The Signs of No

Rose is a divorced, fifty-year-old woman who is estranged from her daughter. She meets Morrison, a hoarder and womb-twin survivor, who leads her to Abbey, a dancer who is losing the chance to become a mother, and Iris, a ten-year-old who is trying to handle her family breaking apart. When her daughter vanishes, Rose seeks out her old friend Mab, the cheerful keeper of little bad signs, and follows her only clue, a postcard bearing a signature and a photo of a pristine lake. A ghost on the shore of Maxhamish Lake may hold the key to the true mystery, one unknown even to Rose. The Signs of No is a story about guilt, grief, finding one's footing in middle life, and discovery and reinvention. It traces the spiderweb cracks of invisible loss, common and uncommon, and the ways middle-aged women are underestimated.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 29 February 2024
Publisher: University of Calgary Press

Rose is a fifty-year-old woman who is divorced and estranged from her daughter. On a rainy March evening, she attends a student art opening and meets Morrison, a genial hoarder and womb-twin survivor. Morrison leads Rose to Abbey, a dancer who is losing the chance to become a mother, and then to Iris, a bright ten-year-old who is trying to handle her family's breaking apart. Tragically, Rose's daughter vanishes completely, leaving her heartbroken and searching for answers.

Rose seeks out her old friend, Mab, the cheerful keeper of little bad signs, in hopes of finding some clue to her daughter's disappearance. Mab gives Rose a postcard with a signature and a photo of a pristine lake, which becomes her only clue. Rose embarks on a journey to chase after her daughter and her past mistakes, driven by a deep sense of guilt and grief.

As Rose delves deeper into her search, she discovers that the true mystery lies buried deep in the heart of Maxhamish Lake. A ghost on the shore of the lake may hold the key to unraveling the secrets that have haunted Rose for years. The Signs of No is a powerful and poignant story that explores the complexities of human relationships, motherhood, and the resilience of the human spirit. It sheds light on the invisible losses that often go unnoticed and unacknowledged in middle-aged women's lives.

Through the characters of Rose, Morrison, Abbey, and Iris, the story offers a poignant portrayal of the struggles and triumphs of middle-aged women. It challenges the stereotypes and underestimations that society often holds towards this demographic and celebrates the strength and resilience of women who are navigating the challenges of midlife.

The Signs of No is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant story that will touch the hearts of readers who are looking for a meaningful and thought-provoking read. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability of literature to explore the depths of the human experience.

Weight: 678g
Dimension: 228 x 151 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781773854823