I love this author but panicked a little at the start that the characters were going to be so caricatured that I wasn't going to enjoy this one. ThankI love this author but panicked a little at the start that the characters were going to be so caricatured that I wasn't going to enjoy this one. Thankfully this wasn't the case and the ususal charming, engaging and feel good story raced along on the page. Lovely....more
An intense book which seemed to take me a long time to read. It reminds me of the style of classic American writers of the likes of Richard Yates and An intense book which seemed to take me a long time to read. It reminds me of the style of classic American writers of the likes of Richard Yates and John Williams not sure why exactly. Didn't tug at my heartstings as much as I expected and was told it would by the burb but it was a worthwhile read. I was surprised to realise I had read an earlier book from this auhor 'Dear Edward' in 2020 which from what I recall was quite different....more
**spoiler alert** Hard to read at times. We all know and loved a teacher like Ava and the scenario at the start of this novel has been reflected in re**spoiler alert** Hard to read at times. We all know and loved a teacher like Ava and the scenario at the start of this novel has been reflected in real life which makes it even harder to bear. Most characters I felt for even some of the ones that committed the most horrible acts (there were exceptions I am looking at you Ray Cleve and Susan and Anita for putting the cat out on the street). Are some people just cruel and evil flawed personalities (Rowan) or wounded by life to a greater or lesser degree and how does that affect the way they behave (Trent)? Can you be affected by having too good a life when fortune smiles on you so much you need to push it away for a while (Martha)? Leah and Larkin have much to feel sorry for but they make the best of it. We see that fundamentally they are kind.Trent finds an outlet for his unhappiness in a new accepting community which is all falsehood. Mothers play a big part in this story loving, neglecting or enabling bad behaviour or a mixture of all three. Fathers or lack of fathers do too.This was a total page turner for me, beautifully written and with depth....more
4.5 Just up my street with all the beautifully written descriptions of nature and each of the four main characters are drawn so well. I can see this s4.5 Just up my street with all the beautifully written descriptions of nature and each of the four main characters are drawn so well. I can see this style might be a bit much for those with different tastes. I did feel one of the 'twists' was a little contrived and unlikely from our reading of the way the characters were behaving towards each other but the reveal re the polytunnel was perfect. The ending really made me have a big lump in my throat. For a debut novel this was impressive....more
An involving book by an author I enjoy. His characters are complicated, flawed and interesting. There is always a sense of doom and diappointment for An involving book by an author I enjoy. His characters are complicated, flawed and interesting. There is always a sense of doom and diappointment for them around every turn and an unpleasant or sordid layer just under the surface of the story. I wasn't clear what the ending was all about though....more
Great book to read on my summer holiday in Pembrokeshire. The sun shone just as in the story. I found it absorbing, descriptive and the relationships Great book to read on my summer holiday in Pembrokeshire. The sun shone just as in the story. I found it absorbing, descriptive and the relationships rang true to me. All incomers become enchanted and enveloped into this family and I wanted to be a part of it too. There is real love and care amidst the angst and fall outs. It is very middle class but why not? The middle class do exist even if it is not fashionable to write about them and they are fairly unrepresented as a section of society that in the main are decent people....more
Found this intriguing, original and poignant with a touch of humour. I was charmed by the relationship between mother and daughter real or not. There Found this intriguing, original and poignant with a touch of humour. I was charmed by the relationship between mother and daughter real or not. There was a real affection for her parents from the narrator that I coudln't help but believe was genuine....more
Enjoyed this one especially the hospital scenes. The characters were likable. Felt it went off the boil towards the end a little as we sort of moved aEnjoyed this one especially the hospital scenes. The characters were likable. Felt it went off the boil towards the end a little as we sort of moved away from some characters and the hospital and I wanted a different romantic ending involving Pepperdine but that's just me it was a far more realistic way to end the book....more
I couldn't help admire the spirit, determination and tenacity of the quirky little girl who was Grace Dent. She was always going to escape her dull peI couldn't help admire the spirit, determination and tenacity of the quirky little girl who was Grace Dent. She was always going to escape her dull pedestrian destiny and then feel the guilt for leaving it and her parents behind. I could feel the pull of those working class roots even if they were lost in the blur of busy, glitzy 'that there London'. The writing on her parents ill health in later years was poignant. It was quite amazing that a child raised on Findus Crispy Pancakes can end up critiquing the best restaurants and read by people worldwide even if deep down I suspect she knows a lot of it is all smoke and mirrors....more
Well observed toxic relationship between a daughter and her parents especially her mother told with a dry humour and an incisiveness which becomes reaWell observed toxic relationship between a daughter and her parents especially her mother told with a dry humour and an incisiveness which becomes really uncomfortable to read. I can stand back and see the talent but didn't really want to be there as the author engaged me making me cross with both protagonists the unempathetic daughter whose relationship with her mother I suspect was coloured by the perceived lack of support in dealing with her horrible father and her rather pathetic mother who hoped for more than life was ever going to offer....more
Lots of nostalgia for summer times which now seem worlds away. Recognised quite a few of the scenarios within the pages. Laughed out loud at some of tLots of nostalgia for summer times which now seem worlds away. Recognised quite a few of the scenarios within the pages. Laughed out loud at some of the escapades and especially dads theories. Very noticeable how mothers and wives were either complete drudges or else had the money to completely ignore their children and take off with their husbands (dads apparently did what they wanted anyway and my own certainly did) ...more
My first Marian Keyes and though I enjoyed it to the point of 3 and a half stars I feel like I know her style and this kind of book and I can only takMy first Marian Keyes and though I enjoyed it to the point of 3 and a half stars I feel like I know her style and this kind of book and I can only take one every so often. I can see she is really skilled as a writer and I was engaged and page turning all the way thorough. Wallowed in the luxury too though I don't think I should have been. I could give living like that a go it would be grand....more
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