Skip to main content

Featured

Coming Home to Maple Lodge by Alison Sherlock #Review

  I am delighted to feature the first in Alison Sherlock's new series set in the Corswolds. Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge was published by Boldwood Books on June 20th. A family and hotel in desperate need of help… Maple Tree Lodge has been the home of the Jackson family for over a century. But the hotel has never been a success and, following the sudden loss of his father, architect Ben Jackson soon discovers the hotel is close to financial ruin. Ben has to make some tough decisions if the hotel is to survive and his family are to keep a roof over their heads. With the hotel in urgent need of a renovation, Ben’s sister calls on the talents of her best friend, interior designer Lily Watson. Cash strapped Lily needs a successful project to prove to herself and her high-achieving parents that she can carve a successful career and Maple Tree Lodge sounds like just the place for Lily to showcase her talents. However, Lily’s vision for a cosy, country Cotswolds hotel is the com...
Post a Comment
Read more
Labels

This Must Be the Place by Maggie O'Farrell

   

     I try not to be too gushing when I write about the books I have read so I tend to stay away from words like, 'amazing' or 'wonderful'. However, I have to say it. This Must Be the Place is a wonderful, amazing book. Where to start? I can't possibly do it justice but here goes.     There are so many characters to follow that you might worry that you cannot keep a handle on them all. This isn't the case. The story is centred on a married couple, Daniel and Claudette and their extended families and friends. They are skilfully interwoven across continents and time.

    The narrative follows a non- linear framework as you go back and forward through time. This means that the story is slowly unfolded and you get different perspectives from different characters who take the lead. Knitting it all together at the centre is Daniel and Claudette's relationship which is as nuanced and complex as their characters are drawn. As an examination of a marriage, it works. You see the characters' faults and their virtues and really come to care about them, as secrets emerge.
    
 I find Maggie O'Farrell's writing style and use of language to be marvellous. It draws you in. You feel that she has crafted the words carefully together. I particularly liked it when she changed the format, such as the auction catalogue where we learnt of developments through the objects and text attached to them or the transcript of an interview. 


In short: a complex mosaic of time, place and character shimmering like a jewel. 

Thanks to Georgina Moore who sent me a copy of the book on behalf of the publishers, Headline Publishing Group via Bookbridgr.

  
Labels:

Comments

  1. Anonymous9 May 2016 at 20:56

    This sounds like such an interesting novel! I hadn't heard of it before, to be honest, but your review has certainly caught my attention. I will be looking into it a little bit more and I'm quite sure I'll be buying it some time soon! Thanks for the recommendation :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pamela9 May 2016 at 22:00

      Thanks for your comment. I can definitely recommend it, I loved it all. It looks gorgeous as well with its turquoise edges.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts