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Emily May's Reviews > The Place on Dalhousie
The Place on Dalhousie
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Reading this book felt like coming home.
It's been eight years for me - far longer for others - since I first encountered these characters in Saving Francesca, and I feel as if I have grown up alongside them. Melina Marchetta was one of the first authors I discovered through ŷ, thanks to Tatiana, and these books have such a special place in my heart.
The Place on Dalhousie - just like the two companion books that came before it - is what happens when someone who is smart and intuitive about human nature and the nuances of relationships also happens to be an amazing writer. Marchetta just knows how to get under your skin, how to elicit emotions without being over-sentimental or trite. She writes deep painful emotions, creates a sharp sense of loneliness, out of the most simple of encounters and interactions. Nothing so basic as "someone dies, this is sad". Marchetta is too good for that.
I don't think this is a depressing book, though. It is very emotional - quite cathartic, honestly - but it is filled with so much warmth, so many shining brilliant characters, that it never brought me lower than I could handle. I get the sense that after sixteen years, Marchetta herself really loves and cares for Jimmy, Tom, Tara, Frankie, Justine and Siobhan, and that comes across in her handling of their stories.
This is Jimmy Hailler's story. He's trying to build his own family out of an accident that may turn out to be exactly what he needed. Marchetta is one of the best writers I know when it comes to family drama. Not only does she capture Jimmy and his state of mind entirely, but she explores new characters in depth. Rosie and Martha were fascinating, and I love how Marchetta understands that no one is simply the bad guy.
The Place on Dalhousie, Saving Francesca and The Piper's Son are about life. The complex connections between people, the conversations between old friends, and finding and allowing yourself to love. I'm not sad, exactly, but I am totally crying.
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by
“Guilt is a burden, so forgive yourself for the mistakes.�
Reading this book felt like coming home.
It's been eight years for me - far longer for others - since I first encountered these characters in Saving Francesca, and I feel as if I have grown up alongside them. Melina Marchetta was one of the first authors I discovered through ŷ, thanks to Tatiana, and these books have such a special place in my heart.
The Place on Dalhousie - just like the two companion books that came before it - is what happens when someone who is smart and intuitive about human nature and the nuances of relationships also happens to be an amazing writer. Marchetta just knows how to get under your skin, how to elicit emotions without being over-sentimental or trite. She writes deep painful emotions, creates a sharp sense of loneliness, out of the most simple of encounters and interactions. Nothing so basic as "someone dies, this is sad". Marchetta is too good for that.
I don't think this is a depressing book, though. It is very emotional - quite cathartic, honestly - but it is filled with so much warmth, so many shining brilliant characters, that it never brought me lower than I could handle. I get the sense that after sixteen years, Marchetta herself really loves and cares for Jimmy, Tom, Tara, Frankie, Justine and Siobhan, and that comes across in her handling of their stories.
This is Jimmy Hailler's story. He's trying to build his own family out of an accident that may turn out to be exactly what he needed. Marchetta is one of the best writers I know when it comes to family drama. Not only does she capture Jimmy and his state of mind entirely, but she explores new characters in depth. Rosie and Martha were fascinating, and I love how Marchetta understands that no one is simply the bad guy.
The Place on Dalhousie, Saving Francesca and The Piper's Son are about life. The complex connections between people, the conversations between old friends, and finding and allowing yourself to love. I'm not sad, exactly, but I am totally crying.
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Reading Progress
April 8, 2018
– Shelved
April 26, 2019
–
Started Reading
April 29, 2019
–
Finished Reading
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message 1:
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Medini
(new)
May 01, 2019 12:22PM
I've read 'Saving Francesca' and 'The Piper's son' nearly 5 years ago and I can't remember anything 😔 Can I still go into this book without a recap??
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Medini wrote: "I've read 'Saving Francesca' and 'The Piper's son' nearly 5 years ago and I can't remember anything 😔 Can I still go into this book without a recap??"Difficult question. If you don't remember anything, a recap might be a good idea. I'm usually the kind of reader who can't tell you exactly what happened, but I quickly pick it up once I start reading.
Yessssss!!! My copy is coming (well, it's been coming for a while now, but *shrugs*) and I can't wait to read it, I miss her books so much!! Great review :)
I was waiting for your review on this! It was your review that made me pick up my first Marchetta book (Finnikin of the Rock) and I really have no way to properly thank you. Marchetta now means so much to me.
Another 5 star review! *I'm crying happy tears* Cannot wait to sink into Marchetta's world again. Her writing is a gift to the world, and I'm so glad you liked it. The anticipation is killing me, but now atleast I know it'll be worth it. <3 I have read Jellicoe Road a million times now. Would you say, it comes close to that?
Omgggggggggggg I literally shrieked in my car. AT LAST we get a Jimmy Hailler book!
I’ve added the trilogy to my TBR, thanks!
Ok but do you have a favorite tho, between these three books?
tiara of charyn � wrote: "Ok but do you have a favorite tho, between these three books?"Ooh, tough. I need to do a reread because right now I'm feeling so much love for this one, but I still think it's The Piper's Son.
You are the one who introduced her to me. It’s been a long time for me though too. I might need to find recaps of the others.
Oh wait I see I never read The Piper’s son. But it seems so familiar. I’m such a ding dong. Maybe I need to just read both again.
I wasn’t considering reading this till you mentioned that this included characters from Saving Francesca. I loved that book, so much. Thank you for such s great review!
Is this book considered YA? I don't see it listed as such but it appears that the two before it were listed as YA.
Jeanette wrote: "Is this book considered YA? I don't see it listed as such but it appears that the two before it were listed as YA."Weelll... see, Saving Francesca is the most obviously YA of the bunch because the characters are in school, but then the next two books follow the same characters into adulthood. So, no, I wouldn't consider this YA, but that's why the other books are shelved that way.
I never read the book by this Author but I would like to start. Which book by this author do you think I should start?
Bea wrote: "I never read the book by this Author but I would like to start. Which book by this author do you think I should start?"Saving Francesca!
I just looked at the print version that’s available on amazon now and I saw that you had the cover blurb and freaked out!!! That is beyond cool!
Rachel wrote: "I just looked at the print version that’s available on amazon now and I saw that you had the cover blurb and freaked out!!! That is beyond cool!"I think my heart just stopped! O.O I didn't believe it until I saw it! That's SO COOL.
Emily May wrote: "Bea wrote: "I never read the book by this Author but I would like to start. Which book by this author do you think I should start?"Saving Francesca!"
Wow, Melina Marchetta is amazing. I binged this series+Jellico Road and I understand now all your praises for her. From the blurb, I thought this is gonna be a depressing book but it doesn't make me feel depressed. It actually has the opposite effect, it strangely motivating.
Usually, I'm strictly for romance and happy ending because life is depressing enough but because of your review, I tried this Author and Megan Whale Turner "The Thief" series and I love them so much. Thank you so much for all your review!!!
Please share if you have a recommendation for similar author/books. Have a great weekend :)
On the Jellicoe Road is really good!
Jellicoe Road! My first Marchetta! Followed by ALL of her others.... don’t stop till you’ve read all of them!!
Christina wrote: "Greta review, Emily!"Thank you, Christina! :)
I absolutely LOVED this book. One of the most beautifully written books I have read. The Aussie of it I loved.....then reading these reviews I find out
