Friday 16 March 2012

Quickie book suggestions for Mothers' Day

For young parents:
Are We Nearly There Yet, by Ben Hatch (a long journey around Britain with toddlers)

The Playgroup by Janey Fraser (lots of angsty mums - amusing)

For John Buchan Fans (will review at more length)
William Boyd's Waiting for Sunrise

For feminists - Victorian divorce scandal
The Sealed Letter by Emma Donoghue. Here's a Guardian review

I particularly enjoyed The Crimson Rooms by Katherine McMahon.
"Evelyn is a young woman who has defied convention to become one of the country's pioneer female lawyers. Living at home with her mother, aunt, and grandmother, Evelyn is still haunted by the death of her younger brother James in the First World War. Therefore when the doorbell rings late one night and a woman appears, claiming to have mothered James's child, her world is turned upside down. Evelyn distrusts Meredith at first, but also finds that this new arrival challenges her work-obsessed lifestyle. So far her legal career has not set the world alight. But then two cases arise that make Evelyn realise perhaps she can make a difference. The first concerns woman called Leah Marchant whose children have been taken away from her simply because she is poor. The second, Stephen Wheeler - a former acquaintance of Daniel Breen, her boss - has been charged with murdering his own wife. It is clear to Breen and Evelyn that Wheeler is innocent but he won't talk. After being humiliated in court, Evelyn is approached by a dashing lawyer called Nicholas Thorne. She is needled by his privileged background and old-fashioned attitudes, but despite being engaged, he cannot seem to resist sparring with this feisty young female. In the meantime, Meredith makes an earth-shattering accusation about James. With the Wheeler case coming to a head, and her heart in limbo, Evelyn takes matters into her own hands. "

2 comments:

LindyLouMac said...

Despite not being a young parent, the first title appeals to me and in fact I downloaded it to my Kindle yesterday, just a £1. Also interested in the new title from Emma Donoghue as recently read and reviewed Room which I was impressed with.

Karen said...

I enjoyed Room and The Crimson Rooms too, but haven't read The Sealed Letter - yet. I do have The Playgroup in my To Read pile though (which is growing ridiculously high.)