This was a truly heartbreaking story which is crazy to think that it was only set a few decades ago. As it really shouldn't matter who you love and you definitely shouldn't be subjected to imprisonment for it both in the marriage and the physical sense. Told mostly from Marion's viewpoint in a memoir perspective we also see it from Patrick's perspective too. I think it would have been good to see it from Tom's viewpoint and I wish we learned more about what happened after Patrick was sent to prison and all the years that had passed. Its difficult not to feel for Marion who went into a marriage under false pretences even after Sylvia had to try warn her off. However, what she did was unforgivable as she must have considered all the consequences before sending the letter. Even though Tom was in an impossible situation by not being with the one he loved he should have at least been honest to Marion. I also want to know more about what happened between Patrick and his previous partner. For me there was just too much which was missed from the book and questions left unanswered to give it a 4 star.