Eleanor Luhar (47 KP) rated Apple Tree Yard in Books
Jun 24, 2019
The narrative of this book is quite unique, being recalled as an account from the past. Yvonne, the narrator, often refers to "now" and unknown events that have yet to take place in the story. This definitely builds the suspense a lot.
Yvonne takes us through the development of her extramarrital relationship with the unknown "you" (or "X" as she refers to him in her letters). Later, we will learn the identity of Yvonne's lover, but throughout the book we are given only speculations about his life that Yvonne theorises to be accurate.
This affair is, I suppose, both shocking and familiar at the same time. Yvonne is a successful, loved wife and mother with a safe home and good career. She loves her husband and her children. Her affair is, in this respect, unexpected and outrageous. But at the same time, as Yvonne summarises at the end of the novel, her "one-off" offence falls perfectly into the typical category of people like her. People who do not cheat on their partners because they don't love them. Unline "you", who cheats repeatedly for the excitement of it.
Most of the book is dedicated to the devlopment of the relationship, with other details of Yvonne's life and comments about the present included here and there. Yvonne is eventually sexually assaulted by a coworker/acquaintance. Amazingly, this event leads to Yvonne being on trial for murder.
The court case is described fantastically, with plenty of detail about all the little things that really set the scene. The narrative throughout the book is also fantastic - it really has the 'feel' of a middle-aged woman. 3.5 stars.
The Wahls Protocol: A Radical New Way to Treat All Chronic Autoimmune Conditions Using Paleo Principles
Book
After progressive multiple sclerosis landed Dr Wahls in a tilt/recline wheelchair, she exhaustively...
Garth Davis recommended The Lovers on the Bridge (1991) in Movies (curated)
Never Had it So Good: A History of Britain from Suez to the Beatles
Book
In 1956 the Suez Crisis finally shattered the old myths of the British Empire and paved the way for...
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Keepsake in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Anyway, this book is so very easy to get hooked in to. It is so real! I found myself really feeling for Trish & Mary. They were both so screwed up in such a real way, but that just made them all the more interesting. I found the psychological aspects behind the hoarding & the OCD fascinating. It was such a struggle for both of the women.
The part that really got my respect though was the ending. It wasn't all tied up in a pretty bow, everyone smiling & everything okay again. Like I said before, it was real...real life. I was satisfied with the ending for that fact. I hate it when books are so real & then the author ruins it by tacking on that happy ending when all the readers know that real life isn't like that at all. So, Kirstina Riggle, thank you for not putting yourself into that cliched category & for having the guts & brains to "keep it real."
Have a Little Faith: Fixing Broken Childhoods in the Philippines
Book
An extraordinary testimony of lives changed through kindness, courage, prayer, and grace. Lesley's...
Evolution (A Ladybird Expert Book)
Book
Part of the new Ladybird Expert series, Evolution is a clear, simple and entertaining introduction...
Deck the Halls (Darling, VT)
8.0
Rate It
Book
With shades of It’s a Wonderful Life, one man must face his past to find his future this...
Betrayed (The Emrys Chronicles #2)
8.0
Rate It
Book
A woman without a past and a dark power, a new king susceptible to her influence, and a choice...
Fantasy Romance
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Woman Outside the Walls in Books
Oct 16, 2022
Told from different time lines - pre-war, post war and the present - and mainly from Anna's perspective, this is the story of her life; the good, the bad and the ugly. I admit it did, at times, feel like it was jumping from one time to another and not always, I felt, in a logical way which made it a bit hard to keep up but you soon get caught up in the story.
This is a real thought-provoker and makes you ask yourself some difficult questions about what you would do to survive and if you do, how do you reconcile the decisions you have made.
Although this is a work of fiction, there are historical facts that are interwoven in the story which makes it feel quite authentic and I must thank Bookouture and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Woman Outside the Walls.