What do you think?
Rate this book
Le bambine che cercavano conchiglie
Il mare in tempesta si infrange sulle coste frastagliate coste del Dorset. In alto, su una scogliera impervia, si erge una casa colonica con le mura imbiancate che brillano come un faro sotto la luce del sole.
Clifftops.
Il posto che una volta Dora chiamava casa.
Da dietro le ampie finestre le sembra ancora di sentire risuonare le risa di sua sorella Cassie, il rumore delle loro corse di bambine gioiose. Adesso la natura ha ripreso il sopravvento e l'edera avvolge le antiche mura della magione dei Tide, in un viluppo di silenzio, polvere e segreti. Dora è fuggita da tutto questo, schiacciata dal peso della colpa. Una colpa inafferrabile come il vento, ma che si è insinuata nelle fibre del suo essere in profondità. E non le fa dimenticare quella lunga e calda giornata d'estate di tanti anni prima. I giochi alla ricerca di conchiglie, i nascondigli tra le rocce e quella piccola, fatale distrazione che ha distrutto un'intera famiglia. Da allora Cassie non le vuole più parlare e le due sorelle si sono allontanate irrimediabilmente. La sabbia e il vento non sono riusciti a disperdere il dolore, che è rimasto sepolto, come un cuore pulsante. Ma oggi Dora non può più fuggire, il soffio di una nuova vita respira dentro di lei e per amore del suo bambino deve ritrovare i pezzi perduti della sua vita. Perché dietro il massiccio portone di legno di quercia di Clifftops ci sono due occhi pieni di accuse e segreti ad attenderla, gli occhi di una donna che dovrebbe amarla, ma che da sedici anni sembrano covare solo risentimento. Gli occhi di sua madre. Dora deve trovare il coraggio di affrontarli una volta per tutte, prima che il segreto che le ha spezzate le travolga definitivamente come un'onda troppo impetuosa.
Venduto in venti paesi, adorato dalla critica e premiato dai librai, Le bambine che cercavano conchiglie è un esordio che è difficile dimenticare. La storia di due sorelle e di una colpa inafferrabile come il vento. La storia di una madre e di un amore che niente potrà spezzare. La storia di tre donne fragili, che solo la forza del perdono potrà riunire.
Clifftops.
Il posto che una volta Dora chiamava casa.
Da dietro le ampie finestre le sembra ancora di sentire risuonare le risa di sua sorella Cassie, il rumore delle loro corse di bambine gioiose. Adesso la natura ha ripreso il sopravvento e l'edera avvolge le antiche mura della magione dei Tide, in un viluppo di silenzio, polvere e segreti. Dora è fuggita da tutto questo, schiacciata dal peso della colpa. Una colpa inafferrabile come il vento, ma che si è insinuata nelle fibre del suo essere in profondità. E non le fa dimenticare quella lunga e calda giornata d'estate di tanti anni prima. I giochi alla ricerca di conchiglie, i nascondigli tra le rocce e quella piccola, fatale distrazione che ha distrutto un'intera famiglia. Da allora Cassie non le vuole più parlare e le due sorelle si sono allontanate irrimediabilmente. La sabbia e il vento non sono riusciti a disperdere il dolore, che è rimasto sepolto, come un cuore pulsante. Ma oggi Dora non può più fuggire, il soffio di una nuova vita respira dentro di lei e per amore del suo bambino deve ritrovare i pezzi perduti della sua vita. Perché dietro il massiccio portone di legno di quercia di Clifftops ci sono due occhi pieni di accuse e segreti ad attenderla, gli occhi di una donna che dovrebbe amarla, ma che da sedici anni sembrano covare solo risentimento. Gli occhi di sua madre. Dora deve trovare il coraggio di affrontarli una volta per tutte, prima che il segreto che le ha spezzate le travolga definitivamente come un'onda troppo impetuosa.
Venduto in venti paesi, adorato dalla critica e premiato dai librai, Le bambine che cercavano conchiglie è un esordio che è difficile dimenticare. La storia di due sorelle e di una colpa inafferrabile come il vento. La storia di una madre e di un amore che niente potrà spezzare. La storia di tre donne fragili, che solo la forza del perdono potrà riunire.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published April 12, 2012
163 people are currently reading
5455 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Richell
8 books728 followersI wrote my debut novel, Secrets of the Tides, around the time my first child was born. Since then, I’ve written four novels, with my fifth, The Search Party, to be published by Simon & Schuster in 2024. My work is available in twenty-four territories and has been translated into nineteen languages. My books have been selected for the Richard & Judy Book Club, the Waterstones Book Club, WHSmith Book of the Week, shortlisted for two ABIAs and an Indie Book Award in Australia, as well as shortlisted for the Bonniers Bokklubb Book of the Year Award in Sweden.
While each of my novels is a stand-alone story, what connects them all is my fascination with families and secrets, my desire to dive below the surface and explore the darker recesses of the human experience, the weight of grief and the echoes of loss, the light and resilience that can be found in unexpected places, combined with my ambition to tell you a cracking story that will keep you turning the pages late into the night.
I have written fiction and non-fiction pieces for various media outlets in both the UK and Australia and am a judge on the annual Richell Prize, established in 2014 by Hachette and the Emerging Writers’ Festival in memory of my late husband, Matt Richell. It’s an incredible privilege to be invited to read a writer’s first pages and to support new authors as they take the next steps in their career.
I am a dual citizen of Australia and the United Kingdom but currently live in the South West of England with my family.
While each of my novels is a stand-alone story, what connects them all is my fascination with families and secrets, my desire to dive below the surface and explore the darker recesses of the human experience, the weight of grief and the echoes of loss, the light and resilience that can be found in unexpected places, combined with my ambition to tell you a cracking story that will keep you turning the pages late into the night.
I have written fiction and non-fiction pieces for various media outlets in both the UK and Australia and am a judge on the annual Richell Prize, established in 2014 by Hachette and the Emerging Writers’ Festival in memory of my late husband, Matt Richell. It’s an incredible privilege to be invited to read a writer’s first pages and to support new authors as they take the next steps in their career.
I am a dual citizen of Australia and the United Kingdom but currently live in the South West of England with my family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 498 reviews
August 10, 2014
Dora and Dan are expecting their first child and although the pair are in a loving relationship, Dora has major concerns and worries about becoming a mother. Dan is not sure why, Dora is so unsettled and thinks it might be to do with her past. Dora decides it's time to revisit her past back in Clifftops. The one person who can help her with her past and hopefully answer her questions is her mother, Helen.
Helen and Richard were quite young when they found out, Helen was pregnant. They loved each other and wanted to do the right thing and get married before the baby arrived. Telling Richard’s parents would prove more difficult than they thought as, Richard was their only son and it seemed no one was good enough for their son in their eyes. And each time Helen and Richard visited, Helen couldn't wait to return to their own home in London. Life becomes busy for Helen and Richard after their first child, Cassie is born then eighteen months later their second child, Dora. Just as things are going along smoothly for the family things change when they find out that, Richard has inherited his parents home. Richard decides it time to leave their London home and move to Clifftops. It is here that, Helen and Richard begin to have problems as, Helen is very unhappy about moving, but she does so to keep the peace with her husband. As the girls grow up it seems more problems will arise and then suddenly something happens that will change their lives forever.
This story goes back and forth between the past and present which is quite easy to follow. It is here where the reader is able to get a clear picture of what exactly happened on that terrible day and why it changed the lives of many.
I really enjoyed this book, no actually I LOVED it. A fabulous and emotional read about secrets, families and a whole lot more. HIGHLY recommended.
Helen and Richard were quite young when they found out, Helen was pregnant. They loved each other and wanted to do the right thing and get married before the baby arrived. Telling Richard’s parents would prove more difficult than they thought as, Richard was their only son and it seemed no one was good enough for their son in their eyes. And each time Helen and Richard visited, Helen couldn't wait to return to their own home in London. Life becomes busy for Helen and Richard after their first child, Cassie is born then eighteen months later their second child, Dora. Just as things are going along smoothly for the family things change when they find out that, Richard has inherited his parents home. Richard decides it time to leave their London home and move to Clifftops. It is here that, Helen and Richard begin to have problems as, Helen is very unhappy about moving, but she does so to keep the peace with her husband. As the girls grow up it seems more problems will arise and then suddenly something happens that will change their lives forever.
This story goes back and forth between the past and present which is quite easy to follow. It is here where the reader is able to get a clear picture of what exactly happened on that terrible day and why it changed the lives of many.
I really enjoyed this book, no actually I LOVED it. A fabulous and emotional read about secrets, families and a whole lot more. HIGHLY recommended.
July 11, 2018
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
4.5 stars
The recent release of Hannah Richell’s much anticipated third novel, The Peacock Summer compelled me to dust off a long term resident from my TBR shelf. Secrets of the Tides, Hannah Richell’s debut novel published in 2012, the same year I purchased the book, is a heavy but satisfying family drama. Secrets of the Tides zones in on themes of guilt, sorrow, redemption and forgiveness, as the reader closely follows the fate of the Tide family.
We all know that behind every family unit there are secrets. The Tide family have a big secret. Years ago, a tragic event came out of the blue and ripped their once happy family apart. The effects of this tragedy literally wrenched this close knit family to pieces and fractured each member in different ways. Now, some years later, Dora returns to the scene of this life changing event, to her old family home in Dorset, named Clifftops. Dora is hoping to reconcile the past with present, as she holds a new life and a new generation of the Tide family. But, the question is, will the sad past that has haunted the whole Tide family finally be laid to rest? Can each family member find it in their heart to forgive one another and the ill fated individual decisions that were made that day? Secrets of the Tides, considers whether it is possible to let love and family connections back in to your life after so many years of emotional pain, with surprising results.
Gosh, I really didn’t expect to respond to this book in the way I did. From the soft cover and title, I thought I was in for a gentle women’s fiction based family drama. What I got instead was something completely different, but in a good way. The prologue reads like mystery/ thriller, it is unexpected, shocking and immediately works to draw into the pages of the novel. It also sets the tone for the rest of the book. Secrets of the Tides is a powerful, emotionally charged and intriguing. I took my time with this novel, but I was glued to the pages of the book from the opening, right through to the close.
Secrets of the Tides is one of those books that it is hard to discuss too much of the mechanics of the novel without venturing into spoiler territory. There is a big family tragedy which forms the basis of this book and where it takes its characters. There are secrets aplenty and the final reveal, forming the last piece in this complex family puzzle, is saved until the final chapters of this book. For a debut, this is an impressive release. Richell does not mess around with her approach and structure to her first novel. I found it a little slow, but perfectly composed and carefully ordered. I also liked Richell’s approach of using a past to present swap over in timelines to draw out the narrative.
Another strong element in this debut novel is the focus on characters. As this is a rich family drama, Richell balances her perspectives of the three Tide women all affected by the same tragedy. Through the shifting style of narration, we are privy to the inner thoughts, feelings as well as emotional pain of each of these different family members. Richell also ensures the patriarch of this family, Richard is not forgotten and we receive an in-depth insight into how Richard’s mind and welfare was affected by the tragedy. What became clear to me as I reflected on the characterisation of this text is that Richell has a firm understanding of the human psychology of how an unexpected family tragedy can impact a seemingly normal family unit. She explores all facets of the impact of such an event and how grief can incite such a personal response. And while I sympathised greatly for the younger daughter figure in the book Dora, I was less enamoured by the decisions made by both mother Helen and older sister Cassie. When characters get under your skin in the way the Tide family did for me, you know a book is of a high calibre.
Richell’s sense of place is overwhelmingly evocative and it was my favourite aspect of this novel. The setting which takes places in the quiet coastal area of Dorset in the south of England, an area I am personally familiar with, drew me in further to this novel. Richell also juxtaposes this coastal setting to the bustling city locale of London, where the characters find themselves in the present day storyline. It was a fine point of comparison, contrasting these two different locales. What resounded significantly in Secrets of the Tides was the presence of Clifftops, the scene of the pivotal family tragedy, which comes across as a character in its own right. I found Clifftops to be brooding, menacing and slightly gothic. Richell certainly has done herself proud in this section of her first novel.
I was able to draw a number of themes from my reading of Secrets of the Tides. Obviously it is a family drama and it offers up an excellent sketch of a family under the immense pressure cooker of grief. It is also about the act of forgiveness, making peace with decisions made in the past, reconciling the past with the present and moving on with your life after a significant tragedy. The mystery of what happened that fateful day on the beach defines the direction of this novel and will be the reason why many readers will be drawn into this book. Ultimately, the presentation of this normal family unit and the way in which it is written easily enables you to put yourself in the uncomfortable shoes of Tide family. I would best describe Secrets of the Tides as a connective read.
While my time with the tragic Tide family, affected so deeply by a life changing tragedy, has come to a close, I have a sneaky suspicion that this one will weigh heavily on my mind for some time. Although Secrets of the Tides is a sad tale, it offers an introspective study into the mindset of a seemingly ordinary family moved for years to come by an unforseen tragedy. Secrets of the Tides is an impeccable debut, that I highly recommend.
Secrets of the Tides, is book #74 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge
4.5 stars
The recent release of Hannah Richell’s much anticipated third novel, The Peacock Summer compelled me to dust off a long term resident from my TBR shelf. Secrets of the Tides, Hannah Richell’s debut novel published in 2012, the same year I purchased the book, is a heavy but satisfying family drama. Secrets of the Tides zones in on themes of guilt, sorrow, redemption and forgiveness, as the reader closely follows the fate of the Tide family.
We all know that behind every family unit there are secrets. The Tide family have a big secret. Years ago, a tragic event came out of the blue and ripped their once happy family apart. The effects of this tragedy literally wrenched this close knit family to pieces and fractured each member in different ways. Now, some years later, Dora returns to the scene of this life changing event, to her old family home in Dorset, named Clifftops. Dora is hoping to reconcile the past with present, as she holds a new life and a new generation of the Tide family. But, the question is, will the sad past that has haunted the whole Tide family finally be laid to rest? Can each family member find it in their heart to forgive one another and the ill fated individual decisions that were made that day? Secrets of the Tides, considers whether it is possible to let love and family connections back in to your life after so many years of emotional pain, with surprising results.
Gosh, I really didn’t expect to respond to this book in the way I did. From the soft cover and title, I thought I was in for a gentle women’s fiction based family drama. What I got instead was something completely different, but in a good way. The prologue reads like mystery/ thriller, it is unexpected, shocking and immediately works to draw into the pages of the novel. It also sets the tone for the rest of the book. Secrets of the Tides is a powerful, emotionally charged and intriguing. I took my time with this novel, but I was glued to the pages of the book from the opening, right through to the close.
Secrets of the Tides is one of those books that it is hard to discuss too much of the mechanics of the novel without venturing into spoiler territory. There is a big family tragedy which forms the basis of this book and where it takes its characters. There are secrets aplenty and the final reveal, forming the last piece in this complex family puzzle, is saved until the final chapters of this book. For a debut, this is an impressive release. Richell does not mess around with her approach and structure to her first novel. I found it a little slow, but perfectly composed and carefully ordered. I also liked Richell’s approach of using a past to present swap over in timelines to draw out the narrative.
Another strong element in this debut novel is the focus on characters. As this is a rich family drama, Richell balances her perspectives of the three Tide women all affected by the same tragedy. Through the shifting style of narration, we are privy to the inner thoughts, feelings as well as emotional pain of each of these different family members. Richell also ensures the patriarch of this family, Richard is not forgotten and we receive an in-depth insight into how Richard’s mind and welfare was affected by the tragedy. What became clear to me as I reflected on the characterisation of this text is that Richell has a firm understanding of the human psychology of how an unexpected family tragedy can impact a seemingly normal family unit. She explores all facets of the impact of such an event and how grief can incite such a personal response. And while I sympathised greatly for the younger daughter figure in the book Dora, I was less enamoured by the decisions made by both mother Helen and older sister Cassie. When characters get under your skin in the way the Tide family did for me, you know a book is of a high calibre.
Richell’s sense of place is overwhelmingly evocative and it was my favourite aspect of this novel. The setting which takes places in the quiet coastal area of Dorset in the south of England, an area I am personally familiar with, drew me in further to this novel. Richell also juxtaposes this coastal setting to the bustling city locale of London, where the characters find themselves in the present day storyline. It was a fine point of comparison, contrasting these two different locales. What resounded significantly in Secrets of the Tides was the presence of Clifftops, the scene of the pivotal family tragedy, which comes across as a character in its own right. I found Clifftops to be brooding, menacing and slightly gothic. Richell certainly has done herself proud in this section of her first novel.
I was able to draw a number of themes from my reading of Secrets of the Tides. Obviously it is a family drama and it offers up an excellent sketch of a family under the immense pressure cooker of grief. It is also about the act of forgiveness, making peace with decisions made in the past, reconciling the past with the present and moving on with your life after a significant tragedy. The mystery of what happened that fateful day on the beach defines the direction of this novel and will be the reason why many readers will be drawn into this book. Ultimately, the presentation of this normal family unit and the way in which it is written easily enables you to put yourself in the uncomfortable shoes of Tide family. I would best describe Secrets of the Tides as a connective read.
While my time with the tragic Tide family, affected so deeply by a life changing tragedy, has come to a close, I have a sneaky suspicion that this one will weigh heavily on my mind for some time. Although Secrets of the Tides is a sad tale, it offers an introspective study into the mindset of a seemingly ordinary family moved for years to come by an unforseen tragedy. Secrets of the Tides is an impeccable debut, that I highly recommend.
Secrets of the Tides, is book #74 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge
October 8, 2017
EXCERPT: A half-empty train rattles through fields and farmland towards the grey concrete sprawl of the city. There is a young woman huddled in the farthest corner of the last carriage. Her hair is like a veil, hiding her tears. In her pocket is an antique brooch. Her fingers brush the cold arc of it before flipping it over and over in time to the rhythmic clatter of wheels on track. When she can resist no longer, she releases the clasp and stabs the pin deep into the flesh of her palm.
It’s agony, but she won’t stop. She presses the needle deeper still, until warm blood streams down her wrist and splashes crimson onto the carriage floor.
Finally, the train jerks and slows. Brakes squeal.
As they reach their destination she pushes the bloodied brooch deep into her coat pocket, grabs her bag and then drops down onto the platform.
People dart about her. Two women shriek and embrace. A tall man in a turban races for the ticket barriers. A spotty teenager hops from foot to foot, gazing up at the departures board as he shovels crisps into his mouth. Everything around her seems to buzz and hum while she just stands there on the platform, a single fixed point, breathing deeply.
Signs for the Underground point one way but she ignores them, hefting her bag onto her shoulder and making for the street exit. She strikes out across a busy pedestrian crossing and turns left for the bridge. Big Ben looms in the distance; it is three minutes to twelve.
She walks with purpose; she knows where she is going and what has to be done. But then she sees the river, and the sight of it, a shifting black mass carving its way through the city, makes her shudder. Whenever she’s imagined this moment the water has been grey and flat, not dark and viscous like seeping oil. But it doesn’t matter now. There is no going back.
She stops halfway across the bridge and leans her rucksack up against the wall. Then, with a quick glance about her, she scoots up and over the barrier until she is clinging to the other side of the balustrade.
The toes of her trainers balance precariously on the concrete ledge. She grips the wall, wincing as her bleeding palm scrapes the stone, and then twists so that she is facing the water below. The wind blows her hair, whipping it across her face and stinging her eyes until hot tears form. She blinks them back.
‘Hey!’ She hears a cry behind her. ‘Hey, what are you doing?’
She is out of time.
She locks her gaze on a sea of grey buildings on the far horizon and, with a final breath, lets go of the balustrade. Then she is falling, falling, falling.
Any breath left in her body is punched out by the ice-cold water. She fights the urge to kick and struggle, instead surrendering herself to the inky blackness, letting the weight of her clothes take her stone-like towards the bottom.
By the time Big Ben chimes midday she is gone, lost to the murky depths below.
THE BLURB: Every family has its secrets. Some are small, like telling a white lie or snooping through a private drawer. Others are more serious, like infidelity and betrayal. And some secrets are so terrible they must be hidden away in a deep, dark place, for if they ever came to light, they would surely tear a family apart . . .
The Tides are a family full of secrets. Returning to Clifftops, the rambling family house high up on the Dorset coastline, youngest daughter Dora hopes for a fresh start, for herself and the new life she carries. But can long-held secrets ever really be forgiven? And even if you can forgive, can you ever really learn to love again?
Secrets of the Tides is a family drama with a dark thread of suspense at its heart.
MY THOUGHTS: I love a good family drama. And Secrets of the Tides by Hannah Richell certainly ticked all the boxes. And believe it or not, this was a debut novel!
Secrets and lies. We all have them. We all tell them. It is just the scale, the magnitude that varies. And families? They are probably the worst culprits. For families keep secrets from one another, and for one another. And then there are the families who conspire to keep secrets from the outside world. I am not going to tell you which category this family falls into.
Hannah Richell portrays a very realistic family; the squabbles, the petty jealousies, the familiarity that breeds contempt and discontent, the wanting. ........always wanting more, wanting something different.
Full marks Ms Richell. I will be reading more from you. And Secrets of the Tides is going on my 'keeper' shelf.
All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
For an explanation of my rating system, please visit my profile page on Goodreads.com or my 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
It’s agony, but she won’t stop. She presses the needle deeper still, until warm blood streams down her wrist and splashes crimson onto the carriage floor.
Finally, the train jerks and slows. Brakes squeal.
As they reach their destination she pushes the bloodied brooch deep into her coat pocket, grabs her bag and then drops down onto the platform.
People dart about her. Two women shriek and embrace. A tall man in a turban races for the ticket barriers. A spotty teenager hops from foot to foot, gazing up at the departures board as he shovels crisps into his mouth. Everything around her seems to buzz and hum while she just stands there on the platform, a single fixed point, breathing deeply.
Signs for the Underground point one way but she ignores them, hefting her bag onto her shoulder and making for the street exit. She strikes out across a busy pedestrian crossing and turns left for the bridge. Big Ben looms in the distance; it is three minutes to twelve.
She walks with purpose; she knows where she is going and what has to be done. But then she sees the river, and the sight of it, a shifting black mass carving its way through the city, makes her shudder. Whenever she’s imagined this moment the water has been grey and flat, not dark and viscous like seeping oil. But it doesn’t matter now. There is no going back.
She stops halfway across the bridge and leans her rucksack up against the wall. Then, with a quick glance about her, she scoots up and over the barrier until she is clinging to the other side of the balustrade.
The toes of her trainers balance precariously on the concrete ledge. She grips the wall, wincing as her bleeding palm scrapes the stone, and then twists so that she is facing the water below. The wind blows her hair, whipping it across her face and stinging her eyes until hot tears form. She blinks them back.
‘Hey!’ She hears a cry behind her. ‘Hey, what are you doing?’
She is out of time.
She locks her gaze on a sea of grey buildings on the far horizon and, with a final breath, lets go of the balustrade. Then she is falling, falling, falling.
Any breath left in her body is punched out by the ice-cold water. She fights the urge to kick and struggle, instead surrendering herself to the inky blackness, letting the weight of her clothes take her stone-like towards the bottom.
By the time Big Ben chimes midday she is gone, lost to the murky depths below.
THE BLURB: Every family has its secrets. Some are small, like telling a white lie or snooping through a private drawer. Others are more serious, like infidelity and betrayal. And some secrets are so terrible they must be hidden away in a deep, dark place, for if they ever came to light, they would surely tear a family apart . . .
The Tides are a family full of secrets. Returning to Clifftops, the rambling family house high up on the Dorset coastline, youngest daughter Dora hopes for a fresh start, for herself and the new life she carries. But can long-held secrets ever really be forgiven? And even if you can forgive, can you ever really learn to love again?
Secrets of the Tides is a family drama with a dark thread of suspense at its heart.
MY THOUGHTS: I love a good family drama. And Secrets of the Tides by Hannah Richell certainly ticked all the boxes. And believe it or not, this was a debut novel!
Secrets and lies. We all have them. We all tell them. It is just the scale, the magnitude that varies. And families? They are probably the worst culprits. For families keep secrets from one another, and for one another. And then there are the families who conspire to keep secrets from the outside world. I am not going to tell you which category this family falls into.
Hannah Richell portrays a very realistic family; the squabbles, the petty jealousies, the familiarity that breeds contempt and discontent, the wanting. ........always wanting more, wanting something different.
Full marks Ms Richell. I will be reading more from you. And Secrets of the Tides is going on my 'keeper' shelf.
All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
For an explanation of my rating system, please visit my profile page on Goodreads.com or my 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
August 7, 2019
I was totally captured by the book and read it in a few days, I absolutely couldn't put it down. Secrets of the Tides is a gripping book about a family that was once an ordinary happy family but every family has it's secrets, they can be tiny or serious. The writing is so vivid and this made me become totally lost in the Tide family's world.
This book is seriously worth reading, it shows the talent of the author and I will surely be looking forward to more from Hannah Richell in the future.
This book is seriously worth reading, it shows the talent of the author and I will surely be looking forward to more from Hannah Richell in the future.
October 8, 2015
Update: The title of my version (Turkish) is something like seashells washed ashore. I couldn't resist taking a photo.
The Tide family history; full of sadness, loneliness, losses, secrets, selfishness and mistakes that can not be unmade. The family members desperately trying to find something to hold on to. I was horrifed by the way certain charaters acted in some situations and it made me wonder; do we treat the people we love so awfully, thoughtlessly and even cruelly from time to time? Especially when we are lost in our problems, when we are drifting in the whirlpool of our own troubles. It also got me thinking just how a simple word, a hug, a kiss could fix everything sometimes. Or even if it doesn't fix every single thing, how it could still be a step towards good. And how we refuse to take that step sometimes; just because it is hard, just because it feels hard. How we prefer to turn our backs and close the door as well...
Tide ailesinin dram yüklü öyküsü, kaybolmuş aile fertlerinin tutunma çabası. Bencillikler, anlaşılamama, yalnızlık, geri dönülmez hatalar, kayıplar, sırlar. Bazı kısımlarda, özellikle bazı karakterlerin tüyleri diken diken eden davranışları; sevdiğimiz insanlara karşı böyle düşüncesizce veya zalimce mi davranıyoruz zaman zaman...? Kendi girdabımızda dönerken, anın dertlerine kapılmış sürüklenirken. Söylenecek bir cümle, bir sarılış, bir öpücük herşeyi düzeltebilecekken, herşeyi düzeltmese bile iyiye doğru bir adım olacakken, o adımı atmamak. Zor olduğu için, zor geldiği için geri dönüp kapıyı kapatmak...
Hikayede aklıma yatmayan noktalar yok değil, bazı kısımlar biraz hızlı geçilmiş ve inandırıcılığı azalmış? Bazen de öyle tepkiler ve davranıllar vardı ki karakterleri tutup sarsasım geldi; fena halde iç burkan, hazmetmesi zor olaylar...
Orijinal adı "Secrets of the Tides". Türkçe tercümede esas isim ve hikaye ile daha alakalı bir başlık seçilseymiş daha hoş olurmuş bence, "kıyıya vuran sırlar" gibi mesela (:
The Tide family history; full of sadness, loneliness, losses, secrets, selfishness and mistakes that can not be unmade. The family members desperately trying to find something to hold on to. I was horrifed by the way certain charaters acted in some situations and it made me wonder; do we treat the people we love so awfully, thoughtlessly and even cruelly from time to time? Especially when we are lost in our problems, when we are drifting in the whirlpool of our own troubles. It also got me thinking just how a simple word, a hug, a kiss could fix everything sometimes. Or even if it doesn't fix every single thing, how it could still be a step towards good. And how we refuse to take that step sometimes; just because it is hard, just because it feels hard. How we prefer to turn our backs and close the door as well...
Tide ailesinin dram yüklü öyküsü, kaybolmuş aile fertlerinin tutunma çabası. Bencillikler, anlaşılamama, yalnızlık, geri dönülmez hatalar, kayıplar, sırlar. Bazı kısımlarda, özellikle bazı karakterlerin tüyleri diken diken eden davranışları; sevdiğimiz insanlara karşı böyle düşüncesizce veya zalimce mi davranıyoruz zaman zaman...? Kendi girdabımızda dönerken, anın dertlerine kapılmış sürüklenirken. Söylenecek bir cümle, bir sarılış, bir öpücük herşeyi düzeltebilecekken, herşeyi düzeltmese bile iyiye doğru bir adım olacakken, o adımı atmamak. Zor olduğu için, zor geldiği için geri dönüp kapıyı kapatmak...
Hikayede aklıma yatmayan noktalar yok değil, bazı kısımlar biraz hızlı geçilmiş ve inandırıcılığı azalmış? Bazen de öyle tepkiler ve davranıllar vardı ki karakterleri tutup sarsasım geldi; fena halde iç burkan, hazmetmesi zor olaylar...
Orijinal adı "Secrets of the Tides". Türkçe tercümede esas isim ve hikaye ile daha alakalı bir başlık seçilseymiş daha hoş olurmuş bence, "kıyıya vuran sırlar" gibi mesela (:
April 6, 2021
Que livro. Que dor no ❤️
Sobre a história de uma família marcada por um acontecimento trágico que aconteceu há 10 anos.
Sobre como as famílias são frágeis e vulneráveis e como um acontecimento pode marcar vidas para sempre.
Sobre a forma como as relações humanas não são fáceis e a facilidade com que se cria um novelo difícil de desenrolar está sempre à espreita.
Sobre traição, solidão, rejeição, atenção mas também sobre dor, medo, escolhas, perdão, culpa, muita culpa por toda a desintegração de uma família.
O que eu adoro a história de uma família, mas, este livro é um livro mesmo difícil, que nos deixa a pensar durante muito tempo e que nos deixa o ❤️ apertado.
Ninguém disse que é fácil mas no final de contas o mais importante é sempre a família.
October 28, 2014
Helen and Richard were in a fledgling relationship, but were very close, so when Helen discovered she was pregnant, and Richard declared they should get married, she wasn’t sure. But they decided they loved each other, and would be married before their baby arrived. Visiting Richard’s childhood home to tell his parents of their upcoming marriage, and Helen’s pregnancy proved more difficult than they had hoped. Richard’s parents were of the old school, especially his mother, who declared Helen not good enough for her beloved only son. She had a very acidic tongue, and Helen continually felt inadequate.
The family lived in London, and would visit Clifftops in country Dorset periodically, with Helen uncomfortable during each visit, and always glad to leave. Time moved on, and after Cassie, Dora was born, and the family settled into a routine which was happy in the main. But suddenly, they found themselves moving to Clifftops, having inherited it on Richard’s parents’ deaths, with Helen having to give up her job to become a full-time Mum, while Richard commuted. She was angry and bitter, and grudgingly followed her husband’s wishes.
With Dora and Cassie occasionally at odds with one another, especially as Cassie grew toward becoming a teenager, Dora felt lonely. Their father wasn’t often there, as his hours in London were long and arduous, and Helen’s unhappiness was palpable. Little did they know their lives were heading toward a catastrophe so horrific, so devastating, that they would never be the same again.
With a young twenty year old Dora now living in London with her boyfriend Dan, suddenly finding herself pregnant was an unexpected shock. Dan was thrilled, but Dora was terrified. She realized she needed to confront her past, needed to see and speak to her estranged family members before she could come to terms with her own future.
Hannah Richell has written a masterful debut novel. The events move back and forth between the time frames past and present, and the different characters in the story. The complexities that are involved in one family are intense, and the plot is powerful. I felt deeply invested in the characters, and thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns.
This is one book I have no hesitation in recommending highly. I won my copy, signed by the author!
The family lived in London, and would visit Clifftops in country Dorset periodically, with Helen uncomfortable during each visit, and always glad to leave. Time moved on, and after Cassie, Dora was born, and the family settled into a routine which was happy in the main. But suddenly, they found themselves moving to Clifftops, having inherited it on Richard’s parents’ deaths, with Helen having to give up her job to become a full-time Mum, while Richard commuted. She was angry and bitter, and grudgingly followed her husband’s wishes.
With Dora and Cassie occasionally at odds with one another, especially as Cassie grew toward becoming a teenager, Dora felt lonely. Their father wasn’t often there, as his hours in London were long and arduous, and Helen’s unhappiness was palpable. Little did they know their lives were heading toward a catastrophe so horrific, so devastating, that they would never be the same again.
With a young twenty year old Dora now living in London with her boyfriend Dan, suddenly finding herself pregnant was an unexpected shock. Dan was thrilled, but Dora was terrified. She realized she needed to confront her past, needed to see and speak to her estranged family members before she could come to terms with her own future.
Hannah Richell has written a masterful debut novel. The events move back and forth between the time frames past and present, and the different characters in the story. The complexities that are involved in one family are intense, and the plot is powerful. I felt deeply invested in the characters, and thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns.
This is one book I have no hesitation in recommending highly. I won my copy, signed by the author!
February 28, 2012
The cover is so inviting … but wait until you see what is inside!
This is a story about one family, the Tides, and the incidents and consequences of family life … and certainly not your average family.
I often shy away from books that jump back and forth along timelines. However, this one does it rather seamlessly and I am never left wondering ‘who is she?’ or ‘what period is this’. The connectedness is wonderful.
Chapters are written from varying character viewpoints … once again, you find yourself drawn to each one, rightly or wrongly, feeling what they feel and then turn the page and see the incident from a new perspective and who you were once cheering for, you now are totally against. A testament to great writing one would say.
About half way through I thought I had the picked the plot. I was wrong. With each characters instalment, another piece of the puzzle is given to you and you can’t wait to see how it will all come out in the long run.
The authors writing is subtle yet illuminating … I am not one for heady descriptions, but here the right balance is often gained and a setting is easily bought to mind.
All in all an engaging read by a debut novelist, one that I would recommend to many a reader.
This is a story about one family, the Tides, and the incidents and consequences of family life … and certainly not your average family.
I often shy away from books that jump back and forth along timelines. However, this one does it rather seamlessly and I am never left wondering ‘who is she?’ or ‘what period is this’. The connectedness is wonderful.
Chapters are written from varying character viewpoints … once again, you find yourself drawn to each one, rightly or wrongly, feeling what they feel and then turn the page and see the incident from a new perspective and who you were once cheering for, you now are totally against. A testament to great writing one would say.
About half way through I thought I had the picked the plot. I was wrong. With each characters instalment, another piece of the puzzle is given to you and you can’t wait to see how it will all come out in the long run.
The authors writing is subtle yet illuminating … I am not one for heady descriptions, but here the right balance is often gained and a setting is easily bought to mind.
All in all an engaging read by a debut novelist, one that I would recommend to many a reader.
October 29, 2014
On the whole, I liked this. I did however, feel the writing was a little cliched at times - I caught myself mentally rolling my eyes on a few occasions, and just poor writing in general at other times. The example that stuck in my mind most was something along the lines of "She screamed horribly. It was horrible."
I enjoyed the premise, although, once we discovered what the tragic event was that caused such dysfunction in the family, the reaction of one of the characters seemed rather unbelievable to me. I don't know whether Hannah Richell based this on a similar situation she was privy to, or told to her by someone, or whether it was a situation she invented, but I just couldn't accept that the path this character took (out of the several options available) would have been the most likely.
I also felt the ending all happened a bit too quickly and was all nicely wrapped up and resolved more so than would have been realistic. And I normally like resolutions with endings all tied up and sorted out, but in this case, I think it might have been more plausible to have left some loose ends hanging.
I enjoyed the premise, although, once we discovered what the tragic event was that caused such dysfunction in the family, the reaction of one of the characters seemed rather unbelievable to me. I don't know whether Hannah Richell based this on a similar situation she was privy to, or told to her by someone, or whether it was a situation she invented, but I just couldn't accept that the path this character took (out of the several options available) would have been the most likely.
I also felt the ending all happened a bit too quickly and was all nicely wrapped up and resolved more so than would have been realistic. And I normally like resolutions with endings all tied up and sorted out, but in this case, I think it might have been more plausible to have left some loose ends hanging.
September 2, 2021
Conhecemos algumas histórias iguais a esta, pelos media nacionais e internacionais. Mas nunca poderíamos sonhar com o que acontece a uma família que passa pela situação descrita no livro. E a autora traduziu isso tão bem. Pensei durante toda a leitura nas famílias que nos entram pelo ecrã dentro, e no que passaram e continuam a passar quando não encontra as respostas que procuram para seguir em frente depois de uma atrocidade destas.
September 9, 2021
Em geral gostei do livro, de todo o mistério em volta de um acontecimento trágico que os afastou a todos. Um livro doloroso, que mostra como nem sempre podemos definir o rumo da nossa vida, por mim que tentemos.
Não dou 5 estrelas porque achei que as últimas páginas foram desnecessárias e um bocado chatas, com descrições longas e ligeiramente aborrecidas.
Tirando mesmo as páginas do fim é uma leitura rápida e viciante.
Não dou 5 estrelas porque achei que as últimas páginas foram desnecessárias e um bocado chatas, com descrições longas e ligeiramente aborrecidas.
Tirando mesmo as páginas do fim é uma leitura rápida e viciante.
March 31, 2015
The plot of this novel had promise, and the author did a good job of keeping me hooked: first there was the question of who was the suicidal girl in the first chapter; then I was wondering why everyone was so stressed and walking on eggshells; then once the reason was revealed, I kept reading to find out how Alfie had been lost.
Unfortunately, the nature of the story meant that all of the narrators were utterly miserable and wallowing in grief and guilt, and there was only so much of that unrelieved gloom I could plough through! About a third of the way through, I started skimming, because I couldn't stand any more of it.
It was very obvious the family would reconcile in the end, so I wasn't curious about that - but I did want to find out what happened to Alfie. When I did find out, it was an anticlimax as well as annoying, because I didn't believe Cassie would really have done what she did, and I also couldn't believe her mother, father and sister would be so instantly forgiving either, especially given their track record. So the ending felt all too pat and wrapped up far too quickly and neatly.
Unfortunately, the nature of the story meant that all of the narrators were utterly miserable and wallowing in grief and guilt, and there was only so much of that unrelieved gloom I could plough through! About a third of the way through, I started skimming, because I couldn't stand any more of it.
It was very obvious the family would reconcile in the end, so I wasn't curious about that - but I did want to find out what happened to Alfie. When I did find out, it was an anticlimax as well as annoying, because I didn't believe Cassie would really have done what she did, and I also couldn't believe her mother, father and sister would be so instantly forgiving either, especially given their track record. So the ending felt all too pat and wrapped up far too quickly and neatly.
February 24, 2012
I loved this book ....
If you want a read which keeps you turning the pages this is it, especially if you enjoy gripping family sagas with an added touch of drama, mystery, and suspense
Beautifully written, and the Tide family are great characters, who bought me to tears.
I have no hesitation in highly recommending 'Secrets of the Tides'
A fantastic debut novel one I will think about for a long time, and eagerly wait to read another by Hannah Richell ...
Had a promo copy to review, thank heavens as I might never have read it....
I Did not receive this book from the Author !!!
Soon as it comes out do beg, steal or borrow a copy :D
If you want a read which keeps you turning the pages this is it, especially if you enjoy gripping family sagas with an added touch of drama, mystery, and suspense
Beautifully written, and the Tide family are great characters, who bought me to tears.
I have no hesitation in highly recommending 'Secrets of the Tides'
A fantastic debut novel one I will think about for a long time, and eagerly wait to read another by Hannah Richell ...
Had a promo copy to review, thank heavens as I might never have read it....
I Did not receive this book from the Author !!!
Soon as it comes out do beg, steal or borrow a copy :D
July 21, 2021
Um livro trágico, duro, que se lê num fôlego. Uma história familiar muito cativante carregada de sentimentos e emoções traduzidos numa escrita fluida e viciante. Gostei muito.
July 1, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. I expected it to be silly and to have a sickly sweet ending. It did not. The writing is wonderful and conjures up perfect imagery. For example:
"It’s a treat not to be in the office. Most people, she knows, will be safely stashed at their desks by now, beginning the daily grind, staring at computer screens, talking into telephones, doing their deals, making decisions. She doesn’t get to experience this side of London very often, the hours when elderly people creep out onto the streets and young parents push prams towards parks. She can hear the buzz of bike couriers weaving through the traffic and sees a group of tourists sitting in a cafe window, squabbling over a map and guidebook. She sidesteps a wan-faced nurse, still in uniform, returning home from her nightshift, and declines the advances of an enthusiastic charity worker wielding a clipboard and accosting unsuspecting people as they pass by. It’s the same city – still home – but it feels different somehow, as if suddenly steeped in a different light, imbued with a different pace. She supposes it’s a side she might see a little more of, when the baby comes."
I was right there with Dora after reading that paragraph.
A great read that kept me rapidly turning the pages from start to finish. I hope there are future novels from this debut writer.
"It’s a treat not to be in the office. Most people, she knows, will be safely stashed at their desks by now, beginning the daily grind, staring at computer screens, talking into telephones, doing their deals, making decisions. She doesn’t get to experience this side of London very often, the hours when elderly people creep out onto the streets and young parents push prams towards parks. She can hear the buzz of bike couriers weaving through the traffic and sees a group of tourists sitting in a cafe window, squabbling over a map and guidebook. She sidesteps a wan-faced nurse, still in uniform, returning home from her nightshift, and declines the advances of an enthusiastic charity worker wielding a clipboard and accosting unsuspecting people as they pass by. It’s the same city – still home – but it feels different somehow, as if suddenly steeped in a different light, imbued with a different pace. She supposes it’s a side she might see a little more of, when the baby comes."
I was right there with Dora after reading that paragraph.
A great read that kept me rapidly turning the pages from start to finish. I hope there are future novels from this debut writer.
March 19, 2012
This debut novel kept me gripped from the first page to the last.
It is a vivid and visual family saga covering three generations of women . It deals with the complex relationships which can ensue from the struggle women frequently deal with (even in contemoporary times)of being true to themselves, and yet at the same time creating strong and enduring relationships.
The secret, which is at the centre of the maelstrom in the lives of the Tide family, is at the heart of this story. I loved the female characters and their differing responses and ways of dealing with their relationships, not just with each other but also with their friendships.
This has the potential to become a movie????
A must read for 2012!!!!!!!!
It is a vivid and visual family saga covering three generations of women . It deals with the complex relationships which can ensue from the struggle women frequently deal with (even in contemoporary times)of being true to themselves, and yet at the same time creating strong and enduring relationships.
The secret, which is at the centre of the maelstrom in the lives of the Tide family, is at the heart of this story. I loved the female characters and their differing responses and ways of dealing with their relationships, not just with each other but also with their friendships.
This has the potential to become a movie????
A must read for 2012!!!!!!!!
December 10, 2016
Mais um livro daqueles que se lê de um fôlego.... MUITO BOM!
Os Tide são uma família que tinha tudo para ser feliz, mas determinadas situações vão levando ao isolamento de cada um, e o egoísmo vai conduzir a decisões que marcarão para sempre as vidas de cada membro da família. Demasiado tarde, perceberam enfim, que eram felizes e nem se davam conta.
Infelizmente, quantos de nós não passam por isso? Por vezes somos felizes e numa busca incessante de mais, não aproveitamos a felicidade do momento até que a perdemos...
Vale a pena ler!
Os Tide são uma família que tinha tudo para ser feliz, mas determinadas situações vão levando ao isolamento de cada um, e o egoísmo vai conduzir a decisões que marcarão para sempre as vidas de cada membro da família. Demasiado tarde, perceberam enfim, que eram felizes e nem se davam conta.
Infelizmente, quantos de nós não passam por isso? Por vezes somos felizes e numa busca incessante de mais, não aproveitamos a felicidade do momento até que a perdemos...
Vale a pena ler!
September 12, 2012
Corny super soppy and totally predictable : can not believe this got published ! Rubbish !
November 3, 2024
The beginning of this book was intriguing—it made me curious to see what would happen next. But as I got further along, the story started to feel overly drawn out, with just one situation being described repeatedly throughout the rest of the book, seen through the eyes of different characters. This became really tedious, and honestly, I felt like stopping and just getting over with it. In the last few chapters, the story finally moved forward and became a bit more interesting again, which made it more enjoyable to keep reading and helped raise the rating slightly.
Overall: 2⭐️
Overall: 2⭐️
June 7, 2013
The story starts with a woman throwing herself off a bridge. Only as the story progresses, do we find out who the woman is and why she carries such guilt.
This is an extremely readable book that keeps you turning the pages. Dora is pregnant and less than thrilled about the news, even though her boyfriend Dan is happy about it. She traces her fears back to her upbringing and with good reason. The reader finds out more as the story goes back to her early life at Clifftops with her mother Helen , a father Richard who spent many of his hours in London, her sister Cassie and the tragedy that has affected their family. Guilt and its consequence is a theme throughout the book and affect all the relationships.
I was hooked from the beginning wanting to know the secret that troubles the Tide family. I like the way the story is told from several points of view. While I sympathised with Dora Tide, I found Helen to be far less likeable and found some of her behaviour hard to understand. The description of Clifftops is very visual. I’d be surprised if readers get through this page-turner without a few tears.
I originally thought of giving this book four and half stars because it was such a compelling read but I have dropped it back to four as without giving too much away the ending troubled me a little. Others may react differently. Still it is an impressive debut and I look forward to this writer’s next book.
This is an extremely readable book that keeps you turning the pages. Dora is pregnant and less than thrilled about the news, even though her boyfriend Dan is happy about it. She traces her fears back to her upbringing and with good reason. The reader finds out more as the story goes back to her early life at Clifftops with her mother Helen , a father Richard who spent many of his hours in London, her sister Cassie and the tragedy that has affected their family. Guilt and its consequence is a theme throughout the book and affect all the relationships.
I was hooked from the beginning wanting to know the secret that troubles the Tide family. I like the way the story is told from several points of view. While I sympathised with Dora Tide, I found Helen to be far less likeable and found some of her behaviour hard to understand. The description of Clifftops is very visual. I’d be surprised if readers get through this page-turner without a few tears.
I originally thought of giving this book four and half stars because it was such a compelling read but I have dropped it back to four as without giving too much away the ending troubled me a little. Others may react differently. Still it is an impressive debut and I look forward to this writer’s next book.
March 24, 2012
Look at that cover. Looks kinda chit-litty and dare I say it, crap, doesn't it? Well you know what they say, don't judge a book by it's cover because this was really quite an amazing piece of storytelling. A little rough in places due to my copy being an unedited manuscript but even then a brilliant read.
The book opens with one girl throwing herself off a bridge and the next chapter introduces our leading lady Dora, who is pregnant and dealing with some pretty big family issues. What kind of issues you might ask, well that's the kicker, you have to keep reading to find out. I was sucked in from just a few chapters in and was practically dying to know what the big secret was. Turns out there's lots of secrets, everybody has them.
This novel is quite a tear-jerker and had me trying desperately to not cry countless times, even going as far as giving me a sickening deadweight in my stomach when you find out the first and most alluded to secret. And just when you thought you knew it all and were thinking what possibly could the next half of the book be about, brace yourself for revelation after revelation.
The Secrets of the Tides is a decidedly poignant and revealing novel broaching a wide variety of issues and I will gladly be trying to place it in customer's hands.
The book opens with one girl throwing herself off a bridge and the next chapter introduces our leading lady Dora, who is pregnant and dealing with some pretty big family issues. What kind of issues you might ask, well that's the kicker, you have to keep reading to find out. I was sucked in from just a few chapters in and was practically dying to know what the big secret was. Turns out there's lots of secrets, everybody has them.
This novel is quite a tear-jerker and had me trying desperately to not cry countless times, even going as far as giving me a sickening deadweight in my stomach when you find out the first and most alluded to secret. And just when you thought you knew it all and were thinking what possibly could the next half of the book be about, brace yourself for revelation after revelation.
The Secrets of the Tides is a decidedly poignant and revealing novel broaching a wide variety of issues and I will gladly be trying to place it in customer's hands.
January 7, 2012
The very brief synopsis on the book cover makes you think that this may be a Maeve Binchy type of book. Think again.
This is a tale of a family, a home that has been in the family for a couple of generations and the sad tale of one summer day. Each chapter is seen from a different character’s perspective and also from a different period in time. At first this can be a bit disorientating until you get to know the characters and are drawn in by their story.
Each chapter is also split into readable chunks / paragraphs, meaning that if you are reading this in bed you can stop when you want. However, the fateful day in question is a long chapter and as the tension rises and the knots in your stomach form, you wish it to be over. It’s a long time since I felt that sense of dread when reading a book. The tears flow easily as well when reading how the characters deal with their inner turmoil and guilt over what has happened.
Hannah Richell writes a well-rounded complete story. You are left with a conclusion (maybe not what you are expecting or wanting) but no loose ends.
I hope that she follows up this debut novel with other similar gripping tales.
This is a tale of a family, a home that has been in the family for a couple of generations and the sad tale of one summer day. Each chapter is seen from a different character’s perspective and also from a different period in time. At first this can be a bit disorientating until you get to know the characters and are drawn in by their story.
Each chapter is also split into readable chunks / paragraphs, meaning that if you are reading this in bed you can stop when you want. However, the fateful day in question is a long chapter and as the tension rises and the knots in your stomach form, you wish it to be over. It’s a long time since I felt that sense of dread when reading a book. The tears flow easily as well when reading how the characters deal with their inner turmoil and guilt over what has happened.
Hannah Richell writes a well-rounded complete story. You are left with a conclusion (maybe not what you are expecting or wanting) but no loose ends.
I hope that she follows up this debut novel with other similar gripping tales.
April 21, 2012
I had been putting off reading this debut from Hannah Richell as I thought it was going to be a typical chick-lit nonsense but ‘Secrets of the Tides’ goes way beyond any usual chick lit. This is a modern family saga with plenty of drama.
Dora is a career woman with a great boyfriend. She’s just discovered she’s pregnant – sounds perfect, eh? But this is just the beginning: Dora’s not sure she wants the baby but she’s finding it difficult to explain why she’s so conflicted. What unfolds is a drama of devastating proportions, enough to tear any family apart.
Richell writes from several different female viewpoints, flicking between present day and ten years ago. Her ability to reveal just enough information at the right time is impressive. This a really intricate study of guilt and subjectivity. Her writing is detailed and evocative. The amount of description Richell uses paints a vivid picture.
I have to admit that, with all of the drama and high emotion, I found the ending quite difficult to accept. However, all in all, this story is a great debut. I would definitely read more from this author.
Dora is a career woman with a great boyfriend. She’s just discovered she’s pregnant – sounds perfect, eh? But this is just the beginning: Dora’s not sure she wants the baby but she’s finding it difficult to explain why she’s so conflicted. What unfolds is a drama of devastating proportions, enough to tear any family apart.
Richell writes from several different female viewpoints, flicking between present day and ten years ago. Her ability to reveal just enough information at the right time is impressive. This a really intricate study of guilt and subjectivity. Her writing is detailed and evocative. The amount of description Richell uses paints a vivid picture.
I have to admit that, with all of the drama and high emotion, I found the ending quite difficult to accept. However, all in all, this story is a great debut. I would definitely read more from this author.
April 7, 2015
Kitabın kısa özeti şu; şehvetine düşkün bir anne ve kızın yüzünden bir ailenin parçalanışı ve masum aile üyelerinin de yıllarca pişmanlıkla yaşaması.Cidden ama cidden Helen ve Cassie'den nefret ettim, heralde en nefret ettiğim karakterler listesinde ilk sırada yer alır bu ana-kız.Biri kocasını aldatmak için diğeri de sevgilisiyle tek başına kalmak istediği için olanlar oldu.İkinizde KATİLSİNİZ.AÇIK ve NET.
Kitabın başlarında Helen'i sevmeye başlamıştım ama sayfalar ilerledikçe nefretim katlanarak arttı.Hele Cassie.Yaptığı o iğrenç şeyden sonra nefretimi ışık hızıyla kazandı.İntihar etti ama ölmeyi bile beceremedi salak şey. -_-
Richard ve Dora'ya çok üzüldüm.Yıllarca hep pişmanlıkla yaşadılar.Üstelik onların suçu değilken.
Kitaba üç puan vermemin nedeni de Richard,Violet,Dora ve Dan.Kitabı okunabilir kılan tek şey bu karakterler.
Dora'nın Cassie'yi bu kadar çabuk affetmesini hazmedemiyorum ben arkadaş.İnsan biraz surat yapar ne bileyim uzaklaşır,nefret eder ama yok kızımız affetti hemen. *-*
Richard ve Dora'nın sonunda mutlu olmalarına sevindim.İkisi de mutluluğu herşeyden çok hakediyordu.
Kitabın başlarında Helen'i sevmeye başlamıştım ama sayfalar ilerledikçe nefretim katlanarak arttı.Hele Cassie.Yaptığı o iğrenç şeyden sonra nefretimi ışık hızıyla kazandı.İntihar etti ama ölmeyi bile beceremedi salak şey. -_-
Richard ve Dora'ya çok üzüldüm.Yıllarca hep pişmanlıkla yaşadılar.Üstelik onların suçu değilken.
Kitaba üç puan vermemin nedeni de Richard,Violet,Dora ve Dan.Kitabı okunabilir kılan tek şey bu karakterler.
Dora'nın Cassie'yi bu kadar çabuk affetmesini hazmedemiyorum ben arkadaş.İnsan biraz surat yapar ne bileyim uzaklaşır,nefret eder ama yok kızımız affetti hemen. *-*
Richard ve Dora'nın sonunda mutlu olmalarına sevindim.İkisi de mutluluğu herşeyden çok hakediyordu.
January 22, 2015
A wholehearted family tale of tragedy, loss and misunderstanding.
The book held my attention throughout, however my not being a fan of neat and tidy, happily ever after wrapping up of a novel, stopped this from being rated higher in the enjoyment scales.
It reached a fork in the road where it could have turned either down the mystery path, or taken the chick-lit route....unfortunately for me, it took the chick-lit 'it'll all work out alright' path.
Now there is nothing wrong with that, it simply isn't to my personal taste.
That said the ability to run so many character narratives concurrently alongside one another , without creating complete confusion, deserves applauding.
I would certainly be keen to read more from this author. As with "Love Song" by Nikki Gemmell, it would be great to see this author write a novel that splits itself between England and Australia, for us expats to enjoy.
The book held my attention throughout, however my not being a fan of neat and tidy, happily ever after wrapping up of a novel, stopped this from being rated higher in the enjoyment scales.
It reached a fork in the road where it could have turned either down the mystery path, or taken the chick-lit route....unfortunately for me, it took the chick-lit 'it'll all work out alright' path.
Now there is nothing wrong with that, it simply isn't to my personal taste.
That said the ability to run so many character narratives concurrently alongside one another , without creating complete confusion, deserves applauding.
I would certainly be keen to read more from this author. As with "Love Song" by Nikki Gemmell, it would be great to see this author write a novel that splits itself between England and Australia, for us expats to enjoy.
February 19, 2023
Familjedrama. Nutid och dåtid. 1800-tals herrgårdsporr med en massa murgröna utanpå och antika möbler och konst inuti. En vindlande trädgård med tillhörande mysfarbror till trädgårdsmästare. Sommar och sol och engelsk klippig kust. Flicka i gränslandet mellan barn och vuxen. Mödrar och svärmödrar. Hur ska detta sluta?
December 3, 2019
The storyline started off being interesting, but after reading around half of the book, I felt it became predictable and tedious. I did not enjoy it but made myself finish it with a bit of speed reading.
August 8, 2013
4,5 estrelas!!!
Muito bom ;)
September 14, 2021
Uma história verdadeiramente angustiante, mas com partes muito repetitivas.
September 17, 2013
Having read “The Shadow Year” which I loved very much I was dying to read Ms Richell’s debut novel “Secrets of the Tides” as soon as possible, reading schedule be darned. And hey, it was a good call…
Every family has its secrets. Some are small, like telling a white lie or snooping through a private drawer. Others are more serious like infidelity and betrayal. And some secrets are so terrible they must be hidden away in a deep, dark place, for if they ever came to light, they would surely tear a family apart.
A family drama of the highest quality, Secrets of the Tides has an immediate opening hook – a young girl, desperate, throws herself into the Thames – but who she is and what has driven her to take this drastic action remains unknown.
Then we meet Dora, a woman on the cusp of the rest of her life, living with the man she loves and seemingly having it all – but she is haunted by events from her past and disconnected from her family. In order to secure her future happiness Dora must explore the roots of her distress and let go of the hurt – to do so she must return to that time and finally understand the truth.
Told from various points of view, in both the past and the present, Secrets of the Tides is a sprawling, fascinating look at family – those things that keep us together and those things that drive us apart. From the outside the Tides would appear pretty perfect – but inner turmoils, errors in judgement and tragedy mean they are anything but.
For me, Helen, Mother to Dora and Cassie, Wife to Richard, was the most captivating of all the Tides. Perhaps because we are similar in age and experience – and yet she annoyed me because I spent much of the novel screaming at her to stop worrying about what she was lacking and for heavens sake LOOK at what she had. But we never do, do we. In realistic fashion Ms Richell shows us a slice of real life..with fulfillment always just around the corner, we always seem to want more…
The rest of the family are equally compelling. Cassie with her wish to escape, Dora who just wants to be happy and Richard, steady and reliable, will all touch you on some level – either because you know exactly how they are feeling or you want to whack them round the head and remove them from complacency…and that to me, is wonderful, evocative, clever writing. These people are about as real as you can get…
As we learn about their lives, where it all began, how the family grew and embedded itself into life, you will feel their joy and their pain..I was in tears at the end of this book. Again. So Yes Ms Richell – you DO owe me a box of tissues. A big one.
Happy Reading Folks!
Every family has its secrets. Some are small, like telling a white lie or snooping through a private drawer. Others are more serious like infidelity and betrayal. And some secrets are so terrible they must be hidden away in a deep, dark place, for if they ever came to light, they would surely tear a family apart.
A family drama of the highest quality, Secrets of the Tides has an immediate opening hook – a young girl, desperate, throws herself into the Thames – but who she is and what has driven her to take this drastic action remains unknown.
Then we meet Dora, a woman on the cusp of the rest of her life, living with the man she loves and seemingly having it all – but she is haunted by events from her past and disconnected from her family. In order to secure her future happiness Dora must explore the roots of her distress and let go of the hurt – to do so she must return to that time and finally understand the truth.
Told from various points of view, in both the past and the present, Secrets of the Tides is a sprawling, fascinating look at family – those things that keep us together and those things that drive us apart. From the outside the Tides would appear pretty perfect – but inner turmoils, errors in judgement and tragedy mean they are anything but.
For me, Helen, Mother to Dora and Cassie, Wife to Richard, was the most captivating of all the Tides. Perhaps because we are similar in age and experience – and yet she annoyed me because I spent much of the novel screaming at her to stop worrying about what she was lacking and for heavens sake LOOK at what she had. But we never do, do we. In realistic fashion Ms Richell shows us a slice of real life..with fulfillment always just around the corner, we always seem to want more…
The rest of the family are equally compelling. Cassie with her wish to escape, Dora who just wants to be happy and Richard, steady and reliable, will all touch you on some level – either because you know exactly how they are feeling or you want to whack them round the head and remove them from complacency…and that to me, is wonderful, evocative, clever writing. These people are about as real as you can get…
As we learn about their lives, where it all began, how the family grew and embedded itself into life, you will feel their joy and their pain..I was in tears at the end of this book. Again. So Yes Ms Richell – you DO owe me a box of tissues. A big one.
Happy Reading Folks!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 498 reviews