bobblybear Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 For fellow Maggie O'Farrell fans (and I know there are a few here), she has a new book coming out in February 2013: Instructions for a Heatwave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vodkafan Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 yes I did thanks! it's a good story! I read this one too. The only Maggie O Farrell I have read. It was interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted December 8, 2012 Author Share Posted December 8, 2012 I've been lucky enough to read Instructions for a Heatwave, and I loved it. Review to come later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted December 8, 2012 Share Posted December 8, 2012 ^ Oooh, I'm jealous but I'm glad to hear it's up to her usual high standards. I look forward to reading your thoughts on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted December 15, 2012 Author Share Posted December 15, 2012 My review of Instructions for a Heatwave... It’s July 1976. In London, it hasn’t rained for months, gardens are filled with aphids, water comes from a standpipe, and Robert Riordan tells his wife Gretta that he’s going round the corner to buy a newspaper. He doesn’t come back. The search for Robert brings Gretta’s children – two estranged sisters and a brother on the brink of divorce – back home, each with different ideas as to where their father might have gone. None of them suspects that their mother might have an explanation that even now she cannot share. I have to start this post by saying that I’m a huge fan of Maggie O’Farrell, and have loved every book. The problem with this is that I’m always worried that the next book will disappoint. However, from the onset, Maggie proves once again what a great story teller she is. She managed to make me feel as if I already knew the characters, whilst at the same time allowing me an insight into the more intimate aspects of their lives. Whilst you would expect the main emphasis to be on Robert and Gretta, it was the children who fascinated me the most. Michael Francis is watching his marriage fall apart, whilst Monica is finding how difficult it can be to connect with a partner’s children. Aoife, the youngest, was my absolute favourite, living her life away from her family, but still unable to confront her own problems. As they are brought back together when their father disappears, they once again have to fit together as a family, something which doesn’t come easy, especially between the two sisters. The story flits back and forth between now and the past, but it flows beautifully, and not once was I lost. I don’t want to talk too much at this point about the characters and the stories, as they are best uncovered as you read the book. I will say that this is a story about family, about secrets, and about facing up to the past – and it’s all wrapped up by some exquisite story telling. For existing fans of Maggie O’Farrell, you need to put this straight on pre-order. If you are yet to try her books, you also need to put it straight on pre-order! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inver Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Sounds good Michelle. Is it only in hardback at the moment....another to add to the TBR list/pile etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 It's not out yet, release date is 28th February this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 (edited) The Guardian has just reviewed Instructions for a Heatwave here. I've only skimmed it as I don't want to read any plot points, and the review looks positive. Edited February 21, 2013 by bobblybear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booklovers Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 I was actually just looking at this book on amazon today, I was thinking about downloading, after reading the reviews on here & amazon I think I will now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 (edited) Whilst you would expect the main emphasis to be on Robert and Gretta, it was the children who fascinated me the most. Michael Francis is watching his marriage fall apart, whilst Monica is finding how difficult it can be to connect with a partner’s children. Aoife, the youngest, was my absolute favourite, living her life away from her family, but still unable to confront her own problems. Definitely agree with you here. I didn't find Gretta that much of an interesting character, compared to the others. I think Aoife was the most complex person, perhaps because of that particular unique 'trait' of hers. All three of the children were flawed, yet fundamentally good people trying to do the right things in life. It was more about their relationship in the past and present, rather than Robert's disappearance. Michelle, how did you think it compared to her other books? For me, it's not as brilliant as The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox or The Hand Which First Held Mine, but only by a very slight fraction. Edited March 17, 2013 by bobblybear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted March 17, 2013 Author Share Posted March 17, 2013 I do think Esme remains my favourite, to me it was so different. I think she's a brilliant writer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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