Review: The Violets of March by Sarah Jio

2.5 stars for The Violets of March by Sarah Jio.

It is never my intention to read stories written along the same line two in a row, one right after the other. But as fate has it, I have an affinity lately with tales involving departing husbands, resurfacing postcards and visiting great-aunts, and it is tough pushing away what comes on its own volition. The story outline is so startlingly similar that I cannot help but gasp at the familiarity of it all with the exception of one major difference: Lost Lake is written in third person point of view while The Violets of March is in first person account.

The Violets of March is narrated by Emily who happens to be a writer. For the past eight years, right after her best-selling novel, she has been hit with what her therapist terms as clinical writer's block. With a plan to write a story that grows out of her life and experiences, Emily pays a visit to her great-aunt Bee Larson who lives on Bainbridge Island, in Washington state.

Emily's decisiom to stay with her great-aunt Bee for the whole of March leads to discovery of events past in a small island town in the year 1943 and also that of the story of a mystery woman totally unknown to Emily.

Emily’s return to Bainbridge Island after ten years is like a walk down lane memory where sights and smells simply transport her back to the good old days. The author does a pretty good job describing the island as a marvellous place for healing. As good as it gets, unfortunately there are also the less enjoyable aspects to the story. It becomes increasingly frustrating reading on Bee drifting off and retreating into her memories and refusing to divulge further by way of her promise not to speak of past events when prompted repeatedly by Emily. While I understand the author’s intention to hold back secrets to keep the story intriguing, overdoing it is definitely a put off. This together with the occurrence of too many coincidences between the past and current generation make for a relatively fair story only.

Publisher: Plume; 1st edition
Publication date: 26 Apr 2011

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In her twenties, Emily Wilson was on top of the world: She had a bestselling novel, a husband plucked from the pages of GQ, and a one-way ticket to happily ever after. Ten years later, the tide has turned on Emily’s good fortune. So when her great-aunt Bee invites her to spend the month of March on Bainbridge Island in Washington State, Emily accepts, longing to be healed by the sea. Researching her next book, Emily discovers a red velvet diary, dated 1943, whose contents reveal startling connections to her own life. A mesmerizing debut with an idyllic setting and intriguing dual story line, The Violets of March announces Sarah Jio as a writer to watch.

*Blurb from author's website*

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