Book Review: The Map of True Places by Brunonia Barry

The Map of True Places by Brunonia Barry

Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; Reprint edition

Publish Date: March 22, 2011

Paperback, 432 pages 
Fiction
ISBN: 978-0061624810

My Review:
Why I read this: It sounded like an interesting book.

My thoughts:  I really enjoyed this book and it's deep look into the psychology of the various characters in the book, especially Zee. 

The storyline of this book is wrapped really tight.  Ms. Brunonia does a beautiful job weaving this story, starting with Zee in the present and alternating some back and forth to learn more about Zee and what makes her what she is and how her father and mother have affected her.  I was never bored and had a hard time putting this one down.  I like looks into the psychological aspects of characters and that is what this novel seems to be all about.

I liked Zee, she's got a wonderful professional life with a great practice and a fiance who seems to adore her. Then when one of her patients commits suicide it starts to unravel things for Zee as she goes back to help her dad and begins to delve deeper into her past and secrets kept.  Zee is a fascinating character, she has insecurities yet she has confidence at times, she's been a rule-breaker but she plays by the rules.  Her mother was manic-depressive, but is she?  It's fascinating to see how the other characters affect her as well and I just enjoyed her character thoroughly.

If you like novels that make you feel like you are the character exploring your way to find yourself then this is a book for you.   If you like dealing with the psychological aspects and family secrets then this is for you.  In fact I can't think of anyone I wouldn't recommend this one to, it's an enjoyable and fascinating read and I will have to go back and read Ms. Brunonia's The Lace Reader now - I have heard wonderful things about it and since I enjoyed Ms. Brunonia's writing style I am anxious to read another one of her books.


My Rating: 4.5/5.0

About the Book:

Zee Finch has come a long way from a motherless childhood spent stealing boats—a talent that earned her the nickname Trouble. She’s now a respected psychotherapist working with the world-famous Dr. Liz Mattei. She’s also about to marry one of Boston’s most eligible bachelors. But the suicide of Zee’s patient Lilly Braedon throws Zee into emotional chaos and takes her back to places she though she’d left behind.

What starts as a brief visit home to Salem after Lilly’s funeral becomes the beginning of a larger journey for Zee. Her father, Finch, long ago diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, has been hiding how sick he really is. His longtime companion, Melville, has moved out, and it now falls to Zee to help her father through this difficult time. Their relationship, marked by half-truths and the untimely death of her mother, is strained and awkward.

Overwhelmed by her new role, and uncertain about her future, Zee destroys the existing map of her life and begins a new journey, one that will take her not only into her future but into her past as well. Like the sailors of old Salem who navigated by looking at the stars, Zee has to learn to find her way through uncharted waters to the place she will ultimately call home.

About the Author: 

Born and raised in Massachusetts, Brunonia Barry lives in Salem, with her husband and their beloved golden retriever, Byzantium.

Connect with Brunonia:

• On her website
• On her blog
• On Facebook
• On Twitter: @BrunoniaBarry

FTC Information: I received this book through TLC Tours for a honest review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.