Well developed characters and a slowly unveiled historical setting - I enjoyed reading about this turbulent time in Canadian history. The ending was a little frustrating, but the seduction of the past by the narrator Kate was realistic and detailed.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

There is nothing as seductive as the past, and Kate's obsession with it, makes this a story I hope to remember for years to come. 
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest view on it, and what starts out as a desire to make peace with a long lost love, turns into a journey woven with memories, pain and most of all a much needed wake up call.

Almost a very good book, but it did leap about a bit too much and the storyline needed filling out more. It could have done with a tighter editorial hand. Disappointing ending - it appeared that the author just ran out of ideas and stopped writing.

Isn’t it a curious thing how a book drops into your lap at a certain point in your life…. Like it knew it was needed.
I’d like to think I picked out The House on Selkirk Avenue because I wanted to read something set close to home. Perhaps, The House On Selkirk Avenue chose me. 

It turned out to be a read that was certainly introspective. If I would have read this book in my 20’s, I don’t think I would have liked it yet, approaching my mid 40’s… I connected with Kate in so many ways.

I loved meeting Kate, I think she is a character that will hang around in my mind for years to come. As she revisits her past, I felt a kinship with her that I can’t explain. It is this exploration that tugs at my heart. While reading it, I couldn’t help explore my own. I loved that Irena Karafilly entwines places with bits of longing.

Another reason I felt so attached to Kate; she’s a photographer (I’m a photographer). She sees the world through her lens and I loved the way she describes photography. I’ve often been at a loss for words when trying to explain my passion.. now I have complete passages highlighted !

I also loved how Irena Karafilly navigates the changing relationship with Kate’s daughter. It happens in a blink of an eye, how our children become adults and the relationship changes. This is something I’m going through right now.

Even though this book hinges on events that occurred during the October Crisis in Quebec, that wasn’t what kept me turning pages. More so, it is Kate’s obsession with her past. There were times where I was like; “Woman, be a grown up and get on with it !!”… but the past is a very seductive place when it’s kept within the confines of our own mind. We get to a certain age and it seems inevitable to look back, it’s seductive; all the “what ifs”. However, knowing relatively nothing of the October Crisis I read up on the subject quite a bit after reading The House On Selkirk Avenue.

Oh, and the ending ! Even if I did find it absolutely maddening, I loved it. Throughout the novel, I couldn’t help wonder; Will she meet Guillaume? How will they meet ? Is he married ? Does he still feel anything for her ?  All these questions come hurtling to an ending I wasn’t expecting.

The House On Selkirk Avenue is an honest look at one woman’s obsession with a past she hasn’t let go of yet and would make a great book club read !!

A woman obsessed with her past, revisits the city of her greatest love and loss.  I found her to be far too melodramatic.

I loved 90% of this book. The character was well developed and the story moved slowly and this really made me feel I was getting to know the character and her quest as she delved into the past. Ms. Karafilly's writing style is beautiful and descriptive.

I just felt the ending was too rushed. As I approached the end, I kept thinking how can I be so close to the end? She can't possibly wrap it up in a few more pages. The end definitely made me change from a 5 to a 4.

Really gorgeous cover! I feel like I would really be loving this novel if I would be reading it in a different time in my life and honestly, there is such a good premise to it. The writing is incredibly haunting and beautiful but there are so many time that I could not relate too much with the characters.