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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
Ruth Hogan's books are all kind of similar. I don't love them, I don't hate them, I just ride along in them until they're done. They all seem to involve found families and various heart-warming elements. This is a dual timeline novel with a very light mystery to it. Madame Burova is retiring from her career as a fortune teller. Billie, who is middle-aged, has discovered she was adopted and is in search of her birth parents, and it just so happens that Madame Burova in in possession of some long-buried secrets. The story alternates between Brighton in the 1970s and the present day. A sweet and easy read.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A quick read. A sweet book with lovable characters and a predictable plot. Not particularly well written, but not poorly written either. Would be a good beach read.
The Moon, the Stars and Madame Burova is an engaging novel from Ruth Hogan about family, friendship and identity.
Billie is shocked when a letter from her father, passed on by the family solicitor, informs her that she was not the biological child of her late parents, but a ‘foundling’ discovered on the Brighton promenade, whom they adopted when she was just weeks old. Reeling with unanswered questions, a second letter follows from a Imelda Burova, purporting to have information for her. Though she suspects the woman, a fortune-teller with a booth on the prom, is just touting for business, Billie agrees to a meeting.
After more than forty years telling fortunes from her booth on the Brighton prom, as did her mother and grandmother before her, Madame Burova has recently retired but still keeps many of her clients secrets, amongst them is a gift for the infant she found abandoned in front of her booth. Sworn to secrecy, she can’t tell Billie who her mother is, but is willing to support her in her search for her father.
The story is told through two timelines, the early 1970’s and the present. The earlier timeline centers around Imelda and the entertainment employees of a Brighton holiday park, Larkins, where Imelda spends part of her time giving readings for guests, while the latter has Billie searching for information about her biological parents.
Unfolding at a good pace, there is a pleasing balance of drama, romance, tragedy and humour in the story, along with just enough tension to encourage interest. While the mystery surrounding Billie’s parentage is the main focus of the novel, Hogan also touches on issues such as racism, workplace sexual harassment, grief, and prejudice.
I liked both of the main characters well enough. Imelda is lovely, proving to be kind, thoughtful and loyal in both timelines. Billie’s upset at discovering her adoption so late in life is understandable, as is her desire to know more. I’m not sure where her affection for bowler hats comes from though. The larger cast of the novel is quite varied, with a handful having role in both timelines. Dog lovers will also appreciate Imelda’s relationship with her loyal and much loved canines.
I found The Moon, the Stars and Madame Burova to be a pleasant, entertaining read with an uplifting ending.
Billie is shocked when a letter from her father, passed on by the family solicitor, informs her that she was not the biological child of her late parents, but a ‘foundling’ discovered on the Brighton promenade, whom they adopted when she was just weeks old. Reeling with unanswered questions, a second letter follows from a Imelda Burova, purporting to have information for her. Though she suspects the woman, a fortune-teller with a booth on the prom, is just touting for business, Billie agrees to a meeting.
After more than forty years telling fortunes from her booth on the Brighton prom, as did her mother and grandmother before her, Madame Burova has recently retired but still keeps many of her clients secrets, amongst them is a gift for the infant she found abandoned in front of her booth. Sworn to secrecy, she can’t tell Billie who her mother is, but is willing to support her in her search for her father.
The story is told through two timelines, the early 1970’s and the present. The earlier timeline centers around Imelda and the entertainment employees of a Brighton holiday park, Larkins, where Imelda spends part of her time giving readings for guests, while the latter has Billie searching for information about her biological parents.
Unfolding at a good pace, there is a pleasing balance of drama, romance, tragedy and humour in the story, along with just enough tension to encourage interest. While the mystery surrounding Billie’s parentage is the main focus of the novel, Hogan also touches on issues such as racism, workplace sexual harassment, grief, and prejudice.
I liked both of the main characters well enough. Imelda is lovely, proving to be kind, thoughtful and loyal in both timelines. Billie’s upset at discovering her adoption so late in life is understandable, as is her desire to know more. I’m not sure where her affection for bowler hats comes from though. The larger cast of the novel is quite varied, with a handful having role in both timelines. Dog lovers will also appreciate Imelda’s relationship with her loyal and much loved canines.
I found The Moon, the Stars and Madame Burova to be a pleasant, entertaining read with an uplifting ending.
This book is absolutely magical. So beautiful and heartbreaking. It was great on audiobook as well which is rare for me to say.
fast-paced
3.5 ⭐️. A cute story, but a little hard to follow at times. (TBF, that could absolutely have been a “me” problem.)
This is the first Ruth Hogan novel I have read, but it will certainly not be the last.
Madame Burova follows Imelda and Billie. Imelda is a tarot card reader, palmist and clairvoyant who has had to keep many secrets because of her trade. Shortly after the death of Billie's father she discovers that the life she was living wasn't the entire truth. The two women's worlds come together in a story full of secrets, love and hope.
The novel jumps between the current day and the 1970's (with a brief period in the 1990's). At first I found this difficult to follow, but once I got into the swing of things, and was able to identify and remember the characters, I enjoyed it. I liked that both the past and the present unfolded at a similar rate, to create an overarching story.
I also loved the characters that Ruth Hogan created. They were unique, vivid and diverse. I became so immersed in their lives that I truly felt like they had become my own friends.
I particularly enjoyed the sections based in Larkin's holiday park, which reminded me of my own family trips away as a child. This book is an excellent feel-good read, with many mysteries thrown in. I didn't want to put it down and found myself devouring the pages. It also touched on some really important topics in a profound and moving manner. I love the way that Ruth managed to tie up all the loose ends, it gave a really satisfying and heart-warming ending.
I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys easy to-read novels. I want to thank Netgalley, the publishers and author for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts.
Madame Burova follows Imelda and Billie. Imelda is a tarot card reader, palmist and clairvoyant who has had to keep many secrets because of her trade. Shortly after the death of Billie's father she discovers that the life she was living wasn't the entire truth. The two women's worlds come together in a story full of secrets, love and hope.
The novel jumps between the current day and the 1970's (with a brief period in the 1990's). At first I found this difficult to follow, but once I got into the swing of things, and was able to identify and remember the characters, I enjoyed it. I liked that both the past and the present unfolded at a similar rate, to create an overarching story.
I also loved the characters that Ruth Hogan created. They were unique, vivid and diverse. I became so immersed in their lives that I truly felt like they had become my own friends.
I particularly enjoyed the sections based in Larkin's holiday park, which reminded me of my own family trips away as a child. This book is an excellent feel-good read, with many mysteries thrown in. I didn't want to put it down and found myself devouring the pages. It also touched on some really important topics in a profound and moving manner. I love the way that Ruth managed to tie up all the loose ends, it gave a really satisfying and heart-warming ending.
I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys easy to-read novels. I want to thank Netgalley, the publishers and author for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts.