Book Review — Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame — Olivia Ford

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Name of the Book: Mrs. Quinn’s Rise To Fame
Author: Olivia Ford
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary
Recommendations: Good

The synopsis of this book said it was about a fictional story based on a contestant of British Bakes (very similar to #bakeofff and #britishbakingshow. I love the Baking shows from across the pond so, of course, that was my hook. It also fits in with my self-challenge to read books by #newtome authors. So here goes

Just to state this right up front — This book is far more nuanced and layered than just ‘about a contestant on British Bakes’. I love how the character of Jenny was set up. She is 77 years old and very atypical of books on women this age, she neither fit the mold of a sassy, sharp-tongued, sure-of-herself profile nor was she knit all day, grey-haired, friendly to all, grandma. In fact, in many ways this is a coming-of-age book for this ‘senior’ woman who feels like she has not left a mark on this world, has no great talents to show off but would like to do something for herself. This is not to say she has spent a lifetime living and slaving for her family or anyone else and is unhappy. Quite the contrary, she has in a muted way lived life for the most part on her terms, has been married for close to 60 years to a man who values her (and who she values back), and is living life with a healthy mix of routine and excitement.