First Sighting of ‘Last Dance’.

And here it is…

Rosanna’s Winter Book Reviews 2015/6

(Historical fiction – war, post-war and 1960s)

Brides of War by June Tate

When you put yourself in the hands of this author, you know that you are with someone you can trust. June Tate is a proficient storyteller who will take you through the events in her characters’ lives with wit and warmth. In this novel, we follow the stories of Gracie and Valerie, two GI brides who meet on the ship going out to America after the war and who are both determined to make a success of their new lives. But the truth is that many such marriages were not huge successes; there was much against GIs and their sweethearts who came from such different cultures and backgrounds and who often barely knew one another when they fell in love in the middle of war torn Britain and got married quickly, not knowing what the future might bring. The book works well because the two girls are from very different backgrounds and they have married very different men, so whilst Valerie remains in New York with her up and coming successful business man of a husband, Gracie travels to Colorado to be with Jeff. Both women feel initially isolated however, living so far from home and both women have difficult decisions to make, because neither man is quite what he seems.

The author crosses from one story to the other, maintaining a fast pace and shifting narratives with consummate ease so that the reader is barely aware of how she has done it; we are thus quickly drawn into both stories simultaneously and empathise fully with both women. Later, their stories collide once more when the two women meet up again, helping one other in their time of need. Both characters develop well throughout the novel to become strong, independent women and the author creates an authentic post war atmosphere with lots of interesting detail. As always, June Tate is easy to read and fluent in style. She takes you on her journey and you are surprised when you finally put the book down and you are there. I picked this book up at every opportunity in order to read more about the Brides of War and loved every moment. Highly recommended.

Ridley Road by Jo Bloom

I was looking forward to reading this novel as I’m interested in the 1960s as a period of recent(ish) history and I did enjoy this aspect of the book immensely. Jo Bloom captures the feel of the ‘60s in her descriptions of the streets of London, the fashions (especially the hair styles) and the music. We are introduced to Vivien the narrator as she moves to London from Manchester following the death of her father. She is a talented young hair stylist who wants to make her mark in the big city, but she is also on a mission – to find a man called Jack Fox. Vivien met Jack when he visited their home some months ago and they had a brief but intense affair. Vivien has no idea why Jack has not got in touch since his return to London, but she is determined to find out. To say more would be a spoiler, but the plot itself  is intriguing, centring around the growing fascist movement of the time with demonstrations against the Jews, all taking place around Ridley Road. I hadn’t known the extent of this – and I do like to feel that I have learnt something from a book, so I found this fascinating. I was slightly disappointed by the more personal story of Jack and Vivien; this seemed lacking in depth at times and I was also disappointed by the ending which seemed to take little note of Vivien’s original ambitions. We like to think of the 1960s as a time when women were able to become more independent and successful. However, I like Jo Bloom’s spare and concise style of writing and would definitely recommend this book – particularly for readers interested in the 1960s.

A Brief Affair by Margaret Leroy

I was expecting a saga and a light read – what I got was something gritty, atmospheric, authentic and extremely moving written in fresh and evocative language. Margaret Leroy is so skilled at conjuring atmosphere through detailed description that whilst reading this book you will suspend all disbelief and be in London during the Blitz. The story is about widowed Livia Ripley’s attempt to bring up her daughters Polly and Eliza in some semblance of normality, whilst developing her own career and sense of identity as a photographer, surviving the blitz and learning a bit more about men and relationships along the way. As the raids intensify, Livia volunteers to be a warden at the invitation of the enigmatic Justin Connelly, who is a wonderfully unusual ‘hero’. Through Justin, Livia experiences the true reality and despair of war, and discovers a strength she never knew she had and the ability to finally forgive herself for what has happened in the past. Livia develops beautifully as a character and is both complex and totally believable. As the blurb suggests, this book is reminiscent of the classic Brief Encounter .  I also hugely enjoyed Leroy’s characterisation and the gradual development of both family and romantic relationships in this novel; the relationship between mother and daughters particularly, is portrayed with great sensitivity and perception. Margaret Leroy has constructed a powerful and compelling picture of a family struggling to survive in London at war. Highly recommended. I loved it.

Rosanna’s Autumn Book Reviews

I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh

This novel has been the subject of much praise and discussion, particularly with regard to its plot twist(s) which apparently led to Judy Finnigan’s comment about it having one of the best twists she has ever read. Hence the book’s meteoric rise up the book charts. But it should be there anyway – it’s a great and gripping read, compelling from first to last. If I had to quibble I would say that I preferred the ‘Jenna in Wales’ story to the police procedural. But having said that, the characters of Ray and Kate provided an effective counterpoint to the main plot with stories which were also relevant and interesting if slightly predictable. Jenna however comprised much more fascinating shades of grey. At times I wanted her to fight back and be stronger, but it was easy to see how she had lost sight of her strength – this was very convincing. Clare Mackintosh tackles this thought provoking subject with sensitivity and perception.  I also loved the characters Jenna meets in Wales – Bethan, Patrick and Iestyn. A good mixture! I don’t want to give away any spoilers about this psychological thriller, so I will just say that if you like a compelling plot with lots of unpredictable twists and turns, then this is for you. It’s a five star read.

The Lie by CL Taylor

Another slice of domestic noir… I love this genre. The Lie is about a woman who is not who she says she is. Five years ago she changed her identity and this gives CL Taylor her structure for the book. For me, it works well. The chapters switch between the main character’s horrifying experiences while on holiday in Nepal with three girlfriends and what is happening in the present day. Both timeframes are compelling because it seems the past has returned to haunt the present and it is time for Emma/ Jane to solve the past mystery. The story is told in first person narrative from her point of view and she seems likeable – it is rather confusing then when her friends begin to treat her so badly…

That aside, the plot is believable and Emma’s not knowing who she can trust is one of the aspects that give the storyline so much sense of menace. The cult they meet up with in Nepal is also very creepily believable and sinister. The Lie makes you think too about how far we can trust those whom we are close to. Another gripping read by CL Taylor. I will be looking out for her next book.

The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters

I am a huge fan of Sarah Waters. I love her quietly compelling writing, her attention to detail, her gradual builds and the way she presents a slow but simmering passion. This book is set in 1920s London and as always, her research is both impeccable and unobtrusive. Frances Wray lives here with her mother; the pair are still grieving for Frances’s brothers killed in the Great War and are impoverished by Frances’s late father’s debts. Frances’s life appears unsettled and empty – following her one past romantic loss, she has become resigned to the life she leads. And so the stage is set for the entrance of a couple from another social world, lodgers no less, from a ‘lower class’, Lillian and Leonard Barber who bring a certain modernity into the genteel household and who prove to unsettle Frances still further, although in different ways. My only criticism of this atmospheric and beautifully written book is that the story sags slightly in places and feels a touch repetitive. It seemed a little too long and the ending too drawn out. But it feels harsh to criticise such a brilliant author. It’s not Fingersmith, but it’s still a fabulous read.

A Single Breath by Lucy Clarke

This is the first novel I’ve read by this author and it impressed me with its clever construction, fresh use of language and fast pace. From the onset, it delivers drama – we are introduced to Jackson, who is in love with his wife but who nevertheless disappears early one morning whilst fishing on a wild Dorset coastline. The author then uses the primary narrative voice (of his wife Eva) to explore the story of their relationship and also of his past as Eva goes to Tasmania to meet Jackson’s family and friends in her quest to find out more. Here, I loved the descriptions of landscape and especially Eva’s discovery of the free dive experience which felt very authentic and liberating and helped balance some of the (albeit necessary) dark emotions on the page. To say more about the plot would be to give too much away, but the story fizzes with drama and it is confidently told. And the ending – thankfully – does not disappoint. A neatly structured and compelling read.

The Sudden Departure of the Frasers by Louise Candlish

As always, Louise Candlish’s writing has good pace and balance and her characters are strong and uncompromising. She draws the reader into the story with consummate ease. In this novel, she uses two female narrators. Amber Fraser was, this narrator admits from the start a ‘wild child’ with rough beginnings but she has since married well (the ‘silver fox’ Jeremy, older than Amber, self-confident and successful) and tried to leave her past life behind her. The couple move into a ‘perfect’ suburban house and Amber proceeds to charm the neighbours. But for some reason they leave this ‘forever’ house a short time later and disappear. Why? As we read on, we gradually discover the answer. The second narrator, Christy, is the woman who (with her husband Joe) buys the house they cannot afford at a ridiculously low price because the Frasers do not want it anymore. They try to fit in with a neighbourhood still smarting over the mysterious events surrounding the sudden departure of the Frasers. Made redundant, Christy makes it her business to find out what really happened, but in the process, hers and Joe’s lives become affected by turmoil of their own. It was hard to put this book down. Neither of the female characters were particularly likeable and Christy’s story felt slightly unfinished, but the novel remained a fascinating read. Louise Candlish is excellent at exploring psychological drama as she allows the story to gradually unfold – and her characterisation is spot on. Thoroughly engaging.