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A review by katykelly
The Twilight Hour by Nicci Gerrard
3.0
I was sent this unexpectedly as a review book from Real Readers. It's not my usual read based on cover and synopsis, but I decided to give it a try.
It was easy enough to read, to get involved with. It reminded me a lot of The Shell Seekers, older people in the present looking back at their long ago past, with hidden secrets slowly revealed. It's all revealed here to a much younger person.
Eleanor is 94, and readying herself to leave her longtime home and give away all her possessions among the family. Not wanting her private documents to be revealed she employs a stranger to come and sort her things. Peter is 70 years younger than Eleanor, and soon uncovers mysterious letters that indicate long-kept secrets.
The book flits between Eleanor and Peter and her recollections that she reveals to him over several weeks. I must say I was more interested in Peter in the present than much of the past. I didn't find anything surprising, I could see what was going to happen in the past. There's a love triangle suspected from the start and I didn't actually see the 'other man's charms. Gil I quite admired, the dependable and loyal fiancé. I hated Eleanor's sister quite passionately and hated how Eleanor treated her and humoured her, causing many ongoing problems that did neither of them any favours.
The time period is evoked well, in the early days of World War 2, and I did keep reading to see what would happen, but more in the present.
The picture of Eleanor in old age makes a moving portrait of last days. Her swansong is sad and again, I'd like to have seen more of her in the present. Her thoughts in the past are narrated but the present is Peter.
It's a pleasant enough read, moving at times but it's one I won't dwell on or remember.
Review of a Real Readers advance copy.
It was easy enough to read, to get involved with. It reminded me a lot of The Shell Seekers, older people in the present looking back at their long ago past, with hidden secrets slowly revealed. It's all revealed here to a much younger person.
Eleanor is 94, and readying herself to leave her longtime home and give away all her possessions among the family. Not wanting her private documents to be revealed she employs a stranger to come and sort her things. Peter is 70 years younger than Eleanor, and soon uncovers mysterious letters that indicate long-kept secrets.
The book flits between Eleanor and Peter and her recollections that she reveals to him over several weeks. I must say I was more interested in Peter in the present than much of the past. I didn't find anything surprising, I could see what was going to happen in the past. There's a love triangle suspected from the start and I didn't actually see the 'other man's charms. Gil I quite admired, the dependable and loyal fiancé. I hated Eleanor's sister quite passionately and hated how Eleanor treated her and humoured her, causing many ongoing problems that did neither of them any favours.
The time period is evoked well, in the early days of World War 2, and I did keep reading to see what would happen, but more in the present.
The picture of Eleanor in old age makes a moving portrait of last days. Her swansong is sad and again, I'd like to have seen more of her in the present. Her thoughts in the past are narrated but the present is Peter.
It's a pleasant enough read, moving at times but it's one I won't dwell on or remember.
Review of a Real Readers advance copy.