Snow Road Station

 by Elizabeth Hay

This is  the story about an aging actress who is devastated when she cannot remember her lines when she is performing in a Samuel Beckett play.  She leaves town for a few days in rural Ontario where a friend of hers has a property on which she harvests maple syrup.  The woman is distraught about her future  but is amazed by the beauty of the nature.

As the story progresses we meet the family of the woman the actress (Lulu) is staying with.  Lulu has an unfortunate, disgusting encounter with her friend's ex husband after the wedding of the friend's son.  When Lulu returns to Ottawa she is shocked to find they have replaced her in the role because they thought she as awol.

As the story progresses Lulu develops a relationship with a man in Snow Road Station, develops a deep affection for a young baby, granddaughter of ther friend, and revels in the beauty of the nature around her in Snow Road Station.  She is instrumental in getting her brother to tell her friend that he loves her.

As the book ends Lulu is in the process of selling her condo in town and moving permanently to Snow Road Station.  It seems she is happy, probably for the first time in her life.

The book does a beautiful job of describing the scenery and the tiny moments of joy the nature provides. It was a lovely calm read, fortunately and unusually, with a happy ending.