It is back to Cornwall today for Catherine Alliott's summer novel, A Cornish Summer.
Flora’s been in love with her husband for twenty years. The
only trouble is, he’s been married to someone else for the past fifteen. When
she’s invited to spend the summer in the shady lanes and sandy coves of
Cornwall, it should be perfect – except she’ll be staying with her former
mother-in-law, Belinda.
And when she gets there, she discovers that she’s not the
only one who’s been invited.
Can Flora spend the summer playing happy families with her
oblivious ex-husband, the woman who stole his heart, and the mother-in-law who
might have had a hand in it? As the weeks go by, she soon discovers that there
may be even more at stake than she thought…
‘Simply a delight: funny, intelligent and at times heart
wrenching. It's full of such witty, entertaining characters, and best of all,
it transported me away from real life into a Cornish holiday that I didn't want
to leave. It's the perfect summer read.’ Sophie Kinsella
‘Oh how I enjoyed this! No one writes about Cornwall like
Catherine. Yet another fabulous book, packed with glamour, delicious characters
and myriad family complications!’ Jill Mansell
‘I LOVE it. Catherine's writing is so warm, funny and
heartfelt and no matter what's going on in your own world, you can curl up in
Catherine's and feel her warmth like summer sun’ Cathy Kelly
‘I've loved Catherine Alliott books since the first one.
They're always a delight and this one's no exception’ Carole Matthews
My Thoughts
This novel felt akin to taking a deep dive into the family dynamics, just as Flora must have done when she travelled to Cornwall for the Summer. It took me some time to sort out just who was who but I found a great cast of characters, all playing their part in the story. It is a story which goes back over the years and I found the ending to be surprising and a little unexpected.
Living on the edge of the coast on the periphery of the family, the setting summed up Flora's position in the family which she came to realise was partly self imposed. I found that you could even feel sympathy for the people who weren't particularly likeable as you can see the awkwardness that seems to run through their lives. I like the way that certain realities are almost hiding in plain sight, ignored steadfastly. By the end of the summer, Flora can see things for what they are and reevaluates her feelings about the past.
In short: Hidden truths and tangled feelings.
About the Author
'People often ask me if I always had a burning desire to be
an author, and the honest answer is no, in fact it almost happened by accident.
I was working as a copy-writer in an ad agency and tired of
writing blurb for soap powder, began writing a novel under the desk. I had no
thought of publication, was just doing it to relieve the boredom, but I must
say it was a bit of a shock when my boss walked in one day and said we're not
sure you're entirely committed and gave me the sack!
Actually I think that galvanized me and I was determined to
finish it. I did, but it took a while: I was working freelance, and then
pregnant with my first child so it wasn't at the forefront of my mind. When my
son was born I discovered babies slept for great chunks of the day, so I
revisited it, tapping it onto a computer my brother gave me. (The first draft
was in long hand, I'm a complete Luddite by nature, and actually, still write
my first draft into note books.)
My husband persuaded me to send it to an agent who took it -
amazingly and then a few weeks later I had a publisher too. The Old Girl
Network came out about a year later and the first time I saw it in a shop, I
was so startled I ran out again! I'm convinced it was easier back then to get
published, these days it's far more competitive because there are so many girls
doing it I'm glad I started early!
I've written a few more since then, but some things don't
change: I still get a thrill when I see them around. I hope you enjoy the
books, I certainly have a lot of fun writing them.'
Catherine Alliott
Thanks to Catherine Alliott and Sriya Varadharajan of Michael Joseph for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
Follow the rest of the tour!
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