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Summary: Eva Moves Your Heart
Review: Eva Moves the Furniture is a lovely, enchanting and moving story of a girl born as her mother dies. As Eva grows, she begins to be visited by a girl and a woman whom she refers to as her 'companions.' Eva soon realizes that no one else can see her 'companions.' These specters guide Eva, helping her with her chores and several times saving her life. Most stories that involve ghosts also involve horror, but Margot Livesey gives us ghosts who are like us...good, bad, and flawed. As a daughter, as a mother and as a reader, this book touched me, cheered me and moved me as few novels have.
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Summary: Not Your Average Ghost Story
Review: From the title, one expects another POLTERGEIST novel of horror and gore. Instead, EVA MOVES THE FURNITURE turns out to be for anyone who may have lost a loved one early in life and fondly dreams of them often. The author beautifully descibes the strange events of rather ordinary people amidst an extraordinary setting. She draws her readers into her world so gently that the barriers between reality and the fantastic quickly merge. The companions, as she comes to call them, are not visible to others, however, and their purpose in her life seems unclear. By the end of the novel, Eva has discovered who the companion ghosts were during their time as living persons, but most importantly, who she is. Any mother or father who yearns to protect their child will relate to Eva and react emotionally to Livesey's moving story. The author shares that it took a decade to write the novel. Thankfully she finished it and was able to present a moving novel, which reads somewhat like a biography. By the conclusion, I was saddened to see it end, yet it was a joy to know that Ruth, like Eva, would be well taken care of from both here and the hereafter.
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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!
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Summary: lovely bones without the horror
Review: I found this book on a remainder table and purchased it on a whim simply because I liked the cover; imagine my surprise, then, when I began reading and found an expertly crafted novel that told a beautiful story. Livesy combines the best elements of fiction: line by line, the prose carries you along smoothly and pleasurably through well-paced chapters which are organized according to a well-developed plot; the characters are vivid and unusual; but more importantly, they are endearing. So much contemporary fiction is ironic to the point of heartlessness, featuring distant characters who are no more than symbols for the author's intentions; but in "Eva...", Livesy returns to the tradition of writing characters whom the reader feels they know and care about. Without being sacharine, sentimental, or cliche, Livesy skillfully renders tenderness, and devotion. The text is brave in its emotional vulnerability, and the risk pays off by involving the reader in the world Livesy creates. As I read the final pages, I was moved to tears.
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Summary: Eva Moves the Furniture
Review: I read this book on a rainy, lazy Saturday. I wouldn't call it brilliant for a novel; in fact it had a short story feel. The novel itself up until the ending was a breezy read, easy on the brain. The last few pages were what is worth the purchase of this book. I just remember feeling this immense sadness at the end, so I re-read the ending again. It made me weep, a great-sobbing weeping that was ultimately very satisfying. I think the sadness comes from being a mother; however,I won't give away the ending.
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Summary: Slow, But a Wonderful Ending
Review: I thought the book was somewhat slow. I also thought there were several loose ends that were never cleared up and that was disappointing. However, you are kept guessing throughout the story as to what the "companions" motives really are and that is why I continued reading it. I'm happy I did because the ending was fabulous. In short, the ending made the book.
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Summary: Slow, But a Wonderful Ending
Review: I thought the book was somewhat slow. I also thought there were several loose ends that were never cleared up and that was disappointing. However, you are kept guessing throughout the story as to what the "companions" motives really are and that is why I continued reading it. I'm happy I did because the ending was fabulous. In short, the ending made the book.
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Summary: Interesting concept, but unsatisfying overall
Review: I was moved to purchase this book because I love the name Eva, I was interested in the spiritual aspect of the story, and I am the mother of a daughter. Eva, the title character, is raised by her father and aunt after her mother dies shortly after her birth. She is also guided and influenced by two spirit visitors. These visitors shape her world; leading her in certain directions and away from people and interests they don't approve of. We aren't sure until the end who these visitors are and whether their intentions are in Eva's best interest. I was quickly pulled into the story and fascinated by the events taking place. I puzzled over the motivations of Eva's visitors. Unfortunately, I was still puzzled as the book ended. Or, rather, I was left wondering "Is that all there is?" I had expected a profound mission for her visitors, and I was disappointed.
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Summary: Not really a ghost story...
Review: The cover of this book originally caught my attention, and the reputation of the author persuaded me to purchase it. I have to disagree with those who have stated that this is a ghost story. This is not a story about creepy goblins and unseen bumps in the night. Rather, this is a story of love and endearment between the living and the dead. The companions have kept watch over Eva throughout her life, although their real intentions have often puzzled her. Are the companions friends or foes? And what are their true identities? I enjoyed this book not only for the plot development but also for the descriptions of Scotland during the first half of the 20th century. A pleasurable, yet quick, read.
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Summary: One of My All-time Favorite Covers
Review: This book was assigned for a book group discussion and I put off reading it because it sounded weird. It is now on my list of all time favorites. The story was beautifully told and the ending was perfect, though very sad. Eva will stay with you long after you finish the book.
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