Three Things About Elsie

June 25, 2018
The unreliable narrator of Cannon’s amusing and heartbreaking novel (following The Trouble with Goats and Sheep) spends most of the story lying in a heap on the floor of her apartment at the Cherry Tree “sheltered accommodation” for the elderly, reviewing her life. Florence, 84 and opinionated, is beginning to wonder whether she can trust her senses. First, she notices that somebody appears to moving small objects in her apartment; then, she recognizes a new resident, and realizes to her horror that he is somebody she is sure died in 1953. Fortunately, Florence has as her companion her best friend from childhood onward, Elsie, who helps her solve these mysteries and always knows what to say to make her feel better. Florence’s acerbic and sometimes troubled voice is the main narration, though the perspective sometimes shifts to those of well-meaning administrator Miss Ambrose and dogged, socially awkward handyman Simon. While readers are likely to guess the mysterious “third thing” about Elsie early on, and the book’s shocks depend on some unlikely coincidences, Cannon makes her protagonist sympathetic and touches lightly on how easy it is to make false assumptions about the elderly. Readers may come for the mystery, but they’ll stay to spend time with Florence.

This audiobook blends mystery with themes of friendship and mortality in an interesting way. Narrator Paula Wilcox gives Florence, an elderly woman, a British accent and an appropriate voice that is equal parts sweet and grouchy, depending on whom she's speaking to. While she waits for assistance following a fall, her memory flashes back to past events with her friend Elsie. After a short while, Wilcox's capable performance becomes fatiguing, too precious on top of the story's lagging plot. That's not to say this audiobook doesn't have its moments. Humor and suspense are well presented, and not all revelations are predictable. This performance may be a perfect listen for those willing to surrender to sentimentality and patient enough to wait for the story to unfold. L.B.F. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine