This novel is set in present day London. Though fairly short at 229 pages, it is ambitiously complex, juggling subplots starring seven principle characters. We begin at “the pavement rises up and hits her,” as elderly, widowed Charlotte is knocked to the ground in a mugging, breaking her hip. The central theme of the book is the interconnectedness of people and events. One person’s broken hip is another’s missed trip, bungled lecture, change in lodgings, love affair complications, etc. Some of the subplots are very charming, but I don’t think this book will stay with me. I’m also not a big fan of epilogues that tell us what happens in each subplot after we leave the characters behind. This is a charming book. Very British in many respects. A tale told.What I liked was how one person's action effects so many other people in surprising ways. But what I REALLY liked were the insights into being older. How you really don't want to be staying with your daughter and son-in-law because of a broken hip and just detest not being able to walk to the bus station or library. Independence to be who you are, read what and whenever you want, to go outside and see what a new day brings. This is a charmer.
What do You think about Como Tudo Começou (2013)?
This makes you wonder what events in someone else's life have impacted your life.
—MissMystic31
How one major life event changed the lives of several people...
—bbiiqurlx3
It's a butterfly effect but a very good read.
—alfredo
