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portybelle's review against another edition
4.0
Sugar and Snails tell the story of Diana, a psychologist in her 40s. Diana has a few friends but has kept relationships at bay. Until now, when she has become involved with Simon Jenkins and their relationship is developing into something more serious. Simon is heading off to Cairo for a sabbatical and asks Diana to join him. Unknown to him, Cairo played a significant part in Diana’s past and she feels she is unable to return there for many reasons.
This was such a cleverly written book. A first person narrative from Diana’s perspective means the reader has a clear insight into her thoughts. Episodes from Diana’s past at various stages of her childhood and adulthood are woven into the story enabling the reader to come to understand what has made Diana the women she is today. Anne Goodwin has written a very powerful and thought-provoking story looking at issues which are quite rare in a novel. I can’t think of many others looking at the subject, at least in such a sensitive way. Through all the different stages of Diana’s life we come to learn how she has had to deal with very difficult feelings and how misunderstood she was. Anne Goodwin has used her own background in psychology to great effect both in exploring Diana’s feelings and her work.
It is hard to say more about this book without giving spoilers. You may guess Diana’s hidden secrets early on but you may not until all is revealed by the author and I don’t want to spoil it. All I will say is whether you have your suspicions or not, when you find out about Diana’s past you will appreciate just how clever Anne Goodwin has been in her writing. Diana is a brilliant character, very complex and rather brave. I found her parents particularly well drawn as they struggled to try to understand a situation they were bewildered by.
Sugar and Snails is a fascinating debut novel looking at identity and what makes us who we are. Anne Goodwin’s writing is excellent and she has a perfect balance of past and present. I found it very thought-provoking and think it is a book which explores a difficult topic in an engaging and enlightening way. I was totally engrossed in Diana’s story and highly recommend it.
(My thanks to the author Anne Goodwin for giving me a copy of her book to read and review. )
This was such a cleverly written book. A first person narrative from Diana’s perspective means the reader has a clear insight into her thoughts. Episodes from Diana’s past at various stages of her childhood and adulthood are woven into the story enabling the reader to come to understand what has made Diana the women she is today. Anne Goodwin has written a very powerful and thought-provoking story looking at issues which are quite rare in a novel. I can’t think of many others looking at the subject, at least in such a sensitive way. Through all the different stages of Diana’s life we come to learn how she has had to deal with very difficult feelings and how misunderstood she was. Anne Goodwin has used her own background in psychology to great effect both in exploring Diana’s feelings and her work.
It is hard to say more about this book without giving spoilers. You may guess Diana’s hidden secrets early on but you may not until all is revealed by the author and I don’t want to spoil it. All I will say is whether you have your suspicions or not, when you find out about Diana’s past you will appreciate just how clever Anne Goodwin has been in her writing. Diana is a brilliant character, very complex and rather brave. I found her parents particularly well drawn as they struggled to try to understand a situation they were bewildered by.
Sugar and Snails is a fascinating debut novel looking at identity and what makes us who we are. Anne Goodwin’s writing is excellent and she has a perfect balance of past and present. I found it very thought-provoking and think it is a book which explores a difficult topic in an engaging and enlightening way. I was totally engrossed in Diana’s story and highly recommend it.
(My thanks to the author Anne Goodwin for giving me a copy of her book to read and review. )
erdeaka's review
3.0
ceritanya bagus, tapi ada banyak hal yang bertentangan dengan prinsip-prinsip saya. cannot accept it.
sarahs_bookish_life's review against another edition
4.0
From the blurb on this book I don't think I had realised the full potential of what this story is about.
Being a big fan of Egypt and having been there numerous times, as soon as Cairo was mentioned in the book it had my attention straight away. Not much of the book is actually set there though, the story actually alternates between Di's present life and to different parts of her past. Even though it does flick between different timelines, it is very easy to keep up with and didn't spoil the flow of the story at all.
Di is actually a wonderful character but her start in life hasn't been one of the easiest. It is obvious right from the start she is quite a troubled soul. It does take a while for the story to unfold as to the reasoning of why Di is so troubled and I honestly had know clue until the author revealed it to me.
This is very much a story of finding yourself and being happy with who you are. It is very expertly told by the author and I have to say this story is quite unique to me as I haven't read any other books on the same topic.
A book that certainly broadens your mind and one I would certainly recommend.
Many thanks to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Being a big fan of Egypt and having been there numerous times, as soon as Cairo was mentioned in the book it had my attention straight away. Not much of the book is actually set there though, the story actually alternates between Di's present life and to different parts of her past. Even though it does flick between different timelines, it is very easy to keep up with and didn't spoil the flow of the story at all.
Di is actually a wonderful character but her start in life hasn't been one of the easiest. It is obvious right from the start she is quite a troubled soul. It does take a while for the story to unfold as to the reasoning of why Di is so troubled and I honestly had know clue until the author revealed it to me.
This is very much a story of finding yourself and being happy with who you are. It is very expertly told by the author and I have to say this story is quite unique to me as I haven't read any other books on the same topic.
A book that certainly broadens your mind and one I would certainly recommend.
Many thanks to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
marjma2014's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first book I’ve read from Anne Goodwin. Sugar and Snails is her debut novel and what an impressive story it is. Anne draws upon her psychiatric knowledge to write a narrative which is absorbing, poignant and intriguing.
To begin with we are introduced to Diana a 40 something Professor living a life of solitude with her much loved cat Marmaduke (who almost takes on the role of a life partner – she can’t bare to part with him.) Diana begins looking for love and hopes to find it with Simon.
But Simon doesn’t know her secret…
As the story progresses we learn that there is so much more to this novel – discovering Diana’s past and her decision at the tender age of 15 to change gender. So this is both a coming-of-age story as well as an exploration of mid-life and gender issues. There are shifting time periods and settings in different cultures: (Cairo, Egypt and North Derbyshire, and Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, in England,) which interweave the story in a confident way.
The characters of Diana’s mother and in particular her father are also carefully and brilliantly crafted.
My recommendation: Highly recommended. You will love this story if you enjoy thoughtful stories about gender, family relationships, psychiatric/mental health/self-harm issues, secrets and regrets and the search for love and acceptance.
Thank you so much to the author for a complimentary copy which I was pleased to receive. I happily give my unbiased opinion.
My rating: 5 stars.
To begin with we are introduced to Diana a 40 something Professor living a life of solitude with her much loved cat Marmaduke (who almost takes on the role of a life partner – she can’t bare to part with him.) Diana begins looking for love and hopes to find it with Simon.
But Simon doesn’t know her secret…
As the story progresses we learn that there is so much more to this novel – discovering Diana’s past and her decision at the tender age of 15 to change gender. So this is both a coming-of-age story as well as an exploration of mid-life and gender issues. There are shifting time periods and settings in different cultures: (Cairo, Egypt and North Derbyshire, and Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, in England,) which interweave the story in a confident way.
The characters of Diana’s mother and in particular her father are also carefully and brilliantly crafted.
My recommendation: Highly recommended. You will love this story if you enjoy thoughtful stories about gender, family relationships, psychiatric/mental health/self-harm issues, secrets and regrets and the search for love and acceptance.
Thank you so much to the author for a complimentary copy which I was pleased to receive. I happily give my unbiased opinion.
My rating: 5 stars.
linzhere's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
The story of a woman and her past is gradually revealed through this wonderfully crafted book. Each chapter has multiple time lines with the threads cleverly interwoven. I particularly liked the way that all the different time frames were included in each chapter without headings signposting the time period.
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