What do you think?
Rate this book
A Lifetime Burning
Flora Dunbar is dead. But it isn’t over.
The spectre at the funeral is Flora herself, unobserved by her grieving family and the four men who loved her.
Looking back over a turbulent lifetime, Flora recalls an eccentric childhood lived in the shadow of her musical twin, Rory; early marriage to Hugh, a handsome clergyman twice her age; motherhood, which brought her Theo, the son she couldn’t love; middle age, when she finally found brief happiness in a scandalous affair with her nephew, Colin.
“There has been much love in this family – some would say too much – and not a little hate. If you asked my sister-in-law, Grace why she hated me, she’d say it was because I seduced her precious firstborn, then tossed him on to the sizeable scrap heap marked ‘Flora’s ex-lovers’. But she’d be lying. That isn’t why Grace hated me. Ask my brother Rory.”
~~~
A complex family drama spanning the 20th century from the author of Kindle bestseller, HOUSE OF SILENCE.
The spectre at the funeral is Flora herself, unobserved by her grieving family and the four men who loved her.
Looking back over a turbulent lifetime, Flora recalls an eccentric childhood lived in the shadow of her musical twin, Rory; early marriage to Hugh, a handsome clergyman twice her age; motherhood, which brought her Theo, the son she couldn’t love; middle age, when she finally found brief happiness in a scandalous affair with her nephew, Colin.
“There has been much love in this family – some would say too much – and not a little hate. If you asked my sister-in-law, Grace why she hated me, she’d say it was because I seduced her precious firstborn, then tossed him on to the sizeable scrap heap marked ‘Flora’s ex-lovers’. But she’d be lying. That isn’t why Grace hated me. Ask my brother Rory.”
~~~
A complex family drama spanning the 20th century from the author of Kindle bestseller, HOUSE OF SILENCE.
- GenresFiction
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 16, 2006
27 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Linda Gillard
19 books285 followersLinda Gillard lives in North Lanarkshire, Scotland and has been an actress, journalist and teacher. She’s the author of ten novels, including STAR GAZING, shortlisted in 2009 for "Romantic Novel of the Year" and the Robin Jenkins Literary Award, for writing that promotes the Scottish landscape.
HOUSE OF SILENCE and THE MEMORY TREE became Kindle bestsellers.
HOUSE OF SILENCE and THE MEMORY TREE became Kindle bestsellers.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
July 12, 2013
Where I got the book: this is one of those rare occasions where I requested a copy from the author because I became intrigued about her writing.
I’ve been mulling over whether to include spoilers or not, but I think I’ll have to if I’m going to discuss the story properly. The blurb makes the novel sound like it’s a family story and so it is, told in a non-linear style over a sixty-year period. It’s the story of Flora Dunbar, her twin brother Rory, and their family through three generations, interestingly framed in a beyond-the-grave narration by Flora’s—ghost? Tortured soul? There’s a whole book club discussion in just that one point.
As children, Flora and Rory are emotionally close, to the point that separation causes them anguish. As they grow up Rory’s extraordinary talent as a pianist takes him to places where Flora can’t go. She marries Hugh, a widowed vicar (this is the early 1960s so Flora’s view of her career options is excusably limited) while Rory marries Grace, a fellow musician.
Neither marriage is particularly happy. Flora and Rory’s adult relationship is twisted and tormented by a physical attraction toward each other that is made apparent to the reader early on. Flora copes by drinking; Rory has his music; but you just KNOW where I’m going with this, don’t you. Yep.
And this is where I have to say that I admire the way Linda Gillard deals with the subject of incest. All good novels have a “what-if?” at their core, and A Lifetime Burning asks: what if love—in all its manifestations, emotional and physical—is forbidden by morality, religion and law but still undeniably there? What does it do to the people involved? She flanks the story of Rory and Flora with two other instances of incest (the Dunbars are quite the close family) which have different outcomes, both equally bleak. And she handles the topic with grace: without glamorizing it, without condemning or condoning, with an understanding of the depth of love involved and the corresponding depth of pain.
I described this novel to a friend and she remarked that she wouldn’t even read such a book because the subject-matter would make her feel as if she needed a shower. I understood her squeamishness: if A Lifetime Burning had glamorized the situation or tried to make it sexy or anything like that, I would have felt the same. But Gillard focuses on the consequences of Flora and Rory’s obsessive relationship and its destructive nature; there’s nothing glamorized about it. Sex is far from being the focus of the novel, although several of the characters crave a sexual relationship for the intimacy and warmth it brings. The one—memorable—sex scene that I recall is beautifully written to bring out Flora’s role as the victim of her desires and Rory’s as her tortured manipulator.
The writing is fantastic; Gillard is particularly good at dialogue and balances it beautifully with narrative scenes. Having recently read Life After Life , also a literary novel concerning a family told in a non-linear style, I couldn’t help noticing that I cared a whole lot more about the characters in A Lifetime Burning—the emotion that I felt the much-touted litfic “best novel of the century” lacked was right here, in a novel that’s every bit as good as Kate Atkinson’s. I particularly liked Hugh, the still center of the novel who is, in the long run, able to deal with his own desires and emotions in a non-destructive way.
I do relish writers who tackle the hard stuff of life without making a big song and dance about it. I enjoyed this read very much and would recommend it to anyone who likes literary fiction and who appreciates that writers get to think the unthinkable so that we can experience the repercussions within the space of our own heads, with no harm to anyone.
I’ve been mulling over whether to include spoilers or not, but I think I’ll have to if I’m going to discuss the story properly. The blurb makes the novel sound like it’s a family story and so it is, told in a non-linear style over a sixty-year period. It’s the story of Flora Dunbar, her twin brother Rory, and their family through three generations, interestingly framed in a beyond-the-grave narration by Flora’s—ghost? Tortured soul? There’s a whole book club discussion in just that one point.
As children, Flora and Rory are emotionally close, to the point that separation causes them anguish. As they grow up Rory’s extraordinary talent as a pianist takes him to places where Flora can’t go. She marries Hugh, a widowed vicar (this is the early 1960s so Flora’s view of her career options is excusably limited) while Rory marries Grace, a fellow musician.
Neither marriage is particularly happy. Flora and Rory’s adult relationship is twisted and tormented by a physical attraction toward each other that is made apparent to the reader early on. Flora copes by drinking; Rory has his music; but you just KNOW where I’m going with this, don’t you. Yep.
And this is where I have to say that I admire the way Linda Gillard deals with the subject of incest. All good novels have a “what-if?” at their core, and A Lifetime Burning asks: what if love—in all its manifestations, emotional and physical—is forbidden by morality, religion and law but still undeniably there? What does it do to the people involved? She flanks the story of Rory and Flora with two other instances of incest (the Dunbars are quite the close family) which have different outcomes, both equally bleak. And she handles the topic with grace: without glamorizing it, without condemning or condoning, with an understanding of the depth of love involved and the corresponding depth of pain.
I described this novel to a friend and she remarked that she wouldn’t even read such a book because the subject-matter would make her feel as if she needed a shower. I understood her squeamishness: if A Lifetime Burning had glamorized the situation or tried to make it sexy or anything like that, I would have felt the same. But Gillard focuses on the consequences of Flora and Rory’s obsessive relationship and its destructive nature; there’s nothing glamorized about it. Sex is far from being the focus of the novel, although several of the characters crave a sexual relationship for the intimacy and warmth it brings. The one—memorable—sex scene that I recall is beautifully written to bring out Flora’s role as the victim of her desires and Rory’s as her tortured manipulator.
The writing is fantastic; Gillard is particularly good at dialogue and balances it beautifully with narrative scenes. Having recently read Life After Life , also a literary novel concerning a family told in a non-linear style, I couldn’t help noticing that I cared a whole lot more about the characters in A Lifetime Burning—the emotion that I felt the much-touted litfic “best novel of the century” lacked was right here, in a novel that’s every bit as good as Kate Atkinson’s. I particularly liked Hugh, the still center of the novel who is, in the long run, able to deal with his own desires and emotions in a non-destructive way.
I do relish writers who tackle the hard stuff of life without making a big song and dance about it. I enjoyed this read very much and would recommend it to anyone who likes literary fiction and who appreciates that writers get to think the unthinkable so that we can experience the repercussions within the space of our own heads, with no harm to anyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2013
7/25 - rated it 5 stars 16 minutes ago
Thank you for writing this book, Linda Gillard.
I will return and try to write a review that will do justice to Linda Gillard's vision, words, writing, rhythm, one of a kind story weaving, and so much more. Rating 'A Lifetime Burning' as a five star book feels like an injustice to her and to her author.
I don't remember the last time a book swallowed me whole and took hold of me like 'A Lifetime Burning." I literally just finished and I'm crying. Crying for the characters who came to life from page one, crying because I didn't want this book to ever end, and crying because I've discovered an author who captured me whole.
07/24 "Page 240
This is absolutely one of the greatest reading experiences I've had in years. I am so grateful that I came across this incredible author, Linda Gillard. I never want 'A Lifetime Burning' to end but I can't wait to read her other works. YES!!!"
07/23 "Page 140
Have you ever found an author whose works you've never read and whose words you've never felt, and then as you read that author's words and phrases, and the rhythm and play of all make your breath catch? Have you felt the intensity of connection and wonder in what you are experiencing so that you are brought to tears? I have. I am. Right now."
7/23 marked as: currently-reading
07/22 "Page 60 - good,good,good,good.good!"
Thank you for writing this book, Linda Gillard.
I will return and try to write a review that will do justice to Linda Gillard's vision, words, writing, rhythm, one of a kind story weaving, and so much more. Rating 'A Lifetime Burning' as a five star book feels like an injustice to her and to her author.
I don't remember the last time a book swallowed me whole and took hold of me like 'A Lifetime Burning." I literally just finished and I'm crying. Crying for the characters who came to life from page one, crying because I didn't want this book to ever end, and crying because I've discovered an author who captured me whole.
07/24 "Page 240
This is absolutely one of the greatest reading experiences I've had in years. I am so grateful that I came across this incredible author, Linda Gillard. I never want 'A Lifetime Burning' to end but I can't wait to read her other works. YES!!!"
07/23 "Page 140
Have you ever found an author whose works you've never read and whose words you've never felt, and then as you read that author's words and phrases, and the rhythm and play of all make your breath catch? Have you felt the intensity of connection and wonder in what you are experiencing so that you are brought to tears? I have. I am. Right now."
7/23 marked as: currently-reading
07/22 "Page 60 - good,good,good,good.good!"
November 21, 2019
If you like family drama, this book has it in spades! Told from the perspective of Flora, who is telling her life story after her death, this book grabs you from the start. It starts with her childhood, shared with her twin brother, Rory and works it’s way through her life and her loves. It is a story of love that can never really be expressed and the destruction that people can do to themselves and others. I’m being intentionally vague as I don’t want to give away what might be considered spoilers. Since it deals with a taboo subject, it is not going to be for everyone but it is a dramatic, heart-wrenching story that hooked me and had me thinking about it long after I had finished it.
January 10, 2012
Linda Gillard is particularly good at beginnings, and this is nowhere more evident than in this novel. In the first 2 pages, we meet all the main characters, have all the themes and narrative strands hinted at, and suspect that the title A Lifetime Burning is in some way the core of the novel. All in 2 pages. It would have to be an amazingly incurious reader who would not be impelled to read on….and on….because I defy anyone to be able to put this book aside. I rather deplore the over- use of the cliché “a page-turner”, but this book most certainly is one.
Any attempt to summarise the plot gives too much away, so I won’t. In some ways it is a family saga – but about an unusual family, one with dark secrets, where illicit love runs through the generations to devastating effect, leaving no member of the family unscathed. Structurally the book moves backwards and forwards through time, from 1942 to 2000, and alternates between straight narrative and Flora’s (the character who opens the story) commentary from beyond the grave. This is a plot device that often feels unnatural, but it is here both extremely effective and entirely relevant. Often a fragmented narrative can be confusing, but Gillard is totally in control of her subject and the story moves inexorably to its climax.
Each character feels real, not always likeable but always interesting, and each develops convincingly over the course of the novel. Gillard confronts some serious themes - incest for a start, but also love in all its aspects, lust, depression, unfulfilled dreams and longings, disappointment – with enormous understanding and sensitivity, so that although it is a sad book it is never unremittingly so.
Once finished, I turned, as I imagine most readers will, back to the beginning, and could fully appreciate what a clever book this is, how well it is constructed and how apparently effortlessly all the strands are gathered together into a very satisfying and absorbing read.
Any attempt to summarise the plot gives too much away, so I won’t. In some ways it is a family saga – but about an unusual family, one with dark secrets, where illicit love runs through the generations to devastating effect, leaving no member of the family unscathed. Structurally the book moves backwards and forwards through time, from 1942 to 2000, and alternates between straight narrative and Flora’s (the character who opens the story) commentary from beyond the grave. This is a plot device that often feels unnatural, but it is here both extremely effective and entirely relevant. Often a fragmented narrative can be confusing, but Gillard is totally in control of her subject and the story moves inexorably to its climax.
Each character feels real, not always likeable but always interesting, and each develops convincingly over the course of the novel. Gillard confronts some serious themes - incest for a start, but also love in all its aspects, lust, depression, unfulfilled dreams and longings, disappointment – with enormous understanding and sensitivity, so that although it is a sad book it is never unremittingly so.
Once finished, I turned, as I imagine most readers will, back to the beginning, and could fully appreciate what a clever book this is, how well it is constructed and how apparently effortlessly all the strands are gathered together into a very satisfying and absorbing read.
December 16, 2012
I find it difficult to know quite what to say about this book. The author is uncompromising in her subject matter, and this I welcome. It's not a comfortable read: as the theme of the subject matter unfolds - in ever more depth and pattern - you are drawn in. The juxtaposition of each of the different time segments can take a little getting used to, plus the post-death commentary that adds another layer to the experiences and perceptions being reported through the narrative. As others have written, you get to the end, and re-read the opening sections. There's much to reflect on here.
November 30, 2018
Isn’t it funny, you can have a favourite author, and despite being different their books have 1 thing in common that makes you love them more, and then you read a book that’s so completely different, and doesn’t even have that common thing and yet it still packs such a punch it’s probably going to be your favourite book by that author!
I have loved every single one of Linda Gillard’s books, and yes, especially her talent for writing the dreamiest heroes ever! A lifetime burning is different, there’s not really a dreamy hero, a dreamy anyone really, almost all the characters are rather unlikeable in their own ways, the story was quite horrible, but in that, can’t look away car crash way, but actually it was a stunning read and will stay with me for a very long time!
I have loved every single one of Linda Gillard’s books, and yes, especially her talent for writing the dreamiest heroes ever! A lifetime burning is different, there’s not really a dreamy hero, a dreamy anyone really, almost all the characters are rather unlikeable in their own ways, the story was quite horrible, but in that, can’t look away car crash way, but actually it was a stunning read and will stay with me for a very long time!
October 31, 2009
I held back this book as a special treat having loved Linda's other two books, and for the first twenty-five pages I thought I was going to be really disappointed. It's such a different read - starts with a funeral and a large cast of characters, then jumps around in time, and for a very short while you feel rather lost. But then it soars - I got absolutely lost in Flora's life, the fragmented timeline felt absolutely right, the switching from first to third person, the strongly drawn characters (few of them particularly likeable). This is writing in a different league. The story might not appeal to all - it's a brave theme to tackle - but I was totally absorbed by it and finally put it down at 2am feeling satisfied but quite exhausted. Then I picked it back up and read the first twenty-five pages again... A brilliant read, a challenging one too, but don't miss it...
November 28, 2019
This has now taken over from Emotional Geology as my favourite Linda Gillard book. It is a powerful account of the tragic life of Flora Dunbar and her unusual family. There are so many memorable characters, a plot with Shakespearean twists and turns, and themes which resonate - it examines many aspects of love - family, Christian, sexual, romantic - covering sibling rivalry, loyalty, betrayal, homosexuality, incest. The writing is excellent too, some beautifully original phrases and sentence structures unlike most modern authors. Even the title is clever in its interpretations throughout the novel.
It's hard to go into details and examples without spoilers but I'll try. Flora herself is a very flawed hero, not always even likeable, but she retains our curiosity and empathy if not always our sympathy. Her twin brother, Rory, is too ego-centric and obsessive and Hugh, Flora's long-suffering husband and Grace, Rory's poor wife, both almost [but not entirely] too good to be true. However, these weaknesses as human beings only serve, in my opinion, to make them more rounded, more real.
At first the book's structure, flitting about in time over 60 or so years, and from third person to first, was confusing and I had to keep going back to discover which year I was reading about and how it fitted in. But, as the story unfolded [and boy, does it unfold, layer after layer] I realised how these flashbacks were revealing of the later events and the parallels just added to our understanding of the characters and their decisions. And then there is the idea of the main character being buried at the start of the book and seeing her life in retrospect; this enables more layers of insight, more points of view, but it is more than a literary construct: it adds suspense [how did she die?] and completion in a way, for by the end we know everything largely because of this idea. If I am not being clear, you will understand once you've read it.
Oh, one example - chapter 21 with Flora helping her nephew and colleague improve their performance of the bedroom scene in Hamlet between the prince and his mother, was brilliant on several levels - Gillard could hardly have chosen a more appropriate scene from the Bard for that point in the story! Ssh, I'll say no more.
So, A Lifetime Burning is a masterpiece. I loved it and its characters are still in my head as I try to turn to another book. Please read it.
It's hard to go into details and examples without spoilers but I'll try. Flora herself is a very flawed hero, not always even likeable, but she retains our curiosity and empathy if not always our sympathy. Her twin brother, Rory, is too ego-centric and obsessive and Hugh, Flora's long-suffering husband and Grace, Rory's poor wife, both almost [but not entirely] too good to be true. However, these weaknesses as human beings only serve, in my opinion, to make them more rounded, more real.
At first the book's structure, flitting about in time over 60 or so years, and from third person to first, was confusing and I had to keep going back to discover which year I was reading about and how it fitted in. But, as the story unfolded [and boy, does it unfold, layer after layer] I realised how these flashbacks were revealing of the later events and the parallels just added to our understanding of the characters and their decisions. And then there is the idea of the main character being buried at the start of the book and seeing her life in retrospect; this enables more layers of insight, more points of view, but it is more than a literary construct: it adds suspense [how did she die?] and completion in a way, for by the end we know everything largely because of this idea. If I am not being clear, you will understand once you've read it.
Oh, one example - chapter 21 with Flora helping her nephew and colleague improve their performance of the bedroom scene in Hamlet between the prince and his mother, was brilliant on several levels - Gillard could hardly have chosen a more appropriate scene from the Bard for that point in the story! Ssh, I'll say no more.
So, A Lifetime Burning is a masterpiece. I loved it and its characters are still in my head as I try to turn to another book. Please read it.
January 6, 2024
After my initial irritation of the constant switching of time zones ( I eventually lost track of exact years and just relaxed into the story! ) I felt she’d written each time zone then cut them into chunks and shuffled them like a pack of cards! I found this book fascinating. A really interesting concept and it made me think and kept me wondering till the very end. I am not reiterating the plot as many will and I haven’t the time. But I will say to anyone read it, but don’t give up too soon!!
March 1, 2017
I think A Lifetime Burning is my favourite, and the best, of all Linda Gillard's books. It is certainly her most challenging, intense and exhausting.
The book is a family saga, so typical of the author, and there are shocking secrets within the family that affect many lives. The themes of the story are difficult but, because Linda Gillard is so good at developing her characters, the reader becomes emotionally involved and nothing is black and white. There are several very strong personalities among the family members and some of their behaviour borders on the outrageous, but we understand the reasons for their actions and judgement is hard.
The story moves backwards and forwards through time as it unfolds, partially narrated by one of the main characters. This style reflects real life, how the truth eventually comes out and incidents in the past finally make sense.
Again the author demonstrates her fine understanding of the human psyche and especially of the damaged mind.
Not an easy read but I highly recommend it.
The book is a family saga, so typical of the author, and there are shocking secrets within the family that affect many lives. The themes of the story are difficult but, because Linda Gillard is so good at developing her characters, the reader becomes emotionally involved and nothing is black and white. There are several very strong personalities among the family members and some of their behaviour borders on the outrageous, but we understand the reasons for their actions and judgement is hard.
The story moves backwards and forwards through time as it unfolds, partially narrated by one of the main characters. This style reflects real life, how the truth eventually comes out and incidents in the past finally make sense.
Again the author demonstrates her fine understanding of the human psyche and especially of the damaged mind.
Not an easy read but I highly recommend it.
April 25, 2013
As others have said, on finishing this novel I did indeed turn back to the beginning. It's almost a compulsion to do so. It's a very evocative story that will make you feel and feel and you'll keep feeling (and thinking) after it's finished. The subject matter is very sensitive and yet it's a phenomenon that is far more common than people would have you believe and all praise to Linda Gillard for tackling it and showing it in such a sympathetic light. Illicit love, depression, dark family secrets that bind the family, a never ending spiral where the binds may never be broken...oh, what price keeping those skeletons in the closet?!
Character wise, they are realistic and you can understand why each acts as they do even though you can't always agree with it, which makes for many conflicting emotions whilst you read. They are without doubt, for the most part, selfish and deeply troubled but my overriding feelings were for Flora, for whom I felt such sorrow and sympathy; poor Flora who wanted to be good but by the deeds of others never managed to succeed and so we see a spiralling devastation that haunts the story as does Flora herself.
Very cleverly written in third person, flitting through the years which doesn't give the disjointed appearance it maybe ought to, but in fact gives us a far more intense view into the lives and events that shaped the family; then we have excerpts by Flora herself, giving a fuller picture where we can hear the heartache in her voice and we come to understand the characters more, even if we don't fully sympathise with them.
I could sympathise that the family were in a never ending history of illicit love but the way they dealt with it made me want to shout at the characters sometimes and I did feel that Flora was, unfairly, a scapegoat.
I can promise that you will come out of reading this book feeling wretched and moved and it will stay with you.
Character wise, they are realistic and you can understand why each acts as they do even though you can't always agree with it, which makes for many conflicting emotions whilst you read. They are without doubt, for the most part, selfish and deeply troubled but my overriding feelings were for Flora, for whom I felt such sorrow and sympathy; poor Flora who wanted to be good but by the deeds of others never managed to succeed and so we see a spiralling devastation that haunts the story as does Flora herself.
Very cleverly written in third person, flitting through the years which doesn't give the disjointed appearance it maybe ought to, but in fact gives us a far more intense view into the lives and events that shaped the family; then we have excerpts by Flora herself, giving a fuller picture where we can hear the heartache in her voice and we come to understand the characters more, even if we don't fully sympathise with them.
I could sympathise that the family were in a never ending history of illicit love but the way they dealt with it made me want to shout at the characters sometimes and I did feel that Flora was, unfairly, a scapegoat.
I can promise that you will come out of reading this book feeling wretched and moved and it will stay with you.
June 9, 2023
I don’t think I’ve ever read such an incisive family saga. Indeed, Gillard’s examination is surgical.
Family - our relationship to one another - is such a complex as well as an emotive topic. It’s so hard to see ourselves as simple individuals without any regard to our relations. We are all someone’s mother, daughter, wife, husband, brother before we are just, purely, only, Mary or John.
So it is for twins Flora and Rory. As children they are each others only playmate until Rory is sent to school, and even then, though stretched, the bond that ties them is unbroken.
The novel seeks to follow and untangle the hopelessly ravelled threads of the twins’ lives as other family members and their spouses get impossibly knotted up in the powerful connection between them. At times the twins fight the shared umbilicus but it seems they can’t hurt the other without wounding themselves. Then again, they sometimes surrender to the sense they, without their twin, they are not a whole person.
With a beautifully wrought but elegantly small cast of characters, this is profoundly insightful fiction, compelling the reader to turn the burnished mirror of fiction on themselves.
Family - our relationship to one another - is such a complex as well as an emotive topic. It’s so hard to see ourselves as simple individuals without any regard to our relations. We are all someone’s mother, daughter, wife, husband, brother before we are just, purely, only, Mary or John.
So it is for twins Flora and Rory. As children they are each others only playmate until Rory is sent to school, and even then, though stretched, the bond that ties them is unbroken.
The novel seeks to follow and untangle the hopelessly ravelled threads of the twins’ lives as other family members and their spouses get impossibly knotted up in the powerful connection between them. At times the twins fight the shared umbilicus but it seems they can’t hurt the other without wounding themselves. Then again, they sometimes surrender to the sense they, without their twin, they are not a whole person.
With a beautifully wrought but elegantly small cast of characters, this is profoundly insightful fiction, compelling the reader to turn the burnished mirror of fiction on themselves.
July 25, 2016
This is the third book I have read by Linda Gillard. This is my new favorite book.
November 4, 2017
A Lifetime Burning is an unsettling, haunting and emotional read about the different types of love within a close knit family. I will just say that due to the sensitive themes within the book, that it will not be for everyone, and to be honest, if I hadn't already read other books by Linda Gillard, I would have thought twice about reading this book. What we read is simply a woman's story about the men who played such powerful roles within her life, and who shaped the woman that she was to become. It is a beautiful story handled with great sensitivity.
We meet Flora Dunbar at the beginning of the book, as a spectre at her own funeral, and this instantly grabbed my attention. As a character, she truly captivated me, and I wanted to know what had happened to her in life, and the reason for her death. Her life was shaped by four men, her twin brother, her husband, her son, and the young nephew whom she had a brief affair with. Throughout the book, that stems from her early childhood that was somewhat eccentric and unorthodox, right through to the moment of her death, we learn why Flora is who she is.
Every single character is important within this novel. All impacted greatly upon Flora's life, all are flawed, and all unique. We have Rory, the twin brother, a talented musician who learned to play before he could talk. Flora is forever in his shadow. Here is a man whom I couldn't get to like, no matter how hard I tried, but who stayed with me long after I had finished reading the book. Then we have Flora's marriage to Hugh, a clergyman who is much older than her. She was very young when she married him, a widower, and from the very offset it is clear that the marriage is doomed. The exploration of Flora's relationship with her brother is what shapes every other single relationship that she has. I don't think I have ever read another book that explores the twin relationship in so much detail and intensity as this book. It is quite extraordinary to read. At its heart though is a tangled love story. Of a woman who was loved and who had much love to give.
But this is also a book that explores the relationship between women, of mother and daughter, and in particular that of Flora and Grace, her sister-in -aw. This relationship was fascinating to read. Both women are bound together because of Rory, a forced bond that is exquisitely explored.
Flora though is the starring role. I felt great empathy towards this woman whose life was pretty much mapped out from birth. The descriptions of her life as a young mother to Theo were incredibly difficult for me to read. Here was a woman who clearly struggled with motherhood, who struggled to bond with her child, and my heart went out to her.
A Lifetime Burning is one of those books that tackles the darker realities of life with compassion, understanding and great sensitivity. What should be a somewhat difficult read is made to be a consuming and thought provoking one because of the great skill of this writer. It's an emotional read that fully engaged me. Flora and Rory will stay with me for a long time.
With thanks to the author who provided a paperback copy for review purposes.
We meet Flora Dunbar at the beginning of the book, as a spectre at her own funeral, and this instantly grabbed my attention. As a character, she truly captivated me, and I wanted to know what had happened to her in life, and the reason for her death. Her life was shaped by four men, her twin brother, her husband, her son, and the young nephew whom she had a brief affair with. Throughout the book, that stems from her early childhood that was somewhat eccentric and unorthodox, right through to the moment of her death, we learn why Flora is who she is.
Every single character is important within this novel. All impacted greatly upon Flora's life, all are flawed, and all unique. We have Rory, the twin brother, a talented musician who learned to play before he could talk. Flora is forever in his shadow. Here is a man whom I couldn't get to like, no matter how hard I tried, but who stayed with me long after I had finished reading the book. Then we have Flora's marriage to Hugh, a clergyman who is much older than her. She was very young when she married him, a widower, and from the very offset it is clear that the marriage is doomed. The exploration of Flora's relationship with her brother is what shapes every other single relationship that she has. I don't think I have ever read another book that explores the twin relationship in so much detail and intensity as this book. It is quite extraordinary to read. At its heart though is a tangled love story. Of a woman who was loved and who had much love to give.
But this is also a book that explores the relationship between women, of mother and daughter, and in particular that of Flora and Grace, her sister-in -aw. This relationship was fascinating to read. Both women are bound together because of Rory, a forced bond that is exquisitely explored.
Flora though is the starring role. I felt great empathy towards this woman whose life was pretty much mapped out from birth. The descriptions of her life as a young mother to Theo were incredibly difficult for me to read. Here was a woman who clearly struggled with motherhood, who struggled to bond with her child, and my heart went out to her.
A Lifetime Burning is one of those books that tackles the darker realities of life with compassion, understanding and great sensitivity. What should be a somewhat difficult read is made to be a consuming and thought provoking one because of the great skill of this writer. It's an emotional read that fully engaged me. Flora and Rory will stay with me for a long time.
With thanks to the author who provided a paperback copy for review purposes.
Read
July 29, 2018I finished this a few hours ago and feel a bit as though I've been through the wringer.
I received this as a gift from the author as I have read and greatly enjoyed other books by her. I will make this available on bookcrossing to share.
I think if I'd written my review mid-way through I would have appreciated this less than I do now, with the last page turned. This is a rather dire tale - as it starts with a funeral, and rather cynical commentary accompanying it, I suppose the tone is set. Likewise the title really says it all as well, between actual flames, the imagined flames of hell, the flames of guilt and a searing belief in sin, unabated desire and a desperate sense of the inability to reach the unattainable ... Like Shakespeare's tragedies which are also present in the book, there is a tragic flaw here which is handed from generation to generation, clutched secretly, no one able to let go and be released from it.
Midway through I was a bit dizzied by the skipping between different time periods. I was also a bit weary of Flora, how given two choices she seemed to have the knack for opting for the worst. By the end, I had reconciled myself to the jumps in time, and often referred back to the different dates, which fortunately were provided. And Flora, like so many tragic heroines, was Flora.
I don't want to provide spoilers so won't go into the detail of the various mis-steps. The characters are strongly portrayed and the story gripping. I am grateful to the author for making it available to me.
I received this as a gift from the author as I have read and greatly enjoyed other books by her. I will make this available on bookcrossing to share.
I think if I'd written my review mid-way through I would have appreciated this less than I do now, with the last page turned. This is a rather dire tale - as it starts with a funeral, and rather cynical commentary accompanying it, I suppose the tone is set. Likewise the title really says it all as well, between actual flames, the imagined flames of hell, the flames of guilt and a searing belief in sin, unabated desire and a desperate sense of the inability to reach the unattainable ... Like Shakespeare's tragedies which are also present in the book, there is a tragic flaw here which is handed from generation to generation, clutched secretly, no one able to let go and be released from it.
Midway through I was a bit dizzied by the skipping between different time periods. I was also a bit weary of Flora, how given two choices she seemed to have the knack for opting for the worst. By the end, I had reconciled myself to the jumps in time, and often referred back to the different dates, which fortunately were provided. And Flora, like so many tragic heroines, was Flora.
I don't want to provide spoilers so won't go into the detail of the various mis-steps. The characters are strongly portrayed and the story gripping. I am grateful to the author for making it available to me.
October 2, 2017
I really enjoyed Gillard's novel Emotional Geology, and purchased A Lifetime Burning on my Kindle sometime afterwards. I love immersive family sagas, and was pulled in immediately. There is such an intelligence and compassion to Gillard's prose, and I enjoyed the non-linear structure, which was effective in showing the depth and backgrounds of the characters.
Elements of the storyline, however, let the whole novel down for me. Some were frankly so unlikely that they felt ridiculous, which surprised me. I was very much enjoying the book up until the first bizarre twist came, but felt my interest in it waning somewhat. Despite being so well written, in some ways, A Lifetime Burning was really rather disappointing, and it has made me think twice about reading all of Gillard's oeuvre, which was my original plan.
Elements of the storyline, however, let the whole novel down for me. Some were frankly so unlikely that they felt ridiculous, which surprised me. I was very much enjoying the book up until the first bizarre twist came, but felt my interest in it waning somewhat. Despite being so well written, in some ways, A Lifetime Burning was really rather disappointing, and it has made me think twice about reading all of Gillard's oeuvre, which was my original plan.
November 20, 2018
This is the second book I read from this author. I absolutely loved the other book (House of silence), so I was curious to see what this book was like.
At first i wasn’t so impressed. I always give a book 100 pages to convince me and if I don’t like it after page 100, I can put it away and pick a new book. So around page 90 I was convinced this book would not make the cut. But than somewhere between page 90 and 100 things started to happen and I was completely hooked to the story.
The story entails the sad life of Flora, who always lived in the shadow of her twin brother Rory. It starts with a funeral and then semi-chronologically the life of Flora and her family is revealed. A very sad tale of love and loss, with some complicated family relations and history.
At first i wasn’t so impressed. I always give a book 100 pages to convince me and if I don’t like it after page 100, I can put it away and pick a new book. So around page 90 I was convinced this book would not make the cut. But than somewhere between page 90 and 100 things started to happen and I was completely hooked to the story.
The story entails the sad life of Flora, who always lived in the shadow of her twin brother Rory. It starts with a funeral and then semi-chronologically the life of Flora and her family is revealed. A very sad tale of love and loss, with some complicated family relations and history.
June 18, 2020
I was warned before reading this book because of issues it tackles, incest. So I took my time reading it. I am thankful that the writer didn’t dwell much into describing the physical parts of incest, but rather focused on feelings of guilt and lifetime of unhappiness that it causes. I felt sad for flora and rory. I loved the character of hugh, everythibg about him...his lack of interest in judging others, his willingness to be of help to anyone, while putting aside his own happiness. Incest is a hard topic to discuss, but i didnt have a hard time reading this book. It reminded me of feelings i had when i read nabakov’s lolita.
January 13, 2019
This is definitely a page-turner. It is a powerful and "disturbing exploration of the meaning of love within a close-knit family." It's mainly about love and the tangled web of human relationships, and is another brilliantly written book from this author.
Linda Gillard manages to portray very flawed characters in a way that makes the reader understand totally the way they are behaving. I actually found it quite sad and moving in places, as the family was torn apart by revelations that were almost beyond anybody's control.
Linda Gillard manages to portray very flawed characters in a way that makes the reader understand totally the way they are behaving. I actually found it quite sad and moving in places, as the family was torn apart by revelations that were almost beyond anybody's control.
April 1, 2017
Full marks to Linda Gillard for tackling such a difficult subject - but then when does she shy away from a challenge? In A Lifetime Burning she tackles the taboo topic of incest in a brave no-holds barred way. Pussyfooting around a subject like this would have been less effective and she faces her subject matter head-on in what is essentially a tragic family story.
While I didn't find the characters sympathetic I did find them compelling. The incest involves three generations of the same family - I wonder if there is any scientific evidence of genetic predisposition? I often felt uncomfortable reading it but LG is such a good writer that she carries you along.
This tale of forbidden love is set against a background where music, religion, acting, nature and gardening feature prominently and Gillard is knowledgeable on all of these.
While I didn't find the characters sympathetic I did find them compelling. The incest involves three generations of the same family - I wonder if there is any scientific evidence of genetic predisposition? I often felt uncomfortable reading it but LG is such a good writer that she carries you along.
This tale of forbidden love is set against a background where music, religion, acting, nature and gardening feature prominently and Gillard is knowledgeable on all of these.
February 4, 2020
This story is quite different from others by this author. A compelling read which flits back and forth in time and is narrated in part by the "spririt" of one of the main characters. Not a happy story but nevertheless the reader is gripped by the characters.
April 15, 2019
Not a great book imo
November 6, 2020
Different read
Took a bit of getting into with a few twist and turns but I enjoyed this book.
Some surprises on the way
Took a bit of getting into with a few twist and turns but I enjoyed this book.
Some surprises on the way
September 17, 2022
Difficult
I always enjoy Ms. Gillard's writing. She makes the reader feel as if they are there. BUT I had a difficult time with this book. It was very similar to V. C. Andrew's book (Flowers in the Attic) and that had me frustrated. I also hated the flip flop between years throughout the book. So while I finished this well written story, I'm exhausted and relieved it's over.
I always enjoy Ms. Gillard's writing. She makes the reader feel as if they are there. BUT I had a difficult time with this book. It was very similar to V. C. Andrew's book (Flowers in the Attic) and that had me frustrated. I also hated the flip flop between years throughout the book. So while I finished this well written story, I'm exhausted and relieved it's over.
October 26, 2017
One of the reviews of this book mentions 'disturbing themes' which sums this story up pretty well. It is a very powerful read about a tangled mess of a family and I cried buckets at the end.
August 30, 2022
I found this the hardest of Linda Gillards books to get into and warm to the main characters. But halfway through characters full into place.
January 10, 2012
As I write this, I am still thinking about this novel; it has stayed very much in my mind for days since finishing it. It is an enthralling, gripping story of several generations of the Dunbar family, and of forbidden, hopeless love that has tragic consequences. At the heart of the novel are twins Flora and Rory. Flora describes Rory as ‘my twin brother, my childhood companion, the other half of my life, the other half of my self’, bringing to mind the feelings Cathy has about Heathcliff in ‘Wuthering Heights’, of one not being whole without the other. I think it would be wrong to reveal much of the plot and themes here, as it adds so much to the experience of reading this novel if you discover it all for yourself page by page. Suffice it to say that the relationship between Flora and her nephew Colin, which is revealed in the synopsis of the novel, is by no means the only unorthodox pairing here. Music plays an important role in the book, with Rory emerging as a talented pianist, leaving Flora in his shadow. And endeavouring to be good, and ‘the possibility of loving and being loved in return’, drives Flora and Hugh in particular.
The structure is inspired; the novel covers the years from the 1940’s until 2000, but it is not a linear narrative, rather the author takes us backwards and forwards in time, and allows us to visit certain moments in the characters’ lives. As the reader gets deeper into the novel, events take on new meanings, or more weight is given to a certain conversation or meeting, and truths are revealed. On finishing the book I, like many other readers, was keen to return to the first pages and read them again, knowing what I then knew, and understanding so much more. Flora Dunbar narrates parts of the story from beyond the grave; the rest is third-person narration upon which Flora can then comment with the benefit of hindsight.
It’s an absorbing, brave and unforgettable book, from a talented writer. The dialogue flows easily; the characters are so well drawn that they leap from the page; they are loved, rejected, damaged, hopeful, damned and loved again, and they grow and change through the timescale covered in the novel. As a reader it makes you think, question and ponder, and though you may not like some of the characters and their actions, they are nevertheless compelling. A thoroughly riveting read.
The structure is inspired; the novel covers the years from the 1940’s until 2000, but it is not a linear narrative, rather the author takes us backwards and forwards in time, and allows us to visit certain moments in the characters’ lives. As the reader gets deeper into the novel, events take on new meanings, or more weight is given to a certain conversation or meeting, and truths are revealed. On finishing the book I, like many other readers, was keen to return to the first pages and read them again, knowing what I then knew, and understanding so much more. Flora Dunbar narrates parts of the story from beyond the grave; the rest is third-person narration upon which Flora can then comment with the benefit of hindsight.
It’s an absorbing, brave and unforgettable book, from a talented writer. The dialogue flows easily; the characters are so well drawn that they leap from the page; they are loved, rejected, damaged, hopeful, damned and loved again, and they grow and change through the timescale covered in the novel. As a reader it makes you think, question and ponder, and though you may not like some of the characters and their actions, they are nevertheless compelling. A thoroughly riveting read.
October 20, 2012
Due to having to sit still silently for an hour, I ended up starting reading this less than 5 minutes after I finished The Great Gatsby.
Having come from the dream-like, floating style of The Great Gatsby, I found the style of the opening chapter of this book really rather jarring and had a slight sinking feeling at the list of characters with rather similar names. I am really glad I persevered. The style and characters really grew on me and I ended up thoroughly enjoying this book.
While dealing with tough themes, the author is careful not to let things get too heavy and I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions. The dialogue between the various children is lovely and reminds me of the children in Elizabeth Jane Howard's Cazalet saga. A highlight for me was:
"D'you believe in fairies?"
"No," said Theo firmly. "But I believe in your dad."
Having read the lower-starred reviews, it seems that the main reasons people didn't like this book as much as they might have are the non-linear approach to time, jumping backwards and forwards, and the fact that it is narrated from beyond the grave. Personally, I prefer this non-chronological approach - I find it more closely mirrors a person's thought process - if I were orally relating a story I would group related ideas together rather than list: x happened and then y and then x and then we all went home for tea, so this approach strikes me as more natural.
All-in-all I really enjoyed this book and it made me seek out more of Gillard's work. The next book I tried was House of Silence, which was absolutely nothing like this one, but enjoyable in its own way and I may give Emotional Geology a go at some point.
Having come from the dream-like, floating style of The Great Gatsby, I found the style of the opening chapter of this book really rather jarring and had a slight sinking feeling at the list of characters with rather similar names. I am really glad I persevered. The style and characters really grew on me and I ended up thoroughly enjoying this book.
While dealing with tough themes, the author is careful not to let things get too heavy and I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions. The dialogue between the various children is lovely and reminds me of the children in Elizabeth Jane Howard's Cazalet saga. A highlight for me was:
"D'you believe in fairies?"
"No," said Theo firmly. "But I believe in your dad."
Having read the lower-starred reviews, it seems that the main reasons people didn't like this book as much as they might have are the non-linear approach to time, jumping backwards and forwards, and the fact that it is narrated from beyond the grave. Personally, I prefer this non-chronological approach - I find it more closely mirrors a person's thought process - if I were orally relating a story I would group related ideas together rather than list: x happened and then y and then x and then we all went home for tea, so this approach strikes me as more natural.
All-in-all I really enjoyed this book and it made me seek out more of Gillard's work. The next book I tried was House of Silence, which was absolutely nothing like this one, but enjoyable in its own way and I may give Emotional Geology a go at some point.
January 4, 2013
This is a complex family drama with lots of twists and turns.
The main character in the book is Flora Dunbar. She is a twin and has an incredibly close relationship with her twin brother Rory. They grow up in what appears a warm household. Rory becomes a famous pianist, whilst Flora becomes the wife of a clergyman who was a lot older than her. Flora is a complex character and never seems really happy with her lot. She creates scandal in her family in more ways than one, as lots of family secrets are unearthed and some taboo relationships are formed.
I loved this story and all of the characters involved. It was a complex story, full of love and passion, warm relationships but also hate. It was beautifully written and full of happy times, sad times and tragedies. So much all rolled into one book.
The only thing I didn't like about the book (but then this is often one of my gripes with many books not just this one) is the fact that it kept going backwards and forwards in time. This is okay for me if you read the book over a couple of days, which you could easily do if you had the time. However I read it over a span of about 10 days and kept forgetting where I was and in which decade and I had to keep going backwards and forwards to work out what was going on. It wouldn't deter me from reading more though.
I did however love how the author managed to make you warm to some characters and feel sorry for others. The way the characters are intertwined in a complex way, made the story very fulfilling.
I thoroughly recommend it as it has a lot of content and makes you want to keep reading it. I love the style of writing that Linda Gillard produces and have read many of her books, and recommend you do the same.
The main character in the book is Flora Dunbar. She is a twin and has an incredibly close relationship with her twin brother Rory. They grow up in what appears a warm household. Rory becomes a famous pianist, whilst Flora becomes the wife of a clergyman who was a lot older than her. Flora is a complex character and never seems really happy with her lot. She creates scandal in her family in more ways than one, as lots of family secrets are unearthed and some taboo relationships are formed.
I loved this story and all of the characters involved. It was a complex story, full of love and passion, warm relationships but also hate. It was beautifully written and full of happy times, sad times and tragedies. So much all rolled into one book.
The only thing I didn't like about the book (but then this is often one of my gripes with many books not just this one) is the fact that it kept going backwards and forwards in time. This is okay for me if you read the book over a couple of days, which you could easily do if you had the time. However I read it over a span of about 10 days and kept forgetting where I was and in which decade and I had to keep going backwards and forwards to work out what was going on. It wouldn't deter me from reading more though.
I did however love how the author managed to make you warm to some characters and feel sorry for others. The way the characters are intertwined in a complex way, made the story very fulfilling.
I thoroughly recommend it as it has a lot of content and makes you want to keep reading it. I love the style of writing that Linda Gillard produces and have read many of her books, and recommend you do the same.
April 28, 2015
I’m not entirely sure where to start with this book, or how to do it justice. It tells the story of the above mentioned Flora, but also of everyone around her.. how their lives interact, in ways both expected, and unexpected.
This is a book that will grab your attention from the very first page, and each chapter leaves you wanting to know more. Although it keeps you turning the pages, there were times when I had to put it down, and take a deep breath, before picking it back and getting absorbed again. There are issues explored here that aren’t easy to read, but they are handled in a way that means you can take that deep breath and carry on.
The various characters in this book are very well written, each one provoking a variety of emotions. They really do come alive, and won’t be easily forgotten, and I’m sure that many readers will have varying reactions to them.. which I feel is part of the power of this book.
This is not a light read, but one brimming with emotion. It does move around in time, but doesn’t in any way confuse - the journey all comes together at the end.
Linda is a new author to me this year, and she has jumped right up there into my list of favourites. As for this book, I believe it’s easily my favourite book of the year so far, and has gone onto my re-read pile, which not many achieve!
Highly recommended!
This is a book that will grab your attention from the very first page, and each chapter leaves you wanting to know more. Although it keeps you turning the pages, there were times when I had to put it down, and take a deep breath, before picking it back and getting absorbed again. There are issues explored here that aren’t easy to read, but they are handled in a way that means you can take that deep breath and carry on.
The various characters in this book are very well written, each one provoking a variety of emotions. They really do come alive, and won’t be easily forgotten, and I’m sure that many readers will have varying reactions to them.. which I feel is part of the power of this book.
This is not a light read, but one brimming with emotion. It does move around in time, but doesn’t in any way confuse - the journey all comes together at the end.
Linda is a new author to me this year, and she has jumped right up there into my list of favourites. As for this book, I believe it’s easily my favourite book of the year so far, and has gone onto my re-read pile, which not many achieve!
Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews