Falling Angels

Grave-diggers are the new gold-diggers.

Kitty Coleman feels caught between her boring life a a housewife and a desire to make something of herself. She and her husband, Richard, are constantly at odds with one another and her daughter, Maude, often feels the sting of her mother's unhappiness. When Maude meets her friend Lavinia, she discovers a different family dynamic, once which she prefers to her own. Together, Lavinia and Maude change each other's worlds and even the life of the apprentice grave-digger, Simon.

I find it difficult to summarize this book because so much happens. The book is told from about 5 different perspectives. Kitty, Gertrude, Lavinia, Maude, and Jenny are among the returning characters. Simon, Richard, Mrs. Baker, and a few more opinions are scattered in there as well. With so much happening at once, I can't possibly give my opinion without ruining some aspect of the plot. :[

That's really the only annoyance I have with the book. It's too hard to explain!! People thought I was crazy.

"What are you reading?"
"Falling Angels."
"What's it about?"
"I don't know."

Lol. That's okay though. I found the characters to be fascinating all around and enjoyed hearing for each and every one of them. Chevalier paints a very beautiful picture of what life was like then. It's not romanticized in any way. It's honest and gritty and sometimes just weird. For instance: Simon and Livinia. Why? Nothing happened. And that upset me. Not that I wanted something to happen between them, I preferred a Maude/Simon pairing. But still? Why write it if nothing happened? D:

As always, my favorite character is the one who is quiet and possibly socially retarded. Thank you, Ivy May, for all your contemplation and cuteness. :] Thank you for making me smile whenever I read your name. And forget you, Ms. Chevalier for what you did to her. ]:[ I won't forget this next time I read one of your books.

Since I don't want to ruin the book for anyone, I'll just say that this is a great novel for anyone who enjoys historical fiction and character development. I highly recommend it!