Book news, reviews and recommendations
I jumped at the chance to read Christine Dwyer Hickey’s Our London Lives, getting stuck in as soon as it dropped through my letterbox. Hickey writes beautifully crafted thoughtful novels, often from the perspective of women. The Narrow Land, her last one, told the story of Edward Hopper’s marriage from his wife’s point-of-view while The […]
Our London Lives by Christine Dwyer Hickey: A love story Read More »
I’d already spotted Gemma Reeves’ Victoria Park in the publishing schedules before I was offered it for review. The first copy failed to materialise, caught up in the Covid/Christmas Royal Mail vortex that hit the headlines in December, but I’m pleased to say the second arrived before I had to resort to NetGalley, not my
Victoria Park by Gemma Reeves: Everybody needs good neighbours Read More »
For some novels, location is immaterial: plot or characterisation is the thing. Others are much more firmly rooted in their setting, a sense of place evoked through vivid word pictures or the mention of well known landmarks. When it comes to cities, I have a number of favourite backdrops – regular readers are probably all
Five Novels I’ve Read Set in London Read More »
After three tries by Linda Grant’s patient and determined publicist, A Stranger City finally arrived through my letter box. I’ve no idea what happened to the other two copies but I hope someone’s enjoying them somewhere and telling all their friends about it. Grant’s novel paints a picture of a post-referendum London through the stories
A Stranger City by Linda Grant: A river runs through it Read More »