I just finsihed reading this and it may be one of the most pleasant surprises this year. I mean, it is hardly a book you find on any "best of" lists. It was hidden deep within my "tbr" piles.
It is a relatively short book. And yet, I caught myself crying at the end. It has a structure of three separate stories that connect at the end. Yet you still think you are reading just one story. And it actually has a satisfying ending, which is something many writers struggle with these days.
I thought it was a touching history of one family, where it also somehow did show how women lived through 20th century, how their lives changed and approach to their lives changed.
And all that without dismissing men or saying "men are bad". While James was more of a support for Nicol, he was well fleshed out character who was exactly the guy you want around when you need him most. For some reason, Nicole was realistically portrayed as a woman who made mistakes, who doubted herself and yet went and did the right thing.
Story of Betty and William was tragic and touching at the same time.
All in all, you sometimes find good books in unexpected places.
by Jarita12