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emmacr2024's review
5.0
The Separation is the debut novel from Dinah Jefferies and what a debut it is. This book reads like Dinah has been writing for years, it makes me wonder what took her so long to start writing? This outstanding novel had me hooked from page one , right from the opening chapter the story moves along at an incredible pace right up until the satisfying conclusion. I had to stay up late into the night rapidly turning the pages to finish this, which is always a sign of an excellent book.
The Separation is set between 1950’s Malaya and Great Britain and is essentially the story of the unbreakable bond between a mother and her children. Despite upheavals and tragedy it can never be broken only strengthened .The main character Lydia returns home after caring for a sick friend to find her husband and children have all vanished without trace leaving no clues not even a note. Even the servants have left. What has happened in Lydia’s absence that causes her husband to uproot his family without prior warning? From here on the story is told from two viewpoints- Lydia and her journey to discover where her children are and Lydia’s elder daughter Emma. Normally in a novel we often only hear the viewpoint of one character but this was cleverly done so whilst reading Lydia’s struggles, we were also able to find out what had happened to Emma and her sister Fleur. I loved this element of the book, as we felt for Lydia and experienced a wide range of emotions with her but at the same time we knew where Emma was and how upset and confused she felt at being torn away from her mother and uprooted to Britain without any explanation. There was many a time I wanted to shout at Lydia things Emma had told us as this would have made her search much easier and bearable.
Lydia embarks upon her search for answers through Malaya and I felt for her every step of the way. I cared for Lydia and really understood all that she was going through (and it’s not often I can say that about a character) rooting for her to find the reason for such a devastating betrayal. Lydia is alone in Malaya at a very dangerous time, she is also forced to take an orphaned young boy called Maznan with her which only serves to further remind her of the loss of her children. Lydia is told her family have been transferred to Ipoh a town many miles away through dangerous jungle and country. Putting her fears aside she commences her journey meeting her old flame Jack along the way who offers his help. But there are hidden forces at work and Lydia is told her family have all perished in a fire at Ipoh. Naturally Lydia is devastated and must come to terms with her grief and build a new life for herself with Jack if at all possible. But things don’t always turn out the way we want them too, not giving too much away here but my heart ached when Lydia experienced her second betrayal in such a short space of time.
The descriptions of Malaya were wonderful, they really made you feel like you were right there with Lydia every step of the way experiencing the intense heat and dangers around every corner during a time of such unrest in Malaya. These descriptions were in stark contrast to those of Britain and what Emma was going through as her sister Fleur seemed to settle down without any fuss but Emma being older knew all was not as it seemed. Many forces intertwine to keep the family apart but piece by piece the story does come together to deliver a richly pleasing ending.
My only complaint is that I have to wait another year until Dinah’s second novel ‘The Tea Planter’s Wife’ as she has now cemented herself as one of my favourite authors. The Separation is my book of the year so far and being an outstanding emotional rollercoaster of a story it will take quite a book to beat it.
The Separation is set between 1950’s Malaya and Great Britain and is essentially the story of the unbreakable bond between a mother and her children. Despite upheavals and tragedy it can never be broken only strengthened .The main character Lydia returns home after caring for a sick friend to find her husband and children have all vanished without trace leaving no clues not even a note. Even the servants have left. What has happened in Lydia’s absence that causes her husband to uproot his family without prior warning? From here on the story is told from two viewpoints- Lydia and her journey to discover where her children are and Lydia’s elder daughter Emma. Normally in a novel we often only hear the viewpoint of one character but this was cleverly done so whilst reading Lydia’s struggles, we were also able to find out what had happened to Emma and her sister Fleur. I loved this element of the book, as we felt for Lydia and experienced a wide range of emotions with her but at the same time we knew where Emma was and how upset and confused she felt at being torn away from her mother and uprooted to Britain without any explanation. There was many a time I wanted to shout at Lydia things Emma had told us as this would have made her search much easier and bearable.
Lydia embarks upon her search for answers through Malaya and I felt for her every step of the way. I cared for Lydia and really understood all that she was going through (and it’s not often I can say that about a character) rooting for her to find the reason for such a devastating betrayal. Lydia is alone in Malaya at a very dangerous time, she is also forced to take an orphaned young boy called Maznan with her which only serves to further remind her of the loss of her children. Lydia is told her family have been transferred to Ipoh a town many miles away through dangerous jungle and country. Putting her fears aside she commences her journey meeting her old flame Jack along the way who offers his help. But there are hidden forces at work and Lydia is told her family have all perished in a fire at Ipoh. Naturally Lydia is devastated and must come to terms with her grief and build a new life for herself with Jack if at all possible. But things don’t always turn out the way we want them too, not giving too much away here but my heart ached when Lydia experienced her second betrayal in such a short space of time.
The descriptions of Malaya were wonderful, they really made you feel like you were right there with Lydia every step of the way experiencing the intense heat and dangers around every corner during a time of such unrest in Malaya. These descriptions were in stark contrast to those of Britain and what Emma was going through as her sister Fleur seemed to settle down without any fuss but Emma being older knew all was not as it seemed. Many forces intertwine to keep the family apart but piece by piece the story does come together to deliver a richly pleasing ending.
My only complaint is that I have to wait another year until Dinah’s second novel ‘The Tea Planter’s Wife’ as she has now cemented herself as one of my favourite authors. The Separation is my book of the year so far and being an outstanding emotional rollercoaster of a story it will take quite a book to beat it.
beckboo88's review
5.0
just finished this, one of the best books ive read this year. brilliant storytelling and a depth to the characters that remains with you even after you finish. ill be looking out for more from this author. amazing
hoadjie's review
5.0
Really enjoyed this book.
The main character was wonderfully written. Really enjoyed the story line
The main character was wonderfully written. Really enjoyed the story line
marie_gg's review
3.0
I bought this book for my mother-in-law. She read it and left it behind, so I picked it up.
The Separation takes place in the 1950s in Malaya during the emergency, and it shines a light on the lack of opportunities and independence for women and girls during that time period, as well as the damages of colonialism. Having visited Malaysia, I am drawn to stories set there and elsewhere in Asia. But it was not a particularly memorable or deep novel for me.
The Separation takes place in the 1950s in Malaya during the emergency, and it shines a light on the lack of opportunities and independence for women and girls during that time period, as well as the damages of colonialism. Having visited Malaysia, I am drawn to stories set there and elsewhere in Asia. But it was not a particularly memorable or deep novel for me.
3camels's review
5.0
I was hooked from the beginning. I thought this was a wonderful book, the first I have read by Dinah Jefferies and I'm now to keen to read more by her.
paulahe's review
4.0
A real good tale. Very easy to read but makes you want to keep reading to find out what happens.
thea_no_evil's review
5.0
This is the 2nd Dinah Jeffries book I've read, and I really enjoyed it so much I ordered the silk merchant and preordered her 4th Novel at the same time
It's hard to explain quite what it is I like about her books and writing style, I think it's a combination of the historical elements and exotic locations with believable characters with gripping plot twists that keep me hooked.
It's hard to explain quite what it is I like about her books and writing style, I think it's a combination of the historical elements and exotic locations with believable characters with gripping plot twists that keep me hooked.
niinjah's review against another edition
5.0
Når jeg var liten begynte jeg ofte å gråte når en bok tok slutt. Jeg ville vite hvordan det gikk videre med personene jeg hadde møtt i boken, men kunne ikke det. Det er lenge siden jeg har følt det på denne måten, men til vi ses igjen vakte til live disse gamle følelsene. Jeg ble grepet av historien og de sterke karakterene. Vi får et glimt av historier fra forskjellige øyne og perspektiv, noe som gjør boken enda mer levende. Anbefales på det varmeste !
kvegan's review
1.0
I was thoroughly enjoying this tale of a wronged mother making her way through war torn countries to find her children, until it turned to child sexual abuse.
Why do authors have to do this ?
Why can they not write a story about women without having them beaten and raped, or girls who are fiddled with by paedophiles ?
It normalises violence to women and girls, is triggering for those that have experienced it, and is not entertainment.
Do not read this nasty little book.
Why do authors have to do this ?
Why can they not write a story about women without having them beaten and raped, or girls who are fiddled with by paedophiles ?
It normalises violence to women and girls, is triggering for those that have experienced it, and is not entertainment.
Do not read this nasty little book.