The Landlady of Maple Avenue

READER'S CHOICE BOOK AWARD SILVER WINNER – Adult Fiction LITERARY GLOBAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST - Historical Fiction AMERICAN WRITING AWARDS FINALIST - Fiction & Women's Fiction LITERARY TITAN BOOK AWARD - Literary Fiction READERS' FAVORITE FIVE STARS AWARD - Fiction & Literary In 1951, wife and mother of seven, Marceline Gillis, is moving from one of the poorest areas of Cambridgeport to a grand Victorian property in a prosperous middle class suburb of Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is her final move with her husband Fred and her adult son Tommy, who has special needs. Marceline's son Andrew recently passed away following a heart attack, and her other children have moved out of the family home. Marceline isn't entirely happy about the move. Her two other sons, Bernie and Johnny, purchased the large property as an investment. They plan to divide the property into apartments, providing a home for their parents and a rental income for the family. Marceline's name is not on the deeds, and she has no say, or control over anything happening in the house. She struggles with the transition from the head of the household in her previous home, into what she considers forced retirement. Determined to own the house outright and become the new landlady of 27 Maple Avenue, Marceline has a secret plan to gain back control. As Marceline attempts to regain control of her home, she reflects back on her life and her turbulent relationships with her husband and children. But, when further tragedy strikes the Gillis family, Marceline is forced to reconsider her future. The Landlady of Maple Avenue is a heartfelt novel by author Suzanne Gillis, about Marceline Gillis and the Gillis family. The novel is inspired by true stories of the authors family, but the characters and events have been altered and fictionalised. Suzanne Gillis crafts a touching narrative about an elderly matriarch whose life is turned upside down as she reluctantly moves to a new house. The book explores themes of aging, womanhood and motherhood, identity and displacement. Suzanne Gillis beautifully captures the nuanced textures of Marceline's world, her beliefs and behaviours, her routines and rituals, her deep attachments to traditions and her resistance to change. Suzanne Gillis does not paint Marceline as a caricature of stubborn old age, but as a deeply human and complex woman navigating change in later life. For readers who enjoy character-driven historical fiction, with subtle social commentary. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A graceful and tender novel that explores the female identity, and the triumphs and tragedies of life.