Pieces of Me by Charlotte Gingras

Mirabelle’s life is one of isolation that is dominated by her irrational, slightly psychotic mother. Mirabelle’s father, unable to handle life with Mirabelle’s mother, only comes around to bring them money until he can’t even handle that and starts mailing the checks. Mirabelle has no friends; until she meets Catherine who is everything that Mirabelle is not- confident, assertive, and experienced with boys. Catherine begins to bring Mirabelle out of her shell, until Catherine unwittingly betrays their friendship and Mirabelle must face tragedy and begin to put her life back together one piece at a time.

Gingra’s uses short vignettes to explore the pieces of Mirabelle’s life which fits the concept of the book perfection; however, it can be frustrating experience for readers. Just as the reader is beginning to develop an interest in Mirabelle, or an understanding of her the story jumps in place or time and the reader is left to begin the process of trying to connect with the character all over again and never really succeeding. Gingra’s lyrical prose flows smoothly which makes this reader wonder how beautiful it would be to read in its original French.