Here's Looking at you by Mhairi McFarlane
Published by AVON (Harper Collins Publishers) 2013
Modern Romantic Comedy
A story of two halves. The first is that of a laugh out loud, modern and down-to-earth tale of a friendship group of 30-somethings who have reached the age of marriage, settling down and professional jobs. However, they are living the life of young hip people who enjoy a good lifestyle, good income and casual relationships. The second half of this story is more melancholic, emotional and romantic.
You find yourself loving the main heroine, Anna and her outlook on the future that is heavily influenced by her past. Yet we jump between loathing and affection when it comes to the charming and handsome James Fraser.
The ending is somewhat inevitable but the way it is written along with the build up; angry fights, awkward silences and tension, makes this story stand out. James, who at the start seems to be the most unlikely and distasteful partner for Anna, ends up being the perfect match, a true soul mate.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
A Lost Love
The Last Letters from your lover by Jojo Moyes.
Published in 2012 by Hodder & Stoughton
Romance/family saga
Two unlikely characters fall in love in difficult circumstances. At a time when decorum and behaving appropriately are essential, these two lovers have to bend the rules and convention to fulfil their appetite for true love and unlimited happiness.
As the reader, i found myself willing the woman to battle against the odds and not give up despite the obstacles in her way. Tired of a loveless marriage to a pig of a man who doesn't appreciate her, the main character deserves to take a risk and go with her heart when it comes to this chivalrous gentleman who is slowly falling in love with her.
The story is a clever one which sees how the lives of people in different centuries have their stories entwined. The main focus of this book is finding true love and the differences between love affairs existing in the past (1960's) and those in the more modern 21st century (2000's). It is interesting, and what makes the love seem more real is how the author added hand written, emotive love letters at the start of chapters.
Throughout the story, it is quite a sad tale of lost love, true love, chance meetings, near misses and once in a lifetime moments. Finally, after so much bad luck, there is inevitably a much more happy and positive ending for all concerned.
Published in 2012 by Hodder & Stoughton
Romance/family saga
Two unlikely characters fall in love in difficult circumstances. At a time when decorum and behaving appropriately are essential, these two lovers have to bend the rules and convention to fulfil their appetite for true love and unlimited happiness.
As the reader, i found myself willing the woman to battle against the odds and not give up despite the obstacles in her way. Tired of a loveless marriage to a pig of a man who doesn't appreciate her, the main character deserves to take a risk and go with her heart when it comes to this chivalrous gentleman who is slowly falling in love with her.
The story is a clever one which sees how the lives of people in different centuries have their stories entwined. The main focus of this book is finding true love and the differences between love affairs existing in the past (1960's) and those in the more modern 21st century (2000's). It is interesting, and what makes the love seem more real is how the author added hand written, emotive love letters at the start of chapters.
Throughout the story, it is quite a sad tale of lost love, true love, chance meetings, near misses and once in a lifetime moments. Finally, after so much bad luck, there is inevitably a much more happy and positive ending for all concerned.
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Blind Innocence
"The Age of Innocence" by Edith Wharton
Published by Everyman's Library - 1993
Classic
A bizarre tale about a well-to-do young American man from an important family. The opening of the story sees Newland Archer happily announcing his engagement to the likewise well-to-do May Welland. In New York's 1870's society, these two great families will be joined by this marriage which everyone approves of.
What starts as a straight forward engagement between two people who have found common friendship and companionship, turns to a tale of bitterness and regret. Newland returns to his annoying behaviour as a bachelor when he begins to doubt his devotion to his wife and sees his marriage as a dull reality and a trapped prison. He becomes frustrating throughout this story as he lusts after May's cousin, the quirky and unconventional Countess Olenska. What is more frustrating is how he believes that everything will be better with Olenska; the grass is always greener on the other side, springs to mind!
At the end of the story, I found small comfort as we are informed that Newland remained loyal and faithful to May in all their years of marriage. It seems their marriage was one of acceptance and tolerance and that they never truly or fully knew the other person. May seems to have understood her husband better than he knew himself. However, the upsetting thing is, she also doesn't seem so blind or innocent to the reality of life as he thought.
Published by Everyman's Library - 1993
Classic
A bizarre tale about a well-to-do young American man from an important family. The opening of the story sees Newland Archer happily announcing his engagement to the likewise well-to-do May Welland. In New York's 1870's society, these two great families will be joined by this marriage which everyone approves of.
What starts as a straight forward engagement between two people who have found common friendship and companionship, turns to a tale of bitterness and regret. Newland returns to his annoying behaviour as a bachelor when he begins to doubt his devotion to his wife and sees his marriage as a dull reality and a trapped prison. He becomes frustrating throughout this story as he lusts after May's cousin, the quirky and unconventional Countess Olenska. What is more frustrating is how he believes that everything will be better with Olenska; the grass is always greener on the other side, springs to mind!
At the end of the story, I found small comfort as we are informed that Newland remained loyal and faithful to May in all their years of marriage. It seems their marriage was one of acceptance and tolerance and that they never truly or fully knew the other person. May seems to have understood her husband better than he knew himself. However, the upsetting thing is, she also doesn't seem so blind or innocent to the reality of life as he thought.
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