Yvonne
“When I count, there are only you and I together”
She was a slight woman, pale, with two wings of dark hair which framed her face and gave it the faintly bird-like quality that characterised her person. Even at this distance of time, which has clarified much that was obscure to me, I find her essence hard to capture. She was youthful in appearance but there was also an air of something ambiguous about her which was both intriguing and daunting.
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As usual, if you click on the Amazon link, you will be able to see a full synopsis of this book, should you wish to do so.
This book is taken from my TBR pile and was a charity shop find.
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They say that the first lines of a piece of writing, are always the most difficult to set down on paper. It seems to me, that they may also be the most definitive, as I find they often set the scene in my mind, even before I have turned the first page.
I think that a box of tissues to hand, is going to be a must, for what sems to be a pretty emotional sounding story, touching on many facets of our increasingly complex everyday lives.
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I read this about four years ago. At the time I thought it was very good as I marked it 4.5/5 in my lists, but as I didn’t write anything at all about it I can’t remember it much now. All I remember is that it is so sad and looking at it today (it is one of the books I’ve kept in my latest cull!) I see that Caravaggio’s paintings feature in it, which would have appealed to me.
Hi Margaret,
It’s good to know that you rated it so highly. I am only a few pages into the story and am still a little unsure about it.
Mind you, I have been reading it in snatched moments here and there, and have come to the conclusion that I am going to start it all over again, but when I have enough time to get a fair way into it in one sitting and I can concentrate on it fully.
It is obviously going to be a very thoughtful and emotional book.
Ooooh, a Salley Vickers I haven’t read…
Hi Cath,
Just the opposite for me, this is the first one of her books I have read and it is a book that I only picked up by chance in a local charity shop, purely because it was something completely different to the usual storylines I go for and I fancied a change. You are obviously a fan of Salley Vickers writing?
I think this is Salley Vickers at her best. I find her a very patchy writer, but this book moved me intensely. I’m sure you will love it.
Hello Annie,
This is a complete change of storyline for me and Salley Vickers is not an author I have read before.
I have come to the conclusion that I am going to have to read every single word, to get the most out of this book and after checking out the synopses on her other books, I can see why you would enjoy her material so much.
Is it the standard of the writing or the accuracy of the material that you have found a problem with?
Yvonne, I think as much as anything it’s the mind behind the writing. Sometimes I can engage with it and sometimes it seems so far from anything I understand that I don’t have a hope of making any sort of contact. The other one I did enjoy was Miss Garnett’s Angel.
Hi Annie,
I have found that I need to concentrate deeply on this book, to catch all the hidden nuances behind the characters dialogue and the thoughts and feelings that they slowly reveal to each other.
I went back and started the book for a second time, as I was only reading it in snatched moments, and found that I was missing out on so much. It is definitely better, for the more prolonged re-reading sessions.
I loved your comment about being so far removed from the subject matter, that you have no hope of making contact. This is a storyline that I can totally relate to and have instant contact with and I am now eagerly trying to anticipate the final outcome, although I suspect that there is going to be no ‘happy ever after’!
Nice beginning. I’ve never even heard about Salley Vickers before. I guess I’d better check her out to see if she’s my thing.
Hi Eva,
I had never heard of Salley Vickers until I picked up this book either, but her website is great and very informative, with good, comprehensive overviews of all her books.
Some of the storylines are so unusual, but they all appear to have been well researched and make for quite deep, meaningful storylines.
I’d agree a box of tissues is more than likely going to be needed!
Here’s my Friday beginning:
http://thebookgatherer.blogspot.com/2011/05/book-beginningson-friday_20.html
Hi Ann,
This is certainly going to be a difficult and emotional read, I suspect.
I also think that a little soul searching by the reader will be called for, which may be quite challenging and difficult as well.
Wow, that is a captivating beginning! I can now visualize this character, even though her essence seems elusive.
Here’s MY FRIDAY MEMES POST
Hi Laurel-Rain,
Yes, she certainly is a very troubled character, but then I am beginning to suspect that the psychiatrist treating her, has his own share of problems, that he is going to burden the reader with as well.
The reviews are plentiful for this book and all seem unanimously 4 or 5, out of 5, so I am looking forward to getting further into the story.
Ooo great descriptions!
If you have a chance, check out my BBF🙂
Hi Juju,
That opening description, coupled with some very moving cover art, tells it’s own story, doesn’t it?
I am already sensing the despair and feelings of hopelessness emanating from her, mind you, her psychiatrist does seem to have big problems of his own and is sounding just as depressed as she is!!
This sounds good, and so many good comments about it here! 🙂
Thanks for participating in Book Beginnings!
Hi Katy,
Thank you for hosting and introducing me to some great new friends along the way.
The book is going really well, certainly some pause for thought and contemplation along the way.
I really like the look of this one (must have missed this last month). Just added it to the kindle wishlist.
Hi Chris,
I have just finished this book and have to say that it was completely different to my usual read, but thoroughly enjoyable. It is a book that needs concentration when being read, so as not to miss any of the subtle nuances that are going on, but I am grateful to all the people who recommended this author to me and glad that I ignored some of the mixed reviews Salley Vickers received.