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michellesaidread's review against another edition
2.0
This book started out really well - I enjoyed the first third of the book. Sadly the rest of the book didn't live up to the promising start. The perspective and time jump with each chapter from the daughter's and mother's stories was distracting, and I found I only really cared to read the daughter's story.
Thankfully a relatively fast read.
Thankfully a relatively fast read.
kasfeldt's review
3.0
Full of twists and turns in the plot that I truly wasn’t expecting, although the actual writing itself felt a bit weak. A fast read that I had fun with!
molrey's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
mandarinkata's review against another edition
2.0
Note to myself: да не вадя книги от рафта с изоставени вече такива.
thebookishmarie's review
4.0
I've read Graham Norton's three books in reverse order, so even though A Keeper is his first novel, it's the third one I've read.
Elizabeth returns to Ireland after her mother's death to tidy up the loose ends. Without her mother in it, the house is full of useless junk. Among the rubbish, Elizabeth discovers some letters that lead her in the direction of finding out who her father was. A misplaced codicil to her mothers will gives Elizabeth the impetus to go and discover the place she was born.
I've really enjoyed all three of Norton's books. He has a real talent for creating character driven stories with a deep understanding of small town lives. On the outside, a book set in a small town may appear to be straight forward, but as the layers get peeled back, the characters become real and the events of the book are both heartbreaking and heartlifting.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Keeper and would highly recommend it.
Elizabeth returns to Ireland after her mother's death to tidy up the loose ends. Without her mother in it, the house is full of useless junk. Among the rubbish, Elizabeth discovers some letters that lead her in the direction of finding out who her father was. A misplaced codicil to her mothers will gives Elizabeth the impetus to go and discover the place she was born.
I've really enjoyed all three of Norton's books. He has a real talent for creating character driven stories with a deep understanding of small town lives. On the outside, a book set in a small town may appear to be straight forward, but as the layers get peeled back, the characters become real and the events of the book are both heartbreaking and heartlifting.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Keeper and would highly recommend it.
portybelle's review
5.0
With his latest novel, A Keeper, Graham Norton proves that, not only is he one of the nation's most popular presenters, but that he's a blooming good writer as well.
Elizabeth Keane has returned to her childhood home in Buncarragh following the death of her mother. She left many years before for New York and had put her early childhood behind her. Not that she had a bad childhood, but as the only daughter of a single parent in small town rural Ireland, life was perhaps not the easiest. She expects to do nothing more than complete the legal formalities then head home. This all changes when she discovers a small pile of romantic letters from the father she never knew to her mother. She decides that she must find out a bit more about him before she returns home. As she begins to discover more about her parents' life, we also hear from her mother Patricia in chapters entitle 'Then'. They paint a rather different picture than that which the heartfelt letters suggest.
This is such a well-written book. Graham Norton moves between Now and Then revealing just enough each time to make you want to keep reading. The story in the past reflects what Elizabeth is starting to uncover in the present, but adds so much more to what was really going on. As well as coming to terms with many revelations about her parents, she also has a lot going on in her own personal life to contend with which is very stressful when she is thousands of miles from home.
Only when you are reading the book do you realise the significance of the title. Secrets are closely kept throughout by so many characters and there is another meaning to the word 'Keeper' too which I can't reveal or it would spoil some of the plot.
A compelling read, A Keeper is full of suspense and atmosphere, disappointments and revelations. It's also a really interesting exploration of mental health issues and overprotective mother/child relationships. There may be darkness in this book but ultimately it provides a hopeful ending.
Elizabeth Keane has returned to her childhood home in Buncarragh following the death of her mother. She left many years before for New York and had put her early childhood behind her. Not that she had a bad childhood, but as the only daughter of a single parent in small town rural Ireland, life was perhaps not the easiest. She expects to do nothing more than complete the legal formalities then head home. This all changes when she discovers a small pile of romantic letters from the father she never knew to her mother. She decides that she must find out a bit more about him before she returns home. As she begins to discover more about her parents' life, we also hear from her mother Patricia in chapters entitle 'Then'. They paint a rather different picture than that which the heartfelt letters suggest.
This is such a well-written book. Graham Norton moves between Now and Then revealing just enough each time to make you want to keep reading. The story in the past reflects what Elizabeth is starting to uncover in the present, but adds so much more to what was really going on. As well as coming to terms with many revelations about her parents, she also has a lot going on in her own personal life to contend with which is very stressful when she is thousands of miles from home.
Only when you are reading the book do you realise the significance of the title. Secrets are closely kept throughout by so many characters and there is another meaning to the word 'Keeper' too which I can't reveal or it would spoil some of the plot.
A compelling read, A Keeper is full of suspense and atmosphere, disappointments and revelations. It's also a really interesting exploration of mental health issues and overprotective mother/child relationships. There may be darkness in this book but ultimately it provides a hopeful ending.
cactuswildflower's review
3.0
This was a quick & entertaining read focusing around human flaws & family drama. The narrative easily oscillates between past & present as Elizabeth Keane attempts to solve the mysteries of her heritage & uncover the truth surrounding her past. Whilst some parts of the plot seemed a little far fetched, the story is carefully crafted & a well paced work of fiction which was highly enjoyable to read.
thisislauraw's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
aileenhumph's review
4.0
The second of Graham Norton's fiction novels is surprisingly gripping. The mystery of Elizabeth's life forces you to read on and his irreverent soft-spot for Ireland's odd idiosyncrasies is endearing in his descriptions. An enjoyable read!
ciarareads96's review
3.0
Not my favourite read of Graham Norton's but I loved the setting and the characters.