Ceecee's Reviews > Hello Beautiful

4 to 5 stars.

The author of the outstanding Dear Edward now presents us with an epic and profoundly moving family drama spanning a 30 year period. William Waters grows up in silence and the lack of any attention from his parents who are broken by a tragedy. Unsurprisingly he’s a loner but finds solace in basketball and he becomes a skilful player, earning himself a scholarship to college in Chicago. There he meets Julia Padavano, a personality about as far removed from quiet, self-contained William as it’s possible to get. He meets the Padavano siblings, there’s Sylvie, a year or so younger than Julia and twins, Emeline and Cecelia. William has finally found a girlfriend, a new family and a loyal friend in fellow student Kent. Julia is determined that she and William will build a future together. Can William finally find love, comfort, and the stability he has thus far been denied ?

This novel does take me a little while to get into but the characters are so wonderfully conveyed that they burrow their way under your skin! The Padavano household is a colourful affair in the Chicago suburb of Pilsen whose art and culture the siblings become immersed in and is central to much of the drama.

This is a beautifully written incisive character driven study of fascinating and diverse people and is a slow-moving “Mississippi“ read but the pace perfectly matches the in-depth study. The standout character for me is Sylvie who I love but obviously also William who you want to wrap in a warm embrace. The dialogue is smart too and makes you feel what the characters do. There are some lovely expressions and beautiful and original ways of describing things.

The novel charms you, makes you angry in some places on characters behalf also unbearably sad at times as it’s such an emotional puller on the heart strings and you want to remove heavyweights being carried. I love the ending and you feel as if you have been on one heck of a journey.

I love how the title comes about and in most cases it is a case of hello beautiful inside and out. I also really enjoy the Little Women references and the inclusion of Walt Whitman.

If you like character driven novels then this is for you. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin General U.K. for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.