Eva Moves the Furniture - Paperback

Eva Moves the Furniture by Margot Livesey

On the morning of Eva McEwen's birth, six magpies congregate in the apple tree outside the window—a bad omen, according to Scottish legend. That night, Eva's mother dies, leaving her to be raised by her aunt and heartsick father in their small Scottish town. As a child, Eva is often visited by two companions—a woman and a girl—invisible to everyone else save her. As she grows, their intentions become increasingly unclear: Do they wish to protect or harm her?

This award-winning novel fuses the simplicity of a fairy tale with the complexity of adult passions, exploring themes of loneliness, love, and the profound connection between mother and daughter. Set against the backdrop of a small Scottish community, the story follows Eva from childhood through adulthood as she navigates life accompanied by her mysterious, invisible visitors.

About This Literary Fiction Masterpiece

Margot Livesey crafts a narrative that blends magical realism with intimate psychological exploration. The invisible companions serve as both guardians and sources of uncertainty, creating tension that builds throughout Eva's life. The Scottish setting provides rich cultural texture, from the superstition of the magpies to the close-knit community dynamics that shape Eva's world.

The novel examines the lasting impact of maternal loss and the ways we seek connection in its absence. Eva's relationship with her invisible companions becomes a meditation on grief, imagination, and the boundaries between protection and control. Livesey's prose balances the ethereal quality of fairy tales with grounded emotional realism, creating a reading experience that is both enchanting and deeply moving.