The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot audiobook

Beautiful. This book is the ultimate celebration of life, friendship, loss, and love. Yes, those are big topics but this book handles the subject wonderfully. Readers who enjoy books by Ruth Hogan and Fredrik Backman will love this one.Lenni is seventeen and living on the terminal ward of a hospital, and Margot is 83. The two become acquainted in the art room, and discover that their ages together equal 100 years. They decide to tell stories and do paintings for each year of their lives to honor those 100 years. I adored both Lenni and Margot, and all of the other friends that come in and out of their lives in the past and the present. I appreciated Father Arthur and his gentle spirit, allowing Lenni to ask questions and not feeling like he had to rush in with the answers. I definitely cried towards the end, but mostly because this book made me really think about the friendships I have had throughout my life and how I can use my life to make a difference in the lives of others, if only in a simple way. If only we could all be a little more like Lenni sometimes.Highly recommended.I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

In this moving debut novel, you will find characters with wisdom and heart who care about each other, trust each other. The friendships here are beautiful,the kind we all hope for in our lifetime. Amid the beauty of these friendships at the Glasgow Princess Royal Hospital, you’ll find what exists at any hospital anywhere. There’s sickness and despair, grief and loss and death. Lenni is seventeen and is in the terminal ward, now called “life limiting”, perhaps gentler on the ears, but in reality there’s nothing gentle about dying, not when you’re seventeen with hopes of a lifetime ahead of you. It struck me right from the beginning that she was so lonely, without any visitors. As the novel progresses we discover why. It was heartening that she connects with eighty three year old Margot, a heart patient awaiting surgery. A loving relationship develops between them as they join forces in their one hundred years, the total of their ages by taking an art class and painting memories of years in their lives. But it isn’t just the paintings that have meaning, it is the stories behind them that they tell each other sharing memories, joyful and sad, of loss and love. This is how they become a light in each other’s life. Lenni makes other friends as well, including the elderly priest Father Arthur, who really can’t answer Lenni’s questions about life, death and God. But it doesn’t matter as another beautiful friendship is forged with Lenni bringing understanding and joy to Father Arthur.This is a sad story for sure and I shed a few tears, but I also smiled a lot and was so moved by what Lenni and Margot accomplish with their One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot. It’s one of those heartbreakingly sad stories that left me with a good feeling. I don’t know as this will win any literary awards (you never know, though), but these characters with their life stories won my heart and I can’t give it less than 5 stars . I will be watching for more by Marianne Cronin. I received an advanced copy of this book from Harper Perenial through Edelweiss.

"The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot" by Marianne Cronin is a story about the power of friendship!Have you ever wanted to begin a book over again right after you finished it? That's me with this book...Seventeen-year-old Lenni Petterson lives in the Glasgow Princess Royal Hospital. She has tons yet to discover, philosophical questions to ask, and is living with terminal cancer. Lenni is full of life, confident and curious!Artistic and talented eighty-three-year-old Margot Macrae is in the same hospital with severe heart problems and awaiting a second surgery. Margot is full of living, wisdom and generosity! When Lenni meets Margot, their connection is immediate, unique, and their new and unlikely friendship is born. During art class Lenni and Margo discover their combined age's equal one-hundred-years. They decide to celebrate their discovery by painting a picture for each year they have lived. The life stories Lenni and Margot tell are the heart and soul of this book. I dare you not to feel the full impact of the richness and depth of their stories. The humor and tears, joy and heartbreak, the isolation and loneliness of illness, grief through the loss of a loved one, and the power and love of friendship will hit you like a punch to the gut! The audiobook is beautifully narrated by Sheila Reid and Rebecca Benson and takes you on a memorable one-hundred-year journey during the 11 hours of listening time. I had no idea this book would be such a touching read. It will be one I recommend over and over again to others who love and are inspired by stories about the power of friendships. I highly recommend!

This is the touching and moving story of seventeen year old Lenni Petterson who is on May Ward of Glasgow Princess Royal Hospital and eighty three year old Margot who is awaiting heart surgery. Lenni is in the ‘terminal lounge’ with a ‘life limiting’ illness and so to commemorate key moments in their lives they set out to create 100 hundred paintings in the art room run by the lovely Pippa. Through the evolution of the paintings we learn the story of their lives. Where to start with this superb debut? Probably best to begin with the beautiful characters. Lenni is simply wonderful, she’s funny, astutely observant and so clever. She makes you want to laugh and cry at the same time which takes real skill to write. Margot is fabulous and has had a fascinating life, as although she’s experienced tragedy and loss she’s also experienced deep love and friendship through her lovely husband Humphrey and her friend Meena. Their story is beautifully written (no wonder it took six years!) with their lives emerging through the paintings. The growing friendship between Lenni and Margot is a thing of beauty, they are both wonderful in different ways. Margot enriches the last few months of Lenni’s life as does Father Arthur from the hospital chapel. I love how Lenni challenges him with her questions about religion and her out there original thinking but to dying Lenni these are very relevant questions. He deals with her so carefully and thoughtfully and falls under Lenni’s spell too as most characters do apart from the charisma bypass, jobsworth Nurse Jackie. Shame on you Jackie! This is a wonderful and beautiful story despite the fact that Lenni is dying, she’s living her last months with as much joy as she can. It captivates, grabs you by the heartstrings and makes you laugh out loud at some of a Lenni’s actions and innovative thinking. The ending is a deeply emotional tear jerker and really touches you as you feel as if you have become friends with the characters. Ensure tissues at the ready. Overall, a remarkable debut showing how age is no barrier to friendship and a connection that grows to love. It takes genuine literary talent to make a reader laugh and cry at the same time. This deserves to be a best seller and I highly recommend it. With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK Transworld Publishers/Doubleday and to the author for a beautiful novel.

I am a huge fan of the audio production of “The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot” by Marianne Cronin, narrated by Sheila Reid and Rebecca Benson. Warning, the last hour you will be crying….ugly crying….you are warned.Lenni begins the story informing us that she’s in the “terminal” ward, aka the May ward, of the Glasgow Princess Royal Hospital. Lenni is 17, and to her, the word terminal reminds her of an airport. Lenni is bored and determined to live her final days/months/moments with adventure. Time to her is irrelevant. When you are stuck in a hospital, and can’t go anywhere unmonitored, one minute seems like a year. Lenni begins her adventure by going into a room she’s never been to, the hospital chapel. There she meets the sweetest Priest known to literature, Father Arthur.Narrator Sheila Reid performs fantastically as Father Arthur. Lenni has questions and concerns, and Father Arthur is earnest in his duties to answer Lenni the best he can. Their exchanges made me giggle and snort while listening. Lenni soon notices 83-year-old Margot when she sees Margot dumpster dive into a recycling bin to retrieve a letter. Margot who is spry for her age, wears purple pajamas and is a rebel. She doesn’t intend to go quietly into death. She also has some adventures she wants to accomplish.Soon after the dumpster diving incident, Margot and Lenni meet each other at the hospital’s art therapy class. Lenni is put into the class with people her age, and she realizes she has more in common with the 80 and over age group. After all, Lenni, like them, are gazing at the end of their lives. At class, Lenni notices that between them, they have lived 100 years. So, they engage in an art project of 100 pictures denoting special times in their collective 100 years of life. From these pictures, we get the back story of Lenni and Margot. As expected, Margot has lived a full and interesting life. Narrator Rebecca Benson does a fabulous job telling Margot’s stories.This story is billed as charming, tender, and whimsical story of life. Although we know that Lenni is terminal, the story isn’t drab and depressing. Lenni’s antics keeps the story alive and fresh. Margot’s stories keep the story contemplative. These two unlikely friends create a narrative that made me ache and chuckle.This has been compared to stories from JoJo Moyes, and I agree. I was moved by the story and enjoyed every second. It’s not literature, per say, but it’s a beautiful story.

Lenni is a teenager with a terminal illness. She’s living in the hospital where she meets Margot, who is in her 80s and also at the hospital awaiting surgery. They each share their life stories - full and beautiful life stories. As they share, their friendship grows.Lenni and Margot’s story definitely made me cry a few times, and the journey was worth every tear. This book isn’t just about Lenni’s terminal illness. It’s about the depth of friendship and love, overcoming immense grief, and the beauty in humanity.I received a gifted copy from the publisher. Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader

A beautiful story!Lenni 17, is in the hospital with a terminal illness.Margot is 82, also in the hospital for a prolonged stay.They end up in a new art class the hospital started for patients and they become friendly.Lenni realizes that their combined ages will soon be 100.They paint pictures for the years of their lives and during these times.. they tell each other the stories of their lives so far.I just loved this book and Lenni’s relationship with Margot and also with the hospital chaplain.Story of friendship and how friends become family.. a story of love ❤️

A PerguntaLenni tem 17 anos, adora rosa, está prestes a morrer e … deseja ardentemente compreender! Não a sua exagerada predileção pelo rosa, que suspeita ser inata, mas… porque raio é que, alguém tão jovem, que ainda nem completou um quarto da previsão de vida para um ser humano, já sente a morte a acenar-lhe?!Alguém lhe deve uma explicação. Esperançada que esse alguém seja Deus, vai ter com o Padre Arthur que lhe responde com mais perguntas:— Já alguma vez reflectiste sobre a vida? Porque será que existes? Qual o objetivo da vida?— Não faço ideia, padre! Não sei!— Pois quando deslindares uma razão para a Vida também encontrarás uma resposta para a Morte…Lenni, já te aconteceu perder algo importante como as chaves de casa, os óculos ou o telemóvel e… procurares, procurares, procurares… até que… já frustrada e esgotada… finalmente desistes?!Confesso que já passei por tal experiência inúmeras vezes e… regra geral… algum tempo depois, já ocupada com outra atividade, eis que o objeto perdido surge mesmo ali, bem à frente dos meus olhos…Porém, não há regra sem exceção, e… por vezes… nunca chego a encontrar o que perdi. Contudo, quando tal acontece, chego, invariavelmente, à conclusão que o dito objeto era perfeitamente dispensável!…Pergunto-me se a mesma lógica não se aplicará às perguntas por responder — se forem realmente importantes, a resposta há-de chegar algum dia, senão… serão impiedosamente arremessadas para a pilha WFA reticências (Waiting For an Answer, dot, dot, dot)!…Não sendo eu uma personagem deste livro, Lenni não acompanhou a minha analogia. Porém, agiu exatamente como se tivesse escutado as minhas palavras: deixou para trás as perguntas importunas e… desatou a pintar, recuperando um talento que se manifestara quando tinha apenas 5 anos. Na companhia da sua amiga Margot e mais alguns celebrou a Vida que lhe restava explorando o seu Talento… até legar a sua Marca ao Universo. E foi assim que Lenni deu com a resposta à pergunta que tanto a inquietara …Chegámos ao Planeta Azul com uma Impressão Digital que nos identifica única e inequivocamente. Pergunto-me se haverá algo mais a fazer depois de a legarmos ao Universo?!Os Cem Anos de Lenni e Margot é uma homenagem à Vida — tem humor, poesia e muito calor humano!Pela parte que me toca são 5 calorosas estrelas 💖🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💖

The QuestionLenni is 17 years old, has a gift for painting, is dying from a terminal disease and… wants to know why?Yes… why the heck is she dying without even completing a quarter of the average existence of a human being?!Can anyone tell her?!Better go straight to God. If He won’t answer, no one else will!!However, to talk to God, the best thing to do is finding a priest because priests are supposed to be fluent in God’s Language, right?!Ergo… Lenni went to Father Arthur to pose him the Question!However, instead of answering, the priest came up with a hint:If she wanted to know the reason for dying she first had to know the reason for living!And… when it takes to find the reason for living, what else is there to do except… well… living?!And that’s what Lenni did:Instead of troubling herself and others with a question she couldn’t answer, she embraced her gift for painting and… celebrated the rest of her life exploring that talent…And now, my dear Lenni, I believe you have all the tools to answer your own question!!!Moral of the story: Once we engrave our Digital Print in the Planet, what else is there to do?!…

Oh the TEARS!!!! 😭 tears of sadness, happiness and delight in having read this book!Margot and Lenni are both dying. They spend their days in the hospital together painting and sharing the stories of the 100 years their combined lives have lived. Lenny is 17, Margot is 83. One life barely lived, the

‘Between us,’ I said quietly, ‘we're a hundred years old.’ Lenni is seventeen years old and terminally ill.Margot is eighty-three and awaiting heart surgery.Both are patients at Glasgow Princess Royal Hospital.An amusing chance encounter between Lenni and Margot, followed by an actual meeting in the new art therapy class sees an unlikely blossoming friendship form. Together they decide to paint one hundred paintings, each representing a story from their combined lives – 83 pictures for Margot, 17 for Lenni, 100 in total.This was a beautifully-written inspiring story of hope, destiny, wisdom and spiritual awareness, The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot focused on living life to the fullest, no matter how much time you have left. It was about making peace with your own mortality, finding a place where you belong, and that family is not always blood-related. Sharing and preserving their best and worst memories helped Lenni and Margot define what moments of their lives they truly cherished, and reconcile with those that were painful.Our narrator Lenni (who also recorded every story in her diary because she felt she lacked artistic talent) had every right to be angry or bitter, yet she approached every situation with optimism, a sense of humour, altruism, curiosity, and most importantly, an openness to love. Margot was a true free spirit, who had faced her fair share of grief and loss with strength and grace. Both were there for one another at a time when they needed one another most.The hospital contained its fair share of quirky, memorable characters, and it wasn't just the bond between the two main protagonists that stood out for me. There were other relationships that were just as warm, and genuine – stories centered within the walls of the wards equally as deep and moving as the memories Lenni and Margot shared. Be advised there were some weepy moments, and I struggled to read the last few pages because my vision kept blurring.I was deeply affected by The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot, and you will be too.I'd like to thank Netgalley, Doubleday, and Marianne Cronin for the e-ARC.Publication Date: 18th February, 2021.