31.12.13

Book Review: The Railwayman's Wife by Ashley Hay

In Thirroul in 1948, people chose their dreams through the books in the railway's library. Annika Lachlan searches for solace after her life is destroyed by a single random act. Roy McKinnon, who found poetry in the mess of war, has lost his words and his hope. Frank Draper is trapped by the guilt of those his treatment and care failed on their first day of freedom. All three struggle with the same question: how now to be alive?
The Railwayman's Wife is superbly written. I felt as though Ashley Hay's writing was very visual, she describes things in great detail, down to the way light falls on an object. It is quite cinematic as it is so easy to conjure up images of the world created on the page.
The book is very much about love and loss. Annika Lachlan endures an awful tragedy at the beginning of the book and she knows her life will never be the same again. Entering into her new life, she encounters Roy McKinnon and Dr Frank Draper, both returned from war, they are almost mourning their old lives as due to what they have seen and experienced, life will never be the same for them either.
Ashley Hay writes in the present tense which I don't usually enjoy but in this instance it just added to the vivid feel of this book. You feel as though you are right there, experiencing the story with the characters.
The Railwayman's Wife is a thought provoking and interesting read. This is Ashley Hay's sixth book and I found her writing style to be particularly accomplished, I would highly recommend this author.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 4.5/5
Pages: 320 
Publisher: Allen and Unwin

Thank you very much to the lovely Sam at Allen and Unwin for sending me a copy of this book, The Railwayman's Wife is out on January 2nd!

23.12.13

Merry Christmas from Dot Scribbles

It's that time of year again! The tree is up, the christmas tunes are on and there are home made mince pies in the tin! I just wanted to take the time to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, I hope that you get lots of lovely books in your stockings!


Lots of Love

Dot
xxx

15.12.13

The Proposal by Tasmina Perry

When Amy Carrell's wealthy boyfriend ends their relationship just before Christmas, she's left to nurse her broken heart alone. With nothing to lose, she replies to an advertisement requesting a companion for a mysterious 'Manhattan adventure.'
Whisked off to New York with eccentric British aristocrat Georgia Hamilton, Amy experiences a glamorous side of the city she's never seen before. Along the way, Georgia initiates her protege in the arts of old-school elegance.
But as Georgia shares her life lessons, Amy discovers a painful secret in her mentor's past.  A secret that shattered her future. A story of love and betrayal that only Amy has the power to put right. 
I absolutely adored this book. It is very different in style to Tasmina's previous books but I thought that it was brilliant. The book revolves around two main characters, Amy Carrell, a New Yorker living in London and famous publisher, Georgia Hamilton. They meet when Amy replies to Georgia's advert for a companion to travel to Manhattan with her over the Christmas period. The two women become friends and Amy begins to wonder why Georgia had to advertise for a friend. She begins asking questions and the story unravels.
Tasmina Perry flits between the present in 2012 and the summertime of 1958 when Georgia was doing 'The Season' as a debutante. A terrible secret from Georgia's past is revealed and Amy becomes determined to get some kind of justice for her new friend.
The story that Tasmina Perry has created is wonderful and I was engrossed straight away. I took to both Amy and Georgia and it was lovely to see their unlikely friendship develop.
The detail in this book is excellent, Amy and Georgia's trip to Manhattan was really vivid and believable and I also loved all of the details and gossip from Georgia's experience of 'The Season'.
This book is a very heart-warming read with a bit of a mysterious edge. I highly recommend it, you won't be disappointed.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 5/5
Publisher: Headline Review
Pages: 352

Many thanks to Caitlin at Headline Review for sending me a copy of this book, The Proposal is out now.



All change here!

I have made the decision to stop doing written reviews on here for a little while. I shall keep this page open but for the time being I sha...