Sweet Sorrow

 The British author David Nichols wrote Sweet Sorrow. The story is about Charlie Lewis. At the beginning of the book Charlie is 38 years old and about to get married. Most of the book is about Charlie at age 16. Charlie's parents have just divorced. His sister and mother have moved away leaving him with his depressed, alcoholic father. Charlie worries about his father because he is taking psychiatric medications and also drinking alcohol. Charlie is not doing well in school. He meets a girl who is in a local production of Romeo and Juliet. She convinces him to join the play because they need more players. He decides to give it a try for one week if she will have coffee with him. The experiences he has in the play and with this girl change his life forever. The story was poignant, sweet, yet also incredibly sad. Some parts were downright comical. I came to like this Charlie Lewis so much I was sad when the book was finished. Parting is such sweet sorrow.