A Million Things by Emily Spurr | BOOK REVIEW

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A bursting, heartfelt, debut following fifty-five days in the life of ten-year-old Rae, who must look after herself and her dog when her mother disappears.

For as long as Rae can remember, it’s been her and Mum, and their dog, Splinter; a small, deliberately unremarkable, family. They have their walks, their cooking routines, their home. Sometimes Mum disappears for a while to clear her head but Rae is okay with this, because Mum always comes back.

So, when Rae wakes to Splinter’s nose in her face, the back door open, and no Mum, she does as she’s always done and carries on. She takes care of the house, goes to school, walks Splinter, and minds her own business—all the while pushing down the truth she isn’t ready to face.

That is, until her grumpy, lonely neighbor Lettie—with her own secrets and sadness—falls one night and needs Rae’s help. As the two begin to rely on each other, Rae’s anxiety intensifies as she wonders what will happen to her when her mother’s absence is finally noticed and her fragile world bursts open.

A Million Things transforms a gut-wrenching story of abandonment and what it’s like to grow up in a house that doesn’t feel safe into an astonishing portrait of resilience, mental health, and the families we make and how they make us in return.

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A Million Things by Emily Spurr | BOOK REVIEW

A MILLION THINGS BY EMILY SPURR
BOOK REVIEW

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

WOW, this book left me speechless.

I realised very early on that A MILLION THINGS would be one of my few 5 star books of 2021. From the blurb to the execution, this book was amazing. And although my heart was hurting for Rae, it was also bursting from all the LOVE I felt for this book.

I went into the book with low expectations, just knowing that I was intrigued by the blurb, but didn’t expect anything spectacular. But almost from the start I was hooked by the writing. It was short, precise, and full of raw emotions and it managed to pull me in right away.

I was immediately fascinated by Rae’s story. The author captured it in such a heartfelt and touching way. The book was RAW at times, with an openness and authenticity that compelled me to feel everything that Rae felt. I love a good plot, even more so when it’s original and unique. And for me A MILLION THINGS was all of that and so much more.

I was wondering how a book told from the POV of a nine year old child would come across. Be assured it’s nothing like a YA or middle school novel. Far from it. No nine year old should experience what Rae did. Nobody should, period! But the way Rae kept on going, putting one step in front of the other, was heartbreakingly intense and made this novel unputdownable.

Moreover the relationship between Rae and her elderly neighbour Lettie who suffers from a hoarding disorder was heartwarming, and moving. I loved the way these two connected. And how their friendship was build on something that was important to both of them. A human connection. A feeling of not being alone.

If you want to read something truly DIFFERENT, something that will stay with you for YEARS, you need to read this book. You won’t be disappointed. A MILLION THINGS is heartwarming, triumphant, emotionally moving. It’s just plain original and for a debut novel it was truly impressive. Moreover it’s a MUST READ for anyone who loves a fascinating story about friendship, and human resilience.

BOOKS ABOUT HOARDING

A MILLION THINGS ia not the first book I recently read that has picked up the topic of hoarding, but it’s one of the only ones that really sounded realistic to me. In case you are interested in this topic, here are a couple others that cover this subject Twice Shy, The Reckless Oath, and Life’s Too Short.

FIVE STARS

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A Million Things by Emily Spurr | BOOK REVIEW