Chill’s Book
Reviewer, Julia Ibbotson shares her thoughts for …
Magnolia House by
Pauline Barclay
I really enjoyed this novel – well-written as all Pauline
Barclay’s books always are. The characters are well formed, especially Jane
Leonard and Sally Bingley. As we are in the throes of moving house ourselves,
it was particularly interesting and apposite! I would have liked to buy
Magnolia House myself – in fact it seemed almost like a character in its own
right. The backstories clearly revealed the author’s rich and rounded view of
the protagonists in this tale of misunderstandings and anger when an older lady
is forced to give up her beloved home which she had hoped to share with her son
and his family. It shows the author’s perceptive grasp of the way in which we create
our view of another person in terms of our emotional reaction to tragic events,
rather than calmly discussing what has happened and reaching for the truth. But
this is very true to life. It is a story of betrayal, love, family loyalty, redemption
and forgiveness and as such is a positive and life-affirming tale. My only
issues are with the ‘telling’ of backstories, past events and explanations and
the tendency to head-hopping between characters. There is perhaps a little too
much on the sub-plot(s) of other house-buyers and the estate agency and the
coincidences of the ‘chain’ coming together. I think that this is a reflection
of the fact that it is an early novel (a debut?). Still, very worthwhile and
rewarding read. Loved it!
There are more reviews to come from Julia, so please stop by again soon.
Julia Ibbotson
Dr Julia Ibbotson BA (hons), DipEd, MEd, PhD, FHEA: author &
academicDrumbeats trilogy (women's fiction)
The Old Rectory: escape to a Country Kitchen (memoir, recipes)
S.C.A.R.S (children 9-14)
WIP: A Shape on the Air (contemporary/medieval time-slip)
Thanks for publishing my review on Chill with a Book, Pauline! I love your webpage and I really loved reading Magnolia House - well recommended novel! Super read!
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