I was drawn to this book via a posting on Linda Gillard’s Facebook page. I downloaded the free sample first and began to read it while I ate my toast at lunchtime. By the time my coffee was cold I was so into the story that I downloaded the rest straight away.
Initially, I found the structure a bit distracting but once I got the hang of it and the story had its claws into me, I didn’t give it another thought. The whole thing could do with a bit of formatting as some parts of the narrative, the differing points of view etc. run into each other but I think that is down to the upload to kindle, I had similar problems uploading my own novels.
But, all that aside, I couldn’t put Untying the Knot down. (Click on the link to find it on Amazon) I spent two days with my nose pressed to my pc screen (note to self: must get a Kindle a.s.a.p).
All the characters are totally convincing, no cliches, no cardboard people. Jessie, Emily, Magnus and Fay are very human and their troubles seem so insurmountable that I routed for them from start to finish. Apart from Nina whom I disliked intensely although the poor girl did nothing wrong, I was just jealous on Fay’s behalf.
They are the sort of people you pass everyday on the street. Ordinary enough looking on the surface but a turmoil of emotion beneath.
This book triggered all my emotions, it made me angry, made me sad, made me remember the hopelessness of lost love, the despair of divorce and the sickening hope and passion of reconciliation. When things really take off at the engagement party you will not be able to turn the pages fast enough so make sure you have enough time to really enjoy it.
If you like first-rate writing, a strong plot, competent editing and a marvellous ending, this one is for you. The only reason I have only given it four stars is for the formatting and structure issues I noted earlier but take no notice, they are easily remedied …it is well worth a read.
I’m off to search for Linda’s other work now and when I have found them I will lock all my doors and take the phone off the hook until I’ve finished.
Thank you, Judith, for the marvellous and very thoughtful review!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you found bits of it difficult to read. I think that must have been because you were reading it on a PC. I read the whole book through on my Kindle as soon as it was published and it seemed OK. Perhaps this is an excuse (as if one were needed!) to treat yourself to a Kindle. ;-)
Btw if you want to read something similar, the book of mine most like UNTYING THE KNOT is STAR GAZING which exists as a pb and a Kindle e-book. If however you fancy something completely different, try HOUSE OF SILENCE (Kindle only) or A LIFETIME BURNING (pb only.)