Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes
Someone Else’s Shoes is the latest novel by Jojo Moyes – author of the brilliant Me Before You and the equally brilliant The Giver of Stars. Last year, I went to see Jojo Moyes and fellow author, Mike Gayle, chatting about their careers at the Cheltenham Literature Festival. They have known each other for a long time and write for a similar audience. I decided that I would buy both of their new releases when they came out in paperback. (You can read my review of Mike Gayle’s A Song of Me & You here.)
Someone Else’s Shoes is the story of two very different women whose lives collide. Sam is 45, tired and unhappy. She’s being bullied at work, her husband is depressed and not pulling his weight at home and her parents are being very demanding of her time. Nisha is a trophy wife. Her life revolves around travelling with her husband – staying in fancy hotels around the world and wearing the most expensive clothes.
When Sam accidentally picks up Nisha’s bag (and her shoes) at the gym, it sets off a dramatic chain of events. Sam learns the power of a good power of shoes in the workplace. And Nisha finds herself shut out from her old life and forced to mix with normal people – with their dirt, their germs and their cheap clothes…
Only getting the shoes back will make things better for her. (Yes, that sounds a bit far fetched, but it works.) But she can’t do it alone. She needs to swallow her prejudices, because she needs Sam’s help.
Someone Else’s Shoes is the story of four strong women and two rather weak men. These midlife women are dealing with it all – grief, divorce, life-threatening illness, demanding teenage children and needy parents… And they still find time to work and support each other.
Jojo Moyes has done it again. Someone Else’s Shoes is both great fun and very moving. I devoured it, reading half of the book in just one day. It doesn’t go over the top with the midlife cliches, but there are situations many women in their 40s and 50s will relate to. Although probably not chasing around after a very expensive pair of shoes…
If you’re looking for a read which is light, but not too light, I can definitely recommend Someone Else’s Shoes.
I enjoyed Me Before You first time I read it, but I have different feelings about it since becoming wheelchair bound. I did enjoy the Giver of Stars though and I may even consider giving this one a go once I get through my massive TBR pile.
That is interesting that your view on Me Before You changed since becoming wheelchair bound. I loved The Giver of Stars. This is a bit more comical, but it is one of the books I’ve read this year which really stands out for me.