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helenfrench 's review for:
The Art of Hiding
by Amanda Prowse
Nina has a wonderful, privileged and wealthy life with her husband and sons... until it all comes crashing down when her husband dies, his debts are revealed, and their huge lovely house is repossessed.
Nina must move back to the not-quite-so-nice town where she grew up, find a job for the first time in her life, and teach her sons that resentment isn't the only way forward.
This is a largely straightforward story. It could get mopey/sappy but just about avoids that trap (Nina's sensible sister Tiggy stops that). It's very readable.
I admired Nina's tenacity and drive to improve her lot and her home. However, the story fell down for me a little because I didn't understand why she didn't try to get the benefits she must've been due? She was sorely in need of them.
Also her sister and eldest son seemed to think she had wasted her life by being a stay at home parent, that she did not truly impress them until she found a job? Come on! Nothing wrong with being a working parent (I am) but similarly there is huge value to being a stay at home parent too. Overall, as already mentioned, I guess the book was too straightforward for me.
The story is frontloaded with the interesting stuff - Nina's life falling apart. After that it doesn't stray much from find a home > make home nicer > send kids to school > find a job > hope kids start to enjoy their new life > make friends. There aren't many obstacles (job aside) to worry about. So a fine read that others will no doubt rate higher. I enjoyed but did not love it.
Nina must move back to the not-quite-so-nice town where she grew up, find a job for the first time in her life, and teach her sons that resentment isn't the only way forward.
This is a largely straightforward story. It could get mopey/sappy but just about avoids that trap (Nina's sensible sister Tiggy stops that). It's very readable.
I admired Nina's tenacity and drive to improve her lot and her home. However, the story fell down for me a little because I didn't understand why she didn't try to get the benefits she must've been due? She was sorely in need of them.
Also her sister and eldest son seemed to think she had wasted her life by being a stay at home parent, that she did not truly impress them until she found a job? Come on! Nothing wrong with being a working parent (I am) but similarly there is huge value to being a stay at home parent too. Overall, as already mentioned, I guess the book was too straightforward for me.
The story is frontloaded with the interesting stuff - Nina's life falling apart. After that it doesn't stray much from find a home > make home nicer > send kids to school > find a job > hope kids start to enjoy their new life > make friends. There aren't many obstacles (job aside) to worry about. So a fine read that others will no doubt rate higher. I enjoyed but did not love it.