The Lonely Hearts Hotel by Heather O'Neill

Montreal during the depression finds two young soulmates at an orphanage. Destined to be together but the nuns are determined to keep them apart, they find ways to amuse and love each other. Then Pierrot leaves and Rose is left to fight their battles alone. They are apart but each mourns the loss of the other and searches in vain, one step away from accidentally finding each other until after a series of bad choices , misguided love and abuse they find each other again. The dream of creating a magical production with clowns and everyday show girls might be realized or they will end searching but never finding true happiness. The story is a combination of innocence amidst the violence where sex is confused with love. Their magic vision gives the people of Montreal and New York during the depression hope and restores their innocence. This is a sad love story beautifully written with luscious imagery . Their haunting tale will stay with you from the first snowflake.