4.5⭐️

” I know you’re not there. But the silence is like a held breath, the silence of listening, the silence of our life.”

It is not uncommon for ten-year-old Rae’s mother to disappear on her once in a while, leaving her to fend for herself. But this time is different. Rae knows her mother isn't coming back but is unable (and unwilling) to accept the truth behind her mother’s absence. Rae’s only comfort is her faithful dog Splinter and memories of good times with her mother. However, Rae manages to keep up the pretense of a normal life – taking care of the house and Splinter, cooking and cleaning, attending school and going about her normal routine. She is cautious not to arouse suspicion that she is living alone in her house and is conscious of not drawing "attention" to herself by any out –of character behavior – at school or otherwise.

“So busy. Everyone’s busy. The whole world is busy. If I keep my head down no one will look.”

Lettie, Rae’s elderly, reclusive neighbor who is a habitual hoarder, takes note of Rae’s comings and goings and is curious about her mother’s whereabouts. Rae manages to make up excuses and keep up the pretense though she is annoyed with Lettie with whom neither she nor her mother was ever close friends. But when a bookshelf in Lettie’s home topples over and leaves Lettie pinned underneath, it is Rae who helps her and they gradually become friends helping each other in more ways than either of them fully realize.

“Memories are a bit like houses, don’t you think? They scaffold all this stuff. Curate it; give things a place so you feel safe and secure. And you step through the rooms and remember what was. But it’s not real, they’re just walls. And before you know it, most of your life is just memories, some of them not even that clear. And it’s just a house that reminds you what it felt like when you thought it was a home. You don’t realize how ephemeral it is. How temporary. That it’s just all going to be something you remember. And the memories that made you feel safe, made you feel like you, are just a flimsy reminder of what’s gone to dust and that every second that passes is going to be the same, just something you remember.”

Narrated from Rae’s PoV as if in conversation with her missing mother covering 55 days since her mother has been gone, A Million Things by Emily Spurr simply breaks your heart. At times, the voice in Rae’s head does sound mature for a ten-year-old but then again, she is a child who has been living with a mother who is mentally ill (as is strongly indicated in the narrative) and we can assume her maturity is a result of having to cope with the situation. The author touches upon some difficult themes such as mental health, child abandonment and grief. Animal lovers might find some incidents towards the end of the story upsetting. This is also a novel about kindness and compassion and how outward appearances may not always reveal a person’s inner struggles.There are some lovely moments of friendship and understanding between Lettie and Rae, but at the end of the day, this is about a traumatized child whose life as she knew it is falling apart. It’s only a matter of time till the truth is out in the open. Rae is a memorable character – one you keep rooting for throughout the narrative and beyond. The author does a brilliant job of describing Rae’s innermost thoughts - her sorrow, confusion and fear and love for her dog and friendship with Lettie are beautifully expressed in simple yet elegant prose. Overall, this is a beautifully written but immensely sad and heartbreaking story about a brave and resilient young girl who you will be thinking about long after you finish the book. ( )

"A Million Things" was a sad story about ten-year-old Rae who has been abandoned by her mother who is struggling with mental illness. The story takes place over 55 days and is told from Rae's point of view.

Trying to pay the bills, purchase groceries, keep the house cared for and attend school while trying to stay under the radar is hard work and her only friend is her dog, Splinter. Rae is smart, kind and extremely resourceful and Splinter is the most loyal, wonderful companion to her.

As Rae and her lonely, hoarder neighbour, Lettie, slowly become friends they learn to trust each other with their secrets and help each other in numerous ways. I loved them both and their stories were heartbreaking.

"A Million Things" made me laugh and cry. It was emotional and moving, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. ( )

Een prachtig verhaal, vol vaart en emotie. ( )

Although this book made me cry and that’s a very rare event… I loved the resilience of Rae, the loyalty of Splinter and the crusty imperfection of Lettie more than I’ve loved characters in a long time. I know this is one of those books that has eked out a space in my heart which won’t be relinquished. This is a story that haunts, but in a good way. ( )

A mediocre bittersweet story about an 11 year old whose mum disappeared and she had to keep it a secret and the unlikely friendship she developed with the old lady next door with a hoarding disorder. Cool that it was set in Melbourne but overall a pretty average read. ( )