Great atmosphere and story!
The setting of the book is one of the most striking things about the story. The atmosphere that builds is almost claustrophic and reaches a climax through the last pages.

The hero and heroine, as it were, are likeable and their adversaries are quite hateable, i.e Dicky Carmichael!

The story was somewhat predictable, though quite dark in places. I think the blurb does over illustrate the story, it sort of gives a summary to the story rather than an introduction.

It's an easy read, and like a thriller it drags you along. I read it in under 24 hours and it was an enjoyable summer read, but probably not too memorable.

cute but formulaic
Why is it that so many of these kind of best sellers are all about - forbidden love? Although this is set in the 20th century the melodrama seems more akin to the 19th. The author is not to balme there, a lot of this retro, nostalgia stuff around at the moment. The writing style is fine, and captivating at times but the timeframe feels artificial and overly nostalgic for a time that ends up being cacricatured.

Loved it!
I really liked this book. I was drawn into the story - i wanted to find out more. The main character was great and you felt such empathy with him. It displayed how a life can go so wrong so easily. It finished a little abruptly for me. I just wish he could have found more happiness by the end.

The dire, the dreary and the depressing.
The good:
-The interesting plot.

The bad:
-The wooden characters.
-The pages of drivel on things that didn't seem to serve any purpose to the story.
-The writing style.

The ugly:
-The dire dialogue.
-The dreary introversion.
-The depressing waste of so many great opportunities to build tension and drama.

I find it depressing that this book has got so much positive attention. I want writing to pick me up, fling me round the room a few times and leave me dumped in a mess on my floor, trying to work out what just happened to me. This book did nothing more than irritate my senses in the same way that a bluebottle might if it were in my study, "crashing against the glass" and "doing a series of small somersaults".

It could have been great...

Completely absorbing
I devoured this book in one sitting! It is beautifully written and frequently very moving. Gilbert's (and indeed the whole community's) inability to deal with and their lack of understanding of Lewis' grief and behaviour is heartaching. The writing is a little stilted at times but I felt this just emphasised the stifling atmosphere of upper class 1950's (or even modern day, in my experience) Surrey. A brilliant first novel and I look forward to Ms Jones' second.

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