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claredesausmarez's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
ninarg's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I am joining the choir that sings the praises of this book. It's brilliant. Blending art, motherhood, betrayal, lies, hurt, love, loss and London, the story shifts back and forth between Lexie and Innes in 1950's Soho and new parents Elina and Ted around the year 2000. All characters are richly drawn and I was invested in their stories, whether I was with Lexie and Innes in the art magazine office or with Elina and Ted trying to figure out how to parent without breaking down. The characters are vulnerable, caring, brave, and scared, they felt so real. And as I tried to figure out the link between them all I got more and more angry with some of the other characters as I saw the big betrayal building up.
I can only recommend you pick this up. It is one of the better Maggie O'Farrells, and that is saying something.
I can only recommend you pick this up. It is one of the better Maggie O'Farrells, and that is saying something.
lexicannon's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
3.75
jmitch28's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
litpicks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
rachelisreading_'s review
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
mtomchek's review against another edition
5.0
“Listen. The trees in this story are stirring, trembling, readjusting themselves. A breeze is coming in gusts off the sea, and it is almost as if the trees know, in their restlessness, in their head-tossing impatience, that something is about to happen.”
“And we forget because we must.”
Really adore Maggie O'Farrell. Her characters are so relatable, so strong and figuring out struggles in their lives. This novel was a mystery - a story about two women in different decades, the reader forced to wonder how their stories connected. A true surprise, and heartbreaking story. Motherhood, love, loss, strength - ah so amazing.
“And we forget because we must.”
Really adore Maggie O'Farrell. Her characters are so relatable, so strong and figuring out struggles in their lives. This novel was a mystery - a story about two women in different decades, the reader forced to wonder how their stories connected. A true surprise, and heartbreaking story. Motherhood, love, loss, strength - ah so amazing.
moeljo's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Two connected stories in two different times - rather fascinating
Looking back at the book, it's hard to say what really 'happens' in it. I enjoyed my audio listen of it, but would have to summarise it as follows:
In contemporary England, a new mother who underwent a traumatic and dangerous birth struggles to cope with motherhood. In post-war England a young woman leaves her small town for London, meets the love of her life and begins to make her way in the world.
The two show their connections over time, and though other reviewers have found it slow, I really liked the 'new mother' story, having a newborn myself. I found this more relatable than Lexie's story of her new life in London.
I saw coming the connection between characters, but this didn't spoil my enjoyment. Two very different women, two different lives and time periods, it felt like two different books for most of the length. I thought O'Farrell presented the life of a new mother exceptionally well, it felt familiar and fraught and emotional.
The audio CD is well narrated and an easy listen. It's a gentle story overall, sad and bittersweet and does hit home with some small truths.
Looking back at the book, it's hard to say what really 'happens' in it. I enjoyed my audio listen of it, but would have to summarise it as follows:
In contemporary England, a new mother who underwent a traumatic and dangerous birth struggles to cope with motherhood. In post-war England a young woman leaves her small town for London, meets the love of her life and begins to make her way in the world.
The two show their connections over time, and though other reviewers have found it slow, I really liked the 'new mother' story, having a newborn myself. I found this more relatable than Lexie's story of her new life in London.
I saw coming the connection between characters, but this didn't spoil my enjoyment. Two very different women, two different lives and time periods, it felt like two different books for most of the length. I thought O'Farrell presented the life of a new mother exceptionally well, it felt familiar and fraught and emotional.
The audio CD is well narrated and an easy listen. It's a gentle story overall, sad and bittersweet and does hit home with some small truths.