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jazzy_daveMichele Roberts "Daughters Of The House" (Virago)
During the 1950s, half-English Léonie and her French mother Madeleine, come to France to stay for the school holidays to stay on the farm that is jointly owned by Madeleine and her sister Antoinette. Léonie and her cousin Thérèse were born just a week apart and are very close. They are best friends, rivals and sometime enemies whose games are haunted by religion, family illness and secrets dating back to the war.
After twenty years as a contemplative nun, Thérèse returns to the farm, now occupied by Léonie and her family. The women are wary of each other, remembering lies told in the past and concerned about whose version of their shared history will be believed.
It certainly is a nice book to read but I found myself having to really get involved with the characters in order to actually become interested. The setting is good - post Second World War France but that was never discussed in great detail. Occasional references to the Jewish people living in the community and relations with German soldiers.
The plot itself is simple, 2 girls who are cousins find out a secret. The chapters (as mentioned) inform on the lifestyle the girls and their respective families live. The writing style is good and Roberts does give you an insight into the relationship between two peers of their age. Pleased this was a short book and one which I wouldn't read again.
At least it completes my reads of 2015.
During the 1950s, half-English Léonie and her French mother Madeleine, come to France to stay for the school holidays to stay on the farm that is jointly owned by Madeleine and her sister Antoinette. Léonie and her cousin Thérèse were born just a week apart and are very close. They are best friends, rivals and sometime enemies whose games are haunted by religion, family illness and secrets dating back to the war.
After twenty years as a contemplative nun, Thérèse returns to the farm, now occupied by Léonie and her family. The women are wary of each other, remembering lies told in the past and concerned about whose version of their shared history will be believed.
It certainly is a nice book to read but I found myself having to really get involved with the characters in order to actually become interested. The setting is good - post Second World War France but that was never discussed in great detail. Occasional references to the Jewish people living in the community and relations with German soldiers.
The plot itself is simple, 2 girls who are cousins find out a secret. The chapters (as mentioned) inform on the lifestyle the girls and their respective families live. The writing style is good and Roberts does give you an insight into the relationship between two peers of their age. Pleased this was a short book and one which I wouldn't read again.
At least it completes my reads of 2015.
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