The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot: A Novel

"A beautiful debut, funny, tender, and animated by a willingness to confront life's obstacles and find a way to survive. . . . It celebrates friendship, finds meaning in difficulty and lets the reader explore dark places while always allowing for the possibility of light. Lenni and Margot are fine companions for all our springtime journeys."--Harper's Bazaar, UK

A charming, fiercely alive and disarmingly funny debut novel in the vein of John Green, Rachel Joyce, and Jojo Moyes--a brave testament to the power of living each day to the fullest, a tribute to the stories that we live, and a reminder of our unlimited capacity for friendship and love.

An extraordinary friendship. A lifetime of stories.

Seventeen-year-old Lenni Pettersson lives on the Terminal Ward at the Glasgow Princess Royal Hospital. Though the teenager has been told she's dying, she still has plenty of living to do. Joining the hospital's arts and crafts class, she meets the magnificent Margot, an 83-year-old, purple-pajama-wearing, fruitcake-eating rebel, who transforms Lenni in ways she never imagined.

As their friendship blooms, a world of stories opens for these unlikely companions who, between them, have been alive for one hundred years. Though their days are dwindling, both are determined to leave their mark on the world. With the help of Lenni's doting palliative care nurse and Father Arthur, the hospital's patient chaplain, Lenni and Margot devise a plan to create one hundred paintings showcasing the stories of the century they have lived--stories of love and loss, of courage and kindness, of unexpected tenderness and pure joy.

Though the end is near, life isn't quite done with these unforgettable women just yet.

Delightfully funny and bittersweet, heartbreaking yet ultimately uplifting, The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot reminds us of the preciousness of life as it considers the legacy we choose to leave, how we influence the lives of others even after we're gone, and the wonder of a friendship that transcends time.

From the beautiful cover to the heart-warming story, The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot is a book that will touch your soul and make you appreciate the beauty of life. This literary fiction novel is one of the best books of all time, and it's perfect for anyone who loves novels about love, grief, and friendship.

BUY THE BOOK

352 pages

Average rating: 7.98

444 RATINGS

|

14 REVIEWS

Community Reviews

Denise Mcstev
Dec 20, 2024
10/10 stars
A charming book about an unusual friendship in an unusual place under sad circumstances, yet ultimately life affirming and sweet. Loved the characters and their stories!
Tia Maria
May 14, 2024
8/10 stars
I finally found a book that made me laugh AND cry. Heart-rending and inspiring by turns. You can tell that the author is a young writer, but it is not obnoxious or lacking. A fresh voice; looking forward to more from her.
JacklynGrace
Mar 29, 2024
9/10 stars
Do you want to sob for an entire book but be happy about it? So lovely but so sad.
Kristing424
Feb 06, 2024
8/10 stars
Christy Recinella
margardenlady
Dec 27, 2023
10/10 stars
This one gave me all the feels! Lenni and Margot meet in a care facility where Lenni (17 yr) and Margot (83 yr) are both living with an end if life diagnosis. Through a set of misadventures, they meet and become friends, collaborating on a set of 100 pictures and stories to celebrate their 100 combined years. Just filled with characters! And feels!!

See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.