Tessa Hadley

The blurb at the back of book is, in my opinion, misleading. Based on it and the cover I thought I was getting mystery/suspense novel. In fact it is two fiction novellas, linked together only by a chance encounter on the London train.

First part: about Paul, a man with a late-midlife crisis, reflects on his life triggered by the death of his mother. For me it fails because I could not care for, or relate to, any of the characters (particularly Paul). It takes place at his country home in Wales, and low-rent council flat in London. Middling, introspective, tedious. 2/5

Second part: about Cora, a 30 year old woman coping with emotional issues. Told primarily from her point of view, briefly switching to two other characters. This part could be read on its own. As the incidents in Cora's life that have led her to this point are revealed, the reader can sympathize and, in some cases, empathize. It does go on a bit with the navel gazing in the middle. Good writing, reasonably engaging, disappointing ending. 2.5/5… (meer)

We are in the 1960s, and are introduced to Phyl, a middle class housewife with a husband in the Foreign Office and two children. The family is prosperous and contented. Then Nick, the son of old friends comes for a meal, and everything changes. I was immediately immersed in this story, where first one twist, then another interposed itself in the narrative. Extraordinary as these twists were, the sixties setting gave them the ring of authenticity, and I had little difficulty in being totally sucked into the worlds which Phyl and her various connections inhabited. I found it a real page-turner.… (meer)