This is an outstanding book, filled with loss and hope in equal measure. At the heart of it is a mystery of sorts, but one which stays in the background to let the events of the present day take centre stage.
Masham is slowly emerging from a stage of mourning for her son, Gabriel, helped on her journey by a colourful cast of friends and acquaintances, including Sally Red Shoes. Alice is a woman coming to terms with what the future holds for her and her teenage son. The former blossoms out of her grief, the latter is fading into it,. The reader knows they must be linked in some way but the narrative doesn’t push the detail, rather letting the truth dawn gradually.
The characters, main and peripheral, are wonderfully written with a sharp eye for realism and tone and a perfect ear for dialogue. Descriptions of sensations, feelings and places are equally rich and adept.
The book is heartbreakingly sad in places but never mawkish. I wanted the resolution to come but I didn’t want it to end. It deals sensitively and realistically with death - of children, of friends and of old habits. Despite the subject matter there are some marvellous scenes of humour, Masha’s thoughts in particular are sharply amusing.
As well as knowing precisely what to include the author knows what to leave out too and the impact of the ending is all the better for this. I can’t recommend this book enough and I look forward to sharing my thoughts on it upon publication.

Cleverly written and enjoyable read. I liked the moments of humor sprinkled about, and the rich characters. There’s some emotional moments, which are beautifully expressed. I didn’t recognize some of the references which apparently are people well known in England.

What a lovely introduction to Ruth Hogan's writing! I love a good book that makes you really feel something, and with this one, there were so many quotes and passages that alternately felt like a punch in the gut or that took my breath away that I feel as though I highlighted nearly half the book!

The Keeper of Lost Things has been on my TBR for quite some time, so when I saw that this was available on NetGalley, I requested it right away. I was a little worried that this would be a very heavy read, given some of the subject matter, but it really wasn't. She handles topics like death, illness, and grieving with a sense of poignancy and grace. With the addition of humor (which had me actually laughing out loud at times) and a set of quirky characters to lighten the mood, the story felt perfectly balanced. This book was very well-written and compelling, and rather than being a page-turner, it was one that I wanted to slow down and savor.

Besides Sally, of course, Masha was my favorite character. She absolutely came to life for me, and she felt to real. I loved watching her character develop, as she went through grieving and learning to live again. I rooted for her the whole way, and she ended up feeling like a dear friend.

As for the plot, I love a good duel narrative, and this was no exception. I had an inkling of how everything would turn out, but I didn't see how it would all happen. I feel very satisfied with the ending, and I loved seeing how it all came together.

Overall, this is a wonderful, compelling story, filled with emotion. I was so pleased with Hogan's writing that I must get my hands on The Keeper of Lost Things very soon. This is one of those books that will make you feel a lot and give you a lot to think about. I know Sally Red Shoes will stay on my mind for some time to come.

This book stirs deep and slow as you dive deeper into the story. The writing style is simply brilliant and even on such sensitive subjects and moments, it was still really beautiful.

Thank you to Ruth Hogan and Crooked Lane Books for a copy of this book.

I truly loved this book, even though it made me cry like a baby. Although the story is about death and mourning, there are some hopeful parts. Having recently lost an Uncle, this book resonated with me and gave me all the feels.

I love Ruth Hogan's writing, and can't wait to read more of her work.

The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes was a slow burn to a great novel. It was set with raw emotions of loneliness from loss and what might have been. The unconventional characters that cross paths to show there is always a rainbow after rain.

The Wisdom Of Sally Red Shoes
by Ruth Hogan
Description
Ruth Hogan, the internationally bestselling author behind The Keeper of Lost Things returns with an irresistible novel of unexpected friendships, second chances—and dark secrets…
They say friends make life worth living…
Once a spirited, independent woman with a rebellious streak, Masha's life was forever changed by a tragic event twelve years ago. Unable to let go of her grief, she finds comfort in her faithful canine companion Haizum, and peace in the quiet lanes of her town's swimming pool. Almost without her realizing it, her life has shuddered to a halt.
It’s only when Masha begins an unlikely friendship with the mysterious Sally Red Shoes, a bag lady with a prodigious voice and a penchant for saying just what she means, that a new world of possibilities opens up: new friendships, new opportunities, and even a chance for new love. For the first time in years, Masha has the chance to start living again.
But just as Masha dares to imagine the future, her past comes roaring back…
A very sweet book with a quirky cast. Masha and The bag lady Sally Red shoes. Friends do indeed make like worth living.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The story explained grief in the most beautiful and heartbreaking way. I instantly fell in love with the characters and how they helped me understand my own grief and sadness. If you have experienced grief, this book will help you emotionally empathize with losing someone just as the main character Masha did with her son.

The main character, Masha, is unable to get through her grief and continues to fall more and more into depression each day. She is getting closer and closer to hitting rock bottom. Masha "swims" which translates to trying to feel the sensation of drowning to try and simulate what her son may have felt in his last movements. Throughout the story her life connects with another and she is eventually able to overcome her grief and live again! The story is well told and the characters are excellent. The story is different from manyI have read before and I really enjoyed it.

I found this to be another enjoyable novel from Ruth Hogan. I’m not sure if all the elements of the plot really came together at the end of everything. I still did find this to be a charming and diverting way to spend a snowy day at home. Even if I felt this novel could’ve used a bit more polish, I will still look for more books to come from Ruth Hogan.

This is a charming novel that leaves you feeling brim full of that happy sadness when something has jerked at your heart, but in a good way.
It deals with grief and loss, and doesn't shy away from the trauma and mourning process, yet has wonderful flashes of light, in the chance meetings of Sally Red Shoes and the protagonist.
My only criticism was that I didn't want (as I suspected) a half baked mystery thrown in at the end - the foreshadowing was there in the book, and I was hoping I was wrong, because it is not needed, and the resolution of this mystery, to my mind, cheapens the emotions of the rest of the book.
Still, a recommended afternoon and cup of tea novel.

“When the music ends for someone you love you don't stop dancing. You dance for them as well.”

This book is essentially about death and learning to live with it. It is also an eye opener that makes you want to stare at it right in the face and say 'Seriously?'.

The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes (long title) is about two women. Masha, a grieving mother who has lost her child and Alice, the overprotective mother of her son Mattie. Told through the dual POV of these two ladies (with Mattie sometimes chiming in with his thoughts) the book is a delightful and compelling book.

“We are so much more comfortable saying ‘fuck’ than ‘dead’. We are happy to let children spend hours merrily slaughtering, maiming and motherfucking in front of their computer screens, and yet balk at them attending the funeral of a dearly loved grandparent in case it upsets them. I think we are teaching them to be afraid of the wrong things.”

Masha is a character you'll end up falling in love with. Her grief is omnipresent in the book, even after so many years. Her ramblings, albeit sometimes too long, are a pleasure to read, filled with little tidbits of facts, word of days, and social commentary. My favorite has to be her little stories about the graves she visits in the cemetery.
Alice, by the time you finish the book becomes a character you feel sorry for. (view spoiler) The other hidden gems in the book - Kitty Muriel, Edward, Masha's mother and not to mention Sally - make the book worth a read.

I'm not afraid of death, I find the living far more alarming

What I didn't like was the ending. Although it is a fairly understandable epilogue, I left the book feeling cheated of what could have been something grand.

I really loved The Keeper of Lost Things, so I was delighted to check out Ruth Hogan's second novel. The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes introduces quirky, but loveable characters. It's a mediation on friendship and grief.

This was an absolutely delightful book! Hated to have it end. I really want to read more books by this very talented author. I don't think I've laughed so hard over a book in a very long time. You will laugh and you will cry.

Hogan has yet again crafted an enchanting story of love and loss filled with a cast of quirky and developed characters. This book will make you laugh, cry, and feel joyful for the tenacity of the human spirit.

First I want to say thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this eARC! I was drawn fo this book because of the description. I think grief is a topic that isnt talked about enough and I truly believe that Ruth Hogan painted such a beautiful picture of it. I did enjoy this book, but I will say I had a lot of moments where I had to stop mainly because I lost focus. Parts of it became a bit boring. With that being said I give The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes 3 out of 5 stars.

I am an avid reader of books of all kinds. I have to say, though, that this book was right down my alley for a good, comfortable read. From the beginning, you can tell there is a bit of a mystery, as the author introduces two women who seem unconnected. And you know that the book will take its time fleshing out the details of this apparent disconnect. Along the way, the reader meets some lovely characters, some of whom made me laugh out loud, others who made me cheer, and yet others whom you weren't supposed to like but you could still see the humanity in them. This book was very easy to read (but not simplistic) and the writing was very descriptive. I would recommend it to anyone looking for some clever writing and a warm read. When it was over, I felt sad, as if I had to say goodbye to some people who had become my friends.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R3LNB6EWHURJMZ/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Ruth Hogan paints a vivid picture of the complexities of grief. Her skill in drawing the reader into complex relationships of her characters is remarkable.

Masha has spent the last 12 years of her life in mourning with only her dog Hazium and her time swimming at the local pool for comfort. All that changes when bag lady Sally Red Shoes enters her life. Sally doesn’t know how to hold back, she has no reason to, and she lets Masha know just how she feels about the other woman’s life, or lack of one. Can Masha put her past behind her and learn to live again? This is a beautiful story about finding wisdom and love in the most unexpected places

I really liked the sound of this one as grief is something we can all relate to, however as much as I tried To like the book, I found the start just deeply depressing so I abandoned ship. It’s possible that if you read on further you will discover this book is a gem. But alas life is too short.

Thank you to netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.