Exiles

by Anita Burgh

Kate Howard is no longer a struggling author. A successful writer, for the past three years she has lived happily with her lover Stewart and her daughter Lucy in an old farmhouse in the beautiful, wild Auverge region of central France. When her son announces that he too intends to move to France, it would seem that life for Kate could not be sweeter. Then comes a bolt from the blue, a phone call from Kate’s literary agent in London that threatens her whole way of life. But worse is to follow with the arrival of newcomers Mo and Tristram. Mo is a striking beauty and charming—when it suits her. As Kate discovers, she’s one of those people who brings chaos to other people’s lives, and Kate’s is no exception.

Genres: France

496 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Anita Burgh was born in Kent. She began to write in her late forties and was first published at the age of 50. She has subsequently had 23 novels published, numerous articles and short stories. Her themes are those of class, rejection and wealth. She writes books set in the modern world but also historical novels set in Victorian and Edwardian times – her latest being The Cresswell Inheritance trilogy. She has been a member of the RNA for many years, was a committee member and has been short-listed for the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year award. Now in her 70s, she enjoys teaching and mentoring others who are, as yet, unpublished. She continues to write novels, proving that authors never retire.

Reviews

[Wizzfizz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice story that drew me in to the character's lives and made me keep reading into the night. Felt like a good gossip over the neighbour's fence!

Brutally honest Netta is my fave character. She speaks her mind with perfect bluntness and gets away with it every time!

Fave quote (Netta to god-daughter Caroline):
" That you love him is not in dispute. Whether it is wise of you to do so is the question we have to face."

[Pauline · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting thing about this book is how unlikeable the majority of characters are. Kate is just a weak annoying women, both men in her life are equally unlikeable. Netta, and Steve were the best of the lot. Hard to love a book when there isn't much to like about the characters.

[Jill Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light read - Anita Burgh style - enjoyed reading other books by her previously. Interesting insight to life as a successful writer, writing about what you know, changing writing styles and genre. Lots of hard work goes into any novel with rewriting and editing, much the same as any writing. Enjoyed the idea of living in a French village. Great way to escape from reality for a while.

[Karen Lowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A workmanlike story, which did keep me entertained till the end. For me, there was very little 'feel' of the Auvergne to the tale - it could just as easily have been set in Surrey. A long way from Rose Tremain's 'Trespass'

[Jennifer Colquhoun]

Exiles is an interesting sequel to Advances. But one can't help wondering why the author changed Kate's husband's name from Tony to Alan. And I sometimes wish Anita' heroines were a little more like Netta!