Keeper of Stories: My Shocking True Story of Surviving a Childhood in Hell

Reading a wonderful book after a long time. One tends to go back to classics to read a great novels. This book was excellent. Unique and difficult to place under any genre. A must read for book lovers.

The book meanders along gently, without too many highs and lows but it is still a pleasure to read. No mystery, no high faulting romance , just very real characters who are a pleasure to read about.

I enjoyed all the mini stories in the book and how the delightful Mrs B manages to get Janice, 'The Keeper of Stories', to tell her own.Great characters, some laughs, some tears and altogether a lovely read!

Sally Page gives us stories within story through Janice. Janice is a cleaner and a wonderful woman. Her profession takes her through different people and homes wherw she secretly collects their stories for she thinks she doesn't have a story of her own."𝕄𝕒𝕪𝕓𝕖 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕖𝕤 𝕝𝕚𝕗𝕖 𝕚𝕤 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕒𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒 𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕪; 𝕞𝕒𝕪𝕓𝕖 𝕚𝕥'𝕤 𝕒𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕗𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕗𝕖𝕔𝕥 𝕞𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥."During Janice's work we meet Mrs. B is a fierce old woman, who you can't help but like. She brings out everything that Janice holds back and takes you in for a ride. She shows how old ones have abundant stories and learnings with them to pass on. There were some awesome characters in this but my favourite is fox terrier Decius. He is someone who you would want with that attitude."𝕄𝕒𝕪𝕓𝕖 𝕝𝕚𝕗𝕖 𝕚𝕤 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒 𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕪? ℙ𝕖𝕣𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕤 𝕚𝕥 𝕚𝕤 𝕒𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕕𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕝𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕓𝕒𝕔𝕜 𝕠𝕟 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕡𝕣𝕚𝕕𝕖? 𝕋𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕝 𝕕𝕖𝕗𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕤 𝕪𝕠𝕦."Sally Page takes us through a character driven story that has inspiration, warmth, humor, kindness. This is beautifully written, with an easy flow and I enjoyed all the layers this one had. I liked the references this one had. I don't think I will hesitate to pick up her next book.

Note : I received a complimentary e-copy from the publisher for an honest review. This doesn't affect my review or rating.The Keeper of Stories is wonderful women’s fiction that revolves around Janice the house cleaner and stories she collects of people she works for. The story is mainly about misplaced guilt but there is many layers of trust, betrayal, loss, grief, tough childhood, parent’s influence on children, struggle in life, friendship, and love.This is mainly character driven than plot driven. The book has a slow start but now after finishing the book I feel it was good I was eased in story slowly and gradually by introducing Janice, houses she works in and what story they have, her husband of many jobs, what employers she doesn’t like and how through those employer she met and started working for Mrs B who saw through her and could tell she too has story. Janice believed she is keeper of stories, she doesn’t have her own at least not the one she will share with anyone but Mrs B wouldn’t let her keep it hidden. It was interesting to read each stories Janice collected, to know how they end, and most of all what is Janice’s story.You can say this is kind of collection of short stories but it is told by a person observing it and giving it a shape and making the short collection into a novel. And most surprising and amazing is author’s note saying all these stories, both historical and real in book, are based on true stories.Best part of the book is Janice’s story. It is kind of mystery of the books and it was most heartfelt and I wanted to hug her so hard. Janice and Mrs B’s coversations is another best thing in book and so much is revealed through it. There is so much depth in their conversations that I want to keep reading those parts again and again. It is also intriguing to see what Mr NoNoNotYet will do about Mrs B’s accomodation will he be successful.Climax is amazing and very realistic with all revealations, Janice’s fear and guilt, Mr NoNoNotYet finding out about of Janice and his mother’s conspiration. There is so much happening between climax and end and I suggest you pay attention to this part and also to Janice and Mrs B’s coversations. I loved how author wrapped all stories. There is no happily-ever-after endings for them all but it’s satifying and uplifting.Why 4.5 stars-My only small complaint is this is slow read. Often I needed to take break but it’s not exactly negative point. This book made me pay attention to each details of the stories and that might be the reason I or anyone cannot go faster with this story. I suggest you be patient with this book and you will see this is truly a gem.Overall, The Keeper of Stories is beautiful, wonderful, inetresting, heartfelt, and perfectly written character driven women’s fiction.I highly recommend this if you like,Slow readamazing intersting stories in one bookInteresting charactersCharacter depthTheme of misplaced guiltInsightful messagesMany layersIntriguing subplots or storiesBeautiful writing

I am so grateful I found this entertaining tale. It was so well written and a joy to read. I’m looking forward to more.

The book arrived on time and in great condition. This was an interesting story. Great characters and a really interesting spin. I did not expect the story that was finally shared by the Main Character Janice.

It started off slowly and then took off beautifully. Just LOVED itCould have kept reading much longerThanks Sally

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I had totally run out of books from the plethora of author's I usually turn to and this book was suggested as something I might like by the kindle app. To be honest, it wasn't the genre I'm currently exploring and I wasn't sure I'd like it, but stuck waiting somewhere I thought I'd read a chapter or two just to pass the time....Well, the characters are people you could know, believable, funny, sad, real. Decius, the Fox Terrier is as wise as he is funny. This is a story of a woman who collects stories, and in a lot of ways maybe we all do as we travel through life.The friendships she builds and the trials she faces, alongside of those of her friends make for a beautiful heartwarming story.I don't want to spoil the story by giving anything away so will just say if you want a bit of joy in your life this is a good story for you. Well written and easy to read, but hard to put down.Who would like this story... everyone.Happy reading.