The One Hundred Years Of Lenni And Margot is the debut novel by Marianne Cronin, published in 2021.
This book has been on my radar for a while. To be honest it was the colourful cover that first brought it to my attention and after reading all the positive reviews I knew it was one I had to try.
The One Hundred Years Of Lenni And Margot was shortlisted for a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fiction and was also a Richard and Judy Book Club pick.
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Plot
Seventeen-year-old Swedish born Lenni is dying. She’s living on a terminal children’s ward and is all too aware that life is short. Despite the doctor’s advice, Lenni rebels against her confinement and joins an art class within the hospital. Here, she meets Margot, an 83-year-old rebel from the next ward. The two share an instant bond and realise that between them they have been alive for one hundred years.
The two unlikely friends begin to document their shared century through paintings and sketches. As they tell the stories of their lives, their extraordinary friendship deepens. Perhaps life is not done with Lenni and Margot yet.
The One Hundred Years Of Lenni And Margot Book Review
Quite simply I loved this book. From start to finish I was engrossed in both Lenni and Margot’s stories. Their friendship was touching and showed it’s never too late to make an impact on someone’s life.
Lenni was a hugely likeable character. She had a rebellious streak and her interactions with Father Arthur were both amusing and moving. The book is listed as number one in religious reads on Amazon, and while it touches on aspects of Christianity, I personally wouldn’t class it as a religious novel. Lenni challenges Father Arthur’s faith and is unsure of her own views. I found the comfort she found when with Arthur had less to do with God and more to do with his personality.
While it does have moments of sadness, it isn’t a depressing read. As with The Phone Box At The Edge Of The World, it does cover upsetting topics but it in a way that is inspiring and hopeful. I actually chuckled at several points and I enjoyed the moments of levity amongst the tenderness and sorrow.
The supporting characters such as Father Arthur and New Nurse were all realistic and I could imagine how Lenni mighty have been met with exasperation as well as affection.
It’s a really moving read and Lenni and Margot were the perfect heroines. I couldn’t recommend it more.
What should I read after The One Hundred Years Of Lenni And Margot?
If you enjoyed The One Hundred Years Of Lenni And Margot, I would also recommend 12 Hours to Say I Love You by Olivia Poulet and Laurence Dobiesz and We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman.