This was probably my least favourite book of Dowd's that I read.

I liked it but I didn't connect with the characters on such a deep level as I did with the protagonists or characters in her other books. This book mainly focuses on Holly who is a child in the foster care system in Britain, and while I'm sure Dowd had many astute things to say on the matter I don't really remember much of the book, which tells me a lot.

Dowd leaves a lot of her words unsaid, leaving the reader to fill in the emotional blanks in the story. And she did do this in his book but I just wasn't terribly satisfied.

It was readable, but definitely not my favourite of hers and certainly not the most memorable. ( )

A story for young adults who, even though they are not in a similar position, will understand and sympathize with Holly, a fifteen-year-old orphan in care. Holly reinvented herself with the aid of a blonde wig as a runaway named Solace. She hit the road with few resources in an attempt to rejoin her mother in Ireland. Holly/Solace was a brave soul who had a tough life through no fault of her own. With limited knowledge of the world she often made the wrong choices but the reader will support her all the way. Dowd's story is empathetic and engaging. ( )

Solace of the Road is beautifully written by Siobhan Dowd and tells the story of teen Holly who hates her foster family, hates her school, and generally her whole life. But when she finds a blonde wig she is able to transform into a different character, the fearless Solace. She decides to leave, take to the road, get herself to Ireland and find her mother and although Holly/Solace calls the A40 the road to freedom, the reader is in constant fear for this young girl.

Life on the road is hard but Holly is lucky enough to find a few good people who help her along her way, but still she has hours of time alone with nothing but her thoughts and eventually, the real memories of what life was like with her dysfunctional mother emerges and Holly realizes that she has nothing or no one to run to.

I found Holly’s story touching even as it was told with both humor and grit. Her stress and loneliness at dealing with a new foster family and then with the dangers of being alone on the road felt very real. Solace of the Road is a simple story elevated by the author’s empathetic storytelling. ( )

3.5 stars ( )

I liked this book, but agree with one reviewer that it was hard to like the character of Holly. She was very selfish. It ended a bit differently than I expected, I kept thinking she'd find her mom but that she wouldn't want anything to do with her or they'd even start another life together. Liked all the different slang that UK kids use compared to Americans. Sad to hear this author died so soon, she was very good and will be visiting more of her work! ( )