I loved Christie Hodgen’s new novel Elegies for the Brokenhearted. I wasn’t sure I would. Why would I want to read 5 pieces about people who I know were each going to die? It sounded a bit too depressing for my mood. And indeed there are many dark moments in this book, but Hodgen’s writing is a revelation. She is the kind of writer I always hope to find, one that makes me want to go back and read all her earlier works.

Our protagonist, Mary Murphy takes us on a journey through her broken life, broken town, broken family and broken friends, yet somehow we end up feeling redeemed. Hodgen’s writing is so compelling and so full of wit, she finds the humanity in each of these characters who have so deeply touched Mary.

This is not a book I will soon forget. Highly recommended.