Three Things About Elsie

A Novel

By: Joanna Cannon

Narrated by: Paula Wilcox

The bestselling author of The Trouble with Goats and Sheep delivers a suspenseful and emotionally satisfying novel “infused with warmth and humor” (People) about a lifelong friendship, a devastating secret, and the small acts of kindness that bring people together.

There are three things you should know about Elsie. The first thing is that she’s my best friend. The second is that she always knows what to say to make me feel better. And the third thing…might take a bit more explaining.

Eighty-four-year-old Florence has fallen in her flat at Cherry Tree Home for the Elderly. As she waits to be rescued, she thinks about her friend Elsie and wonders if a terrible secret from their past is about to come to light. If the charming new resident is who he claims to be, why does he look exactly like a man who died sixty years ago?

From the acclaimed, bestselling author of The Trouble with Goats and Sheep, Three Things About Elsie “breathes with suspense, providing along the way piercing, poetic descriptions, countless tiny mysteries, and breathtaking little reveals…a rich portrait of old age and friendship stretched over a fascinating frame” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review). This is an “amusing and heartbreaking” (Publishers Weekly) story about forever friends on the twisting path of life who come to understand how the fine threads of humanity connect us all.

Great surprise

loved this story, loved the surprise ending. highly recommend this book for surprise and laughter

Poignant

Joanna Cannon's first book, "The Trouble With Goats and Sheep" was told from the perspective of a child. This book flips the perspective to that of an elderly woman in an assisted care facility. Both books feature a strong friendship between two girls/women; the plot of the both books is secondary to beautifully drawn characterization.
*Spoiler* Quite early in this story, I figured out that Elsie was imaginary, but that didn't detract from the plot. There is a mystery that motivates Florence/Elsie and Jack, another resident in the facility, to "investigate". This investigation uncovers secrets and corrects misunderstandings and misplaced guilt from the past. It was also the weak part of the story for me. There were too many inconsistencies, the most glaring one being *Spoiler* why would Ronnie come after Florence after (60) years ?
As I already mentioned, the characters are wonderful, and the narration is wonderful.

Wonderful story!

Wonderfully told story with beautiful use of language. I enjoyed the gradual unraveling of the mystery and I’m still pondering the ending a week later.

Loved everything about this book

Now that I know the ending, I want to re-listen to this wonderful - albeit poignant - story. I am close in age to Elsie - and Flo - but nevertheless did not find this story depressing, as some have suggested, but tender and gentle - with a mystery to boot.

Great story line, just a little lengthy

I really enjoyed the characters of the book. The narrative was great as well. The only thing I would say is that it seemed to drag on a little in the middle. I think the story line could have been completely covered in less time. I never quit a book, even if I don’t like it, but I reached a point where I was just ready for more progression in the story.