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Claudia's Shadow
Unable to accept that her sister committed suicide, Rowena Graham takes over Claudia's home and restaurant business while remembering their often strained relationship and is shocked by the dark family secrets she uncovers. Reprint.
- GenresFiction
298 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1996
5 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Vale Allen
60 books40 followersCharlotte Vale-Allen was born in Toronto and lived in England from 1961 to 1964 where she worked as a television actress and singer. She returned to Toronto briefly, performing as a singer and in cabaret revues until she emigrated to the United States in 1966.
Shortly after her marriage to Walter Allen in 1970 she began writing and sold her first novel Love Life in 1974. Prior to this book's publication she contracted to do a series of paperback originals for Warner Books, with the result that in 1976 three of her books appeared in print.
Her autobiography, the acclaimed Daddy's Girl, was actually the first book she wrote but in 1971 it was deemed too controversial by the editors who read it. It wasn't until 1980, after she'd gained success as a novelist, that the groundbreaking book was finally published.
One of Canada's most successful novelists, with over seven million copies sold of her 30+ novels, Ms. Allen's books have been published in all English-speaking countries, in Braille, and have been translated into more than 20 languages.
In her writing she tries to deal with issues confronting women, being informative while at the same time offering a measure of optimism. "My strongest ability as a writer is to make women real, to take you inside their heads and let you know how they feel, and to make you care about them."
A film buff and an amateur photographer, Allen enjoys foreign travel. She finds cooking and needlework therapeutic, and is a compulsive player of computer Solitaire. The mother of an adult daughter, since 1970 she has made her home in Connecticut.
Shortly after her marriage to Walter Allen in 1970 she began writing and sold her first novel Love Life in 1974. Prior to this book's publication she contracted to do a series of paperback originals for Warner Books, with the result that in 1976 three of her books appeared in print.
Her autobiography, the acclaimed Daddy's Girl, was actually the first book she wrote but in 1971 it was deemed too controversial by the editors who read it. It wasn't until 1980, after she'd gained success as a novelist, that the groundbreaking book was finally published.
One of Canada's most successful novelists, with over seven million copies sold of her 30+ novels, Ms. Allen's books have been published in all English-speaking countries, in Braille, and have been translated into more than 20 languages.
In her writing she tries to deal with issues confronting women, being informative while at the same time offering a measure of optimism. "My strongest ability as a writer is to make women real, to take you inside their heads and let you know how they feel, and to make you care about them."
A film buff and an amateur photographer, Allen enjoys foreign travel. She finds cooking and needlework therapeutic, and is a compulsive player of computer Solitaire. The mother of an adult daughter, since 1970 she has made her home in Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 22, 2019
(3.5 rounded to 4)
Claudia's Shadow explores the eerie family dynamics of the Graham family, and the more I fell into the rhythm of the book, the more easier it was for me to immerse myself in the story. The deeper I got into the story, the more difficult it was for me to put the book down.
With the right balance of characterization and plot, this book ticked all the right boxes for me, and helped me connect with and understand the protagonist, Rowena Graham, on a more human level. While the first half of the book seemed more slow paced, dominated by the establishment of the characters and the background of the story, the second half picked up pace, putting together the jumbled pieces and building up the plot's climax neatly, without unexpected twists and turns which I particularly appreciated, though it did feel a bit rushed towards the end. The narration was easy to understand, not overly worded, which is always a plus, and the dialogues easy flowing.
Overall, this book was a gratifying read with its neat characters who evolve throughout the story, and the well defined relationships they share.
Claudia's Shadow explores the eerie family dynamics of the Graham family, and the more I fell into the rhythm of the book, the more easier it was for me to immerse myself in the story. The deeper I got into the story, the more difficult it was for me to put the book down.
With the right balance of characterization and plot, this book ticked all the right boxes for me, and helped me connect with and understand the protagonist, Rowena Graham, on a more human level. While the first half of the book seemed more slow paced, dominated by the establishment of the characters and the background of the story, the second half picked up pace, putting together the jumbled pieces and building up the plot's climax neatly, without unexpected twists and turns which I particularly appreciated, though it did feel a bit rushed towards the end. The narration was easy to understand, not overly worded, which is always a plus, and the dialogues easy flowing.
Overall, this book was a gratifying read with its neat characters who evolve throughout the story, and the well defined relationships they share.
February 13, 2020
Coming to terms with past & fetal alcohol syndrome & suicide
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2021
Rowena tries to understand and overcome her sister's suicide and their dysfunctional family while taking over Claudia's business and, perhaps, Claudia's lover.
September 28, 2022
DNF ! Ennuyeux à en mourir. Ne jamais faire confiance aux harlequins
July 17, 2023
Interesting story! I thought it was well written. My initial thought was it would be a typical romance or mystery but, the ending certainly surprised me.
February 24, 2012
After her younger sister Claudia commits suicide, Rowena Graham leaves behind her own life to handle her sister's affairs. She moves into her sister's house - her parents' old house - and struggles to manage her sister's restaurant. Rowena finds it very hard to believe that her little sister ever committed suicide - there was no suicide letter and the suicide verdict just feels all wrong to Rowena. As a result, Rowena decides to begin investigating the truth behind her sister's death.
Claudia was always difficult and unpredictable, but Rowena is convinced that her lovely younger sister would never take her own life. Rowena's unexpected discovery of a trove of documents and photographs unearths a host of secrets kept not just by Claudia but by every member of the family. Her continued investigation also uncovers the tangled web of her own family's dynamics. This may lead Rowena to find the cause of Claudia's death and ultimately set Rowena free from the secrets of the past.
I really enjoyed this book. I have several of Charlotte Vale Allen's books, but I think that this is the first one that I've read. I give this book an A+!
Claudia was always difficult and unpredictable, but Rowena is convinced that her lovely younger sister would never take her own life. Rowena's unexpected discovery of a trove of documents and photographs unearths a host of secrets kept not just by Claudia but by every member of the family. Her continued investigation also uncovers the tangled web of her own family's dynamics. This may lead Rowena to find the cause of Claudia's death and ultimately set Rowena free from the secrets of the past.
I really enjoyed this book. I have several of Charlotte Vale Allen's books, but I think that this is the first one that I've read. I give this book an A+!
April 10, 2009
"When her sister, Claudia, dies mysteriously, Rowena Graham cannot accept the verdict of suicide. Desperate to find out the truth and to learn more about her sister's life, Rowena moves into Caludia's home and takes over as manager of Claudia's restaurant.
(AUTOGRAPHED COPY!)
Claudia had been beautiful, difficult and unpredictable-warm and affectionate one day, cruel and calculating the next. And their relationship had always been strained: Rowena had disliked and feared Claudia, but loved her nonetheless. Rowena was convinced her sister would not have taken her own life.
As she sorts out Claudia's affairs, Rowena stumbles upon a trove of dark family secrets, learning more than she ever expected. Unraveling the tangle of lies and distortions, Rowena uncovers the truth about Claudia. And finally sets herself free from the shadows of the past."
(AUTOGRAPHED COPY!)
Claudia had been beautiful, difficult and unpredictable-warm and affectionate one day, cruel and calculating the next. And their relationship had always been strained: Rowena had disliked and feared Claudia, but loved her nonetheless. Rowena was convinced her sister would not have taken her own life.
As she sorts out Claudia's affairs, Rowena stumbles upon a trove of dark family secrets, learning more than she ever expected. Unraveling the tangle of lies and distortions, Rowena uncovers the truth about Claudia. And finally sets herself free from the shadows of the past."
August 8, 2011
Rowena's life hasn't been easy what with dealing with the drowning death of her young brother, the departure of her father, her mother's alcoholism and the sister from hell. After Claudia's death, Rowena delves more into her family's life to help her come to grips with her sister passing. Rowena's character became tiresome with her self-doubt and lack of trust in anyone. We found out what fetal alcohol can do to a child.
April 2, 2012
While Rowena was growing up, her mother and sister constantly told her she was unattractive to men. As a consequence, she internalized her inferiority. But then her sister dies under suspicious circumstances, and Rowena must step in and become a more glamorous hostess in her sister's restaurant. She comes out of her shell slowly, and just as slowly learns the truth about her sister and mother, as well as herself.
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September 2, 2013Read 2/98
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews