Scan barcode
lindetiel's review
2.5
The author lost me after a random stereotype mention about Eastern European countries that was also (surprisingly) shallow and untrue. Google is free, please use it.
tonytomato's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
sandrasa's review
I got disconnected from the book at some point and can't seem to get back into it.
portybelle's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Winter of Our Lives was the first book I read this year and although it hasn’t been particularly cold yet, it seemed a very appropriate time to be reading it. The Winter of Our Lives is Sara Barnes’ debut novel although she has previously written a non-fiction book about wild swimming called The Cold Fix.
Chance encounters lead to Stevie, Angela and Holly becoming swimming buddies and firm friends. I adored the way their friendship was portrayed. Not only did they support and encourage each other in their swimming challenges but also in other areas of their lives. The three women had varying challenges to face related to their marriages and physical changes due to aging. Many women will find their situations very realistic I am sure. The author shows too that it’s not just women who suffer from lack of self-confidence following big changes in their lives or in their physical beings, as she also brings some male characters with similar worries into the story too.
I was in the Lake District a couple of times on holiday this year and visited many of the places mentioned in this book, lakes the women liked to swim in. I feel I learned a lot about wild swimming as I read the book particularly about safety in the water. I’m not sure I’d be tempted though, beautiful though the lakes are, especially when the temperatures are as cold as they were described in the book.
The author wrote about the natural world so beautifully and is clear about the physical and emotional benefits of cold water swimming. I loved reading about how the women (and men) came to a quiet acceptance of their changing bodies and found a new confidence in their abilities. It was inspiring to read about the characters listening to their bodies and pushing the boundaries of their physical and mental limitations, becoming more resilient. The mutual support they gave each other enriched and enhanced their lives.
The Winter of Our Lives is a quietly engaging novel about friendships and just how important connecting to nature is not just for our physical health but for our emotional well-being too. It is an uplifting read showing that growing older can be a time to be embraced, not feared.
Chance encounters lead to Stevie, Angela and Holly becoming swimming buddies and firm friends. I adored the way their friendship was portrayed. Not only did they support and encourage each other in their swimming challenges but also in other areas of their lives. The three women had varying challenges to face related to their marriages and physical changes due to aging. Many women will find their situations very realistic I am sure. The author shows too that it’s not just women who suffer from lack of self-confidence following big changes in their lives or in their physical beings, as she also brings some male characters with similar worries into the story too.
I was in the Lake District a couple of times on holiday this year and visited many of the places mentioned in this book, lakes the women liked to swim in. I feel I learned a lot about wild swimming as I read the book particularly about safety in the water. I’m not sure I’d be tempted though, beautiful though the lakes are, especially when the temperatures are as cold as they were described in the book.
The author wrote about the natural world so beautifully and is clear about the physical and emotional benefits of cold water swimming. I loved reading about how the women (and men) came to a quiet acceptance of their changing bodies and found a new confidence in their abilities. It was inspiring to read about the characters listening to their bodies and pushing the boundaries of their physical and mental limitations, becoming more resilient. The mutual support they gave each other enriched and enhanced their lives.
The Winter of Our Lives is a quietly engaging novel about friendships and just how important connecting to nature is not just for our physical health but for our emotional well-being too. It is an uplifting read showing that growing older can be a time to be embraced, not feared.
mlkelsall's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
More...