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Other People's Children
 
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Other People's Children (Hardcover)

by Joanna Trollope (Author)
3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC; First Edition, First Impression edition (26 Mar 1998)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0747536724
  • ISBN-13: 978-0747536727
  • Product Dimensions: 24.1 x 16.3 x 3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 3,302,729 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Product Description
This is the story of the rapidly-growing modern social unit, the stepfamily. It explores the myths, the realities and the difficulties of trying to deal simultaneously with present relationships, past relationships and other people's children.

From the Back Cover
'She can be as subtle as Austen, as shape as Brontë. Trollope's brilliant' Mail on Sunday

For eight-year-old Rufus, life has become complicated. His parents, Josie and Tom, have divorced and are setting off on separate paths. But now, other people have had to become involved - like his mother's new husband Matthew and his father's new friend Elizabeth. What's even worse is that there are the other children too - Matthew's three teenagers, who have been conditioned by their mother Nadine to hate his mother Josie.

Matthew's children come to their father for weekends and make it clear how much they loathe their new stepmother. Rufus secretly prefers to be with his father, in his peaceful flat in Bath, where he realizes that he doesn't actually hate the idea of a stepmother if she is like Elizabeth, sane and friendly and welcoming. But where other people's children are concerned, neat solutions seldom occur...

'A gripping read - as shrewdly observant of psychological and domestic detail as anything she has written' Daily Telegraph

'Trollope has shown herself capable of such emotional depth, that although you turn the pages quickly, it is with trembling fingers' The Times --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Other People's Children
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Customer Reviews

16 Reviews
5 star:
 (6)
4 star:
 (6)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.9 out of 5 stars (16 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars True to life and an excellent read, 23 Jul 2004
By sam155 (Gloucestershire) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)      
This review is from: Other People's Children (Paperback)
I have read almost all of Trollope's novels and this novel is so true. It explicitly exposes the raw feelings of betrayal, confusion, and rejection after a marriage break up. Trollope doesn't provide fairy tale endings, but she does help her characters move in on their lives. That's not to say this is a pessimistic book, it's moving and has a lot of love. Her characters are so real, and I especially loved the touching bond between calm,dignified,Elizabeth and her future stepson. Contrast her character with vengeful, selfish Nadine who is drowning in self pity rather than caring for her children or giving a thought as to how her behaviour affects them. My parents divorced when I was young and the atmosphere of rowing behind closed doors is all too potently described here. Trollope provides an understanding and explanation for all her characters, explaining their bad behaviour without excusing it. This is real life. It's well told, and it's a book I often return to. Thoroughly recommended !!!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for anyone involved in this situation, 24 Jul 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Other People's Children (Paperback)
I am a normally a fan of Joanna Trollope but this book surpassed all my expectations. As a child of multiply-divorced parents and a complicated family background, this book evoked incredibly strong memories and feelings. The beauty of it that there are any number of characters within the plot for whom you may relate to, at any one time during its development. You find yourself feeling sympathy and/or exasperation at different stages. In particular the opening scene made me weep. Anyone who has ever been the child of divorced parents will be instantly transported back to being eight years old and keeping back the tears. It makes no final judgement on who is to blame, but more importantly stresses how families who go through this come togther to make the best of the situation, and how others who come into your life - your parents' new partners, or step siblings - can enrich it positively.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Its a must for anyone who has steparents or stepchildren, 25 April 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Other People's Children (Paperback)
I enjoyed this book enormously, sometimes I laughed out loud and other times it made me cry. My parents are divorced and there have been lots of problems - this book lets you see the problems from everyones point of view and helps you to understand how they are feeling. I will urge my family to read it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Seen from All Sides
I've never given much thought to the subject of step families, but it's true to say that in the present day they are part of everyday life and no longer the exception. Read more
Published on 20 Oct 2006 by Lotus Eater

4.0 out of 5 stars poignant
This book was recommended to me by a friend after I had revealed my own current, personal dilema. After reading other reviews by readers on Amazon, the contrast of opinions alone... Read more
Published on 28 Jul 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars Exemplary Example
Whilst not wishing in any way to criticise other reviews I found this book almost a perfect match to my own personal experiences of emotion concerning step families. Read more
Published on 18 Jul 2002

4.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly readable - as one would expect.
As I read this book, I found myself becoming increasingly aware of the fact that, though eminently readable, 'Other People's Children' lacks the sensitivity and awareness which... Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2001

5.0 out of 5 stars truthful, heartfelt novel about the real meaning of divorce
As a child of divorced parents I was immediately taken with this brilliantly written book about divorce from the children's point of view. Read more
Published on 5 Dec 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing book
An amazing book, which should be read y all the existing stepfamilies
Published on 22 Dec 1999

4.0 out of 5 stars Trouble with step families? You are not alone.
This is a typically easy to read Trollope in which the reader becomes totally caught up in the lives and problems of the, mostly very believable, characters. Read more
Published on 21 Nov 1999

2.0 out of 5 stars Strange, but compelling
I am currently blitzing my way through Trollope's books and despite my initial snobbery about them have found them compelling and well-crafted even if they are not particularly... Read more
Published on 15 Jul 1999

1.0 out of 5 stars A superficial bitter look at stepparenting
I understand Ms Trollope and her husband separated soon after this book came out. I can well understand why... Read more
Published on 4 Jul 1999

4.0 out of 5 stars Engrossing and sad
Although I felt some of the characters were a bit exaggerated, the best thing about this book is the way it explores the story of the break up of two families from the children's... Read more
Published on 2 April 1999

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