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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
Sometimes the most interesting perspective comes from an unexpected place. Michelle Young’s Best Seat in the House is told through the eyes of a piece of furniture that has witnessed decades of everyday life. The story begins as an accent chair is left behind when its longtime owner, George, moves into a retirement home. It understands why George did it but struggles with how quickly his children let it go. The upholstered seat knows its own worth, so it’s hoping for a second chance. Then a new couple brings it into their home. From struggles to celebrations to the many changes that occur over time, the chair is there to observe it all. One of its memories is watching a young girl and the family dog spend countless hours together. The seat has known many people over the years. Each one has become part of its journey. After being around for so long, what has the old piece of furniture learned?
Best Seat in the House by Michelle Young is unlike anything I’ve read before. I absolutely loved that the main character was a chair. I quickly stopped seeing it as furniture and started seeing it almost like an actual person. The seat’s thoughts were relatable. I couldn’t help caring about it. The author notes in the acknowledgments that she imagined the chair speaking like Michael Caine. Once I knew that, I thought the voice fit perfectly. This was a quick and easy read. With Michelle Young’s writing, I had no trouble picturing each scene. I really felt like I knew the chair personally. One moment that stood out was when it reflected on the young craftsman who built it. He had been going through something difficult. Even after many years, the seat still wondered what happened to him. Anyone who likes character-driven fiction and unique points of view will want to pick this one up. This story made me think about what we value and why.
