A heart wrenching, emotional family saga – Hello Beautiful is indeed a beautiful book, one of the few that have left me shaken and teary eyed with it’s heart-piercing storyline & mesmerising writing. An exemplary & solid read is this one!
Hello Beautiful is the story of the Padavano family. Ann Napolitano’s book kick starts in 4th gear with extraordinarily immersive writing. The loving description of William’s little sister, all of 3 years – whom he never saw – it strikes a chord in your heart. The author succeeds in conquering the reader’s feelings straight away and effortlessly drives the story into William becoming a basketball player and subsequently meeting Julia. The scene where Julia approaches him and asks ‘Why are you so tall?’ was hilarious but ironically it came back haunting to my mind when things went downhill.
A word here about the 4 Padavano sisters is imperative, for they are the base of this story. The author so aptly describes them as different versions of the same person. What stands out amidst their individual traits and characterisations is how deeply they are bound to one another. It is so affirming to see how they have each other’s back.
The USP of Hello Beautiful for me was how successfully it churns out emotions with the turn of events mid-story. There was a point in the book where I had begun to dislike the character of Sylvie – who in some ways might seem to have betrayed her sister Julia. But it is so strange, I started to love the same character with the turn the author gives to the story. I started wishing truly for things to turn good for her.
Hello Beautiful brings the stark, ruthless & unforgiving reality of life staring into your face, almost like a crisp slap. There are bound to be differences in a family. We are all bound to make mistakes. But no one really deserves such a harsh punishment to rekindle that love which was lost to trivial misunderstandings of life. It is cruel – those lost 25 years of Sylvie & Julia’s life – years they could have enjoyed each other’s company, seen their children grow together or just lived each moment together – they are all lost & could never return. Sylvie leaves my heart crying and I so wished for her to be well. She didnt deserve this.
But just as your heart is on the verge of overflowing with emotion, the book brings about a bundle of hope, joy & brightness with the Padavano family once again united and bustling with activity, laughter, joy and togetherness. While Sylvie goes, she brings the family together. Once again a book underlying that immense power & importance of family.
(Page 353, Hello Beautiful)
Talking of characters, this book is all about them. The 4 sisters, Rose, Alice, Izzy, William, his little sister Caroline, William’s friends – such a strong ensemble cast. But to me, the character that stands out is Charlie. While he was deemed a failure by his wife in probably not being ambitious enough or just his way of living, the depth in his character is immense. His relationship with his daughters, in particular Sylvie is adorable. How he loves each of his girls (including Rose) for what they are and greeting them with a warm “Hello Beautiful” is so touching. The chapters after his passing are beautifully written. He suddenly becomes from most insignificant to the most significant character, one who is remembered right till the end.
Conclusion
Hello Beautiful is surely one of the best reads for 2023. There are numerous occasions where the author touches you with delicate, natural and believable narration. The meaningful writing unwittingly teaches you some important learnings of life. The metaphorical references, wherever used, are astonishing. One being, Alice had left home to see her father, and Sylvie had left her home – her life – for a reunion with her own. Equally amazing is the significance of – Hello Beautiful!
When your love for a person is so profound that it’s part of who you are, then the absence of the person becomes part of your DNA, your bones and your skin.
(Page 360, Hello Beautiful)
Ann Napolitano, at various points in the book, talks of one-two punches that the Padavanos keep delivering at various stages of their lives. And the author doesn’t stay much behind as she herself does the same with the culmination of her story. While on one hand the reader is in dismay over the loss of such a lovable character, on the other he is overjoyed with the sheer exuberance of the reunited Padavano family and the hope the author leaves us with. Well done ma’am!
If you love books based on sports, Hello Beautiful has a lot of basketball packed into it. While it is not out-and-out based on sports like a Sooley or Carrie Soto Is Back, it has a backdrop of basketball.
Do I still need to formally recommend the book? Well, here it is -> Hello Beautiful !
Try more family dramas here – We Are The Brennans, Dinner With The Schnabels, Black Cake, French Braid, Malibu Rising