104-year-old Ona Viktis has lived a fairly quiet life. She has something of a reputation for being a little awkward, but generally she keeps herself to herself. However, we learn that recently she has been visited by a young boy fulfilling the requirements of a Scouting badge and he has – with his curious passion for the Guinness World of Records – awakened something in Ona. The two have formed an unlikely friendship, but one week he fails to turn up; his father, Quinn, arrives instead.
What Quinn fails to reveal to Ona immediately is that his son has died. Quinn is doing his duty by his son, and finishing what he started.
Through a combination of methods, the relationships between the boy and those who loved him are laid bare. We see, in varying ways, the effect loss has on people and how they deal with it.
A curious read, with some poignant moments, that left me with a warm glow.
Thanks to NetGalley for the copy received in exchange for an honest review.