to those who received this as a mail-out (not on the app, which btw is a much better reading experience!!) I am so sorry for the typos, which have now been fixed
The novel was such a compelling read and I kept feeling the injustice that it isn’t as famous as Catcher in the Rye or the Great Gatsby. I couldn’t put it down.
i used to wonder that about great gatsy - i re-read it last year and it did little for me; it's so short, for one! - but i guess it was the depiction of decadence at that particular time. I do know what you mean though...
i’ve only just discovered your substack yesterday — and i just finished reading this last week! what a wild coincidence. i can’t stop thinking about this book!
What a beautifully written review, thank you! I now must read this book! I'm struck most of all by your compassion for her. She led a very sad life indeed, but it is difficult for me to wrap my head around and not place any judgement on not acknowledging your own child until they're 7. I can't imagine the abandonment wound her son had to live with. Anyway, I really appreciate knowing this book exists!
His afterword doesn't go into any kind of emotional relationship with his mother, I suspect deliberately. It can't have been easy for him, I agree, I can't imagine the trauma - but it can't have been easy for her, I don't think, either, with an ex-husband who dumped her for having their son, humiliated her and refused to pay any kind of child support. It's desperately sad, really.
Is currently 99p on Amazon for kindle. Just bought it.
Thanks for saying this; just snapped it up!
to those who received this as a mail-out (not on the app, which btw is a much better reading experience!!) I am so sorry for the typos, which have now been fixed
Loved this review! I doubt I would ever have heard or read this and now I’m utterly intrigued.
Thank you very much for writing it
My pleasure. It deserves to be famous again!
The novel was such a compelling read and I kept feeling the injustice that it isn’t as famous as Catcher in the Rye or the Great Gatsby. I couldn’t put it down.
i used to wonder that about great gatsy - i re-read it last year and it did little for me; it's so short, for one! - but i guess it was the depiction of decadence at that particular time. I do know what you mean though...
i’ve only just discovered your substack yesterday — and i just finished reading this last week! what a wild coincidence. i can’t stop thinking about this book!
oh I love a coincidence like that. And welcome!
Just the type of thing I like to read about. Thank you so much for sharing! X
Well this is going straight on my TBR!
Gorgeous review, so intrigued now to read this one! Thank you x
What a beautifully written review, thank you! I now must read this book! I'm struck most of all by your compassion for her. She led a very sad life indeed, but it is difficult for me to wrap my head around and not place any judgement on not acknowledging your own child until they're 7. I can't imagine the abandonment wound her son had to live with. Anyway, I really appreciate knowing this book exists!
His afterword doesn't go into any kind of emotional relationship with his mother, I suspect deliberately. It can't have been easy for him, I agree, I can't imagine the trauma - but it can't have been easy for her, I don't think, either, with an ex-husband who dumped her for having their son, humiliated her and refused to pay any kind of child support. It's desperately sad, really.