3.25 rounded to 3. The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey is a dual time line book. In the late nineteenth century Evely married William, a supposed famous a3.25 rounded to 3. The Stolen Book of Evelyn Aubrey is a dual time line book. In the late nineteenth century Evely married William, a supposed famous author, or was he? Out of the darkness in their marriage Evelyn writes and William takes and publishes. They have one child and from his springs a sad and relatively unhappy family.
Abigail unbeknown to her springs from this family many years later through her father - whom she doesn't know or has met. She is a rather unsettled young woman who goes on a journey to find out who her father is, starting in England and then back to the USA.
Both women, related to each other, make their own journeys into new ways of seeing things and starting over. We don't get the full story of Evelyn but we can surmise that she went on under a different name in America. Abigail on finding what she has looked for and more seems to have found her footing and will go on to make a good life for herself.
I enjoyed reading this novel, I wanted to find out what happened to each woman and how one life affected another. That said, it didn't quite draw me in enough to rate it highly.
Australian author Fiona Lowe has done it again. She has totally reeled me in and made me feel so fully involved in the lives of her characters. At firAustralian author Fiona Lowe has done it again. She has totally reeled me in and made me feel so fully involved in the lives of her characters. At first I found all the characters and situations a little overwhelming, but once I was in - I was in! A little bit of reader concentration and work never hurts us!
The story is told from three women's point of view. They all live in a small town in Tasmania and while they start out not very linked, its not long before they are all interacting and enabling each other to work through the challenges facing each of them.
Addy has returned to the Rookery Cove to take up a teaching job and refurbish the house where she lived with her parents. It soon becomes apparent that she drinks heavily and that her life is not going well. She overworks and quite frankly her school situation stinks.
Brenda is in her late fifties and has just started living with her lover Miriam. But her family think Miriam is just a lodger. Miriam wants to share with others who they are, but Brenda is nervous and holding back. Plus she just doesn't seem to get along with her uptight daughter Courtney. Her lovely grand daughter Livvy is however nothing short of a blessing.
Stephanie and her husband Henry have moved to the Cove to get more of a work/life balance. Only trouble is that just isn't working out from Stephanie's way of seeing it. Add to that now Zoe, Henry's daughter has been foisted upon them by Zoe's mother. Baby Monty is a charm but he is in constant need of care of course.
So many issues in this book that the characters are dealing with. It soon becomes obvious what the three main characters are coping with or in fact not coping with. However as a reader I wonder as I read why Zoe is acting out?
Tying all this together is the Rookery Choir, resurrected by Miriam and Brenda. It brings people together, and eventually helps bring about wondrous things. I can't sing and would never join a choir but I can really see the benefits.
As each of the three women face into how they need to move forward, I was returning to the book every minute I had. Wanting to move through it, yet aware I was moving to the end. I loved the ending but am already missing these characters. ...more
Excellent story. The dual time line worked well for me and I am not a fan of them. The 1965 civil rights was insightful and heart breaking. Ellie was Excellent story. The dual time line worked well for me and I am not a fan of them. The 1965 civil rights was insightful and heart breaking. Ellie was brave and was willing to put her life on the line. Win - just so sad. It is just so horrible the way people divide and hate because of total ignorance and unwillingness to see. Kayla's story in 2010 linked through setting and people. As well as liking Ellie I liked Kayla and her plight. This story just kept me reading on - totally engaged. Also well researched and informative....more
The Clover Girls is a thought provoking read. Viola Shipman writes about three girls who met at summer camp over the years and formed a rich friendshiThe Clover Girls is a thought provoking read. Viola Shipman writes about three girls who met at summer camp over the years and formed a rich friendship. But did it stay that way?
Each of the girls has their own life challenges in childhood and adulthood. Now three of them are back at Camp Birchwood faced with how they have become within themselves and with each other.
The story explores the theme of friendship, what helps a friendship survive and what brings about the demise of one. As you read it will have you reflecting on summertime camps (if you went to one) the friendships you have had along the way in life and what has happened to them.
The book has quite a bit to say about marriage, family, following dreams, staying true to yourself and really living. What truly matters?
An enriching read, a medium paced novel that leaves time for entering into the lives of each of the women, seeing the light and the dark, and the way each makes a journey that counts.
A story with some strong messages about women, life, politics and of course - friendship. ...more
The Last Night in London by Karen White tells a very poignant story of two women during World War 11 in London, as well as a 2019 link with one o the The Last Night in London by Karen White tells a very poignant story of two women during World War 11 in London, as well as a 2019 link with one o the women. It is one of the best dual time lines that I have read, it goes together so seamlessly.
The story has mystery - what happened back in those early war times. What happened to some of the people who seem to have been wiped from the face of the earth. And in 2019 Cassie seems to be hiding something, there is an air of mystery to her as well. It wasn't until I had finished this book that I discovered Cassie had been a part of two previous books, and I had read the first one. I intend going back and reading that, then the second and then this one again! This one is a standalone book, but will be the richer for reading the three I do believe!
For readers who are fascinated by the fashion industry back just before the war and on into it. And if you love old houses and London that will help too. As the story develops, the clues emerge slowly. There are a couple of twists that make this so worth hanging in with.
The characters are well developed and I really felt for them. I felt saddened by some of the war events, and chuckled at some of the gentle humour at other times. There are secrets, some betrayal, love that endures and heartbreak. Well really this book has so much to offer. ...more
A very heart warming book, I loved Eudora and Rose and Stanley and quite a few more. The theme of death and living to the full was well explored. WellA very heart warming book, I loved Eudora and Rose and Stanley and quite a few more. The theme of death and living to the full was well explored. Well worth reading....more
The Moon is Missing by Jenni Ogden I have to admit drew me further and further in to the life of neurosurgeon - Georgia Grayson. Her life as a surgeonThe Moon is Missing by Jenni Ogden I have to admit drew me further and further in to the life of neurosurgeon - Georgia Grayson. Her life as a surgeon, her family and relationships with her son and daughter and husband. Then there are her anxiety attacks and the reason for them and the consequences that arise because of them.
The book is well written and its focus is Georgia. I liked her, she is talented yet haunted by her past. As she takes up with courage the journey back into her life, I the reader, feel like I am right there with her. The heartache that is happening in her family, the questions she holds, the answers hidden to her.
I really liked - if its okay to say that! - the part that tells of Georgia and Lara ( her daughter) in hurricane Katrina. It was both horrific and wondrous as medical staff and others worked to help each other.
The three settings of London, New Orleans and Great Barrier Island were all contrasts - yet each had their own fascination. I also loved where finally Georgia and her family truly find themselves at the end of the journey.
Some family secrets are gradually revealed. I really appreciated how they unfolded and finally came together. Forgiveness, acceptance and compassion eventually win through.
I found myself slowly reading the story, a few times I had to reach for a tissue for the times of sadness and beauty. A Moon is Missing touched my heart and was so worth spending time with it....more
Beautifully written and moving story of loneliness and friendship. Regrets and guilt and coming to terms and moving on. Surprising little twists of plBeautifully written and moving story of loneliness and friendship. Regrets and guilt and coming to terms and moving on. Surprising little twists of plot....more
A very well written and thought provoking story of daughter/mother relationships, plus relationships to friends and partners. The characters are findiA very well written and thought provoking story of daughter/mother relationships, plus relationships to friends and partners. The characters are finding their way into who they truly are and need to be. While it was related to Indian culture and explored the themes through that, it still has universal application. ...more
It was difficult to start into this book as a young child disappears in a car and away from her mother. I was almost reading with my eyes shut!
HoweverIt was difficult to start into this book as a young child disappears in a car and away from her mother. I was almost reading with my eyes shut!
However as it turns out she is found by Molly a young sixteen year old homeless girl. Molly is amazing with Etta and eventually all is well. Or almost well.
We get to know the mother - Brooke as well as Molly and of course little Etta who is quite a character on her own. Brooke is really on hard times and living at her own mother's house, while supporting her young daughter. When her daughter is taken off with the car her world falls apart and those around her wonder if it will ever get back together.
The story explores mother / daughter relationships, the best and worst. It explores homelessness and the foster system. It explores what real relationships are like and promises and trust.
It's an emotional ride, it tugs at a reader's heartstrings. Brooke and Molly have so much to take on and grow through and they do and it made the story a really good read....more
Interesting book with much to say about reading and writing and life and views about life. Very well written, characters have depth and wounds to be cInteresting book with much to say about reading and writing and life and views about life. Very well written, characters have depth and wounds to be challenged by. Is this a beach read? I don't think so, but does it have to be pigeon holed? ...more
I really enjoyed this book, loved the setting and the various characters. Also the places they were in their lives. I am not a Jane Austen reader but I really enjoyed this book, loved the setting and the various characters. Also the places they were in their lives. I am not a Jane Austen reader but this book could entice me to try again. I found myself online looking at the Knight estate and reading up all the bits and pieces about it. Richard Armitage did a fabulous job of narrating and really made this book spring into life for me. So sorry to leave the village of Chawton...more
While I am not a big fan of Jane Austen I do enjoy Sonali Dev's books and this one was so good. As the backgrounds of the characters are revealed we cWhile I am not a big fan of Jane Austen I do enjoy Sonali Dev's books and this one was so good. As the backgrounds of the characters are revealed we come to understand each one. Soneela Nankani narrated this in an outstanding way....more
Another wonderful read from my favourite Irish author. Entertaining and insightful. Loved the road trip, the characters and their inner journeys. #helAnother wonderful read from my favourite Irish author. Entertaining and insightful. Loved the road trip, the characters and their inner journeys. #hellyeah. ...more
If you ever had any doubt that you must let go the past so that you can move into the future then this book will certainly convince you of it being soIf you ever had any doubt that you must let go the past so that you can move into the future then this book will certainly convince you of it being so true.
Morgan Christopher has the huge task of restoring a mural painted by Anna Dale in 1940. Morgan has been unfairly in prison for the past year, because of a boyfriend who was a coward. This is an opportunity for her, although she knows nothing about restoring painting. Plus there is a time limit. And why did the well known artist Jesse Williams name her as the person who must do it?
Anna Dale has been given the task of painting the mural in Edenton to hang in the post office. She moves there for awhile while she paints it so that she can get a feel for the place, its history and people. A few young students help her, Jesse among them. Anna has come from the north and is rather wondering of the racist ways still present here in this town and she is to run up against it in unpleasant ways.
The less said about the plot the better. It needs to unfold for the reader so that you have an opportunity to see it play out before your eyes. The story is told between Anna and Morgan. The chapters are short, so this time I could easily live with the dual time line. There was no time to miss one character because I was speedily back with her. As well, their stories of working on the mural and the mystery it presents links up so seamlessly.
I loved this book. It held me in its thrall all the way through. There is mystery, challenge, injustice, racism and violence - but not too much, just a taste. The characters of Anna and Morgan - nothing not to love. Jesse was another who in the '40's I cheered on. And his family.
All I can say is don't miss out on this one. I wish it went on much further, but maybe Diane Chamberlain knows where to stop!...more
I really enjoyed this story of neighbours and friends and the cycle of life. The people felt very real as did their struggles and challenges. Liz ByrsI really enjoyed this story of neighbours and friends and the cycle of life. The people felt very real as did their struggles and challenges. Liz Byrski has a great gift for exploring the life experiences of the older age group. So much of it I could identify with. ...more
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