LOVEBIRDS

AMANDA HAMPSON VIKING AUSTRALIA, RRP $33

Lizzy was a carefree teen of the 1960s who ran away to be with the love of her life, charismatic and devoted Ray. Nowadays, Elizabeth is a grandma in her 60s, feeling lonely and somewhat useless with her career finished and her family busy with their own lives and woes. And the main man in her life is a talking budgie named Eric. What happened? Well, the Vietnam war has a lot to answer for, having destroyed lives overseas and in Australia. But defiant Elizabeth has never given up on putting her life back together in her twilight years, so when her grandson runs off the rails, she decides it’s time for a road trip to span generations and hopefully find some missing links. Despite its soppy title (with obvious links to Eric), this is a book that shows even grandmothers can tough it out, teach a few life lessons and rediscover love and family life – before it’s too late.

CARINA BRUCE

VERDICT: Hope springs eternal