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jo_bookworm's review against another edition
3.0
Isla discovers that when her mother dies all she has been left is a painting whilst her sisters and aunt inherit the estate. Isla always felt her relationship with her mother was strained but this seems to underline that thought. For Isla that is not enough, she wants to know more about her mother, May.
The only way it seems to do this, is to go back and visit her past friends and relatives and find out what she can about the women she called mother. When her relationship with her own daughter is somewhat strained, Isla is forced to take her troubled teenage granddaughter, Charlie on the trip as well. The journey is as much a turning point for Isla as it is for the relationship she has with her granddaughter and trying to understand life through these young eyes.
Interspersed in this story we are taken back to Paris, Mid 1950s where May has gone to work as an au pair and improve her French, so when she returns she can find a job as interpreter. We discover a woman very different to the mother portrayed by Isla. Soon we find out what perhaps happened to cause May’s behaviours as Isla got older.
A lovely dual timeline story which has at it’s heart family and the bonds that break and bring us together. We are not dealing with young flighty women but women of all generations, of all ages who all have their issues, their demons and their desire for the future. A strong female driven character story that whilst was perhaps somewhat predictable was enjoyable nonetheless.
This was my first Fanny Blake and I look forward to reading some others in the future.
The only way it seems to do this, is to go back and visit her past friends and relatives and find out what she can about the women she called mother. When her relationship with her own daughter is somewhat strained, Isla is forced to take her troubled teenage granddaughter, Charlie on the trip as well. The journey is as much a turning point for Isla as it is for the relationship she has with her granddaughter and trying to understand life through these young eyes.
Interspersed in this story we are taken back to Paris, Mid 1950s where May has gone to work as an au pair and improve her French, so when she returns she can find a job as interpreter. We discover a woman very different to the mother portrayed by Isla. Soon we find out what perhaps happened to cause May’s behaviours as Isla got older.
A lovely dual timeline story which has at it’s heart family and the bonds that break and bring us together. We are not dealing with young flighty women but women of all generations, of all ages who all have their issues, their demons and their desire for the future. A strong female driven character story that whilst was perhaps somewhat predictable was enjoyable nonetheless.
This was my first Fanny Blake and I look forward to reading some others in the future.
portybelle's review against another edition
4.0
The Long Way Home is actually the first book by Fanny Blake I’ve read but I’ll most definitely be reading more as this is just the kind of book I enjoy. It’s a book set in two different times with most of the story taking place in 2019. When Isla’s mother May dies, her house and estate is left to Isla’s sisters and aunt but even though she’s the eldest, all she is left is a painting which used to hang in her father’s study. Although she had a difficult relationship with her mother, she is understandably hurt and confused about this and decides to try to find out the reason behind her mother’s decision.
I really enjoyed following Isla’s quest to find out just what had gone on. I liked the element of intrigue that it added to the story. She was joined on her roadtrip by her grand-daughter Charlie and I was surprised and pleased to see that Edinburgh featured, with even Portobello beach getting a mention. I felt that the author wrote about this cross generational relationship between the two so well. Charlie was a typical young teenager, obsessed with her phone, her image and with fitting in with her friends. And yet, at heart, she just wanted to be loved and accepted. Fanny Blake wrote very insightfully about all the relationships in the book actually, particularly those between Isla and her sisters. Strained at the best of times but definitely under pressure in light of the revelations of the will.
Interspersed with the more recent chapters were chapters set in 1950s Paris and I so enjoyed them. Isla’s mother May had gone to Paris to work as an au pair and to improve her French. Fanny Blake makes Paris sound such an enchanting place and it was no wonder that May fell in love with the place and that romance was on the cards. However, as the old saying goes what happens in Paris, stays in Paris and it is what happened in Paris that led ultimately to her unusual decision regarding her will. It was hard to imagine what had caused the young, lively and warm May to turn into the frosty and seemingly quite bitter mother that Isla knew.
The Long Way Home was a book I found very engaging and I became very absorbed in the alternating stories of Isla and May. With the focus on family secrets and different kind of relationships in the past and the present, it was a very satisfying read.
I really enjoyed following Isla’s quest to find out just what had gone on. I liked the element of intrigue that it added to the story. She was joined on her roadtrip by her grand-daughter Charlie and I was surprised and pleased to see that Edinburgh featured, with even Portobello beach getting a mention. I felt that the author wrote about this cross generational relationship between the two so well. Charlie was a typical young teenager, obsessed with her phone, her image and with fitting in with her friends. And yet, at heart, she just wanted to be loved and accepted. Fanny Blake wrote very insightfully about all the relationships in the book actually, particularly those between Isla and her sisters. Strained at the best of times but definitely under pressure in light of the revelations of the will.
Interspersed with the more recent chapters were chapters set in 1950s Paris and I so enjoyed them. Isla’s mother May had gone to Paris to work as an au pair and to improve her French. Fanny Blake makes Paris sound such an enchanting place and it was no wonder that May fell in love with the place and that romance was on the cards. However, as the old saying goes what happens in Paris, stays in Paris and it is what happened in Paris that led ultimately to her unusual decision regarding her will. It was hard to imagine what had caused the young, lively and warm May to turn into the frosty and seemingly quite bitter mother that Isla knew.
The Long Way Home was a book I found very engaging and I became very absorbed in the alternating stories of Isla and May. With the focus on family secrets and different kind of relationships in the past and the present, it was a very satisfying read.
merrynhughes's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
This the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last as I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It's a dual timeline story that made smile and moved. It's compelling, emotionally charged and entertaining.
Isla is a great character, a women who was hurt and is building a relationship with her grand-daughter Charlie.
The author delivers a great story and a cast of interesting and relatable women.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's a dual timeline story that made smile and moved. It's compelling, emotionally charged and entertaining.
Isla is a great character, a women who was hurt and is building a relationship with her grand-daughter Charlie.
The author delivers a great story and a cast of interesting and relatable women.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
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