Separate Beds [Paperback]

The book cover suggests, in my opinion, a funny chick-lit book. It is not. Rather, it is a well-crafted analysis of a seemingly functional well-to-do family in London, the Nicholsons. Touches of humour guarantee a smile but this is not what the book is about.

Tom and Annie have been sleeping in separate beds for years. For some people this could be a choice of comfortable practicality. Not for them. Things started to go wrong long ago for a precise reason which neither of them is willing to speak out loud. Underlying issues and resentment mar their present life, although they both throw a coat of civility and politeness over it all. Something unspoken but always brimming threatens to get out, and never does. Their house is pregnant with a disquieting, loud silence. Why are they still together? Force of habit? Fear of the unknown that would come after so many years of marriage? Or is there something else? To the outsiders, they seem to have a good life. Tom is a well-respected businessman working for the BBC, Annie is a manager at a local hospital.

Life goes on. They have three grown children, Mia, Jake and Emily, who lead their own life. One day, Tom delivers dreadful news, as a result everybody's world is turned upside down. The impact haunts an already fragile marriage and it involves the children too. Will they all be able to adjust, to function properly ever again?
As trouble always knocks twice -or several times- other unexpected, serious events shake the ground undoing the remaining sort of tranquility that had been taken for granted for so long. This involves Jake especially. The Nicholsons realise that they must try to do their best to face the facts. The house that was once so silent becomes the epicentre of life, albeit in a negative light. Unexpectedly, this leads to another consequence: some reluctant, tentative giggle generated by an impossible situation curls up some lips ... something that has not happened in the longest time. But the question lingers: how can they survive massive changes unscathed? Or at all? The book ends with some answers...

This is as much as can be said about the plot and the characters without spoiling the reading. The narrative flows gracefully. Annie is the main character, a woman who firmly believed in her marriage but is now disillusioned -and a bit too... obliging at times in my opinion-. Her actions, thoughts and emotions are described fittingly depending on circumstances. The same goes for the other characters, well etched and intense.

The book is a reminder that we all walk on precarious ground. It also explores the importance of family values, the intricacies of marriage and parenthood and the significance of survival, dignity, self-respect. And love.
Well written. My true vote: 4.5 stars.

This is vintage Buchan: a wonderfully knowing insight into the fragile machinations of family life under siege. The author's great skill is entwining individual dilemmas to produce a catastrophe which she resolves by tackling the issues separately and then together to orchestrate a rewardingly happy ending. The dilemmas are all recognisable: lost job, financial disaster, disaffected children, wayward in-laws, broken marriages, irritating but loveable dog and all are tackled head on in Buchan's deceptively gentle but compelling voice. A treat of a read. Thoroughly recommend it. BT

I've read several of Elizabeth Buchan's novels and enjoyed them and this one is no exception. Her style is understated and her dialogue never less than realistic. If her characters walked into a room you would recognise them instantly - you probably know people who are just like them. The cover of this book suggests a light a frothy chick lit confection but the contents are nothing like. This is family life red in tooth and claw.

Annie and Tom have been married for many years and have produced three children now grown up. It is clear from the first page that Mia, the eldest daughter, has left the family in dramatic circumstances though these are only alluded to for much of the book. Her twin - Jake - is married to high flyer Jocasta and they have a small child, Maisie. Emily is still living at home and struggling to write her first novel. Tom and Annie both have well-paid jobs - Annie is an administrator in a hospital and Tom works for the BBC. Outwardly their lives are perfect but inside their home it is clear things are not as they seem and Tom and Annie occupy separate rooms - not just separate beds.

Unexpected events cause everyone to rethink their priorities and make hard decisions which will have far reaching effects and no one will remain unchanged by the end of the book. No one is perfect and all must come to terms with how their behaviour affects others in the family. This is a novel of the Nicholson family and while there are other characters in the story they are lightly sketched and the family dynamic occupies centre stage throughout. This is a quiet and thoughtful book and while there are touches of humour the subject is primarily serious though it is not a depressing book to read as the message is ultimately hopeful. Ultimately family life is about compromises but what you get back in return is always more than you give up.