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daniellewalsh's review
3.0
It's the swinging sixties in London, and Phyllis isn't satisfied with her life, becoming embroiled with a young family friend. Although the 'romance element' is a vital part of the plot, it doesn't seem overly explored, which in this case I didn't mind.
It is a familiar sounding story, and it doesn't have a groundbreaking plot. Saying that, I did enjoy the whole 'sex, drugs, rock & roll' in the sixties setting. Though I didn't feel an affinity with any of the characters, I liked partially getting to know some of the personalities that cropped up in Phyllis' new circle.
Overall, I think Hadley's writing does well to transport you to this era which was a time of much change and evolution within society. It makes you question the journey that is expected of you versus the one that will truly make you happy - however maybe not as selfishly as some of the characters...?
Also, I know it's more common now to not use speech marks, but the hyphenated dialogue was a bit jarring at times, but was easy enough get used to.
Thanks to Vintage Books for kindly sending me a copy of this.
It is a familiar sounding story, and it doesn't have a groundbreaking plot. Saying that, I did enjoy the whole 'sex, drugs, rock & roll' in the sixties setting. Though I didn't feel an affinity with any of the characters, I liked partially getting to know some of the personalities that cropped up in Phyllis' new circle.
Overall, I think Hadley's writing does well to transport you to this era which was a time of much change and evolution within society. It makes you question the journey that is expected of you versus the one that will truly make you happy - however maybe not as selfishly as some of the characters...?
Also, I know it's more common now to not use speech marks, but the hyphenated dialogue was a bit jarring at times, but was easy enough get used to.
Thanks to Vintage Books for kindly sending me a copy of this.
thatsme_lauravz's review against another edition
3.0
*I received a free ARC on NetGalley of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Overall, this was an extremely competently written novel.. The author executed her intention with preciseness, nuance, and a scathing eye. The setting was incredibly well done, and the author captured the era perfectly
But the whole novel felt familiar. I felt like I had read this before; middle-aged woman unhappy with her marriage, falls uncontrollably in love with someone inappropriate as a way to act out against her bland marriage. Collette had her time to shine later, but again everything felt bland and familiar. I enjoyed this book, and there is certainly something to be said for familiarity, but I never felt like I was engrossed in it.
I give this a solid 3 stars, it was middle-of-the-road for me but overall well done.
Overall, this was an extremely competently written novel.. The author executed her intention with preciseness, nuance, and a scathing eye. The setting was incredibly well done, and the author captured the era perfectly
But the whole novel felt familiar. I felt like I had read this before; middle-aged woman unhappy with her marriage, falls uncontrollably in love with someone inappropriate as a way to act out against her bland marriage. Collette had her time to shine later, but again everything felt bland and familiar. I enjoyed this book, and there is certainly something to be said for familiarity, but I never felt like I was engrossed in it.
I give this a solid 3 stars, it was middle-of-the-road for me but overall well done.
zoegberg's review against another edition
I’d give this one three stars — well written and interesting, but a bit slow and winding, without a lot of momentum. I liked the ending.
margaret21's review
4.0
We are in the 1960s, and are introduced to Phyl, a middle class housewife with a husband in the Foreign Office and two children. The family is prosperous and contented. Then Nick, the son of old friends comes for a meal, and everything changes. I was immediately immersed in this story, where first one twist, then another interposed itself in the narrative. Extraordinary as these twists were, the sixties setting gave them the ring of authenticity, and I had little difficulty in being totally sucked into the worlds which Phyl and her various connections inhabited. I found it a real page-turner.
renaplays's review against another edition
2.0
While I admire the character development, I was never engaged.
mstormer's review against another edition
Just didn’t care about any of the characters, and so the story was very boring
beachburgmom's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting story about the 1960’s movement to sexual exploration and changes in political and social views. Phyllis who paints the picture of a perfect housewife decides after having a young houseguest to dinner and an impromptu kiss to leave her family and life style to become his lover. The story follows the struggle of her children, her much younger lover, her husband, his past discretions and a change in the world through the 60’s sexual revolution.
I found the story to be over descriptive at times and dragging at points …….I was pleasantly surprised with the twist . Overall it was a good read just not for me a great read. That being said I would still recommend it to a friend or book club. It would be a great book to discuss.
I received a free copy from NetGalley, all opinions are my own
I found the story to be over descriptive at times and dragging at points …….I was pleasantly surprised with the twist . Overall it was a good read just not for me a great read. That being said I would still recommend it to a friend or book club. It would be a great book to discuss.
I received a free copy from NetGalley, all opinions are my own
beachburgmom's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting story about the 1960’s movement to sexual exploration and changes in political and social views. Phyllis who paints the picture of a perfect housewife decides after having a young houseguest to dinner and an impromptu kiss to leave her family and life style to become his lover. The story follows the struggle of her children, her much younger lover, her husband, his past discretions and a change in the world through the 60’s sexual revolution.
I found the story to be over descriptive at times and dragging at points …….I was pleasantly surprised with the twist . Overall it was a good read just not for me a great read. That being said I would still recommend it to a friend or book club. It would be a great book to discuss.
I received a free copy from NetGalley, all opinions are my own
I found the story to be over descriptive at times and dragging at points …….I was pleasantly surprised with the twist . Overall it was a good read just not for me a great read. That being said I would still recommend it to a friend or book club. It would be a great book to discuss.
I received a free copy from NetGalley, all opinions are my own