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Fallen Angels
From the author of Daughters of Fortune comes a sweeping family drama that follows a mother and daughter through the poverty of post-WWII Ireland and London and into the glamour of 1950s Hollywood and beyond, revealing the ways in which family ties can never be broken.
Tara Hyland is beloved by readers for her exquisite talent at weaving family sagas that journey through the rocky roads of secrets, lies, and betrayals, only to show that no challenge, no matter how difficult, can ever truly sever the bonds of love.
The novel opens in 1946, when Franny Healy is a beautiful and spirited teenager living in the poverty of County Cork, Ireland. Franny wants nothing more than to escape to the excitement of London. But when she discovers she is pregnant, her boyfriend abandons her. Undeterred, Franny flees to the city, where she finds work as a nightclub performer. She shines onstage and is soon propelled into a life she’s only dreamed of, filled with Hollywood stars, glamorous parties, furs and fashion, plus a new husband—who must never know of the daughter she left behind in County Cork with her mother.
Tara Hyland is beloved by readers for her exquisite talent at weaving family sagas that journey through the rocky roads of secrets, lies, and betrayals, only to show that no challenge, no matter how difficult, can ever truly sever the bonds of love.
The novel opens in 1946, when Franny Healy is a beautiful and spirited teenager living in the poverty of County Cork, Ireland. Franny wants nothing more than to escape to the excitement of London. But when she discovers she is pregnant, her boyfriend abandons her. Undeterred, Franny flees to the city, where she finds work as a nightclub performer. She shines onstage and is soon propelled into a life she’s only dreamed of, filled with Hollywood stars, glamorous parties, furs and fashion, plus a new husband—who must never know of the daughter she left behind in County Cork with her mother.
484 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2011
11 people are currently reading
975 people want to read
About the author
Tara Hyland
4 books54 followersAlso publishes under the pseudonym of Tara Bond.
I was born in Surrey, England, in July 1976. My writing career kicked off at the age of thirteen, when I won an award in the WHSmith Young Writer Competition. As well as netting me a cheque for £40, my short story on vengeful ghosts and reincarnation was published in an anthology along with the works of thirty other major prizewinners - one of which included future Hollywood actress Kate Beckinsale.
At nineteen, I managed to get my first by-line in a national newspaper during a work experience placement at The Times. After reading History at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, I worked briefly as a journalist before moving into the world of high finance. Several years later, I finally decided to pursue my first love: writing. I currently live near Tower Bridge in London with my husband, Tom, and I'm hard at work on my second novel.
I was born in Surrey, England, in July 1976. My writing career kicked off at the age of thirteen, when I won an award in the WHSmith Young Writer Competition. As well as netting me a cheque for £40, my short story on vengeful ghosts and reincarnation was published in an anthology along with the works of thirty other major prizewinners - one of which included future Hollywood actress Kate Beckinsale.
At nineteen, I managed to get my first by-line in a national newspaper during a work experience placement at The Times. After reading History at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, I worked briefly as a journalist before moving into the world of high finance. Several years later, I finally decided to pursue my first love: writing. I currently live near Tower Bridge in London with my husband, Tom, and I'm hard at work on my second novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
July 25, 2015
Dakle, nakon pročitane druge knjige Tare Hyland, mogu reći da je postala jedna od mojih omiljenih autorica. Njeni romani me podsjećaju na neke koje sam čitala još kao srednjoškolka, recimo Barbare Taylor Bradford, Sidneya Sheldona, pa dijelom i Harolda Robinsa. Dopadaju mi se zapleti, obrada likova i emocije koje izaziva, ma ukratko jedva čekam prevod njenog novog romana koji izlazi u oktobru ove godine.
July 29, 2015
5+
Samo ću reći WOW WOW WOW! Jedna od najboljih knjiga koje sam ikada pročitala! Riječ je o veličanstvenoj obiteljskoj sagi, romanu koji prati majku i kćerku čija se sudbina proteže od veoma siromašnog sela u Irskoj do Hollywooda i njegove raskoši 50-ih godina XX stoljeća. U prvoj dijelu romana je fokus na Franny koja iz siromašne Irske odlazi u Hollywood, a u drugom dijelu na Cari, njenoj kćerki čija se sudbina isprepliće sa majčinom. Ovaj roman je MUST-READ, a konačan rasplet nećete uspjeti odgonetnuti, to vam garantujem! :)
Samo ću reći WOW WOW WOW! Jedna od najboljih knjiga koje sam ikada pročitala! Riječ je o veličanstvenoj obiteljskoj sagi, romanu koji prati majku i kćerku čija se sudbina proteže od veoma siromašnog sela u Irskoj do Hollywooda i njegove raskoši 50-ih godina XX stoljeća. U prvoj dijelu romana je fokus na Franny koja iz siromašne Irske odlazi u Hollywood, a u drugom dijelu na Cari, njenoj kćerki čija se sudbina isprepliće sa majčinom. Ovaj roman je MUST-READ, a konačan rasplet nećete uspjeti odgonetnuti, to vam garantujem! :)
February 8, 2018
Ma kakvih pet zvjezdica ljudi!!! Knjiga je toliko neuvjerljiva i naivna. Kao da sam gledala Santa Barbaru i ine sapunice!
May 13, 2015
Como já estava à espera, novamente a autora me prendeu em toda a sua narrativa.
A autora é possuidora de uma escrita simples, enérgica, cativante, directa e fluida.
Uma história maravilhosa, dramática, sofredora e comovente carregada de emoções, mistérios, dramas, separações e segredos e a autora consegue estimular o nosso interesse, o que nos leva a não conseguirmos parar a sua leitura.
A história centra-se nas relações familiares entre mãe e filha, na tristeza, nos medos, mistérios e a cada página que viramos algo pode acontecer e nada do que parece é.
A autora é exímia na descrição dos ambientes, pormenores e situações com personagens fortes e credíveis como já tinha referido no livro anterior.
Recomendo a autora como não poderia deixar de ser. Muito Bom.
A autora é possuidora de uma escrita simples, enérgica, cativante, directa e fluida.
Uma história maravilhosa, dramática, sofredora e comovente carregada de emoções, mistérios, dramas, separações e segredos e a autora consegue estimular o nosso interesse, o que nos leva a não conseguirmos parar a sua leitura.
A história centra-se nas relações familiares entre mãe e filha, na tristeza, nos medos, mistérios e a cada página que viramos algo pode acontecer e nada do que parece é.
A autora é exímia na descrição dos ambientes, pormenores e situações com personagens fortes e credíveis como já tinha referido no livro anterior.
Recomendo a autora como não poderia deixar de ser. Muito Bom.
June 8, 2020
O que prejudica esta leitura é o excesso de páginas :)
Mas gostei da história, e lê-se bem. E gostei muito do final!!
Mas gostei da história, e lê-se bem. E gostei muito do final!!
August 27, 2024
Kratki sadržaj možda ne zvuči toliko privlačno, ali meni je knjiga bila zbilja zanimljiva. Ja sam je malo duže čitala jer radim i druge stvari u danu, ali bih rekla da je ovo vrsta knjige koja je toliko zanimljiva da se ne ispušta iz ruku, bar je meni toliko dobra. Više likova priča priču iz svog gledišta, tako da saznajemo o životima više likova. Mislim da mi nijedan dio knjige nije bio dosadan i to je predobro. Uz ovu knjigu ćete doživjeti doslovno sve osjećaje: sreću, tugu, ljutnju, prijezir, iznenađenje... Franny, otkad je došla u Hollywood, nisam uopće razumjela niti htjela razumjeti zbog toga što je stalno lagala Cari da će doći po nju, a nikako da dođe i bilo je očito da ni ne namjerava. Drago mi je što je Cara nakon svega čak ostala normalna. Ima baš ružnih i zbilja tužnih scena, pogotovo s Carom, baš mi je bilo žao što to proživljava. Mislila sam da u ovoj knjizi neće biti seksi scena, ali otprilike na sredini je bila jedna kratka, ali zbilja seksi scena po meni. Pred kraj je nekoliko plot twistova koja nikako ne možete predvidjeti, ja sam bila baš iznenađena. Uglavnom, odlična knjiga, jedino bih ja dodala još jedno poglavlje na kraju, da piše kao par godina kasnije i da saznamo kakav je Carin život nakon svega makar ni ovaj kraj nije loš, samo imam osjećaj da je odrezan. Preporučujem!
August 10, 2011
Sins of the Mother is a story of a mother and a daughter, spanning three decades and two continents.
In 1946, sixteen year old Franny Healy finds herself pregnant and ditched by her boyfriend in Country Cork, Ireland. She had no intention of being married off to a local boy, which is what her mother plans to do to her, so in the middle of the night, Franny sneaks out and heads to London. After finding a place to stay, and having her daughter Cara, Franny makes strides to accomplish her dream of becoming a famous Hollywood actress.
Through some well-timed luck, Franny finds herself on her way to Hollywood, but leaves her daughter with her estranged mother, hoping to send for her in a few months, but things don't quite end up that way. Franny ends up being a famous film actress known as Frances Fitzgerald and keeps her daughter a secret.
The first half of the book switches back and forth between Franny and Cara, showing each one's point of view of being apart from the other. After her mother's move to Hollywood, Cara only sees her one more time, for a week two years later.
The second half of the book is showing through the eyes of Cara, and boy, does she get put through the wringer. After her grandmother dies, she's sent to an orphanage run by a sadistic Mother Superior, and eventually escapes. She then ends up in an abusive relationship with a boy from her childhood.
One day Cara takes a hold of her life, and starts a respectable career, and then sets out about information about her mother, and why she abandoned her.
Sins of the Mother didn't have just one, but two strong heroines. Neither one of them are perfect, but with strength and determination, they're both able to pull themselves from whatever situation they're in and will themselves to something better.
The last part of the book blew me away, what twists! We're shown flashbacks of the years Franny was married, and we see that things weren't as they were the first time we saw them. I got unexpectedly emotional at one point, after getting one huge shock.
I love surprising twist endings, they're the ones I remember the most. I found the end completely satisfying and ended up loving the book more than I planned on.
In 1946, sixteen year old Franny Healy finds herself pregnant and ditched by her boyfriend in Country Cork, Ireland. She had no intention of being married off to a local boy, which is what her mother plans to do to her, so in the middle of the night, Franny sneaks out and heads to London. After finding a place to stay, and having her daughter Cara, Franny makes strides to accomplish her dream of becoming a famous Hollywood actress.
Through some well-timed luck, Franny finds herself on her way to Hollywood, but leaves her daughter with her estranged mother, hoping to send for her in a few months, but things don't quite end up that way. Franny ends up being a famous film actress known as Frances Fitzgerald and keeps her daughter a secret.
The first half of the book switches back and forth between Franny and Cara, showing each one's point of view of being apart from the other. After her mother's move to Hollywood, Cara only sees her one more time, for a week two years later.
The second half of the book is showing through the eyes of Cara, and boy, does she get put through the wringer. After her grandmother dies, she's sent to an orphanage run by a sadistic Mother Superior, and eventually escapes. She then ends up in an abusive relationship with a boy from her childhood.
One day Cara takes a hold of her life, and starts a respectable career, and then sets out about information about her mother, and why she abandoned her.
Sins of the Mother didn't have just one, but two strong heroines. Neither one of them are perfect, but with strength and determination, they're both able to pull themselves from whatever situation they're in and will themselves to something better.
The last part of the book blew me away, what twists! We're shown flashbacks of the years Franny was married, and we see that things weren't as they were the first time we saw them. I got unexpectedly emotional at one point, after getting one huge shock.
I love surprising twist endings, they're the ones I remember the most. I found the end completely satisfying and ended up loving the book more than I planned on.
June 1, 2018
This book has been on my shelves for some time. Judging the cover as they always tell you not to do, I hesitated about reading it. A bit fluffy, Hollywood romance? Nothing wrong with that but I'd never fancied picking the book up. but something made me do it - and I am VERY pleased I did.
If this novel were a Hollywood hairstyle, it would be an intrically woven plait which looks neat and smooth but look closely as nothing is what it seems. There's sharp pins sticking out, unwashed bits and is any of it real?
The novel kept surpring me for as one story starts, the pebble of another story starts to role unitl a few chapters later and it's snowballed. Each section of the book rolled into another with ease, with lots of twists and turns and unexpected dramas. There was a varied cast of characters and the author drew them all so well. I could SEE the castle and the grand house in the hills, see the bending Californian roads.....and smell the irony of the Hollywood facade. That casting coach, in recent times has taken on a much darker tone, but here, in the 1950s, it was pretty dark enough if this novel is anything to go by.
To merge Ireland and Hollywood together, with snippets of London and Morocco is no easy feat, but as the years go by, the story progressed, the characters changed and the story of Frances and her daughter Clara wove around secrets before coming to an ending that wasn't neat but a complete and poignant surprise!
It's a bit Kate Morton-esque or Lucinda Riley-esque in parts. Never judge a book by its cover nor a person by their appearance or actions of one day. This was a fascinating journey of a read and I enjoyed the many thrills of this whirlwind of a story.
If this novel were a Hollywood hairstyle, it would be an intrically woven plait which looks neat and smooth but look closely as nothing is what it seems. There's sharp pins sticking out, unwashed bits and is any of it real?
The novel kept surpring me for as one story starts, the pebble of another story starts to role unitl a few chapters later and it's snowballed. Each section of the book rolled into another with ease, with lots of twists and turns and unexpected dramas. There was a varied cast of characters and the author drew them all so well. I could SEE the castle and the grand house in the hills, see the bending Californian roads.....and smell the irony of the Hollywood facade. That casting coach, in recent times has taken on a much darker tone, but here, in the 1950s, it was pretty dark enough if this novel is anything to go by.
To merge Ireland and Hollywood together, with snippets of London and Morocco is no easy feat, but as the years go by, the story progressed, the characters changed and the story of Frances and her daughter Clara wove around secrets before coming to an ending that wasn't neat but a complete and poignant surprise!
It's a bit Kate Morton-esque or Lucinda Riley-esque in parts. Never judge a book by its cover nor a person by their appearance or actions of one day. This was a fascinating journey of a read and I enjoyed the many thrills of this whirlwind of a story.
January 14, 2014
Um bom romance histórico que me conquistou desde as primeiras páginas e que muito deve à boa pesquisa de época; penso que está um pouco exagerado na sucessão de desgraças que acontecem a uma das personagens principais, pareceu-me excessivo! O final foi um pouco rápido, mas o livro no seu todo vale sem dúvida a pena!
December 11, 2017
Малко по-добра е от първата й книга, но отново не успя да ми въздейства. Стилът й явно има нужда от промяна. Иначе историята е много драматична, но е написана някак схематично и хаотично. И е прекалено разтеглена отново.
October 16, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. Franny and Cara were both interesting characters. I enjoyed to twists and turns the plot took. I couldn't put this book down. I would recommend this book to anyone.
April 8, 2019
As I read this book I was thinking, okay, three stars but when I arrived at the end the two double twists were so unexpected and so cleverly executed that I have given it four stars.
April 5, 2021
My favorite book ever ❤️
January 8, 2012
This book consisted of more than Sins of the Mother, we also have sins of the brother, sister, boyfriend, Nun and lord floating throughout the whole book. There was so much tragedy in Hyland’s book and gosh NOONE had any common sense… Cara a bit, but mostly no and I’m guessing that maybe it was because of the year the story is set it but still it was all just insane. So many things could have been avoided if the characters had maybe an ounce of common sense. It was hard reading about how good Franny was as a Mother to her daughter Cara for like the first 6 years of her life only to watch her turn her back on her so that she can make it big in Hollywood. All the horrible crap Cara had to suffer through while growing up could have been circumvented if not for her Mothers selfishness and cowardice or that Nuns deviousness too it was just a shame. Seeing her struggle and still excel though albeit some stumbling along the way showed how strong her character was. Although I ended up strongly disliking Franny for what she did to Cara (I mean really she should have just got the abortion for all that Cara went through growing up) but I felt horribly sad for her when she got sick, no one deserves that. I also felt that Cara’s grandmother lacked common sense for the fact that she had no close friends that she could trust enough to tell about Cara and didn’t think to find any in case anything happened to her and I understand why she didn’t tell Maggie but she was very old and something was bound to happen with her isolating herself and Cara��when she got Alzheimer’s Cara didn’t know what was going on or what to do and when she eventually died Cara still didn’t know what to do literally, she was just too young to have to go through all of that. Everything was just downhill for Cara after that for a good a while, while her Mother was living it up in Hollywood, although she’s getting sicker and sicker but she’s married to a freaking billionaire for goodness sake. Also, what the crap was up with those Nuns back then and why did the ones at the orphanage obviously wanna kill Cara, the other girls not included, it all was just wrong and evil. What happened to Cara’s sweet friend there was just sad too, I knew what happened as soon as the little girl came back and wasn’t her usual self, I was also glad that Cara didn’t have to suffer the same fate. Oh and how Cara couldn’t see right through Danny after watching how acted in general was embarrassing, I think she was stuck on how he was towards her as a child but even then that was sketchy and that’s the only excuse I can think of. The whole plot twist at the end was a bit sad but marvelous and just WOW for some of it, Poor Olivia, Poor Naihm and Poor Cara because not only did she face hell growing up but as an adult she has to worry about getting alzheimer’s and huntington’s disease which is awful. Summing this story up I would say WHOA, WOW, DANG and THAT”S MESSED UP. Overall though I’m glad Cara got to finally see her Mother again and vice versa. I’m also glad Franny found Max, he was a very great and sacrificial man and he didn’t feel the need to brag about it which makes him perfect in my book, he obviously loved her dearly…Hilda too, the only person out of the whole staff at his castle that they could trust. I’m glad that Cara may seem to have found some true happiness with Jake or Jack…whatever his name was, lol.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2011
Could you abandon your own child? This novel's central theme appears to be abandonment, love, and understanding. The author delivers on all fronts. She manages to stay fairly neutral in this novel-not an easy task in a novel where judgement is easy to dole out.
The main character of the first part, Franny, is likable at first. She appears as an eager child looking forward to the rest of her future. However, a turn of events involving a pregnancy and the father taking off leaves her far more cynical and desiring a better life. Her gluttony eventually gets the better of her. She takes off and abandons her daughter, Cara, much like her lover did to her years ago. Cara grows up fresh-faced and tough with her grandmother, her absent mother missing birthdays and sending presents late.
Cara's bitterness towards her mother at first seems accurate and deserved. However, things are not always as they seem and Cara soon finds out her mother's life is not nearly as glamorous as she once thought. This author highlights Huntington's Disease in her novel; the disease is integral to the plot and important to learn about. The author writes very smoothly and frankly, details are never left to the imagination. This novel is recommended for young adults/adults who enjoy women's fiction.
September 5, 2011
: I really enjoyed this book. You take a journey with the main character from when she is teenager until her death. You see the mistakes she makes along the way as well as the triumphs and loves in her life. Fanny is someone you can love and yet hate and think ‘Why’ all at the same time. Her life is difficult and exciting, I love that reading allows the reader to experience so many more lifetimes then we will ever have.
Cara, Fanny’s daughter, is a tough character with a love for life despite what life throws at her. As the reader we are privileged to see her life unfold, seeing her mistakes and triumphs, her loves and losses. The supporting characters are interesting and multi-faceted making the book flow well and the story exciting, making turning the next page a must. Every time I put this book down I would still have it at the back of my mind.
We can all relate to a family tale where love is sometimes all that holds us together, and this one will not disappoint. I think anyone would enjoy this book, it’s over 400 pages but it is worth the journey.
Cara, Fanny’s daughter, is a tough character with a love for life despite what life throws at her. As the reader we are privileged to see her life unfold, seeing her mistakes and triumphs, her loves and losses. The supporting characters are interesting and multi-faceted making the book flow well and the story exciting, making turning the next page a must. Every time I put this book down I would still have it at the back of my mind.
We can all relate to a family tale where love is sometimes all that holds us together, and this one will not disappoint. I think anyone would enjoy this book, it’s over 400 pages but it is worth the journey.
May 15, 2015
What a fantastic read. A little historical wrapped around a wonderful story with women at the core. I fell in love with the story from the beginning and even with it being a chunkster, I couldn't put it down and finished it in two and a half days.
With a glimpse at the very beginning that would weave nicely into the ending - this book was nothing like the books I have been reading recently - it had heart, turmoil, twists and turns. I fell in love with Franny from the beginning and just wanted to hear her story. The characters that weaved in and out were dynamic and kept the story moving forward. Even the ending had turns that I couldn't have even predicted!
I will not spoil this great read with any details, but will instead urge you to go to your closest bookstore (perferrably an indie) and grab this touching story. Even a reluctanct historical fiction reader will love this one.
With a glimpse at the very beginning that would weave nicely into the ending - this book was nothing like the books I have been reading recently - it had heart, turmoil, twists and turns. I fell in love with Franny from the beginning and just wanted to hear her story. The characters that weaved in and out were dynamic and kept the story moving forward. Even the ending had turns that I couldn't have even predicted!
I will not spoil this great read with any details, but will instead urge you to go to your closest bookstore (perferrably an indie) and grab this touching story. Even a reluctanct historical fiction reader will love this one.
February 12, 2014
Quis ler este livro pela sinopse, que achei interessante. Se fosse pelo título ou pela capa talvez nunca lhe tivesse pegado. E seria um erro enorme!
Esta é uma daquelas sagas familiares, um género que me é grato, que tem o condão de não dar vontade de parar de ler. Se, nalguns casos, esse tipo de leitura se nos pode afigurar algo fútil, pela forma como o tema é desenvolvido, aqui nada disso acontece. Aqui temos uma escrita super cativante, com personagens muito bem construídas. Já para não falar no cenário pós-guerra e anos de ouro de Hollywood. São épocas que, por si, são antagónicas mas que dão um élan especial à forma como Tara Hyland desenvolve a narrativa.
De notar, ainda, o título do livro que assenta que nem uma luva à obra. Recomendo em absoluto. Não vejo a hora de ler o outro livro cá publicado, Filhas da Fortuna, e que a Porto Editora não vote esta autora ao esquecimento, como algumas fazem com certos autores.
Esta é uma daquelas sagas familiares, um género que me é grato, que tem o condão de não dar vontade de parar de ler. Se, nalguns casos, esse tipo de leitura se nos pode afigurar algo fútil, pela forma como o tema é desenvolvido, aqui nada disso acontece. Aqui temos uma escrita super cativante, com personagens muito bem construídas. Já para não falar no cenário pós-guerra e anos de ouro de Hollywood. São épocas que, por si, são antagónicas mas que dão um élan especial à forma como Tara Hyland desenvolve a narrativa.
De notar, ainda, o título do livro que assenta que nem uma luva à obra. Recomendo em absoluto. Não vejo a hora de ler o outro livro cá publicado, Filhas da Fortuna, e que a Porto Editora não vote esta autora ao esquecimento, como algumas fazem com certos autores.
March 20, 2014
Este é o primeiro livro que leio de Tara Hyland. Conheço o outro título "Filhas da Fortuna", mas nunca tive oportunidade de o adquirir. Depois de ler este livro não posso deixar passar mais tempo.
"O Peso da Fama" alia uma capa lindíssima com uma narrativa de fazer derreter até o coração mais duro.
Este é um livro muito difícil de opinar porque fala da separação de uma mãe e de uma filha. Mesmo que tenha sido pelo "bem maior", é complicado compreender o que leva uma mãe a abandonar a filha e a nunca mais dar sinal de vida.
Este livro aborda uma doença que eu desconhecia - Doença de Huntington. A Doença de Huntington é uma doença hereditária do cérebro que se caracteriza por uma combinação de alterações motoras, emocionais e cognitivas.
Além de ser um livro "grande" lê-se num sopro. A escrita é acessível e as personagens são muito fortes e com carácter.
Se quiserem descobrir mais leiam o livro. Não se vão arrepender.
"O Peso da Fama" alia uma capa lindíssima com uma narrativa de fazer derreter até o coração mais duro.
Este é um livro muito difícil de opinar porque fala da separação de uma mãe e de uma filha. Mesmo que tenha sido pelo "bem maior", é complicado compreender o que leva uma mãe a abandonar a filha e a nunca mais dar sinal de vida.
Este livro aborda uma doença que eu desconhecia - Doença de Huntington. A Doença de Huntington é uma doença hereditária do cérebro que se caracteriza por uma combinação de alterações motoras, emocionais e cognitivas.
Além de ser um livro "grande" lê-se num sopro. A escrita é acessível e as personagens são muito fortes e com carácter.
Se quiserem descobrir mais leiam o livro. Não se vão arrepender.
June 23, 2015
Savršeno napisan roman.
Od siromašne Irske i poslijeratnog Londona, pa sve do zlatnog doba Hollywooda, ova je knjiga utjelovljenje emotivnog i realnog romana.
Priča koja te drži do samoga kraja. Likovi, situacije i životne priče su opisane tako da se povežeš s njima i priželjkuješ onaj poznati ''happy end''.
Tara Hyland definitivno zna kako namamiti čitatelja na suze!
Od siromašne Irske i poslijeratnog Londona, pa sve do zlatnog doba Hollywooda, ova je knjiga utjelovljenje emotivnog i realnog romana.
Priča koja te drži do samoga kraja. Likovi, situacije i životne priče su opisane tako da se povežeš s njima i priželjkuješ onaj poznati ''happy end''.
Tara Hyland definitivno zna kako namamiti čitatelja na suze!
March 4, 2016
Apesar de já ter lido este livro há uns tempos atrás , fui arrebatada agora como antes havia sido . Uma escrita viciante, uma história arrebatadora . Estamos a ler a uma velocidade que mais parece que estamos penduradas Num alfa pendular . Só acho que no fim deveria ter dado uma ideia do que aconteceu a Cara e ao jake mas tirando isso , amei.
Read
September 13, 2011Excellent! Can't wait for tara hyland to write another excellent read! Also everyone must read daughters of fortune. Excellent also!
October 2, 2011
I am not a big fan of historical books, but this one felt like it could have been set in any period of time. I really enjoyed this book. I might have given it four and a half stars if i could.
September 10, 2013
ADOREI! Especialmente a parte de Cara *.*
November 10, 2016
Uma boa história de resiliência e perseverança.
May 3, 2014
Really interesting book, I read it in two days but it didn't left impression on me.
December 1, 2011
“Sins of the Mother” by Tara Hyland
This Historical Fiction, epic family drama takes place during the “Golden Age” of Hollywood. This is one of the most glamorous times in all of Hollywood’s history, full of rich characters who are aspiring actors and actresses, full of the big names from the 1950’s glamorous big stars.
This epic family drama was very good and intriguing. I have not read a great family generational book like this in a long time, and after reading this book, I will be looking for more like this one. The following description only touches on the very basics of this book, as there is so much more to this rich story. Being that I am from the US, I had to laugh at myself because there were many words this British author used as British slang, I could not figure out some of their meanings! I wished I had a dictionary of British slang!
The author wove this story into an intriguing, interesting, can’t put this book down, and I don’t want to put this book down until I’m finished with it. She definitely keeps us interested through the entire book. This book is quite an enjoyable story to indulge into and escape from our own reality for a while. This is a book the epic family fiction lover will LOVE, as it spans over the lives of three generations of women. This is a must-read book!
The main female characters in this story are vibrant and strong. They go after what they want, when they want it, may come across some bumps in the road, and are always successful in the end. There is a little tension between Franny and her daughter, Cara, as Cara is left behind in London, without a mother as Franny whisks off to Hollywood to make her dreams come true as a great Hollywood Actress
This story starts off with the Prologue, which occurs in San Francisco, California, in 1958 with a baby being dropped off at an Orphanage. As we are reading, the characters and dates as we know them do not seem to match up to any of the characters. We are at a loss here, all the while, in the back of our minds, as this epic family drama is going on, we are trying to figure out just who this baby belongs to.
Now we are back in 1946 meeting Franny, living in London. She is an aspiring actress, and London is not conducive to the future she wants. Hollywood is her destination. She hits a large bump along the road and gets pregnant. She gives birth to a little girl and names her Cara. She raises Cara on her own as a single parent for the next seven years, and with the help of some friends of Franny’s. By this time, Franny’s dream is crying out to her. She has to go to Hollywood and make it BIG as the actress she truly wants to be. She talks to her mother and asks her if she can leave Cara with her just until she earns enough money to send for her. Her mother agrees to this temporary arrangement.
Franny takes off to Hollywood. Changes her last name to Fitzgerald to have it sound more glamorous, and she is glowing! She is where ALL of her dreams will be and are coming true! She is becoming famous, just likes she has always dreamt about. She is becoming very well known from the great parts she gets in the movies. From the photo shoots she poses for, to personal appearances here and there, to glamorous parties everywhere. Everyone knows the party girl’s name.
What about Cara? Why does she not send for Cara? That’s what Cara wants to know.
Franny meets Maximilian Stanhope, a billionaire businessman who built his fortune starting with a scion of a newspaper dynasty from his father. He diversifies this company into many others, and like the female characters, is just as strong and determined as they are. Franny is swept off of her feet by him and they marry. Franny still does not send for Cara? Nor has she told Max about Cara.
Meanwhile, back in London, Cara is still living with her Grandmother. A number of years go by and Cara cannot figure out WHY her own mother has never sent for her yet. It makes her sad. It has been another several years, and she is now 12. With her Grandmother full of failing health problems, Cara ends up in a horrible Orphanage. She tries so hard to make her way through the horrid circumstances, yet continuously gets into trouble. Cara is not one to keep quiet as she stands up for herself and the other girls who live there. This gets her into big trouble at times and she is made to suffer horribly. Cara feels it is time to escape from this place at the young age of sixteen.
Cara goes to find the family friends her and her mother had lived with in the past and is successful. While she is living with these people, she has grown up with their son, Danny, who is about four years older than she is. Over time, Danny takes a liking to her and her to him. It takes her some time, but she figures out he is on the wrong side of the tracks. At first she doesn’t mind, she’s in love with him. She moves in with him as she has fallen head over heels in love, until, once again, she is left alone. He has fled the country, most likely, as he has done something horrible and has gone against the London mob.
As Cara is on her own again, alone, to which she is no stranger to, she becomes successful and gets a job at a tabloid newspaper, and works her way up to reporter. She finds out her mother has passed away, and she decides it’s time to go search for her mother’s past to find out exactly how and why she died. She flies off to California to do what she does best. She starts researching as much as she can to find the story. Now The Orphanage comes back into play again.
I received this book for “FREE” from Atria Paperbacks, a Division of Simon & Schuster, through their Book Reviewer’s Program in exchange to read and write a review about this book. It is NOT required for my review I write to be either positive or negative, but, “of my own opinion.” I was NOT provided with “ANY” monies to accept this book, “NOR” to read it, NOR were “ANY” monies given to me to write the review for this book. All that was ‘expected’ of me was to enjoy the pure pleasure of reading it. Again, the opinions expressed for and about this book are ‘of my own opinion’. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa... Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
"Fallen Angels" by Tara Hyland
This book, Fallen Angels, happens to be the United Kingdom/British version of the book, "Sins of the Mother", here in the United States. I only found this out after I did a thorough research on Tara Hyland's books to find MORE from her, as I just LOVED this book! This book left me wanting to read more from this author! I saw this book, got a little confused as the story line sounded the same. After a little research, I found this book to be the same book as the book I mentioned above, just this cover is different than our version here, of which I happen to like this cover much more than our US version cover, as this cover looks much more 'Hollywood' than our cover. Yet, on our cover, you will notice where the words, A Novel are, would be where the words, "Hollywood" would be on the side of the mountain in California!
This story line is just as intriguing and delightful, and is the same story as ours. It is a wonderfully intriguing fictional Epic Family Drama that spans from London to Hollywood, California. This is a great read spanning three generations of strong women who go after their dreams successfully. They don't allow anything to stand in their way. There are three main characters whose lives make you not want to put this book down until you have turned the last page.
This is a definite must-read for those of you out there who love these fictional Epic Family Dramas! This is one NOT to pass up!
I received the US version of this book, Sins of the Mother, for "FREE" from Atria Paperbacks, a Division of Simon & Schuster, through their Book Reviewer's Program in exchange to read and write a review about this book. It is NOT required for my review I write to be either positive or negative, but, "of my own opinion." I was NOT provided with "ANY" monies to accept this book, "NOR" to read it, NOR were "ANY" monies given to me to write the review for this book. All that was `expected' of me was to enjoy the pure pleasure of reading it. Again, the opinions expressed for and about this book are `of my own opinion'. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa... Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
This Historical Fiction, epic family drama takes place during the “Golden Age” of Hollywood. This is one of the most glamorous times in all of Hollywood’s history, full of rich characters who are aspiring actors and actresses, full of the big names from the 1950’s glamorous big stars.
This epic family drama was very good and intriguing. I have not read a great family generational book like this in a long time, and after reading this book, I will be looking for more like this one. The following description only touches on the very basics of this book, as there is so much more to this rich story. Being that I am from the US, I had to laugh at myself because there were many words this British author used as British slang, I could not figure out some of their meanings! I wished I had a dictionary of British slang!
The author wove this story into an intriguing, interesting, can’t put this book down, and I don’t want to put this book down until I’m finished with it. She definitely keeps us interested through the entire book. This book is quite an enjoyable story to indulge into and escape from our own reality for a while. This is a book the epic family fiction lover will LOVE, as it spans over the lives of three generations of women. This is a must-read book!
The main female characters in this story are vibrant and strong. They go after what they want, when they want it, may come across some bumps in the road, and are always successful in the end. There is a little tension between Franny and her daughter, Cara, as Cara is left behind in London, without a mother as Franny whisks off to Hollywood to make her dreams come true as a great Hollywood Actress
This story starts off with the Prologue, which occurs in San Francisco, California, in 1958 with a baby being dropped off at an Orphanage. As we are reading, the characters and dates as we know them do not seem to match up to any of the characters. We are at a loss here, all the while, in the back of our minds, as this epic family drama is going on, we are trying to figure out just who this baby belongs to.
Now we are back in 1946 meeting Franny, living in London. She is an aspiring actress, and London is not conducive to the future she wants. Hollywood is her destination. She hits a large bump along the road and gets pregnant. She gives birth to a little girl and names her Cara. She raises Cara on her own as a single parent for the next seven years, and with the help of some friends of Franny’s. By this time, Franny’s dream is crying out to her. She has to go to Hollywood and make it BIG as the actress she truly wants to be. She talks to her mother and asks her if she can leave Cara with her just until she earns enough money to send for her. Her mother agrees to this temporary arrangement.
Franny takes off to Hollywood. Changes her last name to Fitzgerald to have it sound more glamorous, and she is glowing! She is where ALL of her dreams will be and are coming true! She is becoming famous, just likes she has always dreamt about. She is becoming very well known from the great parts she gets in the movies. From the photo shoots she poses for, to personal appearances here and there, to glamorous parties everywhere. Everyone knows the party girl’s name.
What about Cara? Why does she not send for Cara? That’s what Cara wants to know.
Franny meets Maximilian Stanhope, a billionaire businessman who built his fortune starting with a scion of a newspaper dynasty from his father. He diversifies this company into many others, and like the female characters, is just as strong and determined as they are. Franny is swept off of her feet by him and they marry. Franny still does not send for Cara? Nor has she told Max about Cara.
Meanwhile, back in London, Cara is still living with her Grandmother. A number of years go by and Cara cannot figure out WHY her own mother has never sent for her yet. It makes her sad. It has been another several years, and she is now 12. With her Grandmother full of failing health problems, Cara ends up in a horrible Orphanage. She tries so hard to make her way through the horrid circumstances, yet continuously gets into trouble. Cara is not one to keep quiet as she stands up for herself and the other girls who live there. This gets her into big trouble at times and she is made to suffer horribly. Cara feels it is time to escape from this place at the young age of sixteen.
Cara goes to find the family friends her and her mother had lived with in the past and is successful. While she is living with these people, she has grown up with their son, Danny, who is about four years older than she is. Over time, Danny takes a liking to her and her to him. It takes her some time, but she figures out he is on the wrong side of the tracks. At first she doesn’t mind, she’s in love with him. She moves in with him as she has fallen head over heels in love, until, once again, she is left alone. He has fled the country, most likely, as he has done something horrible and has gone against the London mob.
As Cara is on her own again, alone, to which she is no stranger to, she becomes successful and gets a job at a tabloid newspaper, and works her way up to reporter. She finds out her mother has passed away, and she decides it’s time to go search for her mother’s past to find out exactly how and why she died. She flies off to California to do what she does best. She starts researching as much as she can to find the story. Now The Orphanage comes back into play again.
I received this book for “FREE” from Atria Paperbacks, a Division of Simon & Schuster, through their Book Reviewer’s Program in exchange to read and write a review about this book. It is NOT required for my review I write to be either positive or negative, but, “of my own opinion.” I was NOT provided with “ANY” monies to accept this book, “NOR” to read it, NOR were “ANY” monies given to me to write the review for this book. All that was ‘expected’ of me was to enjoy the pure pleasure of reading it. Again, the opinions expressed for and about this book are ‘of my own opinion’. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa... Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
"Fallen Angels" by Tara Hyland
This book, Fallen Angels, happens to be the United Kingdom/British version of the book, "Sins of the Mother", here in the United States. I only found this out after I did a thorough research on Tara Hyland's books to find MORE from her, as I just LOVED this book! This book left me wanting to read more from this author! I saw this book, got a little confused as the story line sounded the same. After a little research, I found this book to be the same book as the book I mentioned above, just this cover is different than our version here, of which I happen to like this cover much more than our US version cover, as this cover looks much more 'Hollywood' than our cover. Yet, on our cover, you will notice where the words, A Novel are, would be where the words, "Hollywood" would be on the side of the mountain in California!
This story line is just as intriguing and delightful, and is the same story as ours. It is a wonderfully intriguing fictional Epic Family Drama that spans from London to Hollywood, California. This is a great read spanning three generations of strong women who go after their dreams successfully. They don't allow anything to stand in their way. There are three main characters whose lives make you not want to put this book down until you have turned the last page.
This is a definite must-read for those of you out there who love these fictional Epic Family Dramas! This is one NOT to pass up!
I received the US version of this book, Sins of the Mother, for "FREE" from Atria Paperbacks, a Division of Simon & Schuster, through their Book Reviewer's Program in exchange to read and write a review about this book. It is NOT required for my review I write to be either positive or negative, but, "of my own opinion." I was NOT provided with "ANY" monies to accept this book, "NOR" to read it, NOR were "ANY" monies given to me to write the review for this book. All that was `expected' of me was to enjoy the pure pleasure of reading it. Again, the opinions expressed for and about this book are `of my own opinion'. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa... Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
April 17, 2022
Este livro é um livro que tem tudo: mistério, sofrimento, assédio, violência... entre a Irlanda, a Inglaterra e os Estados Unidos da América, existem histórias sofridas de várias famílias que não se conhecem, unidas apenas por Cara e Frances.
A história começa por Frances que sonha em ser actriz, alguém que não se conforma em casar-se com o vizinho da quinta ao lado e viver uma vida igual à dos outros. Só que há ilusões que trazem consequências e rapidamente temos Frances em Inglaterra a sobreviver para ganhar a vida para si e para sua filha Cara. Até que o destino lhe sorri, mas só a ela sorri e Frances decide viajar para os EUA com um bilhete de entrada no mundo de Hollywood onde uma mãe solteira nunca seria admitida. Cara fica para trás e vai viver uma vida de desastre em desastre, encontrando violência e frieza onde deveria encontrar amor e acolhimento. Frances acaba por ter a sua sorte no mundo do cinema mas nunca conseguindo a aproximação da sua filha. Até que mais um desastre ocorre e esta morre. Só passados muitos anos Cara, numa vida mais endireitada, mais confiante mas desconfiada decide investigar a morte da mãe e encontra muitos segredos por desvendar.
A sinopse, como é construída, dá-nos a ideia que no fim vamos ver o resultado destas revelações em Cara mas, de facto, só a vemos decidir o que vai fazer depois e nunca o resultado dessas decisões. Para mim faltou-me um capítulo extra para encerrar a história. Uma história que demorou a ler, que teve momentos que me obrigavam a deixar de ler por estar tão farta do sofrimento que descreve, outros que me deixavam a chorar pela nossa Cara e ainda outros cheios de tédio e que me deixavam cheia de vontade de abandonar o livro. É um livro demasiado sofrido e que com menos umas páginas ou retirando algumas sub-histórias da história talvez a tornassem mais suportável de ler. Talvez o momento para ler o livro não fosse o melhor. Ou simplesmente não é o meu género favorito. Gosto de histórias com mistérios, de outros géneros que incluem mistério mas neste livro o nível de sofrimento após sofrimento após outro tornou-se excessivo e por isso, apesar de ficar contente e de saber o fim da história, o ficar contente porque acabei de ler o livro tem um gosto amargo na boca porque foi tudo muito excessivo e chego ao fim preferindo ter escolhido livros que me deixassem com melhor disposição.
A história começa por Frances que sonha em ser actriz, alguém que não se conforma em casar-se com o vizinho da quinta ao lado e viver uma vida igual à dos outros. Só que há ilusões que trazem consequências e rapidamente temos Frances em Inglaterra a sobreviver para ganhar a vida para si e para sua filha Cara. Até que o destino lhe sorri, mas só a ela sorri e Frances decide viajar para os EUA com um bilhete de entrada no mundo de Hollywood onde uma mãe solteira nunca seria admitida. Cara fica para trás e vai viver uma vida de desastre em desastre, encontrando violência e frieza onde deveria encontrar amor e acolhimento. Frances acaba por ter a sua sorte no mundo do cinema mas nunca conseguindo a aproximação da sua filha. Até que mais um desastre ocorre e esta morre. Só passados muitos anos Cara, numa vida mais endireitada, mais confiante mas desconfiada decide investigar a morte da mãe e encontra muitos segredos por desvendar.
A sinopse, como é construída, dá-nos a ideia que no fim vamos ver o resultado destas revelações em Cara mas, de facto, só a vemos decidir o que vai fazer depois e nunca o resultado dessas decisões. Para mim faltou-me um capítulo extra para encerrar a história. Uma história que demorou a ler, que teve momentos que me obrigavam a deixar de ler por estar tão farta do sofrimento que descreve, outros que me deixavam a chorar pela nossa Cara e ainda outros cheios de tédio e que me deixavam cheia de vontade de abandonar o livro. É um livro demasiado sofrido e que com menos umas páginas ou retirando algumas sub-histórias da história talvez a tornassem mais suportável de ler. Talvez o momento para ler o livro não fosse o melhor. Ou simplesmente não é o meu género favorito. Gosto de histórias com mistérios, de outros géneros que incluem mistério mas neste livro o nível de sofrimento após sofrimento após outro tornou-se excessivo e por isso, apesar de ficar contente e de saber o fim da história, o ficar contente porque acabei de ler o livro tem um gosto amargo na boca porque foi tudo muito excessivo e chego ao fim preferindo ter escolhido livros que me deixassem com melhor disposição.
June 14, 2020
Todo este livro é uma tragédia... lembrou-me claramente os livros de Lesley Pearse. Primeiro é nos apresentada Frances, bonita e decidida que foge de casa quando engravida e luta até chegar a Hollywood independentemente das consequências. Cara tem uma infância difícil marcada pela rejeição e em adulta as coisas custam a melhorar. Não gostei da Frances, achei-a egoísta e a resolução de todos os mistérios no final ainda deixa em mim mais essa impressão. Gostei da Cara, gostava que a vida dela tivesse sido mais fácil, mal recuperávamos de um drama entravamos logo noutro. Este desfile consecutivo de tragédias acaba por tornar o livro viciante... é impossível larga-lo. Alguns mistérios surpreenderam, outro foram óbvios. Mas é uma leitura interessante, diferente, mas com alguns pontos a melhorar
January 24, 2021
Една од најубавите книги кои сум ги прочитала...550 страници кои сами се вртат и се читаат во еден здив. Тара Хајланд стана една од моите омилени писателки.
Френи Хили отсекогаш сонува да излезе од малото ирско гратче кое ја задушува. Но, никогаш не мислеше дека ќе си замине бремена на само 17 години и напуштена од својот сакан. Преживувањето во поствоениот и мрачен Лондон со својата ќеркичка Кара е недоволен за нејзината амбиција; таа ја води дури до Холивуд, но, жртвата која кариерата ја бара е најголемата за една мајка: нејзината ќерка.
Кога по долги години страдање напуштената Кара е повикана во домот на нејзината трагично загината мајка и поранешна актерка Френсис Фицџералд, почнува да ги истражува околностите под кои таа загинала.
Приказна за љубовта, напуштањето, златната ера на Холивуд, човековата амбиција и цената на истата.
Френи Хили отсекогаш сонува да излезе од малото ирско гратче кое ја задушува. Но, никогаш не мислеше дека ќе си замине бремена на само 17 години и напуштена од својот сакан. Преживувањето во поствоениот и мрачен Лондон со својата ќеркичка Кара е недоволен за нејзината амбиција; таа ја води дури до Холивуд, но, жртвата која кариерата ја бара е најголемата за една мајка: нејзината ќерка.
Кога по долги години страдање напуштената Кара е повикана во домот на нејзината трагично загината мајка и поранешна актерка Френсис Фицџералд, почнува да ги истражува околностите под кои таа загинала.
Приказна за љубовта, напуштањето, златната ера на Холивуд, човековата амбиција и цената на истата.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews