By Erica Wiggins
Content warning: loss of spouse/parent, child neglect
Some Maintenance Required is the fourth novel by Canadian writer Marie-Renée Lavoie. She has won awards for her previous novel Mister Roger and Me, and her book Autopsy of a Boring Wife is being developed for television. Set in 1993, Some Maintenance Required is a coming-of-age story about Laurie who is in her final year of school. Laurie is working part-time while checking in on her young neighbour. She loves books just like her mom and spends time at her dad’s garage. She has a very average family. However, Laurie is on the brink of adulthood and is getting a glimpse into the complicated world around her.
This is a quick read at 259 pages. I picked it up and read it in one sitting. While this isn’t my typical read as I tend to gravitate towards stories with action, twists, and turns, it was still very enjoyable. “My dad died”—these first three words lure you into the story, and while it moves slowly, it truly feels like you are walking alongside Laurie during this last year before really becoming an adult.
There were a few characters that I really connected with. The first one right off the top was Laurie’s mother Suzanne. She is one of the most relatable characters in this story. She works as a parking lot attendant in a small booth and spends her days reading books and escaping into the world within them. “She reads novels, heaps of novels. So many novels that the moment she opened one she could gauge with surgical precision how long it would take her to finish.” This is the same feeling that I get when I am reading a book. I also adored her father Serge who is loving and caring, works as a mechanic and reminded me a lot of my own father. We meet Cindy, a young neighbour, neglected by her own family. This girl has a lot of sass and the interactions between Laurie and Cindy are delightful and entertaining.
Through this story, we really get to see Laurie grow and interact in her world. We watch her experience loss, juggling school and work, caring for her neighbour, and learning about love. I admired her character for her hard work and dedication, along with her loyalty to her friends and family. The way she stands up to bullies and bad behaviour sets an example for everyone. While dealing with some challenging topics, the author laces in humour in the most perfect way. It creates a connection and felt like you were reading a true-life story.
The ending did feel a little abrupt and left me wanting more. I wanted to follow Laurie’s life a little longer and would have loved to see more depth with Roman as the love interest, which is a testament to the story that I felt so invested in these characters. Overall, I would recommend this story to anyone looking for a quick read that is a glimpse into the life of a young woman trying to find her way in the world.
Thank you, House of Anansi, for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.