Casting Off
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Book Club Picks: Casting Off

Rebecca is searching for a way to make a home for herself and her six-year old daughter, Rowan. Since the loss of her husband Dennis, she has not been able to settle down in any one place. After years of flitting around, and after finally landing herself a grant to work on a particular book, she ends up going to stay for the summer on the tiny Irish island where her best friend Sharon grew up.

Becky is immediately received with kindness and care on Sharon's island, but she still has trouble letting go. She makes new friends that are like old family to her. She earns the love of a good man who will anchor her in the storm. Her daughter has a best friend and is opening up to other adults around her. Becky even makes peace with her best friend after a tragedy six-years prior ripped them apart. Life is good. But can Becky let go of her past and her fears long enough to grab a hold of this good, new life she is creating?

At the same time, old man Sean Morahan is struggling through each day with the weight of a forty-year old tragedy on his shoulders. He is not really living, just existing. When he meets Rowan, something inside him changes. He remembers what it feels like to be worthy.

Strong forces threaten to rip apart this fragile new balance created for Becky, Rowan, and Sean. Will love be enough to save them all?

Book Club Picks: Casting Off Opinion

When I first started reading this book I wasn't sure I would like it. I'm not a big fan of knitting, and the first chapter befuddled me. Funny enough, in retrospect now having finished the book, that is exactly what the author intended.

Turns out, I LOVED it. I'm not going to lie - it is full of sadness and tragedy that will leave your heart feeling broken for these characters. But it's also a story of redemption and forgiving oneself in order to move on with life. This is a hard lesson for anyone who is carrying guilt over the loss of a loved one. Between Rebecca and Sean, the lesson of letting go is fully learned.

There were quite a few side characters and even though I had to think a little harder to keep them all straight in my head, the book wouldn't have been the same without each one. The age-old adage, "it takes a village to raise a child" was entirely appropriate on Sharon's island.

The only thing lacking for me now that I'm done is that I don't have a gansey of my own!

Book Club Picks: Casting Off Discussion Questions

1. Why can't Rebecca let go of Thanksgiving Night?
2. Would you like to live on Sharon's island? Why or why not?
3. Should Rebecca eventually tell Rowan about her father?

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