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wordsofclover's Reviews (2.16k)
4.5 stars.
In 1916, Sophie is trying to help her small family survive in a French town under German occupancy while constantly worrying about the survival of her artist husband. When the new German commander becomes enthralled by a painting of Sophie, and quite possibly Sophie herself, how far will the French woman go to save her husband?
In 2006, Liv is still battling with grief following the death of her husband. Liv lives all alone, under crippling debt with a lone painting of a young woman staring back at her. When Liv meets a new man, the painting suddenly becomes a source of tension. Liv knows she needs to find out more about Sophie and what happened to her.
I really loved this book! Both Sophie and Liv are amazing, complex characters with a lot of similar characteristics. I really loved reading Liv and thinking, 'Sophie would do that,' and the same with Sophie.
Both women are living a life they never expected, trying to keep things together while apart from their husbands. Both had husbands who were very successful, and they both seemed to be content just supporting their other half in their work while being fiery enough to keep him on his toes. I found the similarities between David and Edouard interesting, both artists in their own right and immersed in their work. I felt Paul's stature yet kindness also similar to Edouard.
Liv and Sophie are both stubborn at the best and worst of times. Sophie isn't too afraid of speaking her mind to German soldiers where many times Liv could have backed down and made life easier for herself but she didn't. They both show kindness - Liv to Mo and Fran, and Sophie with Louisa and the rest of the villagers. I also found it interesting how Sophie was treated by the village after the rumours of her relationship with the Germans could be compared to Liv's treatment by protestors during the court case. Both women were in situations that they couldn't do anything much about, and despite being innocent, were treated poorly for it.
I really loved how Liv called her home the Glass House as I really felt like she was living for a large portion of time after David's death in a glass house. She was very fragile and seemed on the verge of cracking a lot, yet she was surprisingly strong when you'd expect her to crumble.
The history is rich yet not too much for a book in this genre, and it really gives us just enough to know Sophie and her situation. This book is just packed with two strong yet fragile women dealt with blows in the life they didn't expect but who still remain standing tall afterwards.
In 1916, Sophie is trying to help her small family survive in a French town under German occupancy while constantly worrying about the survival of her artist husband. When the new German commander becomes enthralled by a painting of Sophie, and quite possibly Sophie herself, how far will the French woman go to save her husband?
In 2006, Liv is still battling with grief following the death of her husband. Liv lives all alone, under crippling debt with a lone painting of a young woman staring back at her. When Liv meets a new man, the painting suddenly becomes a source of tension. Liv knows she needs to find out more about Sophie and what happened to her.
I really loved this book! Both Sophie and Liv are amazing, complex characters with a lot of similar characteristics. I really loved reading Liv and thinking, 'Sophie would do that,' and the same with Sophie.
Both women are living a life they never expected, trying to keep things together while apart from their husbands. Both had husbands who were very successful, and they both seemed to be content just supporting their other half in their work while being fiery enough to keep him on his toes. I found the similarities between David and Edouard interesting, both artists in their own right and immersed in their work. I felt Paul's stature yet kindness also similar to Edouard.
Liv and Sophie are both stubborn at the best and worst of times. Sophie isn't too afraid of speaking her mind to German soldiers where many times Liv could have backed down and made life easier for herself but she didn't. They both show kindness - Liv to Mo and Fran, and Sophie with Louisa and the rest of the villagers. I also found it interesting how Sophie was treated by the village after the rumours of her relationship with the Germans could be compared to Liv's treatment by protestors during the court case. Both women were in situations that they couldn't do anything much about, and despite being innocent, were treated poorly for it.
I really loved how Liv called her home the Glass House as I really felt like she was living for a large portion of time after David's death in a glass house. She was very fragile and seemed on the verge of cracking a lot, yet she was surprisingly strong when you'd expect her to crumble.
The history is rich yet not too much for a book in this genre, and it really gives us just enough to know Sophie and her situation. This book is just packed with two strong yet fragile women dealt with blows in the life they didn't expect but who still remain standing tall afterwards.
This is my first Cathy Kelly book to read and I'm really glad I decided to pick it up and read it as I really enjoyed it. Even before picking it up in a car-boot sale, I had seen this book in various shops and the beautiful cover and the lovely title constantly called out to me, and obviously for a reason!
Everything about Redstone reminds me of any Irish villages/towns you can end up travelling through when driving through Ireland. The close-knit community and the welcoming of newcomers is all so lovely and Irish, it makes me smile.
Lillie, was a lovely, warm character who immediately shines bright out of the book and comes alive. There is a real spark in her that makes her special, something I found in the characters of Peggy and Freya as well. Her mourning of Sam is moving and I love how she slowly begins to deal with his passing inside herself as she also becomes involved in the lives of Redstone natives. Her meeting with Seth as extremely touching and I found it rather emotional but it made me smile as it was so lovely.
I really loved Peggy and although I usually scoff at the whole, love at first sight, this relationship will be so easy stuff you normally see in books, I didn't with David and Peggy. There was something so real about their connection, I really felt how strong it was and the intense moment they sat across from somewhere made me breathless as it felt like this recognition of two souls was happening right across from me. I got a bit annoyed about her treatment of David and comparing him to her horrible father but again, I thought her back story was pretty interesting and the brave choice her mam made in the end.
All the characters are very bright and although there is a lot of them, I find all of their stories easy to follow and I enjoyed reading them.
This is a book for any season! I would highly recommend it for a nice comfortable read any day!
Everything about Redstone reminds me of any Irish villages/towns you can end up travelling through when driving through Ireland. The close-knit community and the welcoming of newcomers is all so lovely and Irish, it makes me smile.
Lillie, was a lovely, warm character who immediately shines bright out of the book and comes alive. There is a real spark in her that makes her special, something I found in the characters of Peggy and Freya as well. Her mourning of Sam is moving and I love how she slowly begins to deal with his passing inside herself as she also becomes involved in the lives of Redstone natives. Her meeting with Seth as extremely touching and I found it rather emotional but it made me smile as it was so lovely.
I really loved Peggy and although I usually scoff at the whole, love at first sight, this relationship will be so easy stuff you normally see in books, I didn't with David and Peggy. There was something so real about their connection, I really felt how strong it was and the intense moment they sat across from somewhere made me breathless as it felt like this recognition of two souls was happening right across from me. I got a bit annoyed about her treatment of David and comparing him to her horrible father but again, I thought her back story was pretty interesting and the brave choice her mam made in the end.
All the characters are very bright and although there is a lot of them, I find all of their stories easy to follow and I enjoyed reading them.
This is a book for any season! I would highly recommend it for a nice comfortable read any day!
A really good action tale full of honour, love, determination and loyalty!
I have come to realise that I will always enjoy a book written by Claudia Carroll. She has a great way of making characters come vividly to life right away, they basically jump out from between the pages and give you a big hug. All of her characters have a great likeability, even the ones with the not-so redeeming qualities such as Maggie and Sharon.
Jessie, who is quite selfish and often very dim-witted should be a character you don't really like but you can't help but feel for her. You root for Jessie, and want her to succeed. For so long, everything that could go wrong does- even her hair! It's hard to believe that someone could have such bad luck.
The great thing about Jessie that because of her childhood in a working class area, she grew up with a determination and is not afraid of hard work. Despite being the thin, gorgeous blonde off the telly, she has always had to work hard and because of it, is generous to those she feels an affinity to, such as the runners on the show. Jessie could be any one of us, someone who had dreams and made sure she worked hard enough to get them. She's also not too proud to admit defeat and have to endure the queue in the dole office, and also take a job in a takeaway store where her face could be instantly recognizable.
I love the friendship that grows between Sharon and Jessie. Sharon becomes a real sister, something that Jessie has really needed and she's not afraid to tell Jessie how it is and when she acts and looks like a twat. We all need someone like that in our lives and though things aren't rosy between Maggie and Jessie, there is a touching moment where they bond over their departed dad and come to an understanding with each other that they never did before. As for Joan, despite the evil stepmother lark, there are moments in which she does play a lovely mother role for Jessie and despite everything she is there when she needs somebody.
Underneath it all, this story shows us how we can all find family even in the most unexpected of places and with unexpected people. And through hard work and determination...you can get a happily ever after.
Jessie, who is quite selfish and often very dim-witted should be a character you don't really like but you can't help but feel for her. You root for Jessie, and want her to succeed. For so long, everything that could go wrong does- even her hair! It's hard to believe that someone could have such bad luck.
The great thing about Jessie that because of her childhood in a working class area, she grew up with a determination and is not afraid of hard work. Despite being the thin, gorgeous blonde off the telly, she has always had to work hard and because of it, is generous to those she feels an affinity to, such as the runners on the show. Jessie could be any one of us, someone who had dreams and made sure she worked hard enough to get them. She's also not too proud to admit defeat and have to endure the queue in the dole office, and also take a job in a takeaway store where her face could be instantly recognizable.
I love the friendship that grows between Sharon and Jessie. Sharon becomes a real sister, something that Jessie has really needed and she's not afraid to tell Jessie how it is and when she acts and looks like a twat. We all need someone like that in our lives and though things aren't rosy between Maggie and Jessie, there is a touching moment where they bond over their departed dad and come to an understanding with each other that they never did before. As for Joan, despite the evil stepmother lark, there are moments in which she does play a lovely mother role for Jessie and despite everything she is there when she needs somebody.
Underneath it all, this story shows us how we can all find family even in the most unexpected of places and with unexpected people. And through hard work and determination...you can get a happily ever after.
I went into this with a doubtful mind. I really did not know if I was going to love it, hate it or just be mildly disinterested halfway through. Other reviews are a mixed bag.
I think I have fallen in between a - really like it, and a love it. So I'm giving 3.5 stars. First off, I love the cover, the old age look, the feel of the paper...it's really nice and pleasing. I did not like how big the print was, it makes me feel like I'm reading a book I've grown out of. But that's just me.
I actually didn't hate Isadora despite all her lacking qualities, the selfishness, the jealousy...I actually felt for her and what she was going through. Her mother Isis, a Goddess of motherhood, childbirth, fertility...you name it...has had hundreds of babies. How can Isadora really know whether she's loved for her or for her worship of her parents and thus keeping them alive/ present. And I do understand her anger at her mother's pregnancy, her mam had a baby every 20 years,she should have had 20 years with her mother and instead suddenly that was no more. The rug was pulled from her feet and of course by the end we know that the love was real on both sides and it's almost happy families.
I'm a lot more familiar with the Greek and Roman Gods (Hello Star Crossed) then I am with the Egyptian. But that doesn't mean I don't love anything to do with them...I find every god and their story really interesting, I wish there had been more of an insight into all the Gods named then just her parents.
And Ry, lovely Ry...I actually had to warm to him. I expected he had an ulterior motive and I suspected him to be something more than he was and when I heard he was Greek...I clicked it with his lovely looks, the fawning girls and his beautiful mother. He couldn't be the son of anyone else.
This book would do well as a series in my opinion. I actually thought it was and now I'm sad! I'd love to be able to return to Isadora, Ry, Taylor, Sirius and Isis. Can I have another please?
I think I have fallen in between a - really like it, and a love it. So I'm giving 3.5 stars. First off, I love the cover, the old age look, the feel of the paper...it's really nice and pleasing. I did not like how big the print was, it makes me feel like I'm reading a book I've grown out of. But that's just me.
I actually didn't hate Isadora despite all her lacking qualities, the selfishness, the jealousy...I actually felt for her and what she was going through. Her mother Isis, a Goddess of motherhood, childbirth, fertility...you name it...has had hundreds of babies. How can Isadora really know whether she's loved for her or for her worship of her parents and thus keeping them alive/ present. And I do understand her anger at her mother's pregnancy, her mam had a baby every 20 years,she should have had 20 years with her mother and instead suddenly that was no more. The rug was pulled from her feet and of course by the end we know that the love was real on both sides and it's almost happy families.
I'm a lot more familiar with the Greek and Roman Gods (Hello Star Crossed) then I am with the Egyptian. But that doesn't mean I don't love anything to do with them...I find every god and their story really interesting, I wish there had been more of an insight into all the Gods named then just her parents.
And Ry, lovely Ry...I actually had to warm to him. I expected he had an ulterior motive and I suspected him to be something more than he was and when I heard he was Greek...I clicked it with his lovely looks, the fawning girls and his beautiful mother. He couldn't be the son of anyone else.
This book would do well as a series in my opinion. I actually thought it was and now I'm sad! I'd love to be able to return to Isadora, Ry, Taylor, Sirius and Isis. Can I have another please?
I love this book! It brought back all the memories of what I felt when I was first introduced to Jenni and Katie's world and I wanted to go and read the whole trilogy again.
This book and the other volumes that follow, give us an insight into the tale that very few authors give to the readers that enter their world. A small look into the lives and thoughts of other characters, not central in the plot line but important enough that they made an impact on us. Like Lydia, who was always the tragic beauty, who we wish could have been saved. Eric and Stacey, who managed to find love in a time where love and hope was scarce.
I finished it, craving the next! Any fan of As the World Dies, should purchase these books. They are not a disappointment but just exceed the expectations you didn't even know you had!
This book and the other volumes that follow, give us an insight into the tale that very few authors give to the readers that enter their world. A small look into the lives and thoughts of other characters, not central in the plot line but important enough that they made an impact on us. Like Lydia, who was always the tragic beauty, who we wish could have been saved. Eric and Stacey, who managed to find love in a time where love and hope was scarce.
I finished it, craving the next! Any fan of As the World Dies, should purchase these books. They are not a disappointment but just exceed the expectations you didn't even know you had!
