Grandmother Wolf

by Patricia Tyrrell

A vivid and engrossing novel in which an eccentric and embittered old woman and her idealistic American grandson struggle to forge a relationship in a city ripped apart by civil war.

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Cassandra Kay Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something about this book was very enjoyable despite its harsh environment and hardened characters. It seems like much of the media focuses on the lives of the very young, the adolescence and the newly married. It is so refreshing to read something from the perspective of someone in their seventies that is so lively and fresh. Grandmother wolf is so vibrant that she calls all of the meaning of living into her presence and is just such an interesting character that I really couldn't get enough. The grandson was also very well developed and it was a very thought provoking book focusing on some of the issues with living on the front line in a war torn land, what it means to be family from across the seas, and how your outlook and entire persona can be changed by life's harsh experiences.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some fascinating, raw characters in this book, set in war torn Beirut. It's interesting that the environment is almost a character in it's own right, adding depth and texture to the story, rather than providing dramatic turning points. As the story progresses we see how the characters not only survive amidst the death and destruction around them, but in many ways thrive.