The Keeper of Stories by Sally Page

I do worry a little when the marketing blurb pushing a new book speaks of it being ‘charming,’ or ‘uplifting’ and, especially ‘feel good.’ For me, however good a book may have been imagined, crafted, and targeted, that connection between myself and the characters through to the author does not always resonate. If we are literally not on the same page, then the words will never quite join up. The Keeper of Stories by Sally Page alleviated my worries quite early on.

As somebody who likes to write as well as read, I have so often shared the view that everyone has a story to tell. Here is a book of ordinary stories within a quite extraordinary story. The author worked in advertising, as I did. She ran a shop, as I did (flowers for her, sweets for me). We share a love of history, and she also knows the Cambridge area where the book is set as well as I do. I think she must have been gathering material and making notes as I try to do. In short, I felt an immediate connection with the writer and the characters she created firmed up that relationship rather than coming between us.

And what characters they are! From the main protagonist Janice, who is a cleaner, to bus driver Euan and the eccentric, wonderful Mrs B, not to mention a dog called Decius, whose perceived expressions made me laugh out loud again and again. Collecting each of their stories, Janice revisits her own but, rather than editing it to make it fit with where she finds herself now, her honesty enables her to understand it and herself better to finally bring her salvation, even as her current situation seems to be crumbling all around her.

The strands of comedy and tragedy weave together, as in the best dramas where we cheer the ‘ordinary’ ambitions of Janice and Euan whilst lamenting the bad behaviour of those who consider themselves to be entitled enough to consider them ‘just’ a cleaner or ‘just’ a man who drives the bus.

I did find the reveal of Janice’s earlier story a little clunky as I did the back story of Euan which I think could have been filled out more without necessarily slowing the pace of the plot. Having said that, they and Sally won me over. The ending was great if sad because it was the end.
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I’d recommend the book to those wanting an accessible, light touch covering the meaty issues of real life; a bit like the best fairy tales which entertain each generation of us while delivering moral guidance which all of us need from time to time.

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