Well, these "old girls" might have been behaving "badly" but it was all for a good reason, and they weren't so misbehaved at all - unless you include Well, these "old girls" might have been behaving "badly" but it was all for a good reason, and they weren't so misbehaved at all - unless you include snooping around the rather grand house of the host, but, as I said, they have an excellent reason if justice is to be done. Gina, at 72, is the gofer, searching the house on Dorothy's behalf, who, at 89, is the instigator of their activities. An unlikely pairing, but it works so well. Gina, recently abandoned by her husband who needs to "find himself" is at a loss and, on seeing the ad in The Lady for a companion role for a week with a view to it becoming a permanent position, thinks what has she got to lose? She and Dorothy hit it off over a shared love for art, and so Gina is hired. The week concerned is for a family wedding taking place at the bride's uncle (Leonard) grand home, where close family members gather for activities and fun prior to the big day. Gina believes it'll be a case of giving medication and fetching slippers for the older woman, but Dorothy has other ideas. She believes Leonard was instrumental in the death, a year ago, of her husband Philip, whereupon he also stole a painting she believes he has somewhere in the house. And she wants Gina to track it down. So, begins the fun. Gina wonders what she has let herself in for, Dorothy cannot resist sniping at Leonard, and Leonard is simply the smuggest, most odious of show-offs who loves being the centre of attention. Add in some family members with secrets, a teenager with a tendency to record private conversations and who'd rather be anywhere else, and you have a really entertaining story that held my attention from start to finish. The author writes older characters really well, and is not afraid to throw in the unexpected now and then. Throughout, Gina and Dorothy become good friends, and unwittingly both help the other to move on (Dorothy from her grief and Gina from her marriage ending). It's a heart-warming story with lots of humour mixed in with real family issues. I'd like to think from how it ends that there is more to come from these two....more
This was my first experience of a Tracey Waples story; it won't be my last. With more twists than a helter-skelter, this was a most e*** Audiobook ***
This was my first experience of a Tracey Waples story; it won't be my last. With more twists than a helter-skelter, this was a most entertaining story to listen to. Soooo good!
Helen, grieving her husband's untimely death, agrees to a holiday with her little sister, Mia. And why not? A change of scenery might do her the power of good. Until she wakes up with a splitting headache and a fuzzy memory of the previous evening. Given that Helen doesn't drink, the reason for her headache is somewhat strange, but more bizarre is the later insinuation that not only had she been drunk, she'd driven them home that night too. As if that wasn't bad enough, an accident occurred during that drive home and Helen looks to be guilty.
Yet, she really can't remember anything, certainly not drinking alcohol. Her sister, Mia, however, confirms Helen was driving that night, and even if she can't explain the drinking, Helen has to accept that she was responsible. But, there's something about Mia's story that doesn't add up. And those loose threads start to unravel. What is Mia hiding?
With many unexpected twists that will keep you enthralled, this story challenges the norm in regards to sibling relationships and pushes boundaries that you can't believe. Clearly, not all sisters are "such devoted sisters" and in this case, one sister is definitely "doing things" for herself.
Great narration, easy to follow, and a superb plot. I'll look out for more from this author....more
"Friends for life" seems like the perfect description of Niamh, Lauren and Heather until something happens that sees them fall out big style, not cont"Friends for life" seems like the perfect description of Niamh, Lauren and Heather until something happens that sees them fall out big style, not contacting each for fifteen years. Each goes their own way, but life doesn't always turn out the way they expected. Niamh- the wannabe air hostess intending to travel the world- is a mother before her career has any chance of taking off. Lauren - the one most likely to settle down and start a family - struggles to conceive, and Heather - who absolutely nobody had any expectations of - becomes a big name in the travel world with her social media lifestyle.
The reunion, when it comes, is not easy and each of them resists. As the reader, we don't know why for a very long time (and, if I'm honest, the reason does seem to have been blown up out of all proportions) but even so, we're rooting for them to bury the hatchet and rekindle their friendship. I loved how their story mirrored that of Lauren's grandmother and her friends, a group of women who managed to weather the storm despite great distances between them. These older ladies bring wisdom to the younger ones, enabling to see that despite a rocky few years, they really are - and always will be - friends for life.
This is an emotional story with engaging characters, and regardless of the slow start, it soon becomes a book you won't be able to put down. A heart-warming tale that shows how true friendship is not always easy, but it's definitely worth the effort. #Netgalley #TheSunriseSwimmingSociety...more
This was probably the longest audiobook I've ever listened to: 19 hours 24 min. A really epic saga of the Alexander family, this was like having a famThis was probably the longest audiobook I've ever listened to: 19 hours 24 min. A really epic saga of the Alexander family, this was like having a family tree come to life with all its branches having their own story. The downside was having so many characters to keep track of, and just as I was invested in one, the story switched to another. That said, the reunions were magnificent, their traditions so beautifully upheld and the relationships between siblings truly impressive. Despite the length of the story, I wasn't ready to say goodbye and will now happily check out the other stories in this series. ...more
I loved the blurb for Agnes and was excited to read an advanced copy. I wasn't disappointed. It was so good and heart-warming to watch Agnes's transfoI loved the blurb for Agnes and was excited to read an advanced copy. I wasn't disappointed. It was so good and heart-warming to watch Agnes's transformation throughout the story from the vulnerable and self-doubting young woman almost hiding away from life, making her bears, to the much stronger, grounded and determined woman we see at the end. I couldn't help but root for her and to see her becoming empowered, standing up for herself, no longer going with the flow for an easy life, made me want her to have the happy ending she deserved.
The story is one of nurturing friendships, particularly with Niina (who is amazing) and the old woman in Sweden, but also a story of her finally feeling free and comfortable in her own skin with Guy in Australia. And despite all the obstacles and disappointments she faces, she finds the strength to do what she knows in her heart is right. Her personal growth aside, the story reflects the value of good friends and being true to yourself. Agnes is creative, intelligent and caring - worthy of more than she seemed ready to settle for, so the resolution of her story is all the more satisfying (but watch out for the added mystery that brings clarity to her family history and which she handles with grace and integrity, not expecting to benefit from its outcome). A most enjoyable debut novel and a new author for me to follow. ...more
'Tis strange - but true; for truth is always strange; Stranger than fiction; if it could be told, How much would novels gain by the exchange!' (Lord B'Tis strange - but true; for truth is always strange; Stranger than fiction; if it could be told, How much would novels gain by the exchange!' (Lord Byron's Don Juan (1823))
Luminous is story so powerful that it really leaves its mark. Compelling and compassionately told, this is a true David vs Goliath tale in that it tells the true story of a fight for justice against a most belligerent and heartless company who ignored and undervalued its female workforce at every possible step.
Told from Catherine Donahue's viewpoint, the story begins in the Prohibition era and follows her life from very humble beginnings in Ottawa, Illinois to the Supreme Court as she becomes the face of the Radium girls. At the outset, hers is an ordinary life, until she gets a job at Radium Dial and discovers a new world of independence and new friendships that will last a lifetime, though for some, lives are much shorter than one might expect. The job involves dipping brushes into the radium mixture then using their mouths to create a pointed head in order to create a very fine line with which to paint the clock dials. Catherine and her co-workers think nothing of doing this, having been instructed so by their managers, who they trust implicitly - after all, if it was unsafe, then such a procedure wouldn't be allowed. Would it? Time passes and Catherine is happy in her work, as are her friends who are now having fun with the "sparkling" after-effects of the fine dust that circulates in the factory and coats their clothes and hair. Life is good.
However, other after-effects begin to manifest themselves and the girls experience loose teeth and mouth sores, which are quickly dismissed as caused by external factors unrelated to the radium. When the company suggests the girl try a different approach to create that fine line with which to paint the dials, eyebrows are raised, especially when there seems to be no reason forthcoming for this change. and when this approach slows the girls down and they ask if they can revert to the old process, the company does not object.
By now, serious health issues are becoming more common, and there are stories of young women who had worked in the radium factories dying. When Catherine herself begins to feel ill, she asks for reassurance, especially since news of a case against a similar company in New Jersey goes to court. Radium Dial brings in doctors to check the girls out and are quick to allay their fears, insisting that radium is not the cause of any of their health concerns. Relief all round!
Except, that wasn't true, and it becomes highly apparent that the radium company is holding back information. But they're not alone in this as many others in power prefer to ignore the facts because the company has brought employment to the area. As is often the case, money is power, and the health - or rather the lives - of these young women is disregarded in favour of profit.
Catherine's health deteriorates rapidly, and she seeks medical advice elsewhere, advice which clarifies to her that radium poisoning is a very real thing. Yet who will listen? It seems as though these women have been side-lined to oblivion. Not an outcome Catherine can tolerate; she is determined to raise awareness nationally of the suffering she and her friends are now forced to endure. Even finding a lawyer prepared to help is nigh on impossible, and it takes time and someone special to present their case in the many law courts through which they must pass to get justice.
Luminous is beautifully written, so much so that you cannot help but be swept along with Catherine as she transforms from a sweet, naive teenager to a strong independent young woman, becoming a wife and mother, all while battling her own health issues and seeing her friends suffer and die. Their stories are told with compassion and sensitivity. Yet, running along these tender life stories is the story of ruthless companies who fail their workforce while trying to appear to be looking after them. Neglect is one thing, but covering up the truth, distorting the facts, and denying the consequences of their demands upon their staff is something altogether more evil (though, unfortunately, not a lesson that some appeared to have learned since then!)You cannot help but admire and be impressed by the strength of those women, but also to feel and sense of dismay and contempt for those who put them in danger and then went on to turn a blind eye to the consequences.
A story that will break your heart and infuriate you in equal measures, but which will leave you with an overwhelming sense of admiration for the Radium girls, and those who fought back for those who died and for a future where health and safety concerns would be taken more seriously....more
As a frequent visitor to Hummingbird House, I was delighted to see what had happened to Betty and her friends/tenants in more recent times. True to foAs a frequent visitor to Hummingbird House, I was delighted to see what had happened to Betty and her friends/tenants in more recent times. True to form, this short (for me, too short and over too quickly) novella is a dual timeline glimpse at Betty, now in her 80s and still in her “happy place” at Hummingbird House, and a look back to 1968 and her good friend Sandra whose errant habits are the subject of this story. It’s like one of those moments when you catch up with old friends and it feels like only yesterday you last saw them.
A slower-paced story than most of the books I’ve read later, this has a subtler feel to it, as though Betty is personally telling you a story over a pot of tea in the garden. With familiar faces flitting in now and then, story focuses much more on Sandra and her relationships, particularly with her own mother and son. Betty is in a more reflective mood as she searches Sandra and is reminded of a prior search back in the 60s when she came to understand Sandra better and caught a some real insight in to a world with which she – unlike her companion of the time, Arthur, was naively unfamiliar.
In the present day story, it is Sandra’s son Jonty who must learn something about his mum, and it’s an opportunity for them all to reflect and reconsider how their life changes and adapts to meet new challenges as they occur. Nothing is ever too difficult that it cannot be made easier with the help of good friends and strong family bonds. Another heart-warming tale from Jane Harvey and I look forward to more stories about other residents in thefuture....more
A heart-warming story of the strength of family when someone you've believed in all your life is found to be flawed. yet, despite the upset, the disapA heart-warming story of the strength of family when someone you've believed in all your life is found to be flawed. yet, despite the upset, the disappointment, even the anger when the secret is revealed, the fortitude of Ava to hold things together and to not forget the good times (ie it wasn't all bad) is admirable. That her family understand (eventually, once the shock wanes) and are able to follow her example too offers hope for their stronger future. This story epitomises the saying that what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger. A great start to a new series and new-to-me author. I'm in for more ;) ...more
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