Rating: 
Summary: I never knew a sappy novel could be so good!
Review: I am not the type of person that reads books about "Family", "Coming-of-Age", or "Poignant Romance" - I grew out of those when I was about 13. I found a review for this book in the New Yorker and it sounded very well-written, if nothing else, and the cover art was GORGEOUS, so I got it. Well, this was one thing this year that definitely exceeded expectations.Eva's mother died in childbirth and Eva is raised in a village in Scotland by her father and a maiden aunt. During her childhood she comes to know two spirits who are decidedly ambiguous in nature toward her. They protect her from danger, but also spoil her friendships and in some form, her happiness. As she grows up, these spirits continue to have tight hold on her life - wrecking a marriage proposal, but also saving her life and introducing her to her future husband. Things wrap up when Eva has a child of her own and she finally figures out who her incorporeal friends are. One of the main reasons that I fell for this slim book is that it deals with situations in a matter-of-fact, yet magical, way. The gross story has little magic in it, but Livesey's writing has a kind of simple witchcraft in it that makes every scene appear like a Maxfield Parrish painting. It is evocative without being verbose, and lyrical without being flabby. Even the sappiness that must be inherent in a novel in which there are: 2 births, 3 major deaths and many heartbreaks, is toned to a minimum by the writing style. You will not soon forget the ending lines and picture they evoke. I keep refering to how things look - and this is true - you don't read "Eva Moves the Furniture", you watch it. I do so hope that they'll make a movie out of it! My only complaints are with the length and the amount of character development in the minor characters. In 200+ pages, Livesey spans an entire life, complete with flashbacks - I would GLADLY have spent the extra time reading the extra pages if it meant that I could have understood more about the world and people that swirl around Eva. Although you get a general feel for Eva's friends and lovers, you really can't say you know them as you come to know Eva, her parents, and her guardians. Its a small price to pay for such a sparkling diamond of a novel. Plus, even if the book doesn't hit you that hard, the cover picture is beautiful and almost disturbing in an ethereal kind of way. Cheers!
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THREE MUST READ NOVELS THIS YEAR
Review: I HAVE READ FEW CONTEMPORARY NOVELS WITH SUCH SIMPLE, STRAIGHTFORWARD, YET ELOQUENT PROSE. I THINK LIVESEY'S WRITING MIGHT BEST BE THOUGHT OF AS SOFT SPOKEN: IT WAS ONLY GLANCING A SECOND TIME AT PASSAGES THAT I NOTICED HOW FULLY EVERY PHRASE AND SENTENCE IN THIS TENDER BOOK BEARS WEIGHT, SAYS SOMETHING, PROVOKES THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS. ULTIMATELY, A BOOK THAT IS FULL OF THE RICHNESS OF LIFE WITHOUT NEGLECTING TO MENTION THE SHADOWS. UNFORGETTABLE.
Rating:
Summary: Eva Moves the Heart
Review: Margot Livesey's novel about one girl's motherless childhood in a small Scotish Village reads as smoothly as a well written memoir. The presence of Ghosts is woven into the tale seamlessly. We grow to know the pressence of two women along with Eva and we can feel her dread and her love for them. The characters both living and dead awaken our own feelings about family especially the relationships between mothers and daughters. Livesey is able to make us feel what it is like to grow up and be both nurtured and suffocated by those who love us most.
Rating:
Summary: A BEAUTIFUL STORY, BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN
Review: Too bad I can only give this book five stars... Morgot Livesey's newest novel chronicles the life of Eva McEwan, told by the character in the form of a memoir. We are there at her birth, and we witness -- after the appearance of 6 magpies, a dark omen -- the death of her mother that very night. We see her grow, under the loving care of her father David and her aunt Lily, blessed with an uncomplicated childhood in the small village of Troon, Scotland -- uncomplicated, that is, but for her two companions. They appear as if out of nowhere, and vanish just as mysteriously. As she comes to know them -- a middle-aged woman and a young girl -- it dawns upon Eva that no one else can see them. They are with her, on and off, throughout her life. The story of her life is a touching one, filled with the events that one might expect -- school, making and losing friends, choosing a career, successes and failures, romances. What sets this novel apart from many others, for me, is not just the skill and care with which Livesey develops her characters, but her respect for them. Time and again I've read books that were spoiled by the author's irritating insistance on assigning attributes to characters that seem -- well, out of character for them. Livesey has the respect for her characters -- and the good sense -- to keep them real and true to themselves. Those who people this story are lovingly engendered -- Livesey is extremely adept, through both voicing and observation, in creating believable, whole characters with whom I had absolutely no trouble empathizing. Her skill in this area gave the book a much greater impact. This obvious concern for her creations, coupled with her style of prose (shining in its illumination, but never wordy, always natural) and a very moving story line, made this one of the best books I've read this year. It's original look at the relationships between the dead and the living is completely refreshing -- those who appreciate this aspect of this book should check out Sheri Reynolds' excellent novel A GRACIOUS PLENTY as well. This is the first of Margot Livesey's works I've read -- now I have ANOTHER author to investigate further. I'LL NEVER GET ALL OF THE BOOKS ON MY 'LIST' READ! (Oh well -- not too serious a complaint, and nothing to do with this fine book...).
Rating: 
Summary: A Good, Short Tale
Review: Eva Moves The Furniture if a very sweet and touching tale that spans many decades into a young woman's life. We start with Eva's birth and her childhood, when she starts to see 'companions' -- beings that others cannot see. These companions are ghosts and they will remain with her throughout her life to help her during times of hardship. They are always there to guide her into the right direction. Whether it is love, family problems or just personal problems, the companions are always there to comfort her and to reassure her. The tale is very sweet and touching. The only problem is that I wanted more. The books is short - barely 230 pages - and in it, you get a woman's entire life explained to you. But some of the moment's of Eva's life, moments which were very intersting, are too briefly explained. Maybe way too briefly. You find yourself wanting more, wanting to know more about her relationship with the companions and with her husband and daughter. I would have taken another 100 pages without problems! I have to admit that this book took me by surprise. I wasn't planning on enjoying it this much. But once I finished reading the last page, I got this warm feeling withing me, a feeling of love for this story. Give this one a chance. It's the perfect holiday read!
Rating:
Summary: Margot Livesey does it again!
Review: I marvel at this masterpiece. Having read Criminals and The Missing World, I knew Livesey wouldn't let me down! With her signature language and eye for quirky detail, Livesey writes another winner! Eva loses her mother at the tender age of six. She is under the care of her father and aunt. However, there are two mysterious companions who are there for her whenever she needs them. These companions could not be seen by others, and so the question is: are these two people real or imaginary? Those encounters haunt Eva throughout her life. Compelling, dark, poignant and disturbing, Margot Livesey hasn't failed to surprise me with the conclusion of her novels. She has the ability to identify evil in the most subtle ways. Again, this is a winner. This Scottish novelist's books should be on everyone's collection!
Rating:
Summary: A PERFECT BOOK
Review: This is one of the most beautifully written and moving novels I've read. Deceptively simple, the story is incredibly rich, haunting even. I can't recommend this book more highly. It's up there with Marilynne Robinson's HOUSEKEEPING.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and sad
Review: Ah, it happens so rarely, a book that you read in one sitting because you simply cannot put it down.
Eva Moves the Furniture moved me in ways I have not yet sorted out (having finished it 20 minutes ago), but I highly recommend it. Beautifully drawn characters, particularly Eva and her Aunt Lily. Go-go get it and savor it.
Rating:
Summary: An Ordinary Woman; An Extraordinary Story
Review: On the surface at least, Eva MacEwen, the protagonist in Eva Moves the Furniture, is an ordinary woman who leads an ordinary life. Her mother dies shortly after she is born and she is raised by her aunt and father. She grows up in a small Scottish town and eventually moves away to study nursing and falls in love. Eva's story, however, is not ordinary for two important reasons. First, she is visited, at a very young age, by her "companions", two ghosts who come in and out of her life, helping, interfering, meddling. Second, the story is told by Margot Livesey who is quite an extraordinary storyteller. She breaths life into this "ghost" story so that it is interesting, moving and subtly emotional. Eva is as surprised by these ghosts as we are and her narration is wonderfully understated. I truly loved this novel. There was something almost comforting about reading it. While it is a story about Eva's life, it is also the story of the love we have for our families and how absolutely powerful that love is. The final pages moved me to tears without a scintilla of sentimentality. Ms. Livesey is truly talented. I recently finished The Missing World, and, while I loved both novels, each is completely different. Enjoy this one.
Rating:
Summary: One of a Kind!
Review: "Eva Moves the Furniture" was my first book by Livesey, but I think I will look into her other ones. When Eva if born, the midwife notices 6 magpies and knows that Eva's mother will die. Eva grows up under her aunt and father's care. But there are two companions who truly look after her. No one can see them but Eva. And so begins a story about life with a twist of psychology. There were many times in this book where I had to stop and think when Eva's companions appeared. Where they just childhood characters that came from loneliness and lack of a mother? Or where they actually there to teach Eva what others could not? Take a look and form your own opinion, as well as reading a good book in the process.
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