Just loved this! One of those books that I had completely the wrong idea about, and was only persuaded by another reader to give it a go.
Just loved this! One of those books that I had completely the wrong idea about, and was only persuaded by another reader to give it a go.
'Your English is perfect,' Joan said, watching me thoughtfully. 'Edward was worried we wouldn't find someone.'
'I learnt at school. From Sister Mary and from reading Woman's Own.'
She laughed loudly, again. I laughed too. No one found me funny on the island.
'I see. Well, it's perfect. You could pass for an Englishwoman.'
Joan looked out at the sea.
'Greatest country in the world.'
[Sensing an authorial raised eyebrow here]
Beautiful writing and a bleak island life. Whilst a little predictable in the romance element, still held its worth. I liked the portrayal of young life and the natural and harsh world. Also a good time of the year to read it.
A former prostitute and drug addict, who seemed to have been turning her life around, is found dead in a squat with the body of her 6 year old daughter. Next to her body is a credit card belonging to a multi-millionaire who had died in a plane crash 6 months earlier.
Interview, October 2006
Beyond the window, I can see three kites hanging in the air over Bute Park.
#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl
There are a surprising number of books with this title. This one is quiet with a pace both leisurely and conveying urgency, echoing the collision of the way time is reckoned on the mainland with the way it runs on the island. Overall, I enjoyed this novel and was glad to have the audiobook to help me with the Welsh pronunciations. In the end, it left me wanting, which is apt but unsatisfying.
A beautiful, grim story of atmosphere and characters in dire straits. The ending was strange and unexpected. #shortyseptember2024
Wonderful. Sparse sensitive writing. Historical fiction at its best makes the characters real and come alive. The protagonist learns about the trickery of strangers. I can see the straightforward ease of rural life, not for the work, but for the familiarity of the people