Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper – Published by Penguin, Fig Tree

I bet you’ve never read a book set in Saskatchewan! Etta and Otto and Russell live there in the midst of the farmland and the wheat. At the age of 82 Etta has a hankering to see something different, so, armed with a rifle, a small fish skull and some chocolate she sets off. To see the ocean…for the first time.

If you liked “The unlikely pilgrimage of Harold Fry” or “Persian Pickle Club” then this is right up your street. Partly inspired by the lives of her family, this is a moving and gentle debut novel from Bath based writer/academic/musician, Emma Hooper, who has received widespread praise for her writing. One for book club members everywhere.

Will Etta come back? Can Otto survive without her? And what about Russell? Intrigued? You will be. Me? I was charmed by this book. I just wish I had a friend like James….

“And Etta and James walked. East and south.”

In next month’s Writers Talking feature I’ll be interviewing Emma.