Etta and Otto and Russell and James

This is a gentle and charming book. Although it charts the odyssey of Etta's old age, it drifts backwards and forwards between her life and those of Otto and Russell.

It describes the dusty farmland in Sasketchewan and growing up in a large family with little money but a lot of care for each other - the children take it in turns to go to school/help on the farm. The World War interrupts the rhythm of their lives and Etta waits for Otto to return although she and Russell are drawn to each other. It is a moving story and it is easy to imagine a film being made of it.

At the age of 83, Etta decides she wants to walk to find the sea. It is the start of a giant trek and Otto
and Russell try to cope with life without Etta in their different ways. James joins her as she continues her walk to achieving her dream.

A lovely, magical story.

ETTA AND OTTO AND RUSSELL AND JAMES – BY EMMA HOOPER
The Blackheath library reading group were given copies of ‘Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper to review – this is our collective review

We all really enjoyed the book
The book was quirky with a sweet storyline that although sad was also very funny
Beautifully written the author’s prose is tender and evocative particularly Otto’s war time letters to Etta
There were many amusing little touches including Otto’s large family ( the children being given a number! , as there were so many of them! really made me laugh) and how they accepted Russell to their family unquestioningly. The scene where Otto’s mum took the batteries out of the radio was also hilarious.
The way Etta acquired the teaching job and how she waited at the station for Otto to appear home from leave was also very amusing.
All the characters although sad were totally realistic and likeable.
The book was very clever and very touching with a multi layered plot that worked on many levels.
Although a first novel it was very accomplished and extremely well written
The character of James was so essential to the plot although I was not sure whether he was real or not or even what he represented (as Etta’s dead nephew was called James) . the section when Etta imagined 3 different scenarios including James telling her that he was hungry so would have to eat her worked really well.
The descriptions of the wildness of the Canadian landscape and how Etta teaches herself to fish
The sub plot of Otto left behind by Etta is also works well – I liked the way his character develops and how he works his way though the recipes that Etta leaves him. I liked the way he used the leftover newspapers ( once he has cut the clippings about Etta journey out) to produce like sized sculptures
It was touching how Otto built up a relationship with his neighbour’s during Etta’s absence and the scenes with him and the neighbours little girl is both funny and moving.
We would definitely recommend this delightful book
The group gave the book 5 out of 5 stars