An Unremarkable Body by Elisa Lodato

 I read this book purely because the cover reminded me of Donna Tartt's The Goldfinch, which I loved. It's not even remotely similar. I'm not really sure why they used this cover. Is it because the bird's body is unremarkable? Because I don't think it is! I think it's sort of lovely. I probably spent way too much time thinking about this than was strictly necessary.

Anyway, back to the book. This is the sort of story that reminds me why I'll never be a novelist. It's sort of not really about anything. I mean, it is, of course, and it all leads to one major (if slightly superfluous) plot point at the end.

The Unremarkable Body is that of Laura's mother, who Laura finds early on having fallen down the stairs. The Coroners report, interspersed throughout, reduces her mother to an unremarkable body.

Essentially the story is about relationships and finding out secrets and coping with grief and life. It just sort of pootles its way along until the finale. But the way the author places flashbacks and memories and puts it all in the particular order she does in order to tell the tale... I'd never be able to come up with that! My brain would get in a terrible muddle and I'd be telling all the wrong bits at the wrong time. But the way Elisa Lodato structures the story, revealing just the right amount at each point to keep you going and interested is perfect.

The ending (I won't give anything away!), well...I thought it was a bit out of place. Almost like she couldn't think of a way to extricate herself from the story. It sort of turns the book into something it didn't really feel like it was. I won't say any more but I liked the focus on the relationships and characters and normal everyday life and thought it was an unnecessary twist.