Book Review (more just a pile of my personal opinions from my personal experiences)

Title: The Keeper of Stories

Author: Sally Page

Year: 2023

Genre: Modern fiction with some romance?

Queer shit: Nope.

Vibe Check: House cleaner in a failing marriage nurtures relationships with clients and finds real friendship among them while collecting other peoples’ stories as a mode of processing her own stories of trauma

Pile of Opinions: Ok so I am gonna start with the last 20% of this book needs content warnings for DV, child abuse, and….murder. I say this because this did not fit the first 80% of the book vibe and felt like a huge change in direction. I understand the author was likely giving depth and background to the main character but the lead up was not enough for this to make sense and then just be fine at the end of the book? The husband is gonna make you want to be a violent person. Our MC owns a cleaning business and cleans peoples houses but also has built these relationships with her clients as a part of a mutual support system. She goes through life collecting other people’s stories while preferring to stay in the background. Now I recognize this is likely her response to early trauma and losing her understanding of self and wanting to be unnoticed while putting up with her husband’s bullshit, it still felt like someone wrote the first 80% and someone else wrote the last 20% and wanted to shock everyone. Looking at this through understanding the main character’s journey and growth I really enjoyed watching her find herself and find her voice while building the life and future she wants. I loved the relationships she built with her many clients and how she was able to be companions with people who felt shame needing the help of a cleaner. This book is for you if you like to be surprised and want characters with depth that is buried deep as well as justice and unlikely friendships.