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Mary, Mary
In a Cape Breton family of black sheep, Mary is pure as the driven snow. She is patient and kind with her alcoholic grandmother and volatile mother, loyal and attentive to her spoiled cousin, and pleasant and polite all day as a grocery cashier. Her welloff aunt, the only other normal person in the family, wants to help her more, but Mary’s mother is too prickly and proud. So Mary goes to work, comes home, takes care of her family, and wonders if there’ll ever be more to life.
When a young couple moves into the apartment upstairs, it sparks a series of changes that leads to major family revelations, and Mary discovers that sometimes doing the wrong thing is the exact right thing to do.
Tender, authentic, and crackling with Lesley’s irrepressible humour, Mary, Mary is a book for anyone who’s ever had a family — good, bad, or a messy mix of both.
When a young couple moves into the apartment upstairs, it sparks a series of changes that leads to major family revelations, and Mary discovers that sometimes doing the wrong thing is the exact right thing to do.
Tender, authentic, and crackling with Lesley’s irrepressible humour, Mary, Mary is a book for anyone who’s ever had a family — good, bad, or a messy mix of both.
224 pages, Paperback
First published October 12, 2016
About the author
Lesley Crewe
18 books828 followersLesley grew up in Montreal, PQ. After graduating from Concordia University with a degree in English and Education, she and her hubby settled down in Homeville, Cape Breton and raised a family.
From 2000-2005, Lesley was a features writer and columnist (Home Fires) for Cape Bretoner Magazine, and from 2005-2009, a columnist (Lesley's Letters) with the on-line magazine, Cahoots.
In 2005 her first novel, Relative Happiness, was published by Vagrant Press, the fiction imprint of Nimbus Publishing. It was an instant bestseller, and was shortlisted for the Margaret and John Savage First Book Award. She has since written nine other novels.
In 2012, Relative Happiness was optioned for film, and in 2014, Lesley's characters came to life on the big screen. The movie was produced by Wreckhouse Productions, directed by Deanne Foley, and stars Australian Melissa Bergland (Winners and Losers), and homegrown Canadian talent like Susan Kent (This Hour has 22 Minutes), Jonathan Torrens (Mr. D, Trailer Park Boys), and Rob Welles (Trailer Park Boys).
From 2000-2005, Lesley was a features writer and columnist (Home Fires) for Cape Bretoner Magazine, and from 2005-2009, a columnist (Lesley's Letters) with the on-line magazine, Cahoots.
In 2005 her first novel, Relative Happiness, was published by Vagrant Press, the fiction imprint of Nimbus Publishing. It was an instant bestseller, and was shortlisted for the Margaret and John Savage First Book Award. She has since written nine other novels.
In 2012, Relative Happiness was optioned for film, and in 2014, Lesley's characters came to life on the big screen. The movie was produced by Wreckhouse Productions, directed by Deanne Foley, and stars Australian Melissa Bergland (Winners and Losers), and homegrown Canadian talent like Susan Kent (This Hour has 22 Minutes), Jonathan Torrens (Mr. D, Trailer Park Boys), and Rob Welles (Trailer Park Boys).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
January 12, 2019
MARY, MARY by Lesley Crewe was chosen as the first book for our newly formed What Does It Say To You? book club. For the past year or so I have been reading the humorous column written by Nova Scotian Lesley Crewe in the weekly newspaper The Harvester, so I was curious and pleased to read this novel.
I anticipated humour and was rewarded with several "laugh out loud" scenarios, lines, sentences, and paragraphs.
I must say that of all the books I have read about dysfunctional families, this one was the most fun to read. My favourite character, Mary lives with her mother Carole and her alcoholic grandmother, Ethel and does her best to keep peace between them. Before the end of the book, all the characters have endeared themselves to me.
I look forward to reading more easy to read humorous novels written by the talented Lesley Crewe. 4 winking stars ⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️
I anticipated humour and was rewarded with several "laugh out loud" scenarios, lines, sentences, and paragraphs.
I must say that of all the books I have read about dysfunctional families, this one was the most fun to read. My favourite character, Mary lives with her mother Carole and her alcoholic grandmother, Ethel and does her best to keep peace between them. Before the end of the book, all the characters have endeared themselves to me.
I look forward to reading more easy to read humorous novels written by the talented Lesley Crewe. 4 winking stars ⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️⭐️️
September 11, 2020
Another fantastic book by Lesley Crewe. I privileged to attend a book launch recently for Lesley's Mary Mary and got to hear the first part of this wonderful novel and could not wait to get my hands on the book to read the rest. I was not disappointed in the least. Another winner! Looking forward to the next Lesley Crewe book!
January 26, 2023
Mary, Mary by Lesley Crewe is my favourite of hers so far. Set in Nova Scotia with lots of family drama and many laugh-out-loud moments, it won’t be one I’ll soon forget. Lesley has become an auto-buy author and I am looking forward to reading more by her.
July 2, 2018
I really wanted to enjoy this book. I read Crewe’s Amazing Grace a couple of years ago and loved it, so I was expecting to feel the same way about this one. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.
Instead, I felt like someone gave Crewe a list and said, “You’ve got 250 pages to work with. Cram in as many births, deaths, engagements, weddings, injuries and absent fathers as you can. Go!” Other readers found her characters wonderful; I found them only slightly amusing at best, irritating at worst. Most of it was just too silly. And yes, I “get” Cape Breton humour; it is very similar to the humour I was raised on (Scots-Irish) so I could relate to the expressions and the motives of the characters. I just found the frenetic pace a bit much. I think I would have enjoyed it more if Crewe had focused more on just a few of the events that took place and allowed us to savour the family relationships a bit more, I would have liked it better. As it was, I felt like I was running a race as we seemed to keep bounding ahead in 3- or 4-month leaps every chapter, madly trying to get to the finish line.
I’ll still try another book by this author because I loved Amazing Grace and I like to support Canadian authors when I can, but this one just didn’t do it for me.
Instead, I felt like someone gave Crewe a list and said, “You’ve got 250 pages to work with. Cram in as many births, deaths, engagements, weddings, injuries and absent fathers as you can. Go!” Other readers found her characters wonderful; I found them only slightly amusing at best, irritating at worst. Most of it was just too silly. And yes, I “get” Cape Breton humour; it is very similar to the humour I was raised on (Scots-Irish) so I could relate to the expressions and the motives of the characters. I just found the frenetic pace a bit much. I think I would have enjoyed it more if Crewe had focused more on just a few of the events that took place and allowed us to savour the family relationships a bit more, I would have liked it better. As it was, I felt like I was running a race as we seemed to keep bounding ahead in 3- or 4-month leaps every chapter, madly trying to get to the finish line.
I’ll still try another book by this author because I loved Amazing Grace and I like to support Canadian authors when I can, but this one just didn’t do it for me.
October 10, 2017
Hilarious! What a fun read, so happy that it was set in Cape Breton (with appearances in Halifax!). Takes me back to the Maritimes, the speech, everything. Fun look at families in all of their dysfunctional glory and the love behind it all. Cross-cut of generations of women in a family and how they grow and overcome. Nothing serious, finished it in a day and a half, but I really quite enjoyed it!
February 10, 2017
I have been the Goldilocks of books lately, some are not light enough, and some, like this one, are too light.
While it was wonderful to read a book in a Nova Scotian city that I used to live in, the events that went on in this book were enough to fuel 7 books on their own if they were dealt with properly. There was so much going on in this book, that I found it almost laughable when something else happened.
Another book that wasn't the right fit for me.
While it was wonderful to read a book in a Nova Scotian city that I used to live in, the events that went on in this book were enough to fuel 7 books on their own if they were dealt with properly. There was so much going on in this book, that I found it almost laughable when something else happened.
Another book that wasn't the right fit for me.
July 3, 2018
3.5 Lesley Crewe is one of my favorite authors, she writes of the Cape Breton I love, and of characters who are ever so plausible and make me think of people I've known from the Area. This book did not quite reach out to me as did the author's previous "Amazing Grace" - that's one of my classics. A wonderful, comfortable read.
September 12, 2022
Since I read my first Lesley Crewe book in July of 2021, I have been working my way through all her titles. This is yet another story filled with characters I love and the family secrets and drama of life. An excellent read.
February 5, 2017
I loved this book!
Lots of crazy Cape Breton stuff, always entertaining relationships, unique characters (although not necessarily so unique in CB, lol) and a story that keeps moving. I was really impressed by the pacing of this book - it never slows down for a minute!
There is a death scene made me cry, for reals. I do think a cheater may have gotten off a little too easily, but I am willing to overlook it, I guess. :-)
Great job, Lesley!
Lots of crazy Cape Breton stuff, always entertaining relationships, unique characters (although not necessarily so unique in CB, lol) and a story that keeps moving. I was really impressed by the pacing of this book - it never slows down for a minute!
There is a death scene made me cry, for reals. I do think a cheater may have gotten off a little too easily, but I am willing to overlook it, I guess. :-)
Great job, Lesley!
July 31, 2023
I enjoyed the story, but had to provide a review due to the audiobook. There are production errors (ex: repeated sentences) and an odd vocal style for one main character that I found distracting. I’d say skip the audio and go for the book.
February 13, 2017
A little busy, but entertaining enough.
August 31, 2023
What a joy to read! So funny! Lesley Crewe is my favourite Canadian author…dog lovers will love this book too!
January 1, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this, my first introduction to Lesley Crewe’s story telling. I can’t wait to read more!
May 29, 2025
If this had been my first book by Lesley Crewe, it would have been my last. It was well written, but the plot, for me, dragged.
Read
July 16, 2023I like Lesley Crewe books, but won’t make the mistake of listening via audiobook again.
The reader was actually distracting and at times frustrating to listen to. There were frequent stumbles/ coughs/ repeats and the attempt to change her voice for the characters was not impressive
The reader was actually distracting and at times frustrating to listen to. There were frequent stumbles/ coughs/ repeats and the attempt to change her voice for the characters was not impressive
October 1, 2019
This is a book about a family who are the whiniest, quirkiest, most entitled people I have ever come across in a novel.
Lots of off the wall humour, not sure if that was the author's intention but that’s how I saw it. Parts of it were plain silly, but when I enjoy a book this much it just does not matter.
Oddly enough it's a book about a dysfunctional family that is fun to read. And, even through the dysfunctionality (is that a word?) they love each other very much.
I am very familiar with the setting too, that always makes a book enjoyable. Fun, quick read!
Lots of off the wall humour, not sure if that was the author's intention but that’s how I saw it. Parts of it were plain silly, but when I enjoy a book this much it just does not matter.
Oddly enough it's a book about a dysfunctional family that is fun to read. And, even through the dysfunctionality (is that a word?) they love each other very much.
I am very familiar with the setting too, that always makes a book enjoyable. Fun, quick read!
March 21, 2023
4.5, in reality
November 4, 2021
This book was a whirlwind, with so many things happening in a relatively few number of pages. I enjoyed every minute of it though, especially the characters. And life can be like that at times, nothing happens or changes for ever then suddenly it seems everything is happening at once. I'm already looking forward to my next Lesley Crewe book.
July 25, 2023
My new favourite author.
I loved this book. Laughed at times until I cried. Was incredibly touched by the characters and their personalities and the journeys they went on in the story. It is humorous and touching and just makes you feel good.
I loved this book. Laughed at times until I cried. Was incredibly touched by the characters and their personalities and the journeys they went on in the story. It is humorous and touching and just makes you feel good.
November 14, 2023
I bow down before Lesley Crewe. She created a very plausible plot/story, realistic characters and then in the course of the book subtle evolutions begin and by the end, well, you truly want to know what happens next.
February 16, 2022
This was a light and easy read about an everyday family with everyday problems. Each character in the novel had to overcome some sort of personal struggle and in the end, they were all able to succeed. The characters were very relatable, so relatable in fact that I pictured members of my own family in the story! I was very surprised at the style of writing in this novel compared to Crewe’s novel The Spoon Stealer which I read last year. Mary, Mary was very light compared to the heavy conflicts presented in The Spoon Stealer but both had that wonderful element of humor that Crewe so easily threads into the story. This is a great book for when you’re looking for something homey and relaxed.
August 21, 2023
My first book by the author Lesley Crewe and was enjoyable. I am familiar with the area of Sydney, Cape Breton and Halifax. Also the family unit is very important and dear to Cape Bretoners. This was so evident in this book. Families look out for one another and neighbors are always there for you. This book has lots of that Cape Breton humour. It also shows the resiliency of these people in times of adversities. All the characters were lovable with their own special quirks. In every family there is that one person who becomes the rock, and in this book gentle but patient Mary. Ending was a little too perfect but some times we need that in our lives that often are full of worries .
January 24, 2021
If you want a Nova Scotia story, this is it. It’s neat to know exactly where the characters are going. I can picture it because it’s where I live.
Lesley Crewe’s books are delightful, but this one had a slower start. The characters are rough around the edges and it was hard for me to resonate with their troubles. And yet—
The three stars are for how the characters took their time and grew into new experiences that they did not think they could do. It’s enjoyable to watch them struggle and fail but finally accept their family, which in turn helped them see the good that accompanied challenges.
Lesley Crewe’s books are delightful, but this one had a slower start. The characters are rough around the edges and it was hard for me to resonate with their troubles. And yet—
The three stars are for how the characters took their time and grew into new experiences that they did not think they could do. It’s enjoyable to watch them struggle and fail but finally accept their family, which in turn helped them see the good that accompanied challenges.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2017
Loved this book! Loveable but imperfect characters; interesting plot twists; an Eastern Canadian theme; and a story line that can move from heart twisting sadness to tremendous comedy. When I closed the cover for the last time, I felt that I would really miss this wonderful story. To me, that is a real sign that I have just read a really good story. Two thumbs up!
October 3, 2018
DNF .So I wanted something a little later, after all the heavy books I’ve been reading lately. But this is going to little too far. I might have appreciated the lighter plot in another circumstances. I listened to the audiobook, and I did not like narrator, nor did I like the writing. Just not for me. Oh well ...
April 14, 2026
I listen to audiobooks exclusively and must be spoiled by all of the great narrators out there. This was a decent story. Heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time but it was like listening to a 3rd grader read it.
October 12, 2017
It was a good book; It held my attention in a familiar kind of way.
October 29, 2018
Loved this book and all of its heartbreaks and triumphs and definitely recommend it!
March 27, 2020
I was pleasantly surprised by this book and read it in one day. It really captured the tone of Sydney and Cape Breton as a whole. If you're not born and raised in Cape Breton then you won't pick up on the nuances and Humour of this story and it might make it feel flat to you. However, it still offers a multi-generational family story of heartbreak, loss and reconciliation. If you don't love stories about dysfunctional families learning to overcome their family traumas and resentments, then this is not the story for you.
What surprised me about this story is that, as Cape Bretoners, I think we all know someone who has a family like Mary. I certainly do. Growing up, I had friends who lived with single moms and their grandmothers. They were harsh, they were quirky, they weren't always fun to be around but you cared about them anyway. You knew deep down that they lived with less than most and the stress of always having to battle for what they had had made them tired, resentful and bitter. But the young people, they had futures, they were going to get out. Some did. Some found themselves lost in the cycle of poverty, with babies at young ages but others took that as a motivation to show their children that they could do better.
This story is sentimental to me because I grew up in Sydney, I walked the streets Mary walked. I know where she lived on George street if I'm thinking of the right Dairy Store. My dad worked 30+ years at Mayflower Mall before retiring so I knew the stores well growing up. I know who owns Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory if they haven't retired. I know lots of folks who work or worked at Sobeys and some of them are really friendly Cashiers. The names given in this story are also very Cape Breton which had me howling with glee at the folks I know who have those names. Ryan's, Hawco's off the top of my head. I know there were a couple more.
What this story delivers that not everyone will experience is a sense of home. For those Capers (Cape Breton Island people) who don't live on the Island anymore, this is a story that makes you feel homesick but it's also the medicine you need to make you feel better. One of my friends told me it felt like being home before I read it and I completely agree. You may not relate to the family and their struggles but if you are a Caper, you'll definitely feel the infusion of Cape Breton love in every page.
Spoilers ahead: read at own risk:::
What also appealed to me about this story is the Psychological aspects of Carole, Mary, Ethel and Peggy. It reminded me of a study I read about toxic (mentally) environments. The basis of the study is that if one person is negative in an environment, it infects others who are often more optimistic making them more negative over time. This was shown in the family dynamic starting with Gran Ethel. She had some hardships and it made her toxic but she didn't want to be. She had developed an addiction to cope. Her mental downfall impacted her Daughters Carole who she lived with and Peggy who married young to get away. Carole, with no support in her life, repeated the cycle with her daughter. Mary laments in the beginning of the story how her mom and gran are never nice to one another, always complaining and putting each other down. Gran is almost always nicer with Mary but Mary and Carole have a difficult and broken communication line. When Carole and Mary find themselves without Gran, Carole slowly starts to change. Her confidence and self esteem are shot for awhile, but she slowly learns that she can be a better person. With Gran Ethel spending some time at Peggy's, we see Peggy become more anxious and resentful with Gran and her sour self, but also more understanding of Carole who had been living with Gran Ethel all her life.
We'd all love to have clarity in our lives and understand others better but it's a dream for some families. I really loved that Crewe made a point of giving both sisters and granddaughters the experiences to an extent of the other. It ended the book on a really positive note after so much pain, trauma and drama happened.
I definitely recommend this book to others. And if you're a Caper, you should read it just because it's Cape Breton infused but I'm sure you'll love the story anyway.
What surprised me about this story is that, as Cape Bretoners, I think we all know someone who has a family like Mary. I certainly do. Growing up, I had friends who lived with single moms and their grandmothers. They were harsh, they were quirky, they weren't always fun to be around but you cared about them anyway. You knew deep down that they lived with less than most and the stress of always having to battle for what they had had made them tired, resentful and bitter. But the young people, they had futures, they were going to get out. Some did. Some found themselves lost in the cycle of poverty, with babies at young ages but others took that as a motivation to show their children that they could do better.
This story is sentimental to me because I grew up in Sydney, I walked the streets Mary walked. I know where she lived on George street if I'm thinking of the right Dairy Store. My dad worked 30+ years at Mayflower Mall before retiring so I knew the stores well growing up. I know who owns Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory if they haven't retired. I know lots of folks who work or worked at Sobeys and some of them are really friendly Cashiers. The names given in this story are also very Cape Breton which had me howling with glee at the folks I know who have those names. Ryan's, Hawco's off the top of my head. I know there were a couple more.
What this story delivers that not everyone will experience is a sense of home. For those Capers (Cape Breton Island people) who don't live on the Island anymore, this is a story that makes you feel homesick but it's also the medicine you need to make you feel better. One of my friends told me it felt like being home before I read it and I completely agree. You may not relate to the family and their struggles but if you are a Caper, you'll definitely feel the infusion of Cape Breton love in every page.
Spoilers ahead: read at own risk:::
What also appealed to me about this story is the Psychological aspects of Carole, Mary, Ethel and Peggy. It reminded me of a study I read about toxic (mentally) environments. The basis of the study is that if one person is negative in an environment, it infects others who are often more optimistic making them more negative over time. This was shown in the family dynamic starting with Gran Ethel. She had some hardships and it made her toxic but she didn't want to be. She had developed an addiction to cope. Her mental downfall impacted her Daughters Carole who she lived with and Peggy who married young to get away. Carole, with no support in her life, repeated the cycle with her daughter. Mary laments in the beginning of the story how her mom and gran are never nice to one another, always complaining and putting each other down. Gran is almost always nicer with Mary but Mary and Carole have a difficult and broken communication line. When Carole and Mary find themselves without Gran, Carole slowly starts to change. Her confidence and self esteem are shot for awhile, but she slowly learns that she can be a better person. With Gran Ethel spending some time at Peggy's, we see Peggy become more anxious and resentful with Gran and her sour self, but also more understanding of Carole who had been living with Gran Ethel all her life.
We'd all love to have clarity in our lives and understand others better but it's a dream for some families. I really loved that Crewe made a point of giving both sisters and granddaughters the experiences to an extent of the other. It ended the book on a really positive note after so much pain, trauma and drama happened.
I definitely recommend this book to others. And if you're a Caper, you should read it just because it's Cape Breton infused but I'm sure you'll love the story anyway.
May 20, 2026
https://openbooksociety.com/article/m...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Mary, Mary was chosen as a read for our book club for 2026. I had previously read one book by Lesley Crewe (The Spoon Stealers) and quite enjoyed her writing style and storytelling capabilities. It is with hope that I would find Mary, Mary enjoyable as well.
Mary, Mary is a story about a very dysfunctional family that is just trying to get by. Mary lives with her mother Carole and her alcoholic grandmother, Ethel and does her best to keep peace between them. Mary works as a cashier in a grocery story while her mother runs a hairdressing salon out of their home.
I could tell that this dysfunctional family really was trying and that it was a surprise that Mary turned out so “normal” given her upbringing. Mary’s evolution was enjoyable to experience.
The family lives in a duplex with an upstairs apartment they rent to tenants and when a young man and his girlfriend move in, things definitely begin to change. First and foremost – there was an immediate attraction between Mary and Daniel (the young man). Soon the girlfriend moves out and the potential relationship between Mary and Daniel blossoms into a real relationship. Mary (and her pet cat) eventually move upstairs.
At one point – Carole decides that since her daughter has moved out, she will get a pet. And boy does she – 3 rescue dogs. Loved that she chose to take in these dogs in need of a loving home. And surprisingly, this endeavour lead to some interesting personal growth for Carole.
There is a great bit one could write about with respect to the other family members, but I leave that for any future reader to discover for themselves ☺
I enjoyed Ms. Crewe’s ability to interject a number of ‘Laugh Out Loud’ moments throughout the book. She made the characters real with all their foibles and all. I also get a wee bit weepy in parts – it was just that emotional of a journey!At the crux of it all, the story is just a tale of a family and how they survive the ups and downs of daily living interjected with the realities of that life, love and death. Mary, Mary was an easy to read book with engaging characters (including all of the pets!), a telling of a life’s journey (or at least a segment) of Mary’s life.
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
Mary, Mary was chosen as a read for our book club for 2026. I had previously read one book by Lesley Crewe (The Spoon Stealers) and quite enjoyed her writing style and storytelling capabilities. It is with hope that I would find Mary, Mary enjoyable as well.
Mary, Mary is a story about a very dysfunctional family that is just trying to get by. Mary lives with her mother Carole and her alcoholic grandmother, Ethel and does her best to keep peace between them. Mary works as a cashier in a grocery story while her mother runs a hairdressing salon out of their home.
I could tell that this dysfunctional family really was trying and that it was a surprise that Mary turned out so “normal” given her upbringing. Mary’s evolution was enjoyable to experience.
The family lives in a duplex with an upstairs apartment they rent to tenants and when a young man and his girlfriend move in, things definitely begin to change. First and foremost – there was an immediate attraction between Mary and Daniel (the young man). Soon the girlfriend moves out and the potential relationship between Mary and Daniel blossoms into a real relationship. Mary (and her pet cat) eventually move upstairs.
At one point – Carole decides that since her daughter has moved out, she will get a pet. And boy does she – 3 rescue dogs. Loved that she chose to take in these dogs in need of a loving home. And surprisingly, this endeavour lead to some interesting personal growth for Carole.
There is a great bit one could write about with respect to the other family members, but I leave that for any future reader to discover for themselves ☺
I enjoyed Ms. Crewe’s ability to interject a number of ‘Laugh Out Loud’ moments throughout the book. She made the characters real with all their foibles and all. I also get a wee bit weepy in parts – it was just that emotional of a journey!At the crux of it all, the story is just a tale of a family and how they survive the ups and downs of daily living interjected with the realities of that life, love and death. Mary, Mary was an easy to read book with engaging characters (including all of the pets!), a telling of a life’s journey (or at least a segment) of Mary’s life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews