Tommy Poole and her mother Meg have decided to become recluses together. Not forever; only for a year. And not at night when the dog needs to be walked. But in the midst of their grief over the loss of Tommy’s other mother, Sam, shutting themselves off from the outside world seems like the only viable path to recovery.However, while they have decided to step away from the world, the world has not … world has not made the same decision. Soon, Tommy’s best friend is living with them. And the crotchety neighbor is making his presence felt far more than anyone appreciates. And when a teenaged girl with a troubled past and an indignant future enters their orbit, life might be as full for Tommy and Meg as it has been in years.
And that was before the wedding . . .
Rich with Molly D. Campbell’s trademark humor and resonant with ruminations on loss and identity, The World Came to Us is the author’s most heartfelt, compelling, and poignant novel yet. It is a story of letting go and letting in and a touching tale of discovery and rediscovery.
PRAISE FOR MOLLY D. CAMPBELL:
“Molly Campbell’s Crossing the Street is a funny, warm, and charming novel. It was such a pleasure to get lost in this world, and in Campbell’s capable hands.”
– Julie Klam, New York Times bestselling author of The Stars in Our Eyes
“Crossing the Street is a compelling story about all the different people in our lives who become family. Campbell draws us into her characters with heart and humor and with a unique voice that will stay with me for a long time. I can’t wait to read her other books!”
– Camille Di Maio, author of The Memory of Us and Before the Rain Falls
“I am crazy about Molly Campbell’s writing. Her characters are funny and real. Her storytelling is fresh and poignant. She breaks the rules and looks fabulous doing so. Crossing the Street is a surprising and unpredictable, thoroughly enjoyable read!”
– Amy Impellizzeri, award-winning author of Lemongrass Hope and Secrets of Worry Dolls
“A humorous coming-of-age story where secrets of the past collide with the present and family bonds are stretched to the limits of forgiveness. Quirky, hopeful, and wonderfully original.”
—Beth Hoffman, New York Times bestselling author of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt on Keep the Ends Loose
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The World Came to Us is a captivating, entertaining, and thought-provoking novel. Tommy Poole and her mother Meg are grieving the loss of Tommy’s other mom, Meg’s love. Worried about her mom, Tommy joins her in solidarity and the two become recluses, living together and staying inside for a year. But the unexpected happens, as the two women, prepared for solitude, find themselves opening up their lives to new friendships and relationships—as the world comes to them. This wonderful story is filled with unique and fascinating characters, from teenagers to to a crotchety next-door neighbor, the ways they come together are surprising and delightful. This is an uplifting novel of forgiveness, family and friendship, told with warmth and humor.
This is my first Molly D. Campbell novel and it most certainly will NOT be my last! Campbell not only has an awesome name (what can I say? I love her name.), but she has an incredible talent! She pulled me in from page one and didn’t let me go until the last page was reached.
As a person who lost her mother, I could feel the sadness in this book like it was my own. It’s hard to deal with death and grief. But, Campbell chiseled her characters perfectly and really had their emotions shining in this novel. The loss Tommy and Meg felt when Sam died brought back the emotions for me of when my mama died. But, add in a touch of humor and Campbell rounds it out well. And let’s not forget the inclusion of the adorable pupsters! Loved those Pit Bulls!
If you are looking for a well rounded, beautifully written novel, then please look no further than that of Molly D. Campbell’s The World Came To Us. Sometimes, in a world full of heartache and pain, death and crazy, you need to just shut yourself off from the outside and regenerate. Letting the world come to you instead of you living for the world, is sometimes all you need to do. That’s a powerful lesson. Definitely worthy of recommendation and two thumbs up!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
This book for me was all about the characters! These two hurting women, the grumpy neighbor, the troubled teen, the friends, the family, and the dogs were all such great personalities and it was a pleasure to get to know them all.
I loved the layers in this book and how it gave you a taste of everyone’s trauma but mixed in plenty of humor and happiness. I loved how so much was covered in this book and yet it never felt overwhelming. I recommend this one when you’re looking for a light read with topics that can feel heavy.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This book, it kinda sorta saved me from a slump. Not a real slump but the book I was reading wasn’t pulling me in and I felt I was drifting off here and there. I’d start daydreaming while reading and there just wasn’t that “pull” that we all love.
I knew I needed to read this book for a tour for Suzy so I grabbed it for a change of pace. Thank goodness.
The World Came to Us pulled me into it right away, so much that I didn’t want to stop reading and go to bed. When I woke up the next day it was all I had on my mind to get my cup of coffee and jump back into this story. (And that is exactly what I did). I actually lost time as I heard the clock chiming every hour while I was immersed in this book.
The World Came to Us is a simple story about nothing. Well not nothing, but the things that go on behind closed doors, the things we don’t see as neighbors, the things we all hide inside, that we keep to ourselves and don’t tell a soul. But still simple in the way that we all live them every single day, we KNOW this stuff. There’s nothing complicated to it other than the fact that we have to use every ounce of our inner strength to deal with it.
You see Tommy Poole and her mother are going to become hermits for one year. Well, there is more to it than that, see Tommy’s other mother just died of cancer and both she and her still alive mother are extremely depressed and decide that staying indoors and shutting out the outside world will be a good way to forge a path to recovery from their loss. They make a few ground rules, because you know the dog needs to go out, an emergency may arise, and they can still have friends and family come into their world so it’s not all that reclusive. As they venture into their new indoor life, trying to deal with their loss and difficult memories nature decides that Tommy and her mother never consulted her, and the outside world they are trying to avoid comes knocking at their door full force. Friends, family, neighbors, and people they don’t even know enter their little reclusive world and Tommy and her mothers way of letting go gets a total upheaval.
The book consumed me. I was there. In that house. In the yard, playing with those dogs, experiencing those childhood memories of bullying and hardship. I went on those late night walks and I sat in the room when those heart to heart talks occurred. I’ve never felt so involved and in touch with a book and its characters in my life. I can’t explain it, there are no words that I can use to explain how I experienced every moment and every feeling and every emotion of this book as if I were really there. This is why I tell you its in a league of its own. It captures the very essence of things we think and feel and how we hurt and project and just for a little while takes you out of your own life and puts you in the world of Tommy Poole. And when you leave that world, you are truly saddened by the fact that you realize that you can never go back, you will miss Tommy and the crew, and your heart will hurt so much from the loss that you just may consider seclusion yourself.
(But don’t. Just read this book and love it as much as I did, and keep on going. As Tommy says, we all have our own shit to deal with. )
Molly D. Campbell I’ve never done this before, but there is no other way. On a 5 star scale, I give you 6. I’m still struggling with a way to describe how I feel. Thank you for this story, it just took me someplace else, and thats the only thing I really ever ask from a book.
The World Came to Us by Molly D. Campbell
Tommy Poole and her mother Meg have just suffered a huge loss with the death of her other mommy, Sam. Meg was deep in her depression. Tommy decided that the best course of action was to become recluses together with her mother Meg for a year – and can only leave the house at night to walk their ever so sweet pit bull. Shutting themselves off from the outside world seemed to only work in the opposite as they were joined by others into their home. Not quite the recluse lifestyle they had imagined it to be. Not in the least bit! The series of events that happen make for a fantastic read and a really fun story I enjoyed.
I really loved the humor behind Molly D. Campbell’s writing and admired this story of what seemed on the surface, a rather simple story line, but beneath the plain exterior lay a beautifully told story that dealt with love, loss, acceptance, bullying, and the importance of friends and family.
There were symbolisms in the story that one can draw parallels from, which I enjoyed very much. The characters were a delight to read, are fun and really a bunch of misfits that kept me interested in the story.
This was unlike other books I have read and found this women’s fiction to be a breath of fresh air for the creativity, the witty dialogue, the storyline, and plot that is unusually delightful.
Well done Campbell on another amazing book! This one is a great one!
Molly D. Campbell, author of “The World Came to Us” has written a captivating, unique, intriguing, emotional and thought-provoking novel. The Genres for this Novel are Fiction and Women’s Fiction. The timeline for this story is in the author’s present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events. The author describes her characters as complex, and complicated. The characters are different physically or emotionally from what the community or society’s expectations might be. The themes in the story are acceptance, friendship, kindness, and anti-bullying.
I appreciate the way Molly D. Campbell tells her story and vividly describes the feelings and characteristics of her characters. Tommy Poole comes back to live at home with her mom Meg, after the death of Meg’s wife, and Tommy’s Mommy, with her sweet lovable Pit Bull. Both decide to grieve and live a year as recluses. Tommy can work her job at the house and go out at night. Tommy’s parents were lesbians and the sperm-donor is her Uncle, who she could never acknowledge as her father. Tommy has some dark secrets she has been keeping to herself.
In a subtle way, this story reminds me of a children’s book, “The Doorbell Rang” by Pat Hutchens. The Grandmother makes a batch of chocolate chip cookies, and of course, her grandchildren are excited. The doorbell keeps ringing, and more and more people come, and they all have to share the cookies. The intent of Tommy and Meg is just to be reclusive, but somehow that might not be possible.
Tommy’s Uncle comes to visit, and next Tommy’s best friend and new Pit Bull come and move in. As Tommy meets more characters, they seem to join in as well. There is also symbolism in this story. Just as Pit Bulls are often seen as fighting dogs, they are loving and loyal. There is a lot of bad press about these wonderful dogs. The people in this story are looked upon as outcasts for physical characteristics, or lifestyle choices. I do love the way the author addresses bullying and makes it a part of the story. I would highly recommend this unique and thought-provoking novel.