- Paperback: 496 pages
- Publisher: Pocket Books; New edition edition (4 July 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0743415205
- ISBN-13: 978-0743415200
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 13 x 3.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 900,347 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Hannah Marshall never thought she'd return to her west coast hometown of Linton, riddled with exhausted coal mines and permanently overhung with rain clouds. Her degree and her job in an international auction house were her ticket out of Linton's faded Georgian splendour, and she escaped gladly. But now, ten years later, Hannah is back, for reasons she won't discuss, to find little seems to have changed. It's still rainy, her mother Fran is still fighting social injustice, and her bewitching grandmother Dora is still ruling the circle of ladies who dominate the town. Seeing Linton through an adult's eyes, Hannah begins to make out a complicated web of old grudges and secrets - and the definite air of scandal that surrounds her turbulent family. What is Dora's real connection with the rich Musgrave sisters, who brought her up in the big villa next door? Why does she refuse to discuss her childhood? And why is Fran so desperate to know? As Hannah faces up to her own demons, she's forced to dig into the family's past and confront the hidden truths that haunt her family and Linton itself.
About the Author
Victoria Routledge worked in publishing for three years before her first novel, FRIENDS LIKE THESE, was published. She is twenty-six and writes full time as a novelist and a journalist. She was born in the Lake District and now lives in London. She is the author of FRIENDS LIKE THESE and KISS HIM GOODBYE and ...AND FOR STARTERS.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format: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
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
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!
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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