Carlo Ferilli Ferilli itibaren Texas
This is a perfect, engaging summer read. The plot could be said to be predictable, and derivative of greater works like Rebecca or The Blind Assassin (acknowledged by Morton in her afterword), and you can guess one of the secrets very early on (long before Grace does!). But Morton cleverly interleaves the story with Grace at the age of 99, recounting her memories into a dictaphone for her grandson, and she doesn't always relate events in sequence, so although you know "what happens" early on, you don't know exactly why or how until the end.[return][return]Some people seem to find it slow and the minor characters stereotyped, but I didn't find this a problem. I enjoyed losing myself in the book, and the cliches about country house life in the early 20th century (butler ironing the Times etc.) were a bit of fun. And if they are cliches, maybe it's because they are true?)[return][return]The early chapters also have a purpose though, letting us get to know the characters who, as in all good tragedies, carry the seeds of their own destruction. For example Hannah's love of secrets and games is ultimately her undoing and provides at least some explanation for otherwise implausible behaviour. I also liked the way an apparently minor detail early on turns out to be of vital importance at the end.[return][return]I'm sure Morton, from her Australian perspective, gets some period detail and dialogue wrong, but her excellent story-telling skills and likeable characters make up for it, and I was sorry to reach the end.
a good one, predictable bust still well written brain popcorn. a good in flight quick read.
When I first started the series, only the first 4 books were out, seeing this cover and the size of the book I couldn't wait to get to it. Didn't disappoint