LOVE ALWAYS

by Sally Brampton

A novel about love, obsession, and the dangers of asking others to pay the price for our own happiness, from the acclaimed author of Concerning Lily. Jane Rose is trying to find her way home. After a childhood spent on the move, following her parents from country to country, she is lonely and dislocated. Then she meets Ben - fascinating, complicated, and irresistible. But Ben, too young, too avid for adventure, proves an unsafe haven. Eight years later they meet again. Ben has a wife, Rebecca; Jane has a child, Beattie. When tragedy strikes it pushes them back together again. Blinded by love and grief, Jane clings to Ben, but nothing is quite as it seems.

Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Sally Brampton was an English journalist, columnist, magazine editor, and novelist. She launched the French magazine ELLE in the UK as editor-in-chief. In 2008 she wrote about her personal effort to overcome clinical depression in her book Shoot the Damn Dog. It is believed Brampton committed suicide by walking into the sea. The Sussex Police said there were no "suspicious circumstances". She was 60 and survived by her adult daughter, Molly.

Reviews

[Via · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed how complex the characters were and how your opinion about Ben grew worse as Jane finds out more. I was so pleased about her relationship with Richard as well, made me so happy to read that last sentence.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

An intense read and a book of three parts. The first one third was sufficiently engaging to read on.
The second third dragged a bit, I think the writing quality may have slipped. The final third was engrossing so, overall a good read.
Fundamentally a love triangle, Jane is the protagonist, she has known/loved Ben for more than a decade. But Ben is in an obsessive marriage with the beautiful Rebecca.
Above all Jane loves her young daughter, Beattie.
We all know something will go terribly wrong, but who is to blame?

[Bekki Pate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every second of this book I literally cannot fault it. This is the second time I have read it too and the author weaves such brilliance with her words.
She shows us that the main protagonist isn't perfect - which no one is - and that she has done some things that she isn't proud of. The author tells the story of the darker part of human nature that resides in all of us. The tragedy that this woman goes through too is heartbreaking.

Amazing book!