Fiction books which I read and enjoyed from January to June 2002. For the rest of this year, see July-Dec 2002. For most recent reading and links to other years, see my books blog

January 2002

Alexandra Raife - Belonging

Rebecca leaves her high-powered job in Edinburgh after a shock, and goes to stay at Ardlonach, the family ancestral home, now converted to a hotel. There she finds that her cousin Tony (the manager) has walked out on his wife Una. Rebecca decides to take over managing the hotel temporarily, and despite discovering some dubious practices and clashing with some of the staff, she and Una between them begin to make a success of it. Meanwhile she gets to know the neighbours (some of whom appared in the book 'The Larach') and finds herself falling in love. At the end, she resolves a problem which has been worrying her, and the future looks hopeful. Lovely people and places: a pleasant and relaxing book.

Kathleen Rowntree - An Innocent Diversion

Sonia always dresses immaculately, and keeps her home spotless, kept in high style by her ex-husband David. Fran is a farmer's wife with two daughters; her adult daughter Heather works in Sonia's favourite shoe shop. One day Sonia bumps her car into that of Jason, a young bank employee, and then befriends him. The plot alternatives between Fran's life and Sonia's life, as they gradually draw circumstantially closer and eventually have one meeting. Various emotions are explored, and the people are charming and believable, although the plot is a little unlikely - and certainly not predictable! The whole book is written in the present tense, which seems odd at first, but it works well.

Alexandra Raife - Grianon

Sally escapes from her well-ordered life, to Grianon, to help run her aunt's country hotel. she meets and is instantly attracted to Mike, a young married man. She immerses herself in her work to try and forget him, but he recurs in hr life after an appalling accident. The characters are realistic and the plot well-developed with a reassuring ending, although I didn't like the assumption implicit in the book that two people attracted to each other would naturally sleep together after very little acquaintance.

Joanna Trollope - Parson Harding's Daughter

Caroline, the unconventional daughter of the local parson, has a brief love affair that comes to nothing when her beloved sails to India. But some years later, her father's sponsor wants her nephew (Carolyn's previous admirer) to settle down, so she arranges for Caroline to join him. Caroline quickly discovers how far he has fallen into 'low' life, gambling and drink; nevertheless she does what she can to look after his house as his wife, having no other prospects. She befriends the servants and slowly makes other friends. A realistic portrayal of life in colonial India, with a courageous girl making the most of appalling circumstances - and at last, discovering happiness.

Georgette Heyer -Black Sheep

Abigail lives with her charming but not-very-intelligent sister, and her highly-strung romantic neice Fanny, who has fallen in love with an impoverished fortune-hunter. Abigail tries to release Fanny from her infatuation, with little result. His uncle appears on the scene, with no family feeling and no intention of helping. He and Abigail get along extremely well, sharing a sense of humour - and eventually he takes a hand in an amusing and unexpected way. Racy, excellent plot as is typical with Georgette Heyer, and a most satisfactory ending.

Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins - The Mark

Eighth in the 'Left Behind' series. The next few days in the life of the Tribulation Force as they settle into their new 'safe house' after the resurrection of the antichrist. New rules state tht everyone must receive a mark on his or her forehead - or be executed. So the believers working for Nicolae must plot their escape, in a way that ensures they will not be traced. Exciting, but again there is very little character development. More emotion in the execution of total strangers than any of the interactions of the main people who we have followed through the previous seven books! Fast-moving yet long-winded.

February 2002

Gilbert Morris - The Sword of Truth

This historical novel opens with Margred, a serving woman, leaving her employment with her young son Myles. Then we switch to the viewpoint of a landowner for a while, before learning the connection with Margred. The book sees Myles grow up and risk his life for the sake of the Bible, cleverly interwoven with the background of Tudor times, in the reign of Henry VIII. Some gruesome, though realistic scenes, and a happy ending. Fast-moving and alive, making history seem real, and a strong Christian emphasis.

March 2002

Tim Pears - In Place of Fallen Leaves

Told from the point of view of the teenage Alison, this book is set in the end of the hot summer of 1984 in England. Despite several excellent reviews, I found the book unimpressive. The people wer erealistic, and conversation flowed fairly smoothly, but there were some odd changes of perspectiev which shouldn't be possible in a first person novel, and flashbacks confusingly interspersed with the present. The strongly accented Devon dialect makes it quite difficult reading at times, too.

Libby Purves - Casting Off

A light-hearted novel which beins with Joanna, mother of two, taking off on a sudden impulse in the family's boat. Stormy weather makes her unable to reutrn as quickly as she had hoped, and her husband Keith informs the police - who gossip, and get the story picked up by journalists. Realistic sea-faring descriptions and unlikely scenarios combine to make a fast-paced, often humorous book with a satisfying happy conclusion.

Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins - Desecration

Ninth in the 'Left Behind' series. Continued story of the people left behind after the Rapture. Action heats up as Nicolae desecrates the Temple in Jerusalem, Chaim prophecies in public, and a million Jewish believers are able to escape. Drama as two of the Tribulation Force meet untimely ends. But the book is rather spoiled by rapid and confusing scene-changes, unrealistic slang talk, lack of emotional impact, and still no character development. A cliff-hanging ending, although it is not difficult to guess what will happen next.

Ruth Hamilton - The September Starlings

The novel opens as Laura visits a place from her childhood and meets an old woman who once knew her well. Her husband Ben is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. There is a long flashback to her childhood, cleverly introduced as Laura starts to write her autobiography, and this continues through her unhappy childhood, disastrous first marriage, and eventual meeting with Ben. Good characters and atmosphere, and a satisfying, if sad conclusion. Excellent insight into someone caring for an Alzheimer victim; right up to the end we wonder whether or not Laura will help Ben to die, and fully accept the motivation which might lead her to do this.

Judith Lennox - The Winter House

A novel about three girls growing up in the 1920s: Robin, clever and idealistic, from a happy (if chaotic) home; Maia, from a materialistic and unhappy home, dreaming of wealth and security, then making a disastrous marriage for money rather than love; Helen, innocent and apparently content, growing up with her widowed father, who becomes more and more over-protective as she matures. Fast-paced and interesting, despite some scenes of London politics, and war in Spain. Realistic descriptions and memorable people, with each of the girls finding love and contentnment by the end.

Titia Sutherland - The Fifth Summer

Will, Lorna and their two teenagers go for their fifth summer to stay in a villa in Italy, owned by the eccentric Phoebe, who has a succession of other guests. Underpinning their holiday is Will's newly diagnosed angina, which he has not yet mentioned to his wife, Lorna's frustration at Will apparently withdrawing from her, their daughter Debbie's worry of being overweight and ugly, and their son Fergus falling in love for the first time. The dashing womaniser Bruno arrives as Will has to leave for a ew days, and falls for Lorna. The book follows all the varying relationships that develop, with believable main characters, although the minor ones are rather flat and caricatured. Enjoyable with a dramatic climax, followed by a positive ending.

April 2002

Anne Tyler - Breathing Lessons

Delightful novel which takes place in just a single day, as Maggie and Ira drive to and from the funeral of an old friend. Through their conversation and thoughts, and a series of flashbacks, we learn a lot about their personalities, their lives, and their marriage. Maggie is an eternal optimist, and Ira holds her back; yet the bond between them is strong. In the end, after a disappointment, Maggie concentrates on preparing for the following day, when their daughter is due to go to college, and relaxes in the security of her marriage.

Susan Sallis - Summer Visitors

The story opens with Madge in Cornwall, at the funeral of an old friend. Then there is a long flashback, to the time when Madge was a little girl, and saw Cornwell for the first time, and then grows up. Her brother survives a horrifying accident, but is handicapped severely. There are many realistic characters and the book is very readable, though confusing in places as the people span the generations and the plot moves fairly fast. Satisfying ending.

Georgette Heyer - The Unknown Ajax

Hugo Darracott unexpectedly becomes heir to the family estates, even though most of the family have never heard of him, and his grandfather expects him to be common and illiterate. He turns out to be a large soldier with a dry sense of humour, who eventually sorts out various serious problems amongst his cousins. Light-hearted, set in a smugglers' era, fast-moving, and very enjoyable.

Robin Pilcher - Starting Over

Liz, a recently separated farmer, lives with her father and student son Alex, near St Andrews in Scotland. An American firm want to build a new golf course on her land, and that of her deserting husband, but she does not want this. Alex's German tutor comes to lodge with them, and brings a bit of relief to their depressed lives. A great book of endings and beginnings, with a somewhat unexpected, but hopeful ending. Lovely characters.

May 2002

Winston Graham - Ross Poldark

(First in the Poldark series) Ross Poldark returns to his family home to take over his inheritance, only to find that his beloved Elizabeth is planning to marry his cousin Francis. He immerses himself in his land and mines, and rescues Demelza, an unhappy waif, from her cruel father, bringing her to train as a kitchen maid. Demelza grows up, and her adoration for her rescuer and master turns to love. Realistically set in late 18th century Cornwall.

Winston Graham - Demelza

(Second in the Poldark series) Demelza finds her feet as Ross's wife, and befriends his cousin Verity. Ross tries to rescue a miner from a terrible jail, and helps the local community to plunder a wrecked ship. Fever comes to the district, and Demelza risks her health to begin to bridge the rift with Francis and Elizabeth.

Winston Graham - Jeremy Poldark

(Third in the Poldark series) Ross is on trial for his life, after encouraging his friends to plunder a wrecked ship. Demelza does what she can to help. Eventually he is acquitted, but their relationship suffers, after his sufferings in custody. Bankruptcy threatens as war is declared in France, adn Ross comes up against the Warleggan family whom he has never liked.

Winston Graham - Warleggan

(Fourth in the Poldark series) Dwight falls in love with Caroline, George Warleggan proposes to the widowed Elizabeth, Ross is rescued from bankruptcy again, and finally discovers some hope in his new mine. Ross and Demelza are estranged when Ross commits adultery, and she is tempted to revenge. Realistic and exciting.

Titia Sutherland - Accomplice of Love

The story opens as Leo and his 18-year-old daughter Sophie go to visit Josh, an old friend, whose wife Claudia died six months previously. The book goes into a lengthy flashback, punctuated with reminders of Leo in the present, so we see his distress at his own wife's death, and his growing friendship with Claudia. Eventually we're back to the present and a somewhat explosive episode with Josh. In the meantime, we've watched Sophia growing up, and also seen Leo (and art dealer) work with Josh (a temperamental artist). Well-written with charming people and realistic conversations.

Jean Stubbs - A Lasting Spring

This book starts with a young woman waiting for someone in a teashop shortly after World War II. Almost at once we return to 1928 and Evelyn's life: teased at school, missing her mother (who died when she was little), having a stepmother and stepbrother, and new relatives, adn also learning to love music. The years go by in believable fashion, seen through Evelyn's eyes as she learns to deal with different people, sees death, and falls in love. The horror of war is hinted at, but not spelled out. Eventually we're back to teh present, adn the end of the book - the beginning of Evelyn's life as a married woman.

June 2002

Jean Stubbs - Like we used to be

The story opens with Leila and her boyfriend at her sister Zoë's marriage to Matthew, whom Leila does not like. Zoë is the traditional sister; Leila is much more unconventional with no intention of settling down to marriage and motherhood. s the book progresses, the viewpoint alternatives in sections between Leila and Zoë, building up to a rounded picture of their family, and Zoë's growing unhappiness.

Mary Sheepshanks - Facing the Music

Flavia, a brilliant flute player, collapses in an important concert, to the horror of her boyfriend, who is the conductor. He drops her, and on the rebound she goes to work at a boys' school, then accepts a marriage proposal from Gervaise, the Headmaster. Unfortunately they are not suited, and she falls in love with Alistair, the father of Ben, one of the school students. Crisis occurs when Ben runs away and Flavia finds him. Fast-moving, with a good ending, although I found myself feeling that Gervaise got rather a raw deal!

Rosie Thomas - Celebration

Annabel, a wine editor, first falls for a French baron, then an American wine maker also attracts her. She wants to be committed to the baron, but is tempted by a celebratory fling with the American. Drama ensues as the two winegrowers are already enemies. Exciting book with a reasonably happy ending.

Adrian Plass - The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass, age 37 3/4

As funny as ever despite being the fourth or fifth time I have read this book! Brilliant insights, poking gentle fun at the idiosyncracies behind some of the ways Christians behave to each other. Wonderful book.

Adrian Plass - The Horizontal Epistles of Andromeda Veal

Andromeda, Adrian's wife's neice, is in hospital with a broken femur, and is very lonely. She starts a long correspondence with Adrian, his son Gerald, and various members of the church. Amusing in places, and also very moving at times.

Adrian Plass - Ghosts

After the death of his young wife, David, a Christian speaker, is invited to a youth group reunion at a 'haunted' house. Five or six old friends get together, and amongst other things decide to tell each other what frightens them the most. As a result, David begins to find the courage to go forward. The book is very moving in places, although there is rather an excess of sentiment, and the whole idea is a little unlikely - would people who are so long out of touch be so open and vulnerable with each other? Still worth reading, but not in my view one of Adrian Plass's best.

Charlotte Bingham - Change of Heart

Freddie, on a rest cure in the UK, falls in love with Fleur, who turns out to have been child prodigy violinist. Well-written and moving, but with a rather odd ending, leaving one wondering how much of the book was supposed to have been real.

Georgette Heyer - Friday's Child

Sherry proposes to the beautiful Isabella, and is turned down. In anger he declares that he will marry the first female he meets. This turns out to be his childhood friend Hero, an orphan who is about to become a governess. Sherry does not know that Hero has always adored him. They embark on marriage light-heartedly and are forced to grow up quickly. Delightful characters with a fast-moving plot, some humour, and a happy ending.

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