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missflamingo's review against another edition
1.0
The main character is a fifties-something self proclaimed remanent from the 70s who teams up in an unlikely partnership with an out of work journalist newly arrived in Cook's Basin. Together they revitalize a failing cafe.
Unfortunately I found this a very boring book. Not sure why the author is so acclaimed and I qualify this review by stating that I've not read anything else by her. The author lives on the Pittwater ( waterways off the northern peninsula of Sydney, Australia ) which is an area I used to visit when I lived in Manly so I thought I'd like her story, but it was so hum-drum that I started to skim....that's when I can tell I don't like a book.
What I found almost alarming was her approbation of the illegal antics of the insular and unwelcoming residents in trying to rid themselves of an eyesore in the community. If this is truly what they get up to under the guise of "protecting their community" from unwanted outsiders god help you if you dont fit in.
Didnt like any of the characters. .. a terribly dreary read.
1/5 stars
Unfortunately I found this a very boring book. Not sure why the author is so acclaimed and I qualify this review by stating that I've not read anything else by her. The author lives on the Pittwater ( waterways off the northern peninsula of Sydney, Australia ) which is an area I used to visit when I lived in Manly so I thought I'd like her story, but it was so hum-drum that I started to skim....that's when I can tell I don't like a book.
What I found almost alarming was her approbation of the illegal antics of the insular and unwelcoming residents in trying to rid themselves of an eyesore in the community. If this is truly what they get up to under the guise of "protecting their community" from unwanted outsiders god help you if you dont fit in.
Didnt like any of the characters. .. a terribly dreary read.
1/5 stars
sarah1984's review against another edition
4.0
This book is so atmospheric. I could just about smell the food Ettie was cooking at the Briny Cafe. I have never lived anywhere near the water, and I know logically that I would hate the inconvenience of being unable to simply walk down the street, but this book almost changed my mind. I could absolutely see myself living in this wonderful, quirky community where everyone knows everyone else and they look after each other because that's just what good neighbours do. The only thing I didn't like about the book was Kate, I didn't understand why she acted so stupidly and erratically and treated Sam so strangely. I didn't think Kate's behaviour was satisfactorily explained by her mother's behaviour towards her. But other than that it was a great book.
sbe's review against another edition
4.0
Sometime you just need a light feel-good read, and this hit the spot. I particularly liked that the main character was in her 50’s.
belinda's review
I'm not going to rate this book as it's not really fair to rate a book one hasn't read all of. However, I read the first 50 pages and it is definitely not one of mine...the plot is a bit meandering (at least for the first 50 pages) and the characters are wishy-washy and, well, not for me.
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