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Women's Prize long listed in 2021
In the beginning I wasn't sure I would enjoy this. David is an unlikable character, but as we meander through his marriage with Mary Rose, his friendships with Deborah and Clair the story grows on you. By the end I was pulling out the tissue box. MacMahon writes in a languid and thoughtful way, and in the end David reminded me of Backman's Ove
This is a book for people who enjoy character studies.

"'We live life forwards, we learn it backwards,' said Deborah (...), and it struck me at once as the truest and saddest thing."

Another book I have had for years and am finally getting to and really enjoying, why do I wait so long!

I rounded up all the books I had about the sea/ocean and ran away from home for a couple of days.

I loved her The Long, Hot Summer and I couldn‘t find this one anywhere here so Book Depository to the rescue!

Thank you Helen, it's so kind of you to send me a gift. I'm very grateful for your friendship here. 💕😘 I've been wanting to read this one since you and quite a few others were reviewing it a while ago. I don't know about you, but Covid has done strange things to my perception of time passing. I keep thinking 2019 was last year, not 3 years ago😫

@squirrelbrain

Our November book club pick from an author I hadn‘t heard of. The book was ok but I wouldn‘t be in a rush to read any others

David and Mary Rose are happily married and are completely in sync, at least that‘s what David thinks. When Mary Rose tragically dies he revisits their favourite holiday spot in Spain. He tries his best and his grief is heartfelt. So is his acknowledgment that things weren‘t always as good as he thought. It is a wonderful novel about grief, marriage and regret about things that happened along the way. Words that were said or left unsaid.

This was great!
Realistic characters, interesting back story, wonderful setting.
I'm definitely going to read nother by her.
😊😊

Really like the way this is written.
Flows really well, both the writing and the story.
Little glimpses of the past tragedy.

Another cover which drew me to pick it!

http://www.paperbackparis.com/2021-womens-prize-longlist/

I thought this was a really great book. On the surface it was about a man grieving for his wife a year after her unexpected death. At a deeper level I think it asked us questions about marriage and, wider still, the influence of family. Tender and reflective, sad and hopeful. Much like life really. #Booked2021 #ColourInTitle

David has recently lost his wife and revisits their usual holiday spot where he looks back over their married life. I couldn‘t figure out if I liked this book or not. It made me uncomfortable because it was such a realistic portrayal of grief and David isn‘t a particularly sympathetic character. Having thought about it overnight I did like it. It‘s a challenging read but all credit to the author for making it so.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#netgalleyreviewathon