The Echo of Old Books | Book Review | 2023 | Barbara Davis

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Barbara Davis is a contemporary American author celebrated for her emotionally resonant, character-driven novels. Born on April 4, 1960, in New Jersey, Davis later moved to Florida, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Florida, fostering her love for storytelling.

Before pursuing writing full-time, Davis had a successful career in the jewelry industry. That was where she honed her creative skills. Her decision to become a full-time author allowed her to delve into complex landscapes and the intricacies of human relationships.

Davis’ notable works include The Last of the Moon Girls (2017), When Never Comes (2019), and The Keeper of Happy Endings (2022). Her stories often blend themes of love, loss, forgiveness, and redemption. Known for her lyrical prose and relatable characters, her novels resonate deeply with readers.

Davis has received numerous accolades, including the Gold Medal in the Florida Book Awards for The Last of the Moon Girls. The American Library Association even named the book a Top Ten Best Book. Through her thought-provoking themes, Davis has established herself as a beloved voice in women’s fiction.

SYNOPSIS (MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS)

The Echo of Old Books is a simple tale unfolding across two intertwining timelines. In 1941, Hugh Garret, a budding English writer, arrives in New York to craft an exposé on businessman Martin Manning. With the aid of powerful media mogul, Geraldine “Goldie” Spencer, Hugh attends the engagement party of Martin’s daughter, Marian. Despite his original intentions of getting close to Marian to get information on her father, Hugh finds himself falling in love with her. Marian, whom Hugh has nicknamed “Belle”, reciprocates Hugh’s feelings. Over time, the two begin a passionate but secret affair. Things get even more complicated following her forced engagement to wealthy Teddy.

Their plans to elope unravel when Marian discovers Hugh’s hidden agenda – an article exposing her father’s dark history, including antisemitic ties and his involvement in her mother’s tragic suicide. Feeling betrayed, Marian cuts all ties with Hugh, leaving him heartbroken.

Years later, Marian begins a new life in California. She adopts a friend’s orphaned daughter while raising her own son, Zachary. She leads a peaceful existence, keeping her past a secret. However, thirteen years after their separation, Hugh writes a memoir, Regretting Belle, which reignites the unresolved tension between them. Marian counters with her own narrative, Forever and Other Lies, further deepening their estrangement.

In a surprising turn of events, Ashlyn Greer uncovers the manuscripts. Greer is a rare bookseller with the gift of psychometry. Ashlyn, alongside Ethan, Marian’s great-nephew, pieces together the hidden truths about Marian and Hugh. They manage to reconnect with Marian and Hugh, leading to a final reckoning of their past. It comes to light that Marian’s sister, Corinne, had swapped the letters that kept the couple apart for decades.

The story culminates in a heartwarming reconciliation. Hugh learns of his son, Zachary. While hurt by the long-kept secret, he wholeheartedly embraces the second chance with Marian. In a tender epilogue, the couple is happily married, in the midst of family, both extended and shared, including a newly engaged Ashlyn and Ethan, at a Hanukkah celebration. This brings to cathartic closure to the love stories for both the hurt couples.

WHAT WE LIKED ABOUT THE ECHO OF OLD BOOKS

The beauty of The Echo of Old Books lies in how effortless it feels. The plot is simple and the narrative heartwarming. Despite not offering a groundbreaking or fresh concept, the story captivates readers with its charm and warmth. The balance and pacing between the timelines are exquisite, making the book an enjoyable read from start to finish. It is, in fact, a picture-perfect tale of doomed romance finding its happy ending – a reminder that hope and the universe sometimes conspire to give second chances.

The touch of magical realism enhances the book’s appeal, making it not just a love story but also an exploration of the extraordinary.

Furthermore, the talent of psychometry, central to uncovering the buried past, is so well sketched out that it feels naturally believable, especially to bibliophiles. Ashlyn’s deep connection with books further enhances this, making her ability seem almost like a natural gift for those who cherish stories. It adds a profound sense of purpose to the novel, for her psychometric gift becomes a tool for solving mysteries. It also helps uncover hidden layers of love, loss, and forgotten history.

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER ABOUT THE ECHO OF OLD BOOKS

Upon a closer examination, the book seems to lack logic. In fact, to more analytical readers, the timelines and the way manuscripts conveniently end up in the hands of a psychometric, both feel far-fetched. The resolution of the story through such a supernatural ability, while charming, doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. It might even seem too neat or contrived, which could detract from the story’s credibility for those who prefer a more grounded plot.

QUOTES

people’s lives were defined not by the scars they acquired but by what lay on the other side of those scars, by what’s done with the life they have left.

Without a reader, a book was a blank slate, an object with no breath or pulse of its own. But once a book became part of someone’s world, it came to life, with a past and a present—and, if properly cared for, a future.

Don’t leave it too long,” Marian admonished with a hint of gravity. “Time has a way of getting away from you. Things happen, and before you know it, you’ve missed your chance.”

They exist to make us feel. To connect us to what’s inside, sometimes to things we don’t even know are there. In the happiest times of my life, I have reached for my books. In the saddest times of my life, my books have reached back.

CONCLUSION