Sipsworth

 

Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy
5/7/24; 240 pages
paperback 9/1/26
David R. Godine, Publisher 

Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy is a very highly recommended tender and insightful literary tale about an elderly woman finding a reason to live.

After living in Australia for six decades, Helen Cartwright, 83, has returned to the village of her childhood to finish her life where it began. Since losing both her husband, Len, and son, David, she is ready to face the end of her days. She's living an uneventful life in a detached pensioner's cottage on Westminster Crescent where one day seems like another until she brings in an aquarium from the neighbors trash. Initially she notices a diver toy inside and it reminds her of David, but, later, she hear something late at night and discovers a mouse inside a box in the aquarium.

Initially, she wants wants to get rid of it but the mouse ends up living in her kitchen sink, is named Sipsworth, and he watches TV and listening to the radio with her, while sitting in a slipper. The arrival of Sipsworth gets her out, interacting with the world and meeting people, as she cares for him. We also learn that Helen was a once a renowned pediatric cardiologist when Sipsworth has a medical issue and she meets people willing to help her save him. Caring for him gives her a reason to live.

This is simply a lovely, heartwarming, compassionate, and well-written story of an elderly woman opening herself up to caring, finding a new reason to want to live, and allowing new friends into her life. In the opening of the novel, Helen is a bit of a curmudgeon, but readers will see a gradual change in her as Sipsworth provides companionship and gives her a purpose, as she opens herself up to caring and, in that, establishing a connection to other people. 

If you have ever felt alone, if your life has lost all meaning, and then made a surprising connection with a pet (or person) you will understand Helen. Taking care of Sipsworth gives her life meaning, a goal, and purpose again. She thought she would die alone, but clearly she now has a group of people who will care, help, and watch out for her, just as she will for Sipsworth.  

Sipsworth is an excellent choice for those who appreciate heartwarming stories with meaning  and insight into the human condition. Thanks to Godine for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.