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COME BACK TO THE WORLD
Catherine Ryan Hyde
Lake Union Publishing
May 5, 2026
288 pages
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Here we go again, another hit by Catherine Ryan Hyde. This is the story of Amelia, a journalist, and the reclusive author E.L. Swann, who disappeared after writing a bestseller 40 years earlier.
Amelia is on a mission to find the author for an exclusive interview. She is successful in finding her and this is where I meet one of the most interesting characters I have come across in a book. Ms. Swann is in her 80s and is rude, antisocial, negative, enigmatic, surly and entitled. I’m sure there are a few more adjectives that could apply to her. But, even so, I find her to be very fascinating. Not always likeable but always fascinating.
This is a character driven story, the relationship between the two women. Amelia has a smart, inquisitive son, Jaden. Ms. Swann takes a special interest in Jaden. The highlight of this relationship is when she takes the time to explain Spirituality to Jaden. Very well done.
Another relationship: Jaden and Francisco, a wise old donkey. Francisco belongs to Ms. Swann.
While I enjoyed the whole story, I found the second half a bit more interesting.
The ending wasn’t a surprise but it wrapped everything up nicely. When I turned the last page, I was smiling.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the advance readers’ copy.
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