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Rose Tremain "Absolutely and Forever:" (Vintage)
I purchased this very speculatively in Daunt Books on the recommendation of a colleague, primarily with a view to taking my purchases on that outing over the £100 threshold to trigger the shop’s loyalty reward scheme. My speculation was well rewarded, and not merely in loyalty card points! It is a very entertaining novel.
The book takes the form of Marianne Clifford’s recollections of her life, starting in the early 1960s at the age of 15 when she fell deeply in love with Simon Hurst, an eighteen-year-old who attended the boys’ school affiliated with her own institution. Marianne has a quirky, self-deprecating style which is very appealing, and lends a comic cast to her memories.
I enjoyed the insight into life in the 1960s – not quite as hedonistic as the standard portrayal of the swinging decade would suggest. Marianne’s slightly naïve outlook on life lends itself to some poignant scenes that contrast sharply, but effectively with the general air of light humour.
I thought this was a charming and very enjoyable book.
I purchased this very speculatively in Daunt Books on the recommendation of a colleague, primarily with a view to taking my purchases on that outing over the £100 threshold to trigger the shop’s loyalty reward scheme. My speculation was well rewarded, and not merely in loyalty card points! It is a very entertaining novel.
The book takes the form of Marianne Clifford’s recollections of her life, starting in the early 1960s at the age of 15 when she fell deeply in love with Simon Hurst, an eighteen-year-old who attended the boys’ school affiliated with her own institution. Marianne has a quirky, self-deprecating style which is very appealing, and lends a comic cast to her memories.
I enjoyed the insight into life in the 1960s – not quite as hedonistic as the standard portrayal of the swinging decade would suggest. Marianne’s slightly naïve outlook on life lends itself to some poignant scenes that contrast sharply, but effectively with the general air of light humour.
I thought this was a charming and very enjoyable book.
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