The Life Impossible by Matt Haig

Grace Winters is a retired math teacher and recent widow who suddenly finds herself left a home on the island of Ibiza. She is surprised that her friend whom she hadn't seen in many years would have left her this but she also needs a change of scenery. Ibiza has a profound effect on Grace. At 72 she learns to scuba dive and it is in these strange and magical waters that Grace has an epiphany. She receives the gift of mind reading not only of the humans around her but animals and birds as well. This comes in handy as there is a developer who is building a resort that will destroy the environment and sacred habitat whom activists and her new friends are trying to stop. I love the way this book begins with Grace responding to a letter from a former pupil who is going through a crisis moment. Matt Haig reminds us that we are human capable of great love and even greater mistakes and all of us have the ability to change lives. He also tries to cement the message that there are wondrous places on this Earth that will not survive unless we change our behavior. A second act of courage and adventure with a dollop of magic provides the perfect mix of delightful story and a call to action. Readers of Lydia Millet and PLAYGROUND by Richard Powers will enjoy this. 4 stars