Good to a Fault by Marina Endicott

 I really enjoyed Marina Endicott's "Good to a Fault".

It begins with a car accident, and as the story unfolds, the lives of all those involved, are turned upside down.  The driver at fault is 43 year old Clara Purdy, who, after years of nursing her dying parents, is now alone.  The other car belongs to an impoverished family with three kids, who is hoping to make a fresh start.  Lorraine, the mother, is the only one injured and ends up in hospital.  There, she is diagnosed with late-stage lymphoma, totally unrelated to the accident.

Clara knows she was at fault in the accident, and, feeling enormous guilt, decides to offer her house to the homeless family while their mum struggles in hospital.

"Good to a Fault" won the regional Commonwealth Writers' Prize (Canada).

The novel is a study of people and the choices they make in life.  It is written with insight and compassion.