The Love Shines Through

Virginia Lane Is Not A Hero by Rosalind Stopps is a beautiful contemporary novel about love and caring, life and loss as we see that friendship comes in many different forms.

This is a novel that tackles some difficult and upsetting themes but in a way that shows that love is the light that still shines in the darkness. It is a book that will have you reaching for the tissues as your heart breaks for the innocent.

The novel deals with loss as lead character Virginia is learning to live again after her lifelong partner has died. “I couldn’t believe that he’d gone, or that the world would be able to carry on as normal.” The love shines through. Life has lost its’ meaning. It is to be endured rather than enjoyed until that day when life once more, has a purpose.

Anyone who hurts the innocent breaks the reader’s heart whilst awakening the lead characters to do what they can in order to protect the vulnerable. We see the effects of cruelty on the innocent – one with two legs and one with four. Both have known cruelty but a group of previous strangers are determined to show love whatever the cost. The vulnerable open up and learn to trust again. “This dog… has not been treated right. But he still knows how to love.”

It is an eclectic group who pull together to protect the innocent. “No one can pull it on their own but when they all get together they can.” Strength comes from being in numbers not in isolation.