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Mrs. Sinclair's Suitcase
Forgive me, Dorothea, for I cannot forgive you. What you do, to this child, to this child's mother, it is wrong...
Roberta likes to collect the letters and postcards she finds in second-hand books. When her father gives her some of her grandmother's belongings, she finds a baffling letter from the grandfather she never knew - dated after he supposedly died in the war.
Dorothy is unhappily married to Albert, who is away at war. When an aeroplane crashes in the field behind her house she meets Squadron Leader Jan Pietrykowski, and as their bond deepens she dares to hope she might find happiness. But fate has other plans for them both, and soon she is hiding a secret so momentous that its shockwaves will touch her granddaughter many years later...
Roberta likes to collect the letters and postcards she finds in second-hand books. When her father gives her some of her grandmother's belongings, she finds a baffling letter from the grandfather she never knew - dated after he supposedly died in the war.
Dorothy is unhappily married to Albert, who is away at war. When an aeroplane crashes in the field behind her house she meets Squadron Leader Jan Pietrykowski, and as their bond deepens she dares to hope she might find happiness. But fate has other plans for them both, and soon she is hiding a secret so momentous that its shockwaves will touch her granddaughter many years later...
296 pages, Hardcover
First published February 27, 2014
About the author
Louise Walters
9 books152 followersAuthor of four novels: Mrs Sinclair's Suitcase, A Life Between Us, The Road to California, and The Hermit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 796 reviews
December 29, 2015
I am a REALLY nervous automobile passenger.
• I feel compelled to mention to my husband whenever I see brake lights ahead of us on the expressway, just so he can be "ready" to stop - even if that car is 15 vehicles ahead of us.
• My left foot is constantly pressing on an imaginary brake pedal, especially after my husband chooses not to heed my words of warning about aforementioned brake lights, and instead feels the need to zoom up to the car ahead of us.
• I tend to emit loud involuntarily gasps and grunts if I see any cars around us not staying 100% in their own lanes (or doing anything else I consider to be bone-headed), which makes my husband jump and fling some choice language at my head.
• I have offered my husband sexual favors and/or $1,000,000 if he would only get-the-hell-out of the blind spot of the driver next to us, and to stop trying to pass him on the right – all to no avail.
My husband and I drove to Philadelphia this weekend. I read “Mrs. Sinclair’s Suitcase” when it was my husband’s turn to drive. I don’t remember looking up from my book (which is VERY unusual for me)! It was a lovely, stress free trip.
• I feel compelled to mention to my husband whenever I see brake lights ahead of us on the expressway, just so he can be "ready" to stop - even if that car is 15 vehicles ahead of us.
• My left foot is constantly pressing on an imaginary brake pedal, especially after my husband chooses not to heed my words of warning about aforementioned brake lights, and instead feels the need to zoom up to the car ahead of us.
• I tend to emit loud involuntarily gasps and grunts if I see any cars around us not staying 100% in their own lanes (or doing anything else I consider to be bone-headed), which makes my husband jump and fling some choice language at my head.
• I have offered my husband sexual favors and/or $1,000,000 if he would only get-the-hell-out of the blind spot of the driver next to us, and to stop trying to pass him on the right – all to no avail.
My husband and I drove to Philadelphia this weekend. I read “Mrs. Sinclair’s Suitcase” when it was my husband’s turn to drive. I don’t remember looking up from my book (which is VERY unusual for me)! It was a lovely, stress free trip.
October 2, 2015
I LOVED reading this book! It’s so sweet! It would be an awesome book club read because of difficult choices made by the female characters. It’s historical fiction (WWII); one of the main characters works in a bookshop that houses antique and new books. I do enjoy reading books about characters that love books as much as I do.
It’s a story of a 34-year-old woman, Roberta, who works at a bookstore that takes used and older books. In her job, she peruses each book to determine value; she often finds old letters in books, most likely previously used as bookmarks. She keeps these letters, as she finds them interesting. Roberta’s father brings in a group of books that was his mother’s for Roberta to sell. They are contained in a suitcase, which has a tag stating that it’s Mrs. Sinclair’s suitcase. And there is a letter in it from her Grandfather to her Grandmother, but the dates don’t make sense, as the letter is dated a year after her Grandfather died.
Dorothy, Roberta’s Grandmother, her story is told in alternating chapters from Roberta’s current life. The reader learns of Dorothy’s life as a young woman during WWII. It is Dorothy’s life that letters are used to further her story, letters written from Roberta’s Grandfather to her Grandmother.
Meanwhile, Roberta is coming to terms of being a single 34-year-old woman. I found Dorothy’s story to be heart wrenching. Women of that era most likely had many secrets to survive.
This is a beautiful tale of unrequited love, family secrets, loss, and survival. I highly recommend it.
It’s a story of a 34-year-old woman, Roberta, who works at a bookstore that takes used and older books. In her job, she peruses each book to determine value; she often finds old letters in books, most likely previously used as bookmarks. She keeps these letters, as she finds them interesting. Roberta’s father brings in a group of books that was his mother’s for Roberta to sell. They are contained in a suitcase, which has a tag stating that it’s Mrs. Sinclair’s suitcase. And there is a letter in it from her Grandfather to her Grandmother, but the dates don’t make sense, as the letter is dated a year after her Grandfather died.
Dorothy, Roberta’s Grandmother, her story is told in alternating chapters from Roberta’s current life. The reader learns of Dorothy’s life as a young woman during WWII. It is Dorothy’s life that letters are used to further her story, letters written from Roberta’s Grandfather to her Grandmother.
Meanwhile, Roberta is coming to terms of being a single 34-year-old woman. I found Dorothy’s story to be heart wrenching. Women of that era most likely had many secrets to survive.
This is a beautiful tale of unrequited love, family secrets, loss, and survival. I highly recommend it.
October 7, 2015
Ok, so I love WWII stories, grandmothers, and the secrets they keep. This story had that, plus, having the advantage of the protagonist working in a bookstore and her love for literature and finding lost letters found in books. (I can see myself being the same way. Wondering who wrote them & what their lives were like.) So with having all that I should have loved this novel but I can honestly say, that I just found it ok. I really enjoyed Dorothy's story better, which is the one that was set in WWII. I found her to be engaging, her story to be sad, and one that I could identify with. I also think her story was fleshed out more, which is why I could identify with her better. Roberta, on the other hand, was a little boring. I couldn't really "feel" her. There just didn't seem anything worth reading about in her. I would love to have a bookstore like The Old and New in my town, though:) Loved the idea of getting an old suitcase from my grandmother and finding some secret within its confines. (I did get my grandmother's old suitcase, but found no secret letters within.) In the end, I liked some parts and others not so much, just making it an ok read for me.
**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2015
Absolutely. Loved. This. Book!!
Told in past/present form, Mrs. Sinclair's Suitcase had a charm all its own. Each chapter begins with a description of notes, cards, or random finds found between the pages of used books. It is here that present-day Roberta stumbles across a letter that she suspects belonged to her paternal grandmother. Confused, Roberta begins to search for clues to her 110 year old grandmother's past. In the meantime, the reader begins to learn about Roberta, the bookshop she loves working in, her boss, and Roberta's two coworkers. Roberta's life is nothing spectacular but her story is interesting and I enjoyed getting to know her and the book's surroundings. Roberta is a young woman I'd like to know.
WWII. Dorothy lives in a quaint cottage and has had one misfortune after the other until a Polish pilot enters her life unexpectedly. Dorothy's story was my favorite, although I enjoyed both. Roberta and Dorothy's tales collide with heartbreak and triumph. Great read!!
*Special thanks to Penguin's First to Read program for sending me a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.*
Told in past/present form, Mrs. Sinclair's Suitcase had a charm all its own. Each chapter begins with a description of notes, cards, or random finds found between the pages of used books. It is here that present-day Roberta stumbles across a letter that she suspects belonged to her paternal grandmother. Confused, Roberta begins to search for clues to her 110 year old grandmother's past. In the meantime, the reader begins to learn about Roberta, the bookshop she loves working in, her boss, and Roberta's two coworkers. Roberta's life is nothing spectacular but her story is interesting and I enjoyed getting to know her and the book's surroundings. Roberta is a young woman I'd like to know.
WWII. Dorothy lives in a quaint cottage and has had one misfortune after the other until a Polish pilot enters her life unexpectedly. Dorothy's story was my favorite, although I enjoyed both. Roberta and Dorothy's tales collide with heartbreak and triumph. Great read!!
*Special thanks to Penguin's First to Read program for sending me a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.*
February 7, 2014
There are three things which attracted me to this book. Firstly, it's a book with a picture of beautiful old books on the front. Guaranteed to make a true book lover swoon. It's main character also works in a book shop and part of the story is set there. Finally, it's a story that intermingles past and present. My very favourite kind.
And oh how I did love it every bit as much as I hoped. Weaving the stories of two woman and spanning eighty years, this is beautifully written and at times achingly sad. Mrs Sinclair's Suitcase begins with Roberta in the present. Roberta works in The Old and New Bookshop and is fascinated by the old notes and letters she finds hidden amongst the pages of the second hand books brought into the store. But when she finds one belonging to her grandmother, Dorothea, it hints at a dark secret. One which changes the family history of which she was so sure.
I adored the war time love story between Dorothea and Polish Squadron leader Jan. It was so pure and elegantly written, I couldn't help but fall in love myself. The alternating chapters into Dorothea's past where probably my favourite and Louise Walters evoked the time and atmosphere so perfectly and drew me in completely.
I also loved how Roberta's story developed alongside Dorothea's and was as much a journey of discovery for herself as it was to find out the secrets her Grandmother had kept hidden for so many decades. Aside from being Granddaughter and Grandmother, Roberta and Dorothea are linked by the things in their lives which remain unsaid and a fear of letting others in. This is all tied together beautiful in the closing chapters, which really are beautifully and tenderly written.
Mrs Sinclair's Suitcase is exactly the kind of novel I love. It's deeply romantic without being over bearing, it brings the two women to life so perfectly, faults and all. It's also subtly emotional, and I found myself with tears running down my face by the end. Despite being a début novel, Louise Walters easily blends lyrical and stark honest prose and keeps a perfect pace throughout. I absolutely loved this book and will be watching out for more from this author in the future.
And oh how I did love it every bit as much as I hoped. Weaving the stories of two woman and spanning eighty years, this is beautifully written and at times achingly sad. Mrs Sinclair's Suitcase begins with Roberta in the present. Roberta works in The Old and New Bookshop and is fascinated by the old notes and letters she finds hidden amongst the pages of the second hand books brought into the store. But when she finds one belonging to her grandmother, Dorothea, it hints at a dark secret. One which changes the family history of which she was so sure.
I adored the war time love story between Dorothea and Polish Squadron leader Jan. It was so pure and elegantly written, I couldn't help but fall in love myself. The alternating chapters into Dorothea's past where probably my favourite and Louise Walters evoked the time and atmosphere so perfectly and drew me in completely.
I also loved how Roberta's story developed alongside Dorothea's and was as much a journey of discovery for herself as it was to find out the secrets her Grandmother had kept hidden for so many decades. Aside from being Granddaughter and Grandmother, Roberta and Dorothea are linked by the things in their lives which remain unsaid and a fear of letting others in. This is all tied together beautiful in the closing chapters, which really are beautifully and tenderly written.
Mrs Sinclair's Suitcase is exactly the kind of novel I love. It's deeply romantic without being over bearing, it brings the two women to life so perfectly, faults and all. It's also subtly emotional, and I found myself with tears running down my face by the end. Despite being a début novel, Louise Walters easily blends lyrical and stark honest prose and keeps a perfect pace throughout. I absolutely loved this book and will be watching out for more from this author in the future.
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January 30, 2022When the wannabe boyfriend turned into a millionaire duke or whatever he was...yeah. This is a story of two totally dysfunctional, purposeless, defined-by-men women. If you like that kind of thing, go for it. I had more respect for and more interest in Anna, who I should have loathed for abandoning her husband and daughter without so much as a by-your-leave.
September 18, 2019
The book weaves two stories of two women; One, Dorothy, living during the WWII, unhappily married and childless. The other, Roberta, living in present time, young bibliophile, who comes across a letter addressed to Dorothy. She questions if Dorothy is her grandma. Her curiosity sets her out to uncover the truth.
From the very beginning I felt disconnected from both characters.
There was nothing likeable about either one. Young Roberta comes across as a shallow character rather than a “strong woman.” When Dorothy’s husband takes off to join the army, another man enters the scene, a Polish air force pilot. The relationship or them getting to know each other is the only interesting part of this book and that’s when Dorothy becomes a likeable character.
What stroke me about those two stories was that they didn’t mash well together for the longest time. Those two stories could be as well from two different books. Except at one point, they blend very nicely, when the true story of a baby is revealed; and towards the very end, which is pretty much a given that it must come together.
The author did a great job with dialogue, which is very natural. However, I didn’t care about every thought or physical description that went along the dialogue.
As the story of Dorothy and the Polish pilot was developing, I thought this would be a 3 star book, but when I got to the very end, I simply was speechless. This is the worst ending book I’ve ever read. It felt ending very abruptly.
From the very beginning I felt disconnected from both characters.
There was nothing likeable about either one. Young Roberta comes across as a shallow character rather than a “strong woman.” When Dorothy’s husband takes off to join the army, another man enters the scene, a Polish air force pilot. The relationship or them getting to know each other is the only interesting part of this book and that’s when Dorothy becomes a likeable character.
What stroke me about those two stories was that they didn’t mash well together for the longest time. Those two stories could be as well from two different books. Except at one point, they blend very nicely, when the true story of a baby is revealed; and towards the very end, which is pretty much a given that it must come together.
The author did a great job with dialogue, which is very natural. However, I didn’t care about every thought or physical description that went along the dialogue.
As the story of Dorothy and the Polish pilot was developing, I thought this would be a 3 star book, but when I got to the very end, I simply was speechless. This is the worst ending book I’ve ever read. It felt ending very abruptly.
January 25, 2024
This was an uncorrected proof for limited distribution, so I am uncertain if the final product did a better job of editing it.
And…
This was the author’s debut novel.
Which…
I really, really wanted to like…
Because…
It is a story about a bibliophile named Roberta who works in a bookstore. And I absolutely love stories with bookstore settings.
“Books tell many stories besides those printed on the pages.”
And…
I wanted a story I could connect to with characters I could enjoy.
Who…
In present time work in a bookstore.
Also…
There was a bit of mystery based on a letter Roberta found amongst the pages of books that her father gave to her that belonged to her grandmother, Dorothea.
So…
I was looking forward to unraveling the mystery of what was behind that letter directed to her grandmother.
But…
The two points of views that were shared, Roberta’s and her grandmother, back in time to present, seemed stilted.
And…
There were so many elements to the story that could have made it flow effortlessly like…
Wartime love and romance. Dashed hopes. Family secrets.
The question became…
Was it intriguing enough to make the reader want to keep turning pages to find out the truth?
For me…
Not really.
3.5 stars rounded down.
And…
This was the author’s debut novel.
Which…
I really, really wanted to like…
Because…
It is a story about a bibliophile named Roberta who works in a bookstore. And I absolutely love stories with bookstore settings.
“Books tell many stories besides those printed on the pages.”
And…
I wanted a story I could connect to with characters I could enjoy.
Who…
In present time work in a bookstore.
Also…
There was a bit of mystery based on a letter Roberta found amongst the pages of books that her father gave to her that belonged to her grandmother, Dorothea.
So…
I was looking forward to unraveling the mystery of what was behind that letter directed to her grandmother.
But…
The two points of views that were shared, Roberta’s and her grandmother, back in time to present, seemed stilted.
And…
There were so many elements to the story that could have made it flow effortlessly like…
Wartime love and romance. Dashed hopes. Family secrets.
The question became…
Was it intriguing enough to make the reader want to keep turning pages to find out the truth?
For me…
Not really.
3.5 stars rounded down.
April 26, 2016
If I had to find a single word for this novel, I would choose insipid. The story line, writing style, characters, plot resolution, were all notably bland. In 1940 England, a handsome, intelligent, gregarious, kind 30 year old Polish fighter pilot knocks on the farmhouse door of a dowdy, reclusive, depressed housekeeper 10 years his senior and the two fall instantly in love. Although his squad is transferred a short time after their momentous meeting, the single night of passionate love making awakens a joy and zest for life that changes the woman’s life forever. Meanwhile, seven decades later, the woman’s granddaughter stumbles on a letter in an old suitcase that calls into question what she thought she knew of her family history. Although the crux of the novel rests on reconciling these discrepancies, we see almost nothing of the granddaughter’s quest. Rather the contemporary sections are taken up with her accompanying a colleague for an abortion, terminating her affair with a married man, finding treasures at a used book store, and so on. And, of course, there must be a closeted millionaire because every community has one of those ready to make ordinary dreams come true.
March 26, 2015
The opening of a letter from 1941 found inside a book had me immediately interested. I wanted to know more about Dorothea and Jan Pietrykowski, even though I had my own thoughts about what might have happened, which were not far from the truth. Books with family secrets nearly always make for good reading. I liked the premise of Roberta who finds the letter in the course of her work at the Old and New Bookshop and the way a number of the chapters begin with another letter or postcard found inside a book. None though, are as significant as that first one Roberta finds. For that one concerns her own family.
The novel goes back in time to uncover the meaning of the letter, the events leading up to it and the lives of those affected by it. The reader learns about Roberta's life as well as Dorothea's life. Except for some of the bad language and a rape scene, it was an enjoyable read most of the time but somehow not completely gripping. The main reason for me was that while the story was interesting, I didn’t particularly like or connect with any of the characters. Since this is not a novel of action but more a character study, to not connect well with the main characters lessens the impact. Though curious and interested enough in the story to read to the end, I never became emotionally involved. Maybe it was me, but I was left feeling a little disappointed despite evocative prose. ‘Another wash day, a dull mid-November morning, winter hanging over the world’s window like a threadbare curtain.’ Lines like this were not quite enough to redeem my lack of empathy for the characters. Others may feel differently though.
The novel goes back in time to uncover the meaning of the letter, the events leading up to it and the lives of those affected by it. The reader learns about Roberta's life as well as Dorothea's life. Except for some of the bad language and a rape scene, it was an enjoyable read most of the time but somehow not completely gripping. The main reason for me was that while the story was interesting, I didn’t particularly like or connect with any of the characters. Since this is not a novel of action but more a character study, to not connect well with the main characters lessens the impact. Though curious and interested enough in the story to read to the end, I never became emotionally involved. Maybe it was me, but I was left feeling a little disappointed despite evocative prose. ‘Another wash day, a dull mid-November morning, winter hanging over the world’s window like a threadbare curtain.’ Lines like this were not quite enough to redeem my lack of empathy for the characters. Others may feel differently though.
June 21, 2022
Review originally published November 2015
Historical fiction is a favorite of mine, especially the WWII years, so Mrs. Sinclair’s Suitcase by Louise Waters was an easy choice to make.
Roberta, a lonely young woman, works at The Old and New Bookshop in England. She treasures books and looks forward to sorting incoming old books to see if there are any old letters tucked inside. She collects letters and postcards, always curious to imagine the stories and history that might go with them.
When her father gives her a suitcase belonging to her centenarian grandmother, she finds a baffling letter from the grandfather she never knew. The letter, dated after he supposedly died in the war, hints at a dark secret that will change everything Roberta believed about her family.
This novel is told in past/present form, (which I like) alternating between Roberta’s contemporary story and the story of Dorothy, a forty-year old childless woman desperate for motherhood in the early years of WWII. Her life is forever changed after meeting Jan Pietrykowski, the handsome Polish war pilot.
The two women’s stories are woven together in a sincere spellbinding tale of secrets, truth, and love. I personally enjoyed Dorothy’s story best. The back and forth of past and present pulled me in right away, but Dorothy’s WWII tale is the one I am fascinated by. As Roberta connects the dots in the secret that was her grandmother’s life she also finds comfort, purpose, and resolve in her own.
The themes of this book make for a great read: letters slipped into discarded books, long hidden secrets, and overwhelming love. This is a first novel for this author, and I will definitely watch for more by her.
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Historical fiction is a favorite of mine, especially the WWII years, so Mrs. Sinclair’s Suitcase by Louise Waters was an easy choice to make.
Roberta, a lonely young woman, works at The Old and New Bookshop in England. She treasures books and looks forward to sorting incoming old books to see if there are any old letters tucked inside. She collects letters and postcards, always curious to imagine the stories and history that might go with them.
When her father gives her a suitcase belonging to her centenarian grandmother, she finds a baffling letter from the grandfather she never knew. The letter, dated after he supposedly died in the war, hints at a dark secret that will change everything Roberta believed about her family.
This novel is told in past/present form, (which I like) alternating between Roberta’s contemporary story and the story of Dorothy, a forty-year old childless woman desperate for motherhood in the early years of WWII. Her life is forever changed after meeting Jan Pietrykowski, the handsome Polish war pilot.
The two women’s stories are woven together in a sincere spellbinding tale of secrets, truth, and love. I personally enjoyed Dorothy’s story best. The back and forth of past and present pulled me in right away, but Dorothy’s WWII tale is the one I am fascinated by. As Roberta connects the dots in the secret that was her grandmother’s life she also finds comfort, purpose, and resolve in her own.
The themes of this book make for a great read: letters slipped into discarded books, long hidden secrets, and overwhelming love. This is a first novel for this author, and I will definitely watch for more by her.
Find this book and other titles within our catalog.
August 2, 2021
It's a dual timeline following a grandmother's story and her awfully boring librarian granddaughter. The mix of diffrent timeliness isn't always my favorite thing and in this it didn't quite work for me. It was terrible but I had a difficulty being invested in either stories and it feelt rather forgettable for me.
June 4, 2018
I really like this style of story and for me this was certainly a quick easy read. I thought some of the characters could have been better developed and would have liked to know what happened to others. But for the narrator to know this would have changed their story.
October 6, 2018
T/W- Rape, Abortion
This was a book that my boyfriend found one day in his hometown, that had been placed by the Book Fairies!
A historical fiction novel but with two POVs of two women, one from the 1940s and the other from the present day really got me interested in giving this novel a try. The main character from the present day Roberta works in a secondhand bookshop and loves to find old letters and postcards that have been tucked away in books. The other main character from the 1940s called Dorothea lives in a cottage with her husband fighting away in the Second World War. Both women fall in love, suffer heartbreak but both want to find their paths in life. Although I liked the letters and historical aspect, I struggled to connect with the writing style and some of the characters behaviour throughout.
This was a book that my boyfriend found one day in his hometown, that had been placed by the Book Fairies!
A historical fiction novel but with two POVs of two women, one from the 1940s and the other from the present day really got me interested in giving this novel a try. The main character from the present day Roberta works in a secondhand bookshop and loves to find old letters and postcards that have been tucked away in books. The other main character from the 1940s called Dorothea lives in a cottage with her husband fighting away in the Second World War. Both women fall in love, suffer heartbreak but both want to find their paths in life. Although I liked the letters and historical aspect, I struggled to connect with the writing style and some of the characters behaviour throughout.
January 15, 2014
Thanks to http://www.lovereading.co.uk/ for the review copy of this book.
This historical novel tells two different stories.
Roberta, who works in The Old and New BookShop, loves finding treasures in second hand books. Old photos, letters and cards are regular finds and she keeps each one for her own collection. When she is given an old suitcase belonging to her grandmother, she discovers a letter signed by her grandfather, but it doesn't seem to make sense. It is dated after his supposed death in WW2. Here begins a journey of discovery for Roberta and she may be surprised with the results.
Dorothy is stuck in an unhappy marriage and struggling to make ends meet while her husband is off fighting in the war. A chance encounter with a Polish pilot sees the start of a longing within herself and she begins to see the future as something to look forward to, rather than dread. Her recent past has been difficult and full of heartbreak, so dare she hope for some happiness?
With two strong leads and a wonderful array of supporting characters, this novel glides seamlessly back and forth between eras and intertwines the two stories very cleverly.
Dorothy is a protagonist of substance, full of depth and has an amazing story to tell. Roberta, on the other hand, is more vague, insecure and without the link to her grandmother would not have been a character I would see as holding her own in a book of this caliber.
The writing is flawless. Each chapter glides along and interlinks nicely with the next. The story is consistent and the content exact. Not too many characters are introduced, and the ones that we do encounter are relevant to the situations. I thought the introduction of Mrs Compton in Dorothy's tale was a very clever move by the author and well thought out.
I can see this book being a great addition to Book Club reading lists and would foresee it hitting the bestseller lists very soon after it's release.
The only problem I have with this book, is that I didn't write it myself!
Highly Recommended.
Mrs Sinclair's Suitcase is published by Hodder&Stoughton and is available from http://www.lovereading.co.uk/ and other bookshops from 27th Feb 2014.
This historical novel tells two different stories.
Roberta, who works in The Old and New BookShop, loves finding treasures in second hand books. Old photos, letters and cards are regular finds and she keeps each one for her own collection. When she is given an old suitcase belonging to her grandmother, she discovers a letter signed by her grandfather, but it doesn't seem to make sense. It is dated after his supposed death in WW2. Here begins a journey of discovery for Roberta and she may be surprised with the results.
Dorothy is stuck in an unhappy marriage and struggling to make ends meet while her husband is off fighting in the war. A chance encounter with a Polish pilot sees the start of a longing within herself and she begins to see the future as something to look forward to, rather than dread. Her recent past has been difficult and full of heartbreak, so dare she hope for some happiness?
With two strong leads and a wonderful array of supporting characters, this novel glides seamlessly back and forth between eras and intertwines the two stories very cleverly.
Dorothy is a protagonist of substance, full of depth and has an amazing story to tell. Roberta, on the other hand, is more vague, insecure and without the link to her grandmother would not have been a character I would see as holding her own in a book of this caliber.
The writing is flawless. Each chapter glides along and interlinks nicely with the next. The story is consistent and the content exact. Not too many characters are introduced, and the ones that we do encounter are relevant to the situations. I thought the introduction of Mrs Compton in Dorothy's tale was a very clever move by the author and well thought out.
I can see this book being a great addition to Book Club reading lists and would foresee it hitting the bestseller lists very soon after it's release.
The only problem I have with this book, is that I didn't write it myself!
Highly Recommended.
Mrs Sinclair's Suitcase is published by Hodder&Stoughton and is available from http://www.lovereading.co.uk/ and other bookshops from 27th Feb 2014.
January 10, 2014
This historical novel takes a strand from the past and the present and weaves them together into an enjoyable tale. Roberta works at the Old and New Bookshop, where she enjoys keeping all the letters and notes she finds inside the second hand books she sells. One day her father brings a suitcase full of books belonging to her elderly grandmother, Dorothea, who has recently gone to live in a care home. Inside one of the books she finds an intriguing letter from her grandfather, who she had been told had died in 1940. However, the letter is dated 1941 and Roberta is intrigued by the family mystery it suggests.
The book tells Roberta’s story – the rather lonely life she leads, as well as uncovering what happened to Dorothea so many years ago in the war. This is a story about love in many forms; both romantic and maternal. It is difficult to say too much about the book, without revealing the plot, but this is a pleasant and poignant read. As well as being an enjoyable book, it would certainly offer much to reading groups, as there are lots of issues to discuss.
Rated 3.5
The book tells Roberta’s story – the rather lonely life she leads, as well as uncovering what happened to Dorothea so many years ago in the war. This is a story about love in many forms; both romantic and maternal. It is difficult to say too much about the book, without revealing the plot, but this is a pleasant and poignant read. As well as being an enjoyable book, it would certainly offer much to reading groups, as there are lots of issues to discuss.
Rated 3.5
July 8, 2015
I so much enjoyed this powerful dual timeline novel as it moves smoothly between contemporary life in a bookshop and the life of lonely but noble Dorothea living through the second world war. The sensitive prose transports the reader directly to the emotional crux of events – and there are many heart-felt moments to enjoy. The themes of letters slipped into abandoned books, secrets kept long hidden, and sacrifice for overpowering love, were beautifully handled. There was a sincerity to this book that very much endeared me; the war-time settings were particularly vivid and hard-hitting. Recommended.
October 7, 2018
This was a terrific, sweet mystery about a wartime (WWII) romance. The plot unfolds via the adult granddaughter who works in a bookshop and has her own relationship issues. Really well written and very hard to put down.
March 22, 2014
This promised to be my kind of book from the blurb and the cover. I loved the idea of finding forgotten letters and notes in books but the love of books did not shine through in my opinion though one of the settings is a bookshop.I am also quite partial to stories set in the World Wars and I did enjoy this strand more.Just didn't quite work for me.Once again the writing and language used was nearly there but seemed to just not quite gel.On the other hand I am sure lots of people will find this book enjoyable as can be seen by the reviews on here.
January 16, 2017
What a beautiful book. I devoured it in three days. I'm a huge fan of letters as a storytelling device, and adore stories where past and present merge, especially when it is so well done, as here. The characters are painted so well, with truthful colours - they're flawed, human and fascinating. All the little details and the gorgeous prose meant this was a rich and satisfying read. So looking forward to Louise's next book.
March 10, 2022
Walking into my local library while they are shelving 30 cases of new books, better than a candy store. Written in this new method of present tense then past tense, but the story lines are so poignant and romantic you can't help but love this novel. Was it hard to follow? Yes, at times, but I'm not sure how to write this story differently.
March 14, 2024
Така маленька книжка, а стільки драми в найкращих (ні) традиціях Спаркса. Ще й трішки нуднувата. Але сама ідея бабусиної валізи з таємницями і те, що Роберта зберігає листи й листівки, знайдені в старих книжках, мені сподобалась. Просто її реалізація не зовсім на мій смак.
November 12, 2020
A novel of family secrets that will please bibliophiles and history buffs alike.
First we meet Roberta, in her early thirties, who works at “The Old and New”, a bookshop who struggles to make a profit. She was hired by the owner, Philip to aid him in the shop. Roberta lives alone with her cat, and has little in the way of a social life. Her mother left the family when Roberta was small and she was brought up by her father (now terminally ill) and her grandmother. She collects letters and other objects that she finds in the used books that they sell. She stores these treasures in a suitcase that once belonged to her dear Babunia, her grandmother. One of the letters she finds was written by her grandfather and its cryptic message begets a family mystery which Roberta tries to solve. This presents quite a challenge, as she doesn’t want to upset her dying father or her grandmother who is now 110 years old and living in a nursing home.
For the most part a historical novel, “Mrs. Sinclair’s suitcase” has two protagonists in two different time periods – a grandmother’s story and a granddaughter’s story. This dual narrative device works particularly well with a family saga such as this one.
I liked the grandmother’s story the best. Originally from Oxford, Dorothy married on her 34th birthday to escape a domineering mother. Her mother highly disapproved of her husband, Albert, deeming him ‘beneath her’. By 1940 Dorothy Sinclair was a married woman living in Lincolnshire. Dorothy’s escape to a new life hadn’t turned out as she had hoped. She longed for a child and was repeatedly disappointed with miscarriage after miscarriage. Then with her sixth pregnancy, Dorothy carried the baby to term and worked arduously to sew a layette for her little miracle. She stored these baby clothes in a suitcase under her bed. Alas, baby Sidney was born with the cord tight around his neck… After the stillbirth of their son – Albert absconded the family home to ‘join up’ leaving Dorothy to take in ‘land girls‘ and copious amounts of laundry. Her tedious existence is forever changed when one day a hurricane crashes in a field near her home. She heard the noise of the impending crash and ran out to the field – thinking she had nothing else to live for…. The poor pilot died – but villagers and the nearby air force base thought her courageous for trying to ‘save’ the pilot. Dorothy knew better.
The next day Jan Pietrykowski, a Polish air squadron leader came to her cottage to thank her. An immediate and reciprocal attraction ensured that Dorothy at last had fallen in love. Jan made her feel complete at last. Sadly he had to fly his fighter plane in the war, and was gone for many, many months. His letters she stored in the suitcase with her baby son’s unused layette.
Events transpired that forced Dorothy to make a decision that tested the very fiber of her being, an ethical dilemma, that would be a very difficult and life changing choice for her.
Filled with delightful imagery, “Mrs. Sinclair’s suitcase” is a novel about loneliness, love, sacrifice, aging, and the hardships of war. Written with empathy for the plight of both protagonists, Louise Walters’ debut novel is one not to be missed!
For more reviews visit my blog: Fictionophile
First we meet Roberta, in her early thirties, who works at “The Old and New”, a bookshop who struggles to make a profit. She was hired by the owner, Philip to aid him in the shop. Roberta lives alone with her cat, and has little in the way of a social life. Her mother left the family when Roberta was small and she was brought up by her father (now terminally ill) and her grandmother. She collects letters and other objects that she finds in the used books that they sell. She stores these treasures in a suitcase that once belonged to her dear Babunia, her grandmother. One of the letters she finds was written by her grandfather and its cryptic message begets a family mystery which Roberta tries to solve. This presents quite a challenge, as she doesn’t want to upset her dying father or her grandmother who is now 110 years old and living in a nursing home.
For the most part a historical novel, “Mrs. Sinclair’s suitcase” has two protagonists in two different time periods – a grandmother’s story and a granddaughter’s story. This dual narrative device works particularly well with a family saga such as this one.
I liked the grandmother’s story the best. Originally from Oxford, Dorothy married on her 34th birthday to escape a domineering mother. Her mother highly disapproved of her husband, Albert, deeming him ‘beneath her’. By 1940 Dorothy Sinclair was a married woman living in Lincolnshire. Dorothy’s escape to a new life hadn’t turned out as she had hoped. She longed for a child and was repeatedly disappointed with miscarriage after miscarriage. Then with her sixth pregnancy, Dorothy carried the baby to term and worked arduously to sew a layette for her little miracle. She stored these baby clothes in a suitcase under her bed. Alas, baby Sidney was born with the cord tight around his neck… After the stillbirth of their son – Albert absconded the family home to ‘join up’ leaving Dorothy to take in ‘land girls‘ and copious amounts of laundry. Her tedious existence is forever changed when one day a hurricane crashes in a field near her home. She heard the noise of the impending crash and ran out to the field – thinking she had nothing else to live for…. The poor pilot died – but villagers and the nearby air force base thought her courageous for trying to ‘save’ the pilot. Dorothy knew better.
The next day Jan Pietrykowski, a Polish air squadron leader came to her cottage to thank her. An immediate and reciprocal attraction ensured that Dorothy at last had fallen in love. Jan made her feel complete at last. Sadly he had to fly his fighter plane in the war, and was gone for many, many months. His letters she stored in the suitcase with her baby son’s unused layette.
Events transpired that forced Dorothy to make a decision that tested the very fiber of her being, an ethical dilemma, that would be a very difficult and life changing choice for her.
Filled with delightful imagery, “Mrs. Sinclair’s suitcase” is a novel about loneliness, love, sacrifice, aging, and the hardships of war. Written with empathy for the plight of both protagonists, Louise Walters’ debut novel is one not to be missed!
For more reviews visit my blog: Fictionophile
November 11, 2014
Mrs Sinclair's Suitcase is packed full of secrets and deceptions. I wept my way through this deeply moving story of loss and soul searching, with a soggy tissue clutched in my palm.
It’s a dual time narrative (which I must admit I have a special fondness for, possibly as I can never decide whether I most love historical fiction or contemporary) Told from the modern day perspective of Roberta, whom I didn’t really warm to and the second world war era events in the life of Dorothy with whom I felt an immense kinship.
Present day, Roberta is a spinster, living with her cat in an apartment and working in a lovely independent bookshop “Old and New” by day, sorting through collections of collectable old books, she collects old letters found in second hand books. There aren’t many readers who won’t envy her this job, I do !
In one old book amongst a pile donated by her terminally ill father she discovers a mysterious letter addressed to Dorothea – her grandmother, still alive but over 100 years old and living in a nursing home, increasingly confused and frail. This communique, signed by Roberta’s grandfather and dated almost a year later than the date she understands he died, confuses her and grabs her imagination.
We are then transported back in time to the exceptionally emotional story of Dorothy, a young wife living near an airfield in WW2 her life suffused with loss, the death of her newborn son, an event that is set to affect her future actions and have consequences that transcend generations. Her husband away at war, she takes in 2 landgirls and when one day a plane crashes into the field behind her house, this accident leads her to meet Jan a young Polish airman, destined to play a big part in the story.
I had huge empathy for Dorothy and her story, although very bleak at times and sad, is gripping and compelling, you’ll be swept away by her emotions, feeling her trauma and passion right to the end of the book and I can understand why she makes some difficult choices and decisions and above all why she keeps things hidden, although I was actually traumatized that the one thing I hoped for above all, never materializes. You’ll know what I mean when you read the book.
Roberta, however is a less sympathetic character, I found her clandestine relationship with a married man she seems to care little for, rather distasteful and her aloofness and choice to avoid relationships although it becomes very apparent and very understandable why she is like this I did want to take her by the shoulders at several points and shake her!
I really enjoyed this story which is so much more than a romance it’s an intergenerational look at the way women’s lives are shaped by the men in them, even in their absence. Make sure you have a tissue handy when you read it. I feel this may appeal to anyone who enjoyed The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society or The Postmistress
It’s a dual time narrative (which I must admit I have a special fondness for, possibly as I can never decide whether I most love historical fiction or contemporary) Told from the modern day perspective of Roberta, whom I didn’t really warm to and the second world war era events in the life of Dorothy with whom I felt an immense kinship.
Present day, Roberta is a spinster, living with her cat in an apartment and working in a lovely independent bookshop “Old and New” by day, sorting through collections of collectable old books, she collects old letters found in second hand books. There aren’t many readers who won’t envy her this job, I do !
In one old book amongst a pile donated by her terminally ill father she discovers a mysterious letter addressed to Dorothea – her grandmother, still alive but over 100 years old and living in a nursing home, increasingly confused and frail. This communique, signed by Roberta’s grandfather and dated almost a year later than the date she understands he died, confuses her and grabs her imagination.
We are then transported back in time to the exceptionally emotional story of Dorothy, a young wife living near an airfield in WW2 her life suffused with loss, the death of her newborn son, an event that is set to affect her future actions and have consequences that transcend generations. Her husband away at war, she takes in 2 landgirls and when one day a plane crashes into the field behind her house, this accident leads her to meet Jan a young Polish airman, destined to play a big part in the story.
I had huge empathy for Dorothy and her story, although very bleak at times and sad, is gripping and compelling, you’ll be swept away by her emotions, feeling her trauma and passion right to the end of the book and I can understand why she makes some difficult choices and decisions and above all why she keeps things hidden, although I was actually traumatized that the one thing I hoped for above all, never materializes. You’ll know what I mean when you read the book.
Roberta, however is a less sympathetic character, I found her clandestine relationship with a married man she seems to care little for, rather distasteful and her aloofness and choice to avoid relationships although it becomes very apparent and very understandable why she is like this I did want to take her by the shoulders at several points and shake her!
I really enjoyed this story which is so much more than a romance it’s an intergenerational look at the way women’s lives are shaped by the men in them, even in their absence. Make sure you have a tissue handy when you read it. I feel this may appeal to anyone who enjoyed The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society or The Postmistress
July 27, 2019
This is a gem of a story. It's beautifully written and cleverly weaves the story of Dorothy with that of her granddaughter, Roberta. The use of the letters and the narrative take us through the sadness and loss of both women but ultimately they both find joy and peace. I loved it from start to finish and will look forward to reading more from this author.
July 1, 2023
In theory, I should have loved this book. It has all the best ingredients. A bookstore, an octogenarian, WWII heroes and heroines. A lonely woman, a lonely man. A great concept of threading together notes and random items found tucked into used books and long forgotten by their owners. Unfortunately it was just too scattered. In the end it wrapped up suddenly and too abruptly for the slow build up.
August 9, 2017
Loved this beautiful book of secrets and love and loss and forgiveness and acceptance.
July 25, 2015
Review also found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
I won an advanced copy of this book as part of a giveaway on Goodreads. In exchange I will offer my honest review.
I find myself having some mixed emotions on this one. While it is my favorite genre and the story is interesting enough, I just couldn't get on board with Roberta or Dorothy. It's not that they were necessarily bad characters, it was just that they seemed a little cold. No, maybe it is socially awkward. They just didn't seem to think or see outside of themselves at any point of the book. My issue with this is that I don't know if that was by design or just how I interpreted the writing. Many of the actions of each of the characters didn't add to their likeability factor either. Roberta with her affair and Dorothy freezing out her husband (well before he deserved it).
That aside Dorothy's story was interesting and I couldn't wait to find out how it was going to play out. I interpreted the clues along the way however it didn't make me want to stop reading. I obsess with wartime stories and wartime love stories so I was invested in this storyline. even if I was invested more for Jan than Dorothy. Roberta's story I will be frank and say I couldn't have cared less about it. it all goes back to how she rubbed me the wrong way.
This is a nice easy read for fans of historical fiction. While I would not rate it as epic it is entertaining and of a good length that not too much commitment is required.
I won an advanced copy of this book as part of a giveaway on Goodreads. In exchange I will offer my honest review.
I find myself having some mixed emotions on this one. While it is my favorite genre and the story is interesting enough, I just couldn't get on board with Roberta or Dorothy. It's not that they were necessarily bad characters, it was just that they seemed a little cold. No, maybe it is socially awkward. They just didn't seem to think or see outside of themselves at any point of the book. My issue with this is that I don't know if that was by design or just how I interpreted the writing. Many of the actions of each of the characters didn't add to their likeability factor either. Roberta with her affair and Dorothy freezing out her husband (well before he deserved it).
That aside Dorothy's story was interesting and I couldn't wait to find out how it was going to play out. I interpreted the clues along the way however it didn't make me want to stop reading. I obsess with wartime stories and wartime love stories so I was invested in this storyline. even if I was invested more for Jan than Dorothy. Roberta's story I will be frank and say I couldn't have cared less about it. it all goes back to how she rubbed me the wrong way.
This is a nice easy read for fans of historical fiction. While I would not rate it as epic it is entertaining and of a good length that not too much commitment is required.
December 28, 2013
At the beginning of World War II Dorothy is hanging out washing when an aeroplane crashes into a field behind her house. Alone and aloof Dorothy opens her heart to the possibility of happiness when Jan Pietrykowski, the Polish Squadron Leader comes to visit her following the crash, but how does this link to the letter found amongst her grandmother’s belongings?
This book has letters, a mystery in the form of a family secret and a bookshop; everything I love reading about! There are intrigues in the present, relationships both familial and romantic, an unfurling of a cold heart with the background of the war to add urgency to every moment.
Although at first I didn’t warm to either Dorothy or Roberta their stories soon wormed their way under my skin and I fell in love with both stories, past and present, willing the two women on to find happiness.
There is much to enjoy in this debut novel, the settings described to perfection, I could easily picture the little cottage, the bookshop which I ached to visit, as well as clearly understanding why Dorothy stood apart from her fellow villagers thereby becoming a main source of their gossip. A book with a lot of charm to sweeten a tale of love and loss.
I received my copy of Mrs Sinclair's Suitcase from Lovereading.co.uk as I am part of their review panel.
This book has letters, a mystery in the form of a family secret and a bookshop; everything I love reading about! There are intrigues in the present, relationships both familial and romantic, an unfurling of a cold heart with the background of the war to add urgency to every moment.
Although at first I didn’t warm to either Dorothy or Roberta their stories soon wormed their way under my skin and I fell in love with both stories, past and present, willing the two women on to find happiness.
There is much to enjoy in this debut novel, the settings described to perfection, I could easily picture the little cottage, the bookshop which I ached to visit, as well as clearly understanding why Dorothy stood apart from her fellow villagers thereby becoming a main source of their gossip. A book with a lot of charm to sweeten a tale of love and loss.
I received my copy of Mrs Sinclair's Suitcase from Lovereading.co.uk as I am part of their review panel.
January 5, 2014
Roberta works in a book shop which sells both second hand and new books. She loves going through the second hand books for the things people have left in as bookmarks – children’s drawings, shopping lists, letters, train tickets etc. She likes to imagine the people they belonged to.
Her father takes her a suitcase which belonged to his mother – now aged over one hundred and in a nursing home. Tucked into one of the books in the suitcase is a letter which will overturn everything Roberta knows about her grandmother.
I enjoyed this book and thought it was well written. I liked the intermingling of the two stories – that of Dorothea trying to make a life for herself during World War II and Roberta in the twenty first century trying to make sense of her own life. The author really brought the characters to life and I thought the love affairs were painted with a delicate hand and not overdone.
If you enjoy books which weave together past and present then try this one – it is subtle and understated and a very satisfying read. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Her father takes her a suitcase which belonged to his mother – now aged over one hundred and in a nursing home. Tucked into one of the books in the suitcase is a letter which will overturn everything Roberta knows about her grandmother.
I enjoyed this book and thought it was well written. I liked the intermingling of the two stories – that of Dorothea trying to make a life for herself during World War II and Roberta in the twenty first century trying to make sense of her own life. The author really brought the characters to life and I thought the love affairs were painted with a delicate hand and not overdone.
If you enjoy books which weave together past and present then try this one – it is subtle and understated and a very satisfying read. I look forward to reading more by this author.
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