The Lives She Left Behind [Kindle Edition]

I read 'Ferney' a couple of years ago and the story, the setting, its premise, the characters and the idea of two souls spending every lifetime finding their soul 'mate' stayed with me. I couldn't forget how Gally and Ferney found and loved each other, then lost and loved and found again in their never-ending existences.

So, I was thrilled to find that a sequel had been published 'The Lives She Left Behind' and completely devoured it within a matter of days.

What I enjoyed about the sequel was the fact that it could have been read as a stand-alone as the back story from 'Ferney' is delivered and cleverly woven into the fabric.

Having spent a good few years of my own life in the West Counrty I absolutely loved the scenes James Long describes and at every historical event, I was transported back with Gally and Ferney as they witnessed so many landmarks of our green and (not always so) pleasant land.

I would URGE everybody to read these books. I can't tell you how much joy they gave me to read. I often pass 'Ferney' around to my friends and now I shall do the same with 'The Lives She Left Behind'. Brilliant.

In The Lives She Left Behind, James Long has continued the story he began in Ferney and has brought up to date the story of star crossed lovers who transcend time. This sequel cleverly interweaves a modern day love story with the memory of past lives, whilst at the same time ties up the loose ends which were left hanging at the end of Ferney.
This sequel works on all levels, the narrative flows well and the energy of the story in reuniting Ferney and Gally seems more focused and purposeful. The pain of their togetherness is palpable and all consuming, and yet there is almost a sense of homecoming in this conclusion, which is made all the more poignant by the effect their relationship has on those around them. The use of cleverly constructed peripheral characters helps to move the story along, so that it becomes more of an observation about the consequences of relationships rather than a history lesson.
Whilst it is possible to read this book with no prior knowledge of Ferney, the author does an admirable job of explaining the whys and wherefores, in my opinion it is better to enjoy the story from the beginning. This sequel always needed to be written as the ending to Ferney left many questions unanswered, but now, for me, there is a real sense of completeness, as all the pieces of the puzzle finally slip into place.

I had waited so long to read this sequel to Ferney and now, having finished it, I realise we had to wait in order for the time lines to work.

I was delighted to find that this book has characters from one of James Long's other books, Silence and Sorrows, (which I loved too) and Bobby is also mentioned, but of course the characters I wanted to be reacquainted with were Gally and Ferney.

In The Lives She Left Behind, I think it was Ferney who said he knew little about the history as is documented in history books, his is the history of the people who lived through those times, who knew little of far off wars and Kings and Queens, but what happened in their own corner of the country. I absolutely love the history parts of both books - I find it fascinating to imagine how life would have been then and James Long paints the pictures perfectly. I still find myself thinking how astonishing it much have been and how life changing when clocks were erected and time began to be measured and how the loudest man-made sounds were from the black smith's hammer.

I can't say much more for fear of spoiling it but if you loved Ferney you won't be disappointed.

Thank you Mr Long - I loved it.

Absolutely loved this eagerly awaited book.
For those who don't already know but have read this book, try reading "The Perfect Sinner" by Will Davenport, alias James Long, which tells the tale of Guy de Brayn ( probably got the spelling wrong). Just as enchanting and highly recommended.

I first read Ferney about 5 years ago and so this was an eagerly awaited sequel. I had no idea of the direction Long would take, and when I heard the title I thought perhaps it was actually going to be a kind of prequel. It isn't and I'm very glad of that. Without spoiling anything, for me the ending is appropriate, and in its own way satisfying, if a little neat. However I did find the preamble before we get to the meat of the story - the background to the three girls, the archaeological dig that never happened, and therefore was left with no other function than to bring Mike, Gally and Ferney into the same geographic area, was too long for my taste. I also found the characterisation of Gally's mother a bit OTT - it would (for me) have given more depth to the whole situation if she had been a more sympathetic person, troubled in an appropriate way by what she cannot understand. Similarly, I found Ferney's background rather shallow, despite his mother's involvement of the police when he leaves home. Struggled a little with the evidence found on Mike's computer - in terms of what is/isn't physically likely - a lighter touch might have been more convincing, but overall this is a good read and once I got into the real story one I enjoyed. As in the first book I had more sympathy for Mike than for Ferney and the issues for Gally, caught in the middle, are very well portrayed. Appropriate too, that the sequel takes us right back to where Ferney finishes. I still remember the shiver of that last line. I think Gally's desire at the end of this book will likewise remain with me. This is a book that I'm glad I bought.