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A review by rbharath
I Stopped Time by Jane Davis
4.0
This book was pleasantly different from many of the historical fiction novels I have read recently. It keeps things simple and closes well.
In the current time – Sir James, who is a retired member of parliament learns of his mother’s death. His mother, Lottie Pye, dies at the age of 108. James has not been in touch with her since long, and was raised by his father. He largely has a bitter outlook towards her as she left him and his father, when he was young boy. He receives a large set of boxes, with lots of photographs his mother had clicked. Jenny Jones, an art student, gently prods him to look beyond his preconceived notions and understand his mother through the photos.
There is another track set in 1900s Brighton starting with Lottie as a young girl who lives with foster parents after she is saved during a storm. After meeting with Mr Parker who has a local studio, and encourages her, Lottie takes to modelling and later immerses herself in photography. There is a beautiful passage in the book which mentions how photos have the ability to stop time – you look at them many years hence and can relive the memories. Lottie gets married but is keen to also follow her heart. There is a lot she understands about herself, and runs into very painful choices she has to make. This is also the period when war breaks many close relationships.
James, with Jenny’s help is able to piece together much of his mother’s story and realizes there is so much she has gone through and his assumptions about her were simplistic and mostly incorrect.
I found myself drawn to the characters of Lottie, James & Jenny. The story moves quite slowly through a lot of the mid-sections though.
Overall, a very well written story, which I recommend for its honesty, simplicity and beautiful convergence at the end.
My rating: 3.75 / 5.
In the current time – Sir James, who is a retired member of parliament learns of his mother’s death. His mother, Lottie Pye, dies at the age of 108. James has not been in touch with her since long, and was raised by his father. He largely has a bitter outlook towards her as she left him and his father, when he was young boy. He receives a large set of boxes, with lots of photographs his mother had clicked. Jenny Jones, an art student, gently prods him to look beyond his preconceived notions and understand his mother through the photos.
There is another track set in 1900s Brighton starting with Lottie as a young girl who lives with foster parents after she is saved during a storm. After meeting with Mr Parker who has a local studio, and encourages her, Lottie takes to modelling and later immerses herself in photography. There is a beautiful passage in the book which mentions how photos have the ability to stop time – you look at them many years hence and can relive the memories. Lottie gets married but is keen to also follow her heart. There is a lot she understands about herself, and runs into very painful choices she has to make. This is also the period when war breaks many close relationships.
James, with Jenny’s help is able to piece together much of his mother’s story and realizes there is so much she has gone through and his assumptions about her were simplistic and mostly incorrect.
I found myself drawn to the characters of Lottie, James & Jenny. The story moves quite slowly through a lot of the mid-sections though.
Overall, a very well written story, which I recommend for its honesty, simplicity and beautiful convergence at the end.
My rating: 3.75 / 5.