A Review of 'The Way From Here' by Jane Cockram
Release Date: March 2, 2022
The Way From Here' is an intriguing story about the complications of families, their secrets and the damaging effects of lies. It also explores how some decisions made in the heat of the moment can have regrettable consequences. And how the timing of actions can affect a person’s life. In 'The Way From Here' it all starts with the viewing of a special painting where certain characters cross paths just because they are in a particular place at a certain time. And from that brush with fate, difficult events transpire and later once hidden truths and actions are exposed; leaving a very different portrait of the families involved.
The novel opens with Letter 1 of 6 written by Susie Anderson during her 39th year. She dies in a freak accident while setting up lights for her 40th birthday party. These letters are addressed to sister Camilla (known further as Mills). They are Susie’s insurance policy that her story will be told, in case she dies before she gets the chance or does not find enough courage to talk about her life in France and England during her gap year.
Besides through Susie’s personal letters to sister Mills, the story is also told through each of the sisters in their own timelines (Susie’s past and Mills current year) and later their mother’s viewpoint is added taking us back and forth from 1998, 1968 to present day.
Mills sets out on a mission to fulfil her sister’s last wishes: to read the letters while at certain destinations and to spread her ashes. This journey will unveil some unlikely surprises: including a trail of identity deception. Even more amazing is that some of these revelations will relate to their mother and grandmother and their connections to an obscure French island and a London setting. These letters and destinations are meant to shed light on Susie as a person and the reasons for her actions. And to change Mill’s perspective on her sister. Susie is the free spirit. Mills is the steady organised one. Two sisters that are very different. As with most sisters, they have had their battles and at times circumstances have kept them apart or caused them to be less connected. Susie hopes these letters explain everything and will heal their rifts. In essence, her ultimate goal in providing this task is to bring restoration, healing and release. But it brings so much more than even Susie could have imagined. For certain facts are withheld that only Mills can uncover. Too late, though, to free Susie of her guilt.
We learn quickly that while Susie is away, she is in close contact with her grandmother through many letters for they share a special bond. It is at this time, one of the letters from her grandmother sends Susie on a mission that changes the course of her life. Susie returns from her trip in 1998 changed but never shares what happened to her while she is away. It is not until after her death in the form of letters to her sister that we learn (along with Mills) what occurred. This part of the journey includes opening these letters at certain locations and seeing particular people as instructed by her sister. In the first letter Susie relates some of her favourite memories with Mills, but also conveys some of her sad ones. We learn a lot about this woman as a teenager and adult.
This novel is my first read by Jane Cockram (this is her second release) and I would be interested in exploring her debut after reading The Way From Here. The pace is appropriate as we learn about each character and it ramps up as the plot thickens--taking us through many twists, turns and surprises. There is a carefully crafted complexity to the story and each layer eventually is revealed at appropriate times. There are a number of characters to keep focused on so you need to keep watch and tuned in always.
When I finished reading 'The Way From Here' I went back to chapter one and re-read it. All the things mentioned there take on an even greater meaning and helped cement everything that happened throughout the novel. In that way, the novel is circular. The last chapter ends with a letter in the same way the novel starts with one. Susie has the first and final say. This circular pattern of continuity is a perfect way to tell this kind of story. Everything makes sense. Like with a puzzle—once all the pieces are in place, you get the complete picture (in case you missed anything on the journey). It leaves you thinking afterwards about everything you read and saw and heard through the characters. The settings are lovely and memorable, too.
Though the concept of using letters to tell a passed character’s story is not unique (remember P.S. I Love You) and sending the one left behind on a journey (in this case the older sister), 'The Way From Here' offers a freshness in its telling and plot. Details are finely placed, too. Even the title is cleverly taken from a line in the last of the six letters written.
Thanks to HarperCollins Australia and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this novel. This is a fascinating story I recommend and give it 4 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
