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mikaelajane's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.5
shanno_h0's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
quaintrelle_chantelle's review
2.0
I’ll keep short & to the point. In this #joannatrollope novel, #mumanddad the plot line had potential to be so much more. The writing was clear & easy to read, but it was let down by the wholly unlikeable characters & incredibly frustrating family issues. I kept waiting for the point of breakthrough...
alex_norval's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wendoxford's review
2.0
Whilst Trollope is always a comfortable read, this novel just screamed formulaic to me.
We meet the family, throw in some distress and conflict, watch the reactions then everyone shakes down to a new normal.
'nuff said
We meet the family, throw in some distress and conflict, watch the reactions then everyone shakes down to a new normal.
'nuff said
natalier3's review
4.0
This was a strange one for me. I'm a fan of Joanna Trollope's novels, and I've been to an interview of hers- her perspectives on family life are so genuine.
The unsettling feeling came from a personal place- my parents moved to Malaga during my university degree and it was a huge adjustment for the entire family. Trollope really understood the difficulties the parents faced in making a livelihood for themselves, and the feelings felt by the children left in England, and it was very well achieved.
The unsettling feeling came from a personal place- my parents moved to Malaga during my university degree and it was a huge adjustment for the entire family. Trollope really understood the difficulties the parents faced in making a livelihood for themselves, and the feelings felt by the children left in England, and it was very well achieved.
debbiejane's review
3.0
I’ve just finished this book in a hot bath full of bubbles - a great metaphor for this family tale of siblings with issues, relationships with history and the importance of grandparents for their grandchildren. Vet6 enjoyable In a sudsy, soapy kind of way.
alomie's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
3.0
This was an okay book, I enjoyed my time with it but I also doubt it will be in my top books of the year.
A family saga, it has in my opinion far too many points of view, you spend a lot of time bouncing between characters and obviously some are more fun to read than others, and I felt a lot of time I was rushing through one character to get to the next who I preferred.
Also the characters weren't that distinct, and so I was always trying to remember who was who.
Essentially the story of a family who is thrown into crisis because their dad has a stroke, and the family business is in Spain but the children's lives are in England and the challenges that it brings.
It made me think about my own parents and that I live far away from them and how difficult it might be should they need more care, but as this book points out there is usually a way that makes sense.
A family saga, it has in my opinion far too many points of view, you spend a lot of time bouncing between characters and obviously some are more fun to read than others, and I felt a lot of time I was rushing through one character to get to the next who I preferred.
Also the characters weren't that distinct, and so I was always trying to remember who was who.
Essentially the story of a family who is thrown into crisis because their dad has a stroke, and the family business is in Spain but the children's lives are in England and the challenges that it brings.
It made me think about my own parents and that I live far away from them and how difficult it might be should they need more care, but as this book points out there is usually a way that makes sense.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Chronic illness, Medical content, Grief, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Cursing, and Bullying
maryrobinson's review
2.0
An older Mother and Father live in Spain on the vineyard created by the Father. Their lives are going along fairly well but they are unhappily isolated from their three children and their families who all live back in England. That isolation ends when the Father has a stroke and the children come back to help … which brings out all the conflicts and complications in their lives. An insightful inter-generational family drama for which this author is known.
bectoria's review
3.0
Probably more a three and a half star read.
Gently engrossing family drama with a Spanish vineyard for extra reading pleasure.
It is quite comforting to read about difficult family situations being worked through with care and thought.
Gently engrossing family drama with a Spanish vineyard for extra reading pleasure.
It is quite comforting to read about difficult family situations being worked through with care and thought.