't particularly a likeable character she is deeply flawed but she does have redeeming qualities and a vulnerable side you can't help warm too despite not wanting to like her!
This is a story of unrequited love/ obsession/ infatuation, a need to be loved, Secrets, Drama, its a story of life choices, transformation and discovery and of course adorable Hedgehogs.
It's a character driven story that's a slower paced read which really worked well.
So if you are looking for a charming quirky Novel, that has a storyline thats interesting, engaging, poignant and educational then you will really enjoy Needlemouse.
Thank you to Compulsive Readers Tours for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
My Review is also on my Blog Website :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/0...
January 19, 2019
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Needlemouse. What a character Sylvia is and she will definitely be a person to remember. You cannot help but warm to her has the pages are turned.
May 9, 2019
I thought this book was okay but annoying. The major concept is that of a socially awkward character with an uncomfortable adoration of someone utterly oblivious and undeserving of them. It felt like a very human book because what's most interesting about Sylvia's character is that she encompasses quite a lot of character traits which a host of people can probably relate to on some level, and she's a really great example of all of them. Jane O'Connor somehow manages to convincingly capture the avoiding, awkward, dismissive and slightly frosty nature of a reclusive personality and the jealous and bitter nature of someone with an unhealthy outlook on love.
The majority of the story has us following Sylvia through her life, which frankly couldn't be more monotonous if it tried as she works as an assistant to a University professor she adores and does very little else. As you can imagine, he couldn't care less about her although he does manage to buy her lunch or expensive gifts from time to time so as to lead her on and toy with her emotions. I couldn't stand either character, and I'm still unsure if that was actually the point of the whole thing!
Sylvia is without question one of the most irritating women I've read about. She constantly complains about people, particularly other women, has this insane need to validate herself by belittling any relationships anyone has and she is insufferable in her devotion to the professor. It isn't even that she speaks about him often, or that she is blinkered to his poor behaviour towards her which she frequently excuses (although those things are admittedly annoying enough in themselves), but rather it is that she is supposed to be a 52 year old woman and she behaves like an immature little girl conniving against other girls in the playground for being supposedly prettier than her! It's ridiculous.
Whilst I can appreciate that the author has tried to create an honest and quite funny representation of a number of typical and familiar scenarios and behaviours, I just can't bear to read about them if they're incessantly moaning and being petulant. At first I felt quite sorry for Sylvia, finding some connection with her in her blind and unrequited adoration, but even her eventual realisation of the fact she deserved better from her life wasn't enough to forgive her awful personality.
ARC provided free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The majority of the story has us following Sylvia through her life, which frankly couldn't be more monotonous if it tried as she works as an assistant to a University professor she adores and does very little else. As you can imagine, he couldn't care less about her although he does manage to buy her lunch or expensive gifts from time to time so as to lead her on and toy with her emotions. I couldn't stand either character, and I'm still unsure if that was actually the point of the whole thing!
Sylvia is without question one of the most irritating women I've read about. She constantly complains about people, particularly other women, has this insane need to validate herself by belittling any relationships anyone has and she is insufferable in her devotion to the professor. It isn't even that she speaks about him often, or that she is blinkered to his poor behaviour towards her which she frequently excuses (although those things are admittedly annoying enough in themselves), but rather it is that she is supposed to be a 52 year old woman and she behaves like an immature little girl conniving against other girls in the playground for being supposedly prettier than her! It's ridiculous.
Whilst I can appreciate that the author has tried to create an honest and quite funny representation of a number of typical and familiar scenarios and behaviours, I just can't bear to read about them if they're incessantly moaning and being petulant. At first I felt quite sorry for Sylvia, finding some connection with her in her blind and unrequited adoration, but even her eventual realisation of the fact she deserved better from her life wasn't enough to forgive her awful personality.
ARC provided free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2020
RECENSIONE QUI: https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/...
"Sylvia Penton esce dal letargo" è un romanzo che ci porta in un viaggio di crescita e riflessione. Una storia affascinante e stravagante con una trama coinvolgente, toccante ed educativa. Si apre con un ritmo abbastanza lento, tuttavia il lettore si ritrova inaspettatamente incatenato alla lettura. Sylvia è una zitella cinquantenne, innamorata del suo capo, Carl, professore universitario di Londra, e vissuta sempre all'ombra della vivace sorella minore e della madre prepotente. È probabile che quando la conoscerete non vi piacerà perché è dispettosa, subdola, supponente, un po’ pungente ed eccessivamente protettiva nei confronti del suo capo, per il quale ha una cotta da sempre. Se solo fosse ricambiata! Tutti abbiamo incontrato nella vita persone che sono eminentemente antipatiche. La protagonista Sylvia incarna questa caratteristica, ma l’autrice nella sua perfetta caratterizzazione ci rivela teneramente e compassionevolmente che sotto le tante spine si nasconde una donna solitaria che ha sofferto molto, che deve gestire traumi del passato che hanno modificato il suo carattere rendendola la persona che è nel presente. Riuscirà Sylvia a mettere da parte il suo aspetto pungente, a uscire dal letargo, a realizzare il suo sogno e a ricominciare a vivere davvero? Come un riccio, lentamente Sylvia rivela il suo lato più dolce, le sue imperfezioni, la sua vulnerabilità che cela dietro una corazza di aculei appuntiti e pungenti, compiendo scelte e scoperte per la sua vita e il suo futuro. Una menzione importante è da fare ai personaggi secondari che grazie alla scrittura dell'autrice sono reali e credibili: il proprietario del santuario, Jonas, e le sue figlie, le sorelle di Sylvia e sua figlia Crystal. Interessanti anche le nozioni sui ricci che mi hanno appassionare a questi piccoli esseri viventi bellissimi. Questa è una storia di ossessione e gelosia, di amicizia e di famiglia, di segreti e dramma, di scelte di vita, di trasformazione e scoperte e della necessità di essere amati.
CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/
"Sylvia Penton esce dal letargo" è un romanzo che ci porta in un viaggio di crescita e riflessione. Una storia affascinante e stravagante con una trama coinvolgente, toccante ed educativa. Si apre con un ritmo abbastanza lento, tuttavia il lettore si ritrova inaspettatamente incatenato alla lettura. Sylvia è una zitella cinquantenne, innamorata del suo capo, Carl, professore universitario di Londra, e vissuta sempre all'ombra della vivace sorella minore e della madre prepotente. È probabile che quando la conoscerete non vi piacerà perché è dispettosa, subdola, supponente, un po’ pungente ed eccessivamente protettiva nei confronti del suo capo, per il quale ha una cotta da sempre. Se solo fosse ricambiata! Tutti abbiamo incontrato nella vita persone che sono eminentemente antipatiche. La protagonista Sylvia incarna questa caratteristica, ma l’autrice nella sua perfetta caratterizzazione ci rivela teneramente e compassionevolmente che sotto le tante spine si nasconde una donna solitaria che ha sofferto molto, che deve gestire traumi del passato che hanno modificato il suo carattere rendendola la persona che è nel presente. Riuscirà Sylvia a mettere da parte il suo aspetto pungente, a uscire dal letargo, a realizzare il suo sogno e a ricominciare a vivere davvero? Come un riccio, lentamente Sylvia rivela il suo lato più dolce, le sue imperfezioni, la sua vulnerabilità che cela dietro una corazza di aculei appuntiti e pungenti, compiendo scelte e scoperte per la sua vita e il suo futuro. Una menzione importante è da fare ai personaggi secondari che grazie alla scrittura dell'autrice sono reali e credibili: il proprietario del santuario, Jonas, e le sue figlie, le sorelle di Sylvia e sua figlia Crystal. Interessanti anche le nozioni sui ricci che mi hanno appassionare a questi piccoli esseri viventi bellissimi. Questa è una storia di ossessione e gelosia, di amicizia e di famiglia, di segreti e dramma, di scelte di vita, di trasformazione e scoperte e della necessità di essere amati.
CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/
July 8, 2019
5 Words: Family, obsession, jealousy, love, hedgehogs.
Needlemouse is definitely a character driven novel, and it's one of those where nothing really happens when it comes to action, but by the end you've taken quite a journey in terms of growth. It's got a pretty slow pace, but nevertheless I couldn't stop reading.
I found Needlemouse quite a difficult book to get in to, and this was down to the main character, Sylvia. She's rather bitter and disagreeable, and generally just not a nice person. She's pretty much a straight up bitch for the first half of the book. She's also more than a little bit obsessed with the Prof and it made me feel quite awkward to read at first. Sylvia has a lot of internalised misogyny that made for uncomfortable reading at times, but it made the character seem much more believable and gave added weight to why she was the way she was.
It's a testament to the author's writing that I not only kept reading, but I actually grew to love Sylvia by the end. She has hidden depths and I loved how it all came together. Needlemouse ended up being quite a charming read.
I really loved how I learned a fair bit about hedgehogs while reading this book. A lot of research has obviously gone in to it, and it didn't feel like the author was showing off - what I learned through the characters actions felt very natural.
Needlemouse is definitely a character driven novel, and it's one of those where nothing really happens when it comes to action, but by the end you've taken quite a journey in terms of growth. It's got a pretty slow pace, but nevertheless I couldn't stop reading.
I found Needlemouse quite a difficult book to get in to, and this was down to the main character, Sylvia. She's rather bitter and disagreeable, and generally just not a nice person. She's pretty much a straight up bitch for the first half of the book. She's also more than a little bit obsessed with the Prof and it made me feel quite awkward to read at first. Sylvia has a lot of internalised misogyny that made for uncomfortable reading at times, but it made the character seem much more believable and gave added weight to why she was the way she was.
It's a testament to the author's writing that I not only kept reading, but I actually grew to love Sylvia by the end. She has hidden depths and I loved how it all came together. Needlemouse ended up being quite a charming read.
I really loved how I learned a fair bit about hedgehogs while reading this book. A lot of research has obviously gone in to it, and it didn't feel like the author was showing off - what I learned through the characters actions felt very natural.
November 19, 2018
My very first thought about Needlemouse was that it sounded a lot like The Cactus - prickly, judgemental, unsatisfied middle-aged woman finally waking up to all life has to offer. I really liked The Cactus, but I didn’t necessarily want a carbon copy of it.
Fifty-two year old Sylvia, who works in admin at a university, has been in love with her “Prof”, Carl Lomax, for many years, and when he finally separates from his wife she’s sure it’s only a matter of time before he realises his devoted Sylvia is the woman he’s meant to be with. (“If only Prof would hurry up and be ready for our relationship to properly begin, this awful feeling of living in limbo would be a distant memory.”) Sylvia’s sure this is going to happen, even if it means a bit of manipulation is needed to remove the potential obstacles. Of course, it doesn’t work out quite that way, and before she knows it Sylvia’s life is tumbling down around her ears.
The “prickly” metaphor here derives from Sylvia’s volunteering at a hedgehog sanctuary, and this is a lovely aspect to the novel (I’ve also learnt stuff about hedgehogs!). I liked Sylvia, even if she’s a bit of a horror to start with, but I really loved the supporting characters - sanctuary owner Jonas and his daughters, Sylvia’s sister Millie and her daughter Crystal (Crystal was great), even “Prof” and his student Lola are, if not especially likeable, very believable and recognisable characters.
Turned out to be an excellent read - I loved it.
Fifty-two year old Sylvia, who works in admin at a university, has been in love with her “Prof”, Carl Lomax, for many years, and when he finally separates from his wife she’s sure it’s only a matter of time before he realises his devoted Sylvia is the woman he’s meant to be with. (“If only Prof would hurry up and be ready for our relationship to properly begin, this awful feeling of living in limbo would be a distant memory.”) Sylvia’s sure this is going to happen, even if it means a bit of manipulation is needed to remove the potential obstacles. Of course, it doesn’t work out quite that way, and before she knows it Sylvia’s life is tumbling down around her ears.
The “prickly” metaphor here derives from Sylvia’s volunteering at a hedgehog sanctuary, and this is a lovely aspect to the novel (I’ve also learnt stuff about hedgehogs!). I liked Sylvia, even if she’s a bit of a horror to start with, but I really loved the supporting characters - sanctuary owner Jonas and his daughters, Sylvia’s sister Millie and her daughter Crystal (Crystal was great), even “Prof” and his student Lola are, if not especially likeable, very believable and recognisable characters.
Turned out to be an excellent read - I loved it.
December 10, 2018
This book was a little slow for me, the main character was annoying and I disliked her instantly. But I did enjoy the writing style.
April 4, 2021
15/20
Cette magie de la lecture quand on est surpris au fil des pages, je ne m’en lasserai jamais. Ce roman nous pousse à creuser derrière les apparences et j’ai finalement été très touchée par cette histoire qui peinait pourtant à m’intéresser pendant toute sa première moitié.
Ma chronique : https://littleprettybooks.com/2021/03...
Cette magie de la lecture quand on est surpris au fil des pages, je ne m’en lasserai jamais. Ce roman nous pousse à creuser derrière les apparences et j’ai finalement été très touchée par cette histoire qui peinait pourtant à m’intéresser pendant toute sa première moitié.
Ma chronique : https://littleprettybooks.com/2021/03...
July 19, 2019
Sylvia volunteers at a hedgehog sanctuary to avoid questions about what she does on a weekend as well as forestalling any requests for charity support at work. She doesn't really like them, she finds the man who runs it with his grown up daughters a bit sad and pathetic and when she says that she does this to make her seem nicer than she is, she is absolutely telling the truth.
MASSIVE kudos to Jane O'Connor for having her debut novel feature a first person protagonist who is not just prickly but damn unlikable. She judges, and finds wanting, every person she meets, including her own family, all that is , except the Prof.
Her boss, the love of her life who actually treats her appallingly. She does everything within her power to make his life easier-including trying to ruin the academic lives of people she sees as a threat-but as a 52 year old woman, she keeps close every single moment he has ever been 'nice' or 'kind' to her as if she is about to go into years of hibernation and these things will nourish her.
But he is not nice, he is dismissive, vain and selfish to her unrequited love. Her birthday meal is when he announces his unfaithful wife has left him. He passes off a secret santa gift to him as her birthday present. He unwittngly gives her hope every time he is nice to her then there is the occasion when he drunkenly kissed her, the lynchpin of her desire and hope that one day something more will happen.
And yet...as you peel away the layers, unprickle her if you will, you see an intelligent woman who is in denial, she lives this life of unrequited living in preference of reality. It's almost as if life is hyperreal and she cannot cope with it, she buries herself in leaves made of rules, stolen looks, notes, even the Prof's teabags. And when she does go along with what is expected of her (going on a date arranged by her sister)everything that happens on it reinforces why she stays prickly.
Syliva is a complex character, I found her hard and unwieldly, judgemental and unprofessional in her behaviour at work and wondered if she would ever redeem herself as a good person at the same time challenging my perceived notion of what constitutes a good person. Especially a woman, and this woman in particular who is the wrong side of 50, unmarried, no children i.e of no use to society whatsoever. Her choices in living this life are seen as invalid and selfish and that is when I clicked, on her date , and through thoughts such as these-
''It's part of how I love him,demonstrates my commitment to him.If I ever feel hungry or start to crave sweet things or crisps I think of him and enjoy the deniual. I suppose that's what is meant by 'love is suffering' and I am happy to suffer for him.''
Oh my heart,
She is prickly but then so are we as readers, we judge her self confessed behaviour as not normal, but then she is reflecting what society expects of women and the expectations it has of conforming to a set standard and if we do so, the love we receive will be worth the pain.
It's a frankly wonderful debut , and I am so grateful to have met Sylvia and read about her journey to actualisation. And also learn so much about hedgehogs and what we can do, in our own little ways, to support them.
MASSIVE kudos to Jane O'Connor for having her debut novel feature a first person protagonist who is not just prickly but damn unlikable. She judges, and finds wanting, every person she meets, including her own family, all that is , except the Prof.
Her boss, the love of her life who actually treats her appallingly. She does everything within her power to make his life easier-including trying to ruin the academic lives of people she sees as a threat-but as a 52 year old woman, she keeps close every single moment he has ever been 'nice' or 'kind' to her as if she is about to go into years of hibernation and these things will nourish her.
But he is not nice, he is dismissive, vain and selfish to her unrequited love. Her birthday meal is when he announces his unfaithful wife has left him. He passes off a secret santa gift to him as her birthday present. He unwittngly gives her hope every time he is nice to her then there is the occasion when he drunkenly kissed her, the lynchpin of her desire and hope that one day something more will happen.
And yet...as you peel away the layers, unprickle her if you will, you see an intelligent woman who is in denial, she lives this life of unrequited living in preference of reality. It's almost as if life is hyperreal and she cannot cope with it, she buries herself in leaves made of rules, stolen looks, notes, even the Prof's teabags. And when she does go along with what is expected of her (going on a date arranged by her sister)everything that happens on it reinforces why she stays prickly.
Syliva is a complex character, I found her hard and unwieldly, judgemental and unprofessional in her behaviour at work and wondered if she would ever redeem herself as a good person at the same time challenging my perceived notion of what constitutes a good person. Especially a woman, and this woman in particular who is the wrong side of 50, unmarried, no children i.e of no use to society whatsoever. Her choices in living this life are seen as invalid and selfish and that is when I clicked, on her date , and through thoughts such as these-
''It's part of how I love him,demonstrates my commitment to him.If I ever feel hungry or start to crave sweet things or crisps I think of him and enjoy the deniual. I suppose that's what is meant by 'love is suffering' and I am happy to suffer for him.''
Oh my heart,
She is prickly but then so are we as readers, we judge her self confessed behaviour as not normal, but then she is reflecting what society expects of women and the expectations it has of conforming to a set standard and if we do so, the love we receive will be worth the pain.
It's a frankly wonderful debut , and I am so grateful to have met Sylvia and read about her journey to actualisation. And also learn so much about hedgehogs and what we can do, in our own little ways, to support them.
June 23, 2019
Every so often I like to mix it up a bit and read something outside my usual comfort zone. Something a bit slower paced and more character driven than the usual high octane thrillers which I devour constantly. This was that book for me. We meet Sylvia who lives alone, works for a university professor who she loves unrequitedly, and volunteers at a hedgehog sanctuary. She also looks down her nose at most people, is too overprotective of aforementioned professor and, to be honest, isn't really a nice person. But what has happened to make her like this, was there something? I mean, she has a good relationship with her sister so it isn't all doom and gloom. But then the apple cart is upset. She has a rival for her boss, her relationship with her sister goes off the rails, and even her precious sanctuary's existence is threatened. Like the creatures she adores, she definitely has a prickly side but is it time she stopped rolling herself up in a ball and started to live a little? Even if that means exposing her soft-side...
This was a delightfully quirky read. Yes, it's uncomfortable at times, especially given how unlikable the main character is when we first meet her. I gave up counting the number of times I wanted to give her a good slap. But face value is all we ever see of everyone we meet and, as we all know, often that's just a mask, a defence mechanism, hiding an inner vulnerability, a soft centre, a person who just wants to be loved. A bit childlike and definitely naive. But, by the end of the book, when a lot of water has passed under the bridge, when certain truths have come to light and the whole Sylvia has been exposed. Well, I guess I started to understood her a whole lot more. I still don't think we'll be best friends any time soon but there's definitely a newfound respect. Basically, in a nutshell, it's pretty much Sylvia's coming of age book.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
This was a delightfully quirky read. Yes, it's uncomfortable at times, especially given how unlikable the main character is when we first meet her. I gave up counting the number of times I wanted to give her a good slap. But face value is all we ever see of everyone we meet and, as we all know, often that's just a mask, a defence mechanism, hiding an inner vulnerability, a soft centre, a person who just wants to be loved. A bit childlike and definitely naive. But, by the end of the book, when a lot of water has passed under the bridge, when certain truths have come to light and the whole Sylvia has been exposed. Well, I guess I started to understood her a whole lot more. I still don't think we'll be best friends any time soon but there's definitely a newfound respect. Basically, in a nutshell, it's pretty much Sylvia's coming of age book.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
July 2, 2019
Needlemouse is a delightful, fun read featuring some fantastic characters. It’s quite a quirky read but a thoroughly enjoyable one about loneliness, love and finding yourself.
Sylvia was a very interesting character who I took a while to warm to as she seemed such a prickly character to begin with. She likes things done a certain, controlled way and doesn’t like it when things don’t go the way she wanted. Her infatuation with her boss was a bit cringy to read about at times and I found myself wondering how it would work out. I did like her slightly evil side though which often had me laughing out loud. How I wish I had the nerve to do similar things, and get away with it, to people that upset me! The other characters were equally great to read about and I loved how different they were to each other. My favourite character was Jonas as I loved his gentle manner and obvious love for his late wife. His memories of their time together was so lovely to read about and brought a tear to my eye.
The book is fairly fast paced as there is always lots happening that kept me glued to the page. The chapters are fairly short and told in a diary format which made me feel more involved in the story. I found I enjoyed going on the journey with Sylvia to discover her own life and the person she wanted to be.
Huge thanks to Tracy Fenton for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Tess from Ebury publishing for my copy of this book.
Sylvia was a very interesting character who I took a while to warm to as she seemed such a prickly character to begin with. She likes things done a certain, controlled way and doesn’t like it when things don’t go the way she wanted. Her infatuation with her boss was a bit cringy to read about at times and I found myself wondering how it would work out. I did like her slightly evil side though which often had me laughing out loud. How I wish I had the nerve to do similar things, and get away with it, to people that upset me! The other characters were equally great to read about and I loved how different they were to each other. My favourite character was Jonas as I loved his gentle manner and obvious love for his late wife. His memories of their time together was so lovely to read about and brought a tear to my eye.
The book is fairly fast paced as there is always lots happening that kept me glued to the page. The chapters are fairly short and told in a diary format which made me feel more involved in the story. I found I enjoyed going on the journey with Sylvia to discover her own life and the person she wanted to be.
Huge thanks to Tracy Fenton for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Tess from Ebury publishing for my copy of this book.
February 2, 2019
Sylvia is a 52 year old single woman who I really didn’t like very much, she didn’t seem to have any pleasant qualities at all.
She works in a university as the assistant to a Professor who she tells herself she love and he, obviously feels the same way about her. As he is about to divorce his wife, she knows he will come to understand just how much Sylvia means to hi,.
Sylvia does try to make herself more interesting and likeable by volunteering at a Hedgehog rescue centre, I mean who doesn’t love Hedgehogs?
I loved the other characters and they were so well written, it was a bit like watching Doctor Who through your fingers, as you watched Sylvia’s life fall apart....and while she is not a nice person at all, I still felt sorry for her, which is a credit to Jane O’Connor’s excellent writing.
I would like to thank the Author/the Publishers/NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for a fair and honest review
She works in a university as the assistant to a Professor who she tells herself she love and he, obviously feels the same way about her. As he is about to divorce his wife, she knows he will come to understand just how much Sylvia means to hi,.
Sylvia does try to make herself more interesting and likeable by volunteering at a Hedgehog rescue centre, I mean who doesn’t love Hedgehogs?
I loved the other characters and they were so well written, it was a bit like watching Doctor Who through your fingers, as you watched Sylvia’s life fall apart....and while she is not a nice person at all, I still felt sorry for her, which is a credit to Jane O’Connor’s excellent writing.
I would like to thank the Author/the Publishers/NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for a fair and honest review
June 24, 2019
I felt that I had already met Sylvia, I think everyone has, the lady who was going to settle down maybe next year, get married one day and have a family one day but all of a sudden the one days have all become yesterday and time has gone by. Well, Sylvia had waited for years for her boss to make that final move after he had clearly made his feelings known at one of the office Xmas parties. She had pride in his achievements and protected him every day from the riff-raff who tried to make it into his office.
Sylvia was all about what people thought of her even if it wasn't the real her. When a new lady arrives on the scene Sylvia decides to take drastic action and well the story becomes pretty entertaining. I must admit that at times I did have to read just with one eye as I cringed so much. This was pure gold, a super debut.
This is one good feel read that is perfect entertainment at home or on holiday. I didn't much care for this spiteful spinster, to begin with, but well she did make me laugh. It was just the determination and blinkered serious approach that I giggled at. The lengths she went to but with each page, I thawed and mellowed to this lady and loved her to bits by the end.
There are some brilliant characters, all readable, predictable and very entertaining, a super uplifting read, beautifully written and perfect title.
I wish to thank NetGalley for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
Sylvia was all about what people thought of her even if it wasn't the real her. When a new lady arrives on the scene Sylvia decides to take drastic action and well the story becomes pretty entertaining. I must admit that at times I did have to read just with one eye as I cringed so much. This was pure gold, a super debut.
This is one good feel read that is perfect entertainment at home or on holiday. I didn't much care for this spiteful spinster, to begin with, but well she did make me laugh. It was just the determination and blinkered serious approach that I giggled at. The lengths she went to but with each page, I thawed and mellowed to this lady and loved her to bits by the end.
There are some brilliant characters, all readable, predictable and very entertaining, a super uplifting read, beautifully written and perfect title.
I wish to thank NetGalley for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.
July 8, 2019
A nice gentle tale of unrequited love and second chances. Sylvia is one of those characters that at times you want to just shake and then at other times you are routing for her to pull her life around, Jane O"Conor has made a the character of Sylivia venerable but not weak and someone, who if you too are in your fifty's and single , that is relatable.
If you're a fan of books like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and The Cactus then this is a book for you,
If you're a fan of books like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and The Cactus then this is a book for you,
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July 11, 2021I am not going to assign stars to this book as I feel it may be unfair. Suffice to say that when I read the description of a prickly 50+ year old woman ... “unrequited love, loneliness and the redemptive qualities of hedgehogs” I thought it would be a certain kind of story reminiscent of the likes of Olive and of Arthur and of Ove...it wasn’t and that disappointment became quickly apparent in the first part of the book and I feel my preconceived expectations are not fair to rate this book poorly. I almost marked the book as a DNF but continued on and I am ever so glad I did as the last third was a delightful reward 🦔
June 7, 2023
A lovely book. It tells the story of a single woman and her relationships with her family, her boss and her voluntary work at a hedgehog sanctuary. At first the main character comes across as lonely and obsessive, but as the story unfolds there are past events that may have caused her to behave this way.
I will be looking out for more books by this author!
I will be looking out for more books by this author!
November 25, 2018
Sylvia lives alone and works for a university professor in whom she has been in love for years. No matter that the professor is married and totally unaware, Sylvia is convinced she is looking out for him in every way, waiting for the moment he leaves his wife to be with her. The new Eleanor Oliphant, Sylvia is not a character to feel sorry for, nor to be actively disliked. However, there are times when Sylvia's actions are unfair and downright vindictive. Yet Jane O'Connor manages to retain the sympathy of the reader throughout. Family dynamics play a huge part in the novel and address many aspects of sibling love and reliance. Even when Sylvia's world comes crashing down, entirely because of her own spiteful actions, the reader still has to admire her resolve. Her relationship with her niece is only explained later on, but then changes whilst Sylvia is beginning to change herself.
This is an entirely realistic, believable story with many twists and turns of sympathy and makes for an very satisfying read.
This is an entirely realistic, believable story with many twists and turns of sympathy and makes for an very satisfying read.
September 29, 2022
I really loved this book. I connected with the main character and had feelings of empathy towards her even when she was doing the wrong thing and being entirely irrational. I liked the storyline and the references to hedgehogs now and again was really entertaining. If you enjoyed Elinor Oliphant is completely fine then this is one for you. Would recommend.
April 22, 2019
Spinster's story of obsession, vindictiveness and atonement.
Eleanor Oliphant. The Cactus. Needlemouse. Three books on a theme I am very much enjoying lately. Sylvia is such a vivid creation - now middle-aged, she's spent her child-bearing years as personal assistant to a university professor, professionally an ideal aide, personally a women keeping herself looking impeccable for the man she adores.
"This i s my favourite part of the day, when we spend ten, or maybe even fifteen, minutes going through his diary..."
Having little life away from his office, she volunteers at a hedgehog shelter to have something philanthropic to give her more likeability.
Looking back on her faded youth, mistakes she's made, the time she's spent on her Professor, her jealousy and hackles are raised when a mature PhD student begins to spend more time with her Professor Lomax. As Sylvia determines to keep her beloved to herself, her dream of a fairy tale ending begins to tear.
We gradually see Sylvia's past, her relationship with her sister, the hedgehog work that she does to "make people think I'm a nicer person than I actually am", and despite the fact that she really shouldn't be likeable, her delusions and unfulfilled desires make her at least a little sympathetic.
I just adored following the path with Sylvia, from the inevitable lows and 'wake up' moments, to her moments of realisation and connection. What thirty/forty-something cannot identify with the feeling of ageing and being surpassed? "It was about a disturbing new feeling of being left behind and past my prime. A new younger generation of women seemed to be... rising up from the ranks of their career-driven mid-twenties..."
There are some truly heartfelt revelations and moments, some pain evident on Sylvia's part, beneath her prickles she is vulnerable. She does some really awful things, but likewise doesn't seem to realise that she is also capable of some compassionate and kind acts.
If you were an 'Eleanor' fan, this will most likely also be your cup of tea. I loved it, I loved Sylvia, I want to see a film version for a talented mature actress.
Obsession in love, being blind to reality - something all of us have surely at one time or another felt to some degree. The secrets of family, the need to connect with someone... all the most human of experiences.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
Eleanor Oliphant. The Cactus. Needlemouse. Three books on a theme I am very much enjoying lately. Sylvia is such a vivid creation - now middle-aged, she's spent her child-bearing years as personal assistant to a university professor, professionally an ideal aide, personally a women keeping herself looking impeccable for the man she adores.
"This i s my favourite part of the day, when we spend ten, or maybe even fifteen, minutes going through his diary..."
Having little life away from his office, she volunteers at a hedgehog shelter to have something philanthropic to give her more likeability.
Looking back on her faded youth, mistakes she's made, the time she's spent on her Professor, her jealousy and hackles are raised when a mature PhD student begins to spend more time with her Professor Lomax. As Sylvia determines to keep her beloved to herself, her dream of a fairy tale ending begins to tear.
We gradually see Sylvia's past, her relationship with her sister, the hedgehog work that she does to "make people think I'm a nicer person than I actually am", and despite the fact that she really shouldn't be likeable, her delusions and unfulfilled desires make her at least a little sympathetic.
I just adored following the path with Sylvia, from the inevitable lows and 'wake up' moments, to her moments of realisation and connection. What thirty/forty-something cannot identify with the feeling of ageing and being surpassed? "It was about a disturbing new feeling of being left behind and past my prime. A new younger generation of women seemed to be... rising up from the ranks of their career-driven mid-twenties..."
There are some truly heartfelt revelations and moments, some pain evident on Sylvia's part, beneath her prickles she is vulnerable. She does some really awful things, but likewise doesn't seem to realise that she is also capable of some compassionate and kind acts.
If you were an 'Eleanor' fan, this will most likely also be your cup of tea. I loved it, I loved Sylvia, I want to see a film version for a talented mature actress.
Obsession in love, being blind to reality - something all of us have surely at one time or another felt to some degree. The secrets of family, the need to connect with someone... all the most human of experiences.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
November 27, 2018
Anyone who has worked in a school, faculty or department (they are interchangeable and change frequently) of a university will immediately recognise fifty-two year old Sylvia, the spikey personal assistant to the Prof. Sylvia guards the Prof’s time and space with the dedication of a rottweiler and she has been in love with him for the last ten years (the Prof not the rottweiler). When a glamorous new PhD student appears on the scene Sylvia fears her dreams of ‘happy ever after’ with the Prof are damned. She decides that she has to take action and this leads to her complete downfall.
Sylvia lives alone and divides her time between her job at the university and volunteering for the local hedgehog sanctuary run by widower Jonas. She has no close friends and only just tolerates the company of her mother, her sister Millie, her husband Kamal and their daughter Crystal.
To be frank, at the beginning of the novel, Sylvia really isn’t a very nice person and I was sighing and tutting at her spiteful and underhand actions. However, as her story starts to unfold I found myself liking and understanding her more and more. Whilst Sylvia’s action lead to her world imploding in the short term they also make her re-evaluate her existence and, like a hedgehog at the end of winter, come out of hibernation and begin to live her life.
Jane O’Connor has crafted a lovely story with delightful characters, straight-laced Sylvia, scatty Millie, thoughtful Crystal and philosophical Jonas to name just a few. Sylvia’s journey to self-awareness is told with poignancy and care. I loved this novel and would highly recommend you read it, especially if you are a fan of Ruth Hogan and/or Gail Honeyman. Fun fact: needle mouse is Japanese for hedgehog. How cute is that?
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley and publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
Sylvia lives alone and divides her time between her job at the university and volunteering for the local hedgehog sanctuary run by widower Jonas. She has no close friends and only just tolerates the company of her mother, her sister Millie, her husband Kamal and their daughter Crystal.
To be frank, at the beginning of the novel, Sylvia really isn’t a very nice person and I was sighing and tutting at her spiteful and underhand actions. However, as her story starts to unfold I found myself liking and understanding her more and more. Whilst Sylvia’s action lead to her world imploding in the short term they also make her re-evaluate her existence and, like a hedgehog at the end of winter, come out of hibernation and begin to live her life.
Jane O’Connor has crafted a lovely story with delightful characters, straight-laced Sylvia, scatty Millie, thoughtful Crystal and philosophical Jonas to name just a few. Sylvia’s journey to self-awareness is told with poignancy and care. I loved this novel and would highly recommend you read it, especially if you are a fan of Ruth Hogan and/or Gail Honeyman. Fun fact: needle mouse is Japanese for hedgehog. How cute is that?
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley and publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
July 14, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this book: while the quirky single lady is everywhere at the moment, this book finds a quite different angle, and I thought the writing and characterisation was absolutely excellent. While I might not have done so at first, I grew to love Sylvia – as prickly as the hedgehogs she helps to look after, her blind devotion to her Prof is so well done, and rather than making her a figure of fun I couldn’t help feeling for her as her actions begin to blow her life apart. She’s really the most extreme of unreliable narrators – but unlike the “norm”, where you might be questioning that unreliability, her behaviour becomes so over-th-top that there’s never any question or doubt.
It’s very funny – and you feel almost embarrassed to be laughing, and as a fellow single in later life it sometimes felt rather uncomfortably close to home – and I really enjoyed the way her story then played out. The emotional content and the story telling is quite enchanting, as it becomes clear what has made her as she is, and the hedgehog sanctuary becomes her salvation too. The subsidiary characters are also thoroughly excellent – I had a particular soft spot (surprisingly…) for Prof’s wife, and (of course) for gentle Jonas and his daughters.
A very different read, and a rather lovely one – highly recommended.
It’s very funny – and you feel almost embarrassed to be laughing, and as a fellow single in later life it sometimes felt rather uncomfortably close to home – and I really enjoyed the way her story then played out. The emotional content and the story telling is quite enchanting, as it becomes clear what has made her as she is, and the hedgehog sanctuary becomes her salvation too. The subsidiary characters are also thoroughly excellent – I had a particular soft spot (surprisingly…) for Prof’s wife, and (of course) for gentle Jonas and his daughters.
A very different read, and a rather lovely one – highly recommended.
May 18, 2019
For some reason I kept putting off reading this book as I thought it was going to be a bit twee and schmaltzy and I was never in the right mood. I wish now I'd left it even longer as I would still have a gtreat treat in store!
Ms O' Connor takes the age old story of unrequited love and embellishes it with some lovely twists - many to do with hedgehogs. I was really pleased that Sylvia the unlikable anti - heroine was an older woman rather than the 30 somethings who populate many contemporary books and her story unfolded with great warmth and empathy and had me really rooting for her at the end. A truly uplifting read and I look forward to further books by this author.
Thank you to netgalley and Penguin Random house for an advance copy of this book.
Ms O' Connor takes the age old story of unrequited love and embellishes it with some lovely twists - many to do with hedgehogs. I was really pleased that Sylvia the unlikable anti - heroine was an older woman rather than the 30 somethings who populate many contemporary books and her story unfolded with great warmth and empathy and had me really rooting for her at the end. A truly uplifting read and I look forward to further books by this author.
Thank you to netgalley and Penguin Random house for an advance copy of this book.
July 17, 2019
Oh, what a wonderful and heartwarming debut novel this is! With some reviews it’s difficult to put into words how a book made me feel, but with Needlemouse I don’t have that problem at all. It’s a truly delightful book that left me with a huge smile on my face as I turned the final page, making me feel like I could go out and tackle anything life decided to throw my way that day! It’s such a moving and beautifully written book and, I’m not ashamed to say, it brought a tear to my eye on more than one occasion.
Oh Sylvia Penton, what have you done to me?
Now where do I even start with Sylvia? She was a character I didn’t think I was ever going to like. I mean, how could I? She was prickly, hard to get to know, with a mean streak a mile long. She lives alone, dedicating her life to her job at the local university and to her boss Professor Carl Lomax, who she has secretly been in love with for over a decade. In her spare time she helps out at a local hedgehog sanctuary, not due to her love of hedgehogs, but because it gives her something to talk about and makes her seem nicer than she really is.
But when a new PhD student catches the Prof’s eye, Sylvia finds her life spiralling out of control, with her behaviour becoming more and more desperate, until things finally come to a head, leaving her facing a lonely and uncertain future.
Some of the things Sylvia did in her quest to be with the man she loves made me cringe and, in all honesty, left me not really feeling much sympathy for her at that point in the story. But then, slowly, her prickly outer shell began to be stripped away until we could finally begin to see the real Sylvia underneath her hard and unfeeling exterior. And this was when my feelings for her began to change. Before long, when secrets from her past began to emerge, I could understand why she’d put up the protective walls that she had. And that was when this character who I really didn’t like or understand came to life for me, in ways I never would have expected.
Mostly told in diary form, only bits and pieces of the story are revealed at a time as we get to know Sylvia through her interactions with her work colleagues and family. Her friendship with Jonas, the elderly owner of the hedgehog sanctuary, was particularly endearing and it was this part of the story that made my heart melt and moved me the most.
Needlemouse is a quirky, fun and moving debut that’s full of warmth and heart. I loved it more than I ever thought I could when I started it, with Sylvia becoming a memorable character who I’m unlikely to forget for some time to come.
A gorgeous and uplifting novel that I would highly recommend. Jane O’Connor is a stunning new talent and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
Oh Sylvia Penton, what have you done to me?
Now where do I even start with Sylvia? She was a character I didn’t think I was ever going to like. I mean, how could I? She was prickly, hard to get to know, with a mean streak a mile long. She lives alone, dedicating her life to her job at the local university and to her boss Professor Carl Lomax, who she has secretly been in love with for over a decade. In her spare time she helps out at a local hedgehog sanctuary, not due to her love of hedgehogs, but because it gives her something to talk about and makes her seem nicer than she really is.
But when a new PhD student catches the Prof’s eye, Sylvia finds her life spiralling out of control, with her behaviour becoming more and more desperate, until things finally come to a head, leaving her facing a lonely and uncertain future.
Some of the things Sylvia did in her quest to be with the man she loves made me cringe and, in all honesty, left me not really feeling much sympathy for her at that point in the story. But then, slowly, her prickly outer shell began to be stripped away until we could finally begin to see the real Sylvia underneath her hard and unfeeling exterior. And this was when my feelings for her began to change. Before long, when secrets from her past began to emerge, I could understand why she’d put up the protective walls that she had. And that was when this character who I really didn’t like or understand came to life for me, in ways I never would have expected.
Mostly told in diary form, only bits and pieces of the story are revealed at a time as we get to know Sylvia through her interactions with her work colleagues and family. Her friendship with Jonas, the elderly owner of the hedgehog sanctuary, was particularly endearing and it was this part of the story that made my heart melt and moved me the most.
Needlemouse is a quirky, fun and moving debut that’s full of warmth and heart. I loved it more than I ever thought I could when I started it, with Sylvia becoming a memorable character who I’m unlikely to forget for some time to come.
A gorgeous and uplifting novel that I would highly recommend. Jane O’Connor is a stunning new talent and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
July 8, 2019
Life doesn't always end up the way we planned it, or the way we expected it to. That's what happens to Sylvia Penton. She always thought her life would be pretty much like everyone else's: she'd meet 'Mr Right'; get married; have children and live mediocrely ever after. But that's not exactly the way it works out. Instead, she watches as it happens for everyone else. And now, here she is at the age of 52, staid, prissy and alone. She has her mother, an aloof and judgemental influence who she'd rather avoid, her beloved sister Millie, but Millie is married to Kamal and that's ... well ... complicated. And there's her niece Crystal, who she's never really taken to.
Sylvia works at a hedgehog sanctuary at the weekend - mainly so that she'll have something to talk about at work on Mondays, and also because she quite likes the company of the quiet and solitary Jonas who runs it. Because Sylvia is harbouring a very large secret: she is in love with her boss, Professor Carl Lomax, affectionately known to her as 'Prof'. She's loved him since she first laid eyes on him over 10 years ago. She just knows that he feels the same and that it's only a matter of time before he leaves his wife and they can finally, openly be together. She is his fierce protector and defender. He can do no wrong in her eyes.
Syvia has, in fact built an entire fantasy life around Prof and her future with him, and as the reader is drawn further into her quest to achieve her goal, we cannot help but be both amused and alarmed at the lengths that she will go to in order to achieve it. It reaches the point where it's a bit like a car wreck: you just can't help slowing down and staring in open-mouthed horror as you watch Sylvia's life deteriorate and crumble around her.
Jane O'Connor writes with both comedic and empathetic skill about individuals who are very real. Those who are put on pedestals, but who are in fact just average, flawed people just like everyone else, as well as those who live on the fringes of society, forgotten and overlooked only because they don't fit into any type of niche but who have so much to offer to those who are willing to take the time to stop and notice them.
I adored this book! I loved its quirkiness and charm which ooze off the pages, and I give it 5 big off-beat stars!
Sylvia works at a hedgehog sanctuary at the weekend - mainly so that she'll have something to talk about at work on Mondays, and also because she quite likes the company of the quiet and solitary Jonas who runs it. Because Sylvia is harbouring a very large secret: she is in love with her boss, Professor Carl Lomax, affectionately known to her as 'Prof'. She's loved him since she first laid eyes on him over 10 years ago. She just knows that he feels the same and that it's only a matter of time before he leaves his wife and they can finally, openly be together. She is his fierce protector and defender. He can do no wrong in her eyes.
Syvia has, in fact built an entire fantasy life around Prof and her future with him, and as the reader is drawn further into her quest to achieve her goal, we cannot help but be both amused and alarmed at the lengths that she will go to in order to achieve it. It reaches the point where it's a bit like a car wreck: you just can't help slowing down and staring in open-mouthed horror as you watch Sylvia's life deteriorate and crumble around her.
Jane O'Connor writes with both comedic and empathetic skill about individuals who are very real. Those who are put on pedestals, but who are in fact just average, flawed people just like everyone else, as well as those who live on the fringes of society, forgotten and overlooked only because they don't fit into any type of niche but who have so much to offer to those who are willing to take the time to stop and notice them.
I adored this book! I loved its quirkiness and charm which ooze off the pages, and I give it 5 big off-beat stars!
June 24, 2019
This book has been compared to Eleanor Oliphant and the like and I can totally see why! The main character is 'quirky'! She doesn't conform to the norm and seems happy enough living life the way she wants to, but you just know that if you scratch away there's something hidden underneath the surface that makes you want to give them a big hug and let them know that life will be ok!
For 15 years she has devoted herself to her work, and her boss! Thinking he is just waiting for the right moment to dump his wife and live the 'happily ever after' life with Sylvia. BUT he doesn't see the world the way she does and the more you witness his behaviour, the more you get the impression that he has just used her over the years and taken advantage of her devotion.
It's only when she sees him in a whole new light that the reality hits her that he's not her knight in shining armour and all she has pinned her hopes on crumbles away. So what does she do with her life now?
As well as her work she has devoted her time helping to helping out at a hedgehog sanctuary with Jonas. He's a wonderful soul who takes great delight in living life simply and just wants to help the hedgehogs! The more time Sylvia spends with him and the sanctuary, the more her eyes are opened as to what she wants out of life and when an old school friend reappears in her life, maybe her life starts to look up again and she sees things a little differently.
I loved the simplicity of this story - it's more about the personalities and life choices that each character makes. Sylvia isn't the most likeable character to begin with - she's quite abrupt in her viewpoints but she has a big dilemma to face when she sees her boss for what he really is and not what she thought he was for all those years. There's a reason for why she is the way she is, and the more she gets stripped back then the more you understand her and things fall into place.
I really enjoyed this story and the journey that you see Sylvia take is a very realistic and poignant one.
For 15 years she has devoted herself to her work, and her boss! Thinking he is just waiting for the right moment to dump his wife and live the 'happily ever after' life with Sylvia. BUT he doesn't see the world the way she does and the more you witness his behaviour, the more you get the impression that he has just used her over the years and taken advantage of her devotion.
It's only when she sees him in a whole new light that the reality hits her that he's not her knight in shining armour and all she has pinned her hopes on crumbles away. So what does she do with her life now?
As well as her work she has devoted her time helping to helping out at a hedgehog sanctuary with Jonas. He's a wonderful soul who takes great delight in living life simply and just wants to help the hedgehogs! The more time Sylvia spends with him and the sanctuary, the more her eyes are opened as to what she wants out of life and when an old school friend reappears in her life, maybe her life starts to look up again and she sees things a little differently.
I loved the simplicity of this story - it's more about the personalities and life choices that each character makes. Sylvia isn't the most likeable character to begin with - she's quite abrupt in her viewpoints but she has a big dilemma to face when she sees her boss for what he really is and not what she thought he was for all those years. There's a reason for why she is the way she is, and the more she gets stripped back then the more you understand her and things fall into place.
I really enjoyed this story and the journey that you see Sylvia take is a very realistic and poignant one.
March 13, 2020
I was so so torn on this book which is why I ultimately had to rate it three stars.
I absolutely hated the first half of this book; I thought Sylvia was a terrible character and she was extremely unlikable throughout the first half. She is rude and cruel and goes out of her way to ruin people that slightly inconvenience her or what she considers to be a perceived slight. I was so close to putting this book down because I just wasn't enjoying it but it's compared to Eleanor Oliphant which i one of my favourite books and so I thought I would keep going.
The entirety of the first half of the plot is focused on Sylvia's obsession with 'Prof' who she has been in love with for years, for what reason I have absolutely no idea. It feels so awkward to read and just made me cringe so many times. And not only that we find out that she slept with her sister's partner and had an inexplicable hatred towards her niece, so much so that everyone knew about it.
It's only in the second half that I actually started enjoying the book and we actually got to know more about who Sylvia is as a character. It almost felt like two entirely different books because Sylvia almost changes overnight and becomes this new person who has moved on from Prof. For me, this change in character and the insight we get into her character was unfortunately a little bit too late for me to fully redeem this book. Although we come to learn that Sylvia got pregnant with her fling with her sister's partner and didn't have a baby, and this is why she struggles to be around her niece, it doesn't redeem her earlier characterisation for me. It came a little bit too late to make up for how downright cruel she could be in the first half.
I also feel there was far too much focus on the Prof storyline, only for it to then suddenly disappear completely in the second half apart from a couple of mentions. I wish there was more focus on her family because they were all quite developed in the second half and I really enjoyed the character of Crystal, she was just delightful and the standout character of the book for me. Millie... she was a bit of a doormat and a really frustrating character. I honestly just wanted more from this storyline rather than the cringe obsession with Prof.
Ultimately I just had to rate it 3* as I don't feel the second half made up for the first.
I absolutely hated the first half of this book; I thought Sylvia was a terrible character and she was extremely unlikable throughout the first half. She is rude and cruel and goes out of her way to ruin people that slightly inconvenience her or what she considers to be a perceived slight. I was so close to putting this book down because I just wasn't enjoying it but it's compared to Eleanor Oliphant which i one of my favourite books and so I thought I would keep going.
The entirety of the first half of the plot is focused on Sylvia's obsession with 'Prof' who she has been in love with for years, for what reason I have absolutely no idea. It feels so awkward to read and just made me cringe so many times. And not only that we find out that she slept with her sister's partner and had an inexplicable hatred towards her niece, so much so that everyone knew about it.
It's only in the second half that I actually started enjoying the book and we actually got to know more about who Sylvia is as a character. It almost felt like two entirely different books because Sylvia almost changes overnight and becomes this new person who has moved on from Prof. For me, this change in character and the insight we get into her character was unfortunately a little bit too late for me to fully redeem this book. Although we come to learn that Sylvia got pregnant with her fling with her sister's partner and didn't have a baby, and this is why she struggles to be around her niece, it doesn't redeem her earlier characterisation for me. It came a little bit too late to make up for how downright cruel she could be in the first half.
I also feel there was far too much focus on the Prof storyline, only for it to then suddenly disappear completely in the second half apart from a couple of mentions. I wish there was more focus on her family because they were all quite developed in the second half and I really enjoyed the character of Crystal, she was just delightful and the standout character of the book for me. Millie... she was a bit of a doormat and a really frustrating character. I honestly just wanted more from this storyline rather than the cringe obsession with Prof.
Ultimately I just had to rate it 3* as I don't feel the second half made up for the first.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2019
My thanks to the Publishers via NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review. I was also sent an uncorrected proof as I am taking part in a Blog tour organised by Tracy Fenton of Compulsive Readers.
I was more than happy to give this a 5 stars or 10/10.
This gentle tale was demolished in two days. It is an easy read that tells the story of Sylvia a 52 year old University employee, who was besotted and in love with her boss, Professor Lomax also referred to by her as 'Prof'. At the weekends, she loved nothing more than to help out at a local Hedgehog sanctuary.
But, life has a funny way of not working out quite the way we expect it. When a new filly (PhD candidate) on the block appears, it's not long before Sylvia feels her nose being pushed out of joint.
Will Sylvia win her man, the love of her life the Prof or will fate have other plans for her?
I enjoyed this story, at times I felt like banging Sylvia's head against a brick wall as it was quite apparent to the reader that the Prof wasn't that receptive towards Sylvia's feelings. However, you did keep hoping that he would change his ways and his feelings towards her.
The story is told almost in two parts without it being spit as such into parts, the majority of the first 200 pages or so are focused on the here and now, with the latter 140 pages or so being told with more info as to what had happened in the past, this does help in some ways to realise why Sylvia is the way she is.
I felt sorry for Sylvia, who was quite a prickly character and mirrored the 'needlemice' that she helped to look after. I felt that other people had helped to make her the way she was and that if she'd had a different past that she would have been a different person.
I was more than happy to give this a 5 stars or 10/10.
This gentle tale was demolished in two days. It is an easy read that tells the story of Sylvia a 52 year old University employee, who was besotted and in love with her boss, Professor Lomax also referred to by her as 'Prof'. At the weekends, she loved nothing more than to help out at a local Hedgehog sanctuary.
But, life has a funny way of not working out quite the way we expect it. When a new filly (PhD candidate) on the block appears, it's not long before Sylvia feels her nose being pushed out of joint.
Will Sylvia win her man, the love of her life the Prof or will fate have other plans for her?
I enjoyed this story, at times I felt like banging Sylvia's head against a brick wall as it was quite apparent to the reader that the Prof wasn't that receptive towards Sylvia's feelings. However, you did keep hoping that he would change his ways and his feelings towards her.
The story is told almost in two parts without it being spit as such into parts, the majority of the first 200 pages or so are focused on the here and now, with the latter 140 pages or so being told with more info as to what had happened in the past, this does help in some ways to realise why Sylvia is the way she is.
I felt sorry for Sylvia, who was quite a prickly character and mirrored the 'needlemice' that she helped to look after. I felt that other people had helped to make her the way she was and that if she'd had a different past that she would have been a different person.
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