- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd (5 April 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0743202821
- ISBN-13: 978-0743202824
- Product Dimensions: 23 x 15.4 x 4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,393,690 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
Hannah has returned home, escaping from disappointments in London, a failed job and a disappearing boyfriend. Home is Linton - a coastal mining town in north-west England - where the rain seems to grind down the inhabitants. She comes back to a fiercely independent mother and grandmother and a past shrouded in mystery. Set up by her grandmother, she begins to catalogue pictures at the 'Big House', where she uncovers secrets which affect her and everyone she loves. Linton, though, proves something of a saviour for Hannah, because while she finds out the truth about her own past, she discovers her future too. The town and its history are painted in atmospheric colour, the cast of women - from the past to the present - are strong, fun and loveable and the plot works towards a satisfying, engrossing conclusion. (Kirkus UK)
Product Description
CONSTANCE & FAITH is set in Cumbria, in the fictional town of Linton on the coast. It is here that Hannah grew up, surrounded by her rather dotty grandmother, mother and aunts. As soon as she is able, she leaves - for London, her own flat, a boyfriend, a career. But, brokenhearted and unemployed, she returns to Linton a few years later to find the town and its people, their routines and preoccupations, completely unchanged - or so it appears on the surface. The guilt and apathy she feels at having gone home haunt her, but gradually she is drawn into this rather genteel, slow-paced world and finds that it is anything but dull and set in its ways. The history of her own family, of past generations, their secrets, love affairs, betrayals and intricate lives, begin to emerge, not least through the stunning paintings that she undertakes to catalogue in the local manor house. And gradually we learn exactly why Hannah left Linton in the first place, not to fulfil her ambition for excitement and success in the big city, but to escape disgrace in the eyes of her own family...
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Constant pleasure,
By A Customer
This review is from: Constance and Faith (Paperback)
I have just finished Faith and Constance and it was great. I've read otherbooks by Victoria Routledge, but this was by far the best. It is fairlydark in places, but it still has her trademark lightness of touch andwitty observation of human foibles. The book is importantly set outside ofLondon, in a small town 'up north'. Routledge brilliantly describes aculture and history many readers will not be familiar with. It is a breathof fresh air. It's got a great plot too, which sets it apart from chicklit. So while Routledge focuses on relationships in all their awkwardbeauty, the book has twists and turns that will keep you reading. Hertreatment of the lesbian issues in the story are beautiful. She showsgreat sympathy for people's weaknesses, but still celebrates life andlove.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Routledge is back on form!,
By
This review is from: Constance and Faith (Paperback)
I really loved 'Kiss Him Goodbye' and '...And For Starters' but couldn't get into 'Swansong' at all. Luckily I found 'Constance and Faith' much better.
It took me a while to get into the story: Routledge lets the details of the situation/backstory slip out piece by piece as the novel progresses. In the beginning I kept thinking I'd somehow missed a section because I wasn't quite sure what was happening but once I got further in I really liked the way the story unravelled and I found it very addictive. Routledge does a beautiful job of creating atmosphere in her books and this is no exception. Her characters have depth: Hannah has her weaknesses but is nothing like the pathetic one-dimensional girls in some chicklit novels that you just want to slap. Instead she comes across as realistic and likeable despite her flaws. You get to know the characters more as the novel progresses and care about what happens to them. The story itself is not predictable and - after a slightly slow start - is really well paced. The secrets that are uncovered are believable and the heavier scenes that come later are sensitively written as well as dramatic. I also liked the ending: it was far more realistic than the average 'true luv 4eva' neat finish but yet still very satisfying. Overall this is a cut above your average chicklit and is a very worthwhile read. It is my favourite Victoria Routledge novel so far and I can't wait for the next one!
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