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Windfallen
From the acclaimed author of Sheltering Rain comes an intensely moving story of two women whose lives entwine through a lovely seaside house.
The tiny, well-ordered seaside village of Merham holds little to interest the adventurous -- except for Arcadia, the breathtaking art deco house perched above the shoreline. Attracted to this magical place, young Lottie Swift surrenders freely to its temptations and ultimately must face the hard consequences of her actions.
Years later another young woman comes to Merham. A designer hired to make over the now-empty Arcadia, Daisy Parsons seeks a new beginning, as Lottie once did. Fleeing a broken relationship, Daisy finds refuge at Arcadia, and something more -- a love she thought she would never know again.
The tiny, well-ordered seaside village of Merham holds little to interest the adventurous -- except for Arcadia, the breathtaking art deco house perched above the shoreline. Attracted to this magical place, young Lottie Swift surrenders freely to its temptations and ultimately must face the hard consequences of her actions.
Years later another young woman comes to Merham. A designer hired to make over the now-empty Arcadia, Daisy Parsons seeks a new beginning, as Lottie once did. Fleeing a broken relationship, Daisy finds refuge at Arcadia, and something more -- a love she thought she would never know again.
512 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
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14369 people want to read
About the author
Jojo Moyes
118 books67.2k followersJojo Moyes is a British novelist.
Moyes studied at Royal Holloway, University of London. She won a bursary financed by The Independent newspaper to study journalism at City University and subsequently worked for The Independent for 10 years. In 2001 she became a full time novelist.
Moyes' novel Foreign Fruit won the Romantic Novelists' Association (RNA) Romantic Novel of the Year in 2004.
She is married to journalist Charles Arthur and has three children.
Moyes studied at Royal Holloway, University of London. She won a bursary financed by The Independent newspaper to study journalism at City University and subsequently worked for The Independent for 10 years. In 2001 she became a full time novelist.
Moyes' novel Foreign Fruit won the Romantic Novelists' Association (RNA) Romantic Novel of the Year in 2004.
She is married to journalist Charles Arthur and has three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,309 reviews
January 5, 2015
Beginning started out kind of odd actually and slow taking me 100 pages to become interested in the main characters, Lottie & Celia and their lives in the 1940's; and then when I was totally immersed, Part Two abruptly switches to present day with a whole new set of characters. I wanted more of Guy and Joe, Celia's crazy family and all the interesting character's at the deco house in Part One! Author does eventually tie it all together in the end, but reader is left with some unanswered questions and IMO a confusing epilogue.
Although somewhat disappointed in this book, I know I will still look forward to future JJM novels.
April 2, 2019
Llegado este momento he leído la mayoría de las novelas de Jojo Moyes y me he dado cuenta de que realmente disfruto de su habilidad para alejarme del pasado o del presente con humor y corazón, todo mientras tengo que estar al tanto de sus personajes y los altibajos que experimentan.
Este libro sigue un patrón que ha empleado antes, comenzando con una historia que tiene lugar hace décadas y luego, cuando el argumento ha llegado a su punto de crisis, se salta hacia adelante a los personajes actuales y nuevos. Pero, por supuesto, el presente y el pasado siempre chocan y los acontecimientos actuales del día terminan resolviendo las cosas que sucedieron en el pasado.
Adentrémonos en la historia, que se divide en tres partes. En la primera parte tenemos a Lottie, una joven que fue encontrada para ser acogida (debido a la guerra) por otra familia, rica, cuyos miembros están divididos entre los leales a ella y los que preferirían no tenerla a su alrededor, por ser atraída por los habitantes de la Casa Arcadia.
Tuve un tiempo difícil con las primeras 50 páginas de este. Yo estaba confundida, algo aburrida... No estoy segura cuándo, pero quizás en el capítulo 3 o 4, me enganché!
En la segunda parte seguimos a Daisy, ahora décadas después de los acontecimientos que sucedieron con Lottie en Mehram para renovar a la casa Arcadia y convertirla en un hotel. Tratando de seguir con su vida personal, motivandola para seguir adelante y hacer lo que quiera.
(Tuve un pequeño problema con la renovación de la casa, en la que la historia es el elemento más importante, ya que parece entrar y salir de la historia y no se describe mucho de que aspecto es, en toda la novela, por lo que era difícil, si no imposible, formar una imagen mental de esta casa que al parecer dejó todo el mundo impresionado).
Yo era un gran admiradora de la historia de Daisy, aprecié cómo creció como personaje durante su tiempo remodelando la Casa Arcadia. Llegamos a verla pasar de una madre soltera estropeada y rota a una mujer fuerte capaz de enfrentarse a cualquier persona, ya sea a un jefe enérgico, a un ciudadano ocupado, a un ex amante egoísta o una niñera agresiva, con confianza y determinación.
Me encantó como se mostró el personaje de Daisy que sentía lástima por sus luchas como una sola madre trabajadora, que se siente muy actual y relevante para los estándares de hoy!
Antes de introducirnos a la tercera parte que me tuvo al borde todo el tiempo, era por el "triangulo amoroso" de Jones, Daisy y Daniel. Aunque Jones no es malo, sin duda es mejor que Daniel. Si el primero (Jones) trabaja las 24/7, se va a hacer, tratar de ir a través de los desastres de su vida, el segundo (Daniel) es un maldito, deprimido, narcisista, un niño en el cuerpo de un adulto que no es capaz de asumir la responsabilidad e incluso se escapa de ellas y deja a Daisy a solas con su bebé. Él es un personaje que me hizo querer romper su nariz, y todo el tiempo de lo que pensaba "ojala muera, por favor. Vete."
En la tercera parte se encuentra un final para las dos protagonistas donde ambas historias se juntan y crean una mezcla interesante con los personajes de las dos primera partes.
Me gustó cómo terminó Daisy influyendo y ayudando a Lottie tanto como Lottie ayudó a Daisy. Ambas tenían tanto en común, incluso dadas las circunstancias muy diferentes que experimentaron, y era interesante ver cómo sus dos historias estaban juntas y separadas y finalmente se resolvieron.
Me encanta las sociedades que Jojo crea en sus libros, muchos personajes mayores y menores con historias separadas que se entrelazan en una conclusión satisfactoria. También disfruté de la representación de algunos personajes en una ciudad de la playa de ensueño, donde los chismes ociosos y pegarse la nariz en el negocio de todos los demás es normal, para obtener un poco de entretenimiento y para aliviar la tontería y la monotonía de la vida.
Este fue un libro muy peculiar. Ya que a veces era muy difícil decir en qué marco de tiempo Jojo estaba presentando cada escenario (la historia retrocede en el tiempo). Hay tantos personajes que es difícil de resolver las conexiones entre ellos, no ayuda algunos errores editoriales en que los nombres se mezclan. También hay personajes cuya presencia nunca se explica y me preguntaba a menudo cuál era su propósito y relevancia (incluso después de llegar a la segunda mitad del libro). Al parecer, es muy usual emplear a un esteticista(embellecedor de cuerpo humano) sin explicación. Difícil de imaginar lo sé, pero hay un personaje así en esta historia.
Jojo Moyes como siempre atrae al lector con una trama hermosa y enrevesada que mantiene las páginas girando sin llegar a ser aburrido (Bueno siendo honesta tomó un poco de tiempo para la historia de obtener un poco de impulso, pero tan pronto como lo hizo, me enganchó y tuve que seguir leyendo para ver cómo caía todo en su lugar). Me encantó la variedad de personajes que se presentaron y cómo el autor me hizo sentir parte de la historia en lugar de un forastero mirando por encima de la ventana. Esta es una gran lectura y una que recomendaría para cualquier fan de su trabajo.
*Dato para quien lo quiera leer en un futuro; Al principio me confundí en el epílogo, pero después de releer el prólogo estoy bastante segura de haberlo descubierto.
Este libro sigue un patrón que ha empleado antes, comenzando con una historia que tiene lugar hace décadas y luego, cuando el argumento ha llegado a su punto de crisis, se salta hacia adelante a los personajes actuales y nuevos. Pero, por supuesto, el presente y el pasado siempre chocan y los acontecimientos actuales del día terminan resolviendo las cosas que sucedieron en el pasado.
Adentrémonos en la historia, que se divide en tres partes. En la primera parte tenemos a Lottie, una joven que fue encontrada para ser acogida (debido a la guerra) por otra familia, rica, cuyos miembros están divididos entre los leales a ella y los que preferirían no tenerla a su alrededor, por ser atraída por los habitantes de la Casa Arcadia.
Tuve un tiempo difícil con las primeras 50 páginas de este. Yo estaba confundida, algo aburrida... No estoy segura cuándo, pero quizás en el capítulo 3 o 4, me enganché!
En la segunda parte seguimos a Daisy, ahora décadas después de los acontecimientos que sucedieron con Lottie en Mehram para renovar a la casa Arcadia y convertirla en un hotel. Tratando de seguir con su vida personal, motivandola para seguir adelante y hacer lo que quiera.
Yo era un gran admiradora de la historia de Daisy, aprecié cómo creció como personaje durante su tiempo remodelando la Casa Arcadia. Llegamos a verla pasar de una madre soltera estropeada y rota a una mujer fuerte capaz de enfrentarse a cualquier persona, ya sea a un jefe enérgico, a un ciudadano ocupado, a un ex amante egoísta o una niñera agresiva, con confianza y determinación.
Me encantó como se mostró el personaje de Daisy que sentía lástima por sus luchas como una sola madre trabajadora, que se siente muy actual y relevante para los estándares de hoy!
Antes de introducirnos a la tercera parte que me tuvo al borde todo el tiempo, era por el "triangulo amoroso" de Jones, Daisy y Daniel. Aunque Jones no es malo, sin duda es mejor que Daniel. Si el primero (Jones) trabaja las 24/7, se va a hacer, tratar de ir a través de los desastres de su vida, el segundo (Daniel) es un maldito, deprimido, narcisista, un niño en el cuerpo de un adulto que no es capaz de asumir la responsabilidad e incluso se escapa de ellas y deja a Daisy a solas con su bebé. Él es un personaje que me hizo querer romper su nariz, y todo el tiempo de lo que pensaba "ojala muera, por favor. Vete."
En la tercera parte se encuentra un final para las dos protagonistas donde ambas historias se juntan y crean una mezcla interesante con los personajes de las dos primera partes.
Me gustó cómo terminó Daisy influyendo y ayudando a Lottie tanto como Lottie ayudó a Daisy. Ambas tenían tanto en común, incluso dadas las circunstancias muy diferentes que experimentaron, y era interesante ver cómo sus dos historias estaban juntas y separadas y finalmente se resolvieron.
Me encanta las sociedades que Jojo crea en sus libros, muchos personajes mayores y menores con historias separadas que se entrelazan en una conclusión satisfactoria. También disfruté de la representación de algunos personajes en una ciudad de la playa de ensueño, donde los chismes ociosos y pegarse la nariz en el negocio de todos los demás es normal, para obtener un poco de entretenimiento y para aliviar la tontería y la monotonía de la vida.
Este fue un libro muy peculiar. Ya que a veces era muy difícil decir en qué marco de tiempo Jojo estaba presentando cada escenario (la historia retrocede en el tiempo). Hay tantos personajes que es difícil de resolver las conexiones entre ellos, no ayuda algunos errores editoriales en que los nombres se mezclan. También hay personajes cuya presencia nunca se explica y me preguntaba a menudo cuál era su propósito y relevancia (incluso después de llegar a la segunda mitad del libro). Al parecer, es muy usual emplear a un esteticista
Jojo Moyes como siempre atrae al lector con una trama hermosa y enrevesada que mantiene las páginas girando sin llegar a ser aburrido (Bueno siendo honesta tomó un poco de tiempo para la historia de obtener un poco de impulso, pero tan pronto como lo hizo, me enganchó y tuve que seguir leyendo para ver cómo caía todo en su lugar). Me encantó la variedad de personajes que se presentaron y cómo el autor me hizo sentir parte de la historia en lugar de un forastero mirando por encima de la ventana. Esta es una gran lectura y una que recomendaría para cualquier fan de su trabajo.
*Dato para quien lo quiera leer en un futuro; Al principio me confundí en el epílogo, pero después de releer el prólogo estoy bastante segura de haberlo descubierto.
April 16, 2014
Having discovered that I loved the writing of Jojo Moyes, I’ve set about to read through her backlist. Windfallen is her second novel, and was originally published in the UK as Foreign Fruit, which, to my thinking, is a much more appropriate title.
The novel begins in the 1950’s in the conservative seaside town of Merham a couple of hours from London. The community is appalled when a previously empty 1930’s art deco house known as Arcadia is taken over by a group of bohemians with ambigious domestic relationships. But 18-year-olds Celia Holden and her friend Lottie Swift (who lives with Celia’s family), are bedazzled. They are fit to burst from the constricting binds of Celia’s uptight mother and Merham’s equally uptight fear of change. They begin to visit the newcomers, entranced by the exotic way they live and their lack of inhibitions. Celia’s mother finds out and sends her off to London. Eight weeks later Celia returns with a fiancé, Guy Bancroft. But everything becomes upended, and Lottie is forced to leave town.
Fifty years later, we pick up with the story of Daisy Parsons, an interior designer who has been hired to restore Arcadia as a hotel. Daisy, 28, has just been abandoned by the father of her four-month old daughter, but needs to pull herself together and complete this job in order to turn her life around. As she uncovers the secrets of Arcadia, she not only helps bring change to Merham, but discovers her own destiny in the process.
Evaluation: Jojo Moyes is an excellent and engrossing storyteller, and of course she had me sobbing by three-quarters of the way through the book. If you like sagas about lost love and found love with a well-written historical background, this will definitely appeal to you. I suppose it is properly considered a “romance,” and in fact it won the 2004 Romance Novelist Association (RNA) Book of the Year Award (under its British title, Foreign Fruit). But I would certainly class Jojo Moyes head and shoulders above many writers designated by that genre.
The novel begins in the 1950’s in the conservative seaside town of Merham a couple of hours from London. The community is appalled when a previously empty 1930’s art deco house known as Arcadia is taken over by a group of bohemians with ambigious domestic relationships. But 18-year-olds Celia Holden and her friend Lottie Swift (who lives with Celia’s family), are bedazzled. They are fit to burst from the constricting binds of Celia’s uptight mother and Merham’s equally uptight fear of change. They begin to visit the newcomers, entranced by the exotic way they live and their lack of inhibitions. Celia’s mother finds out and sends her off to London. Eight weeks later Celia returns with a fiancé, Guy Bancroft. But everything becomes upended, and Lottie is forced to leave town.
Fifty years later, we pick up with the story of Daisy Parsons, an interior designer who has been hired to restore Arcadia as a hotel. Daisy, 28, has just been abandoned by the father of her four-month old daughter, but needs to pull herself together and complete this job in order to turn her life around. As she uncovers the secrets of Arcadia, she not only helps bring change to Merham, but discovers her own destiny in the process.
Evaluation: Jojo Moyes is an excellent and engrossing storyteller, and of course she had me sobbing by three-quarters of the way through the book. If you like sagas about lost love and found love with a well-written historical background, this will definitely appeal to you. I suppose it is properly considered a “romance,” and in fact it won the 2004 Romance Novelist Association (RNA) Book of the Year Award (under its British title, Foreign Fruit). But I would certainly class Jojo Moyes head and shoulders above many writers designated by that genre.
October 22, 2024
3.5⭐️
Tai kiek kitokia nei iki šiol mano skaitytos Moyes knygos. Pradžia buvo kiek sunkoka, mane vargino veikėjų gausa, tačiau kai įsivažiavau nebegalėjau atsitraukti. Patiko puikiai išpildytas Lotės personažas, Deizė ir jos virsmas į liūtę, nors ir ne visada sėkmingai, tačiau nepasiduodančią ir kovojančią. Taip pat mėgavausi skaitydama ir apie šalutinius veikėjus: Adeliną bei jos laisvumą, Kamilės ir Helo santuokinę krizę. Ir nors tai nebuvo labai greitas skaitinys, tačiau buvo smagu pažinti mėgstamą autorę iš kiek kitokios pusės.
Tai kiek kitokia nei iki šiol mano skaitytos Moyes knygos. Pradžia buvo kiek sunkoka, mane vargino veikėjų gausa, tačiau kai įsivažiavau nebegalėjau atsitraukti. Patiko puikiai išpildytas Lotės personažas, Deizė ir jos virsmas į liūtę, nors ir ne visada sėkmingai, tačiau nepasiduodančią ir kovojančią. Taip pat mėgavausi skaitydama ir apie šalutinius veikėjus: Adeliną bei jos laisvumą, Kamilės ir Helo santuokinę krizę. Ir nors tai nebuvo labai greitas skaitinys, tačiau buvo smagu pažinti mėgstamą autorę iš kiek kitokios pusės.
May 28, 2017
«میوه خارجی» یا «رها در باد» اثر جوجو مویز.
این کتاب در انگلیس با عنوان میوه ی خارجی و و در آمریکا با عنوان رها در باد ترجمه شده. عنوان اول رو نشر آموت و عنوان دوم رو نشر میلکان ترجمه کرده.
کتاب طبق روال همیشگی آثار جوجو مویز تم عاشقانه داره. و البته در دو زمان متفاوت روایت میشه. در قسمت اول کتاب، نوجوانی دختری به نام لوتی که بخاطر وضعیت نابسامان خانوادش توسط خانواده ی دیگه ای سرپرستی میشه و ماجرای عاشقانه ای که براش رخ میده، شرح داده میشه. و در قسمت دوم سال ها بعد، زنی که پارتنرش اون و فرزندش رو رها کرده و رفته شرح داده میشه که بخاطر شغلی که می پذیره با لوتی آشنا میشه و گره از راز زندگی عاشقانه ی اون باز میکنه.
کتاب یه فیلم ترکی کااااامل بود. یه عاشقانه ی به شدت بی محتوا با عشق های در یه نگاه، یه عالمه خیانت و روابط متقاطع، روابط بی انتها و .... سبک نوشتنش هم کاملا مثل سایر کتاب های نویسنده، علی الخصوص "آخرین نامه ی معشوق" بود. که خب البته از نظر تقدم زمانی، این کتاب قبل از اونا نوشته شده.
از طرف دیگه، بی کیفیت ترین ترجمه ای بود که تا به امروز خونده بودم. انقدررررر بد که حتی گوگل ترنسلیت هم. نمیتونه انقدر فاجعه باشه. در حد جمله ی " من رفت!". امیدوارم خودتون دیگه عمق فاجعه رو درک کنید. میلکان بی کیفیت ترین انتشاراتیه که میشه ازش اسم برد. ترجمه کردن آثاری که قبلا نشر های دیگه اونارو ترجمه کردن و روونه کردن همون کتابا با ترجمه های به شدددت غیرقابل تحمل به بازار.. این کتاب نه تنها ویراستار نداشته، بلکه مطمئنم هیچکس قبل از چاپ یه بار هم از روش نخونده.
اگر قصد خوندن این کتابو دارید، میوه ی خارجی از نشر آموت رو بخونید. که البته باید بگم اصلا این کتابو توصیه نمیکنم. مگر اینکه شما هم از طرفدارای پر و پا قرص کتابای زرد و عاشقانه های آبکی باشید!
این کتاب در انگلیس با عنوان میوه ی خارجی و و در آمریکا با عنوان رها در باد ترجمه شده. عنوان اول رو نشر آموت و عنوان دوم رو نشر میلکان ترجمه کرده.
کتاب طبق روال همیشگی آثار جوجو مویز تم عاشقانه داره. و البته در دو زمان متفاوت روایت میشه. در قسمت اول کتاب، نوجوانی دختری به نام لوتی که بخاطر وضعیت نابسامان خانوادش توسط خانواده ی دیگه ای سرپرستی میشه و ماجرای عاشقانه ای که براش رخ میده، شرح داده میشه. و در قسمت دوم سال ها بعد، زنی که پارتنرش اون و فرزندش رو رها کرده و رفته شرح داده میشه که بخاطر شغلی که می پذیره با لوتی آشنا میشه و گره از راز زندگی عاشقانه ی اون باز میکنه.
کتاب یه فیلم ترکی کااااامل بود. یه عاشقانه ی به شدت بی محتوا با عشق های در یه نگاه، یه عالمه خیانت و روابط متقاطع، روابط بی انتها و .... سبک نوشتنش هم کاملا مثل سایر کتاب های نویسنده، علی الخصوص "آخرین نامه ی معشوق" بود. که خب البته از نظر تقدم زمانی، این کتاب قبل از اونا نوشته شده.
از طرف دیگه، بی کیفیت ترین ترجمه ای بود که تا به امروز خونده بودم. انقدررررر بد که حتی گوگل ترنسلیت هم. نمیتونه انقدر فاجعه باشه. در حد جمله ی " من رفت!". امیدوارم خودتون دیگه عمق فاجعه رو درک کنید. میلکان بی کیفیت ترین انتشاراتیه که میشه ازش اسم برد. ترجمه کردن آثاری که قبلا نشر های دیگه اونارو ترجمه کردن و روونه کردن همون کتابا با ترجمه های به شدددت غیرقابل تحمل به بازار.. این کتاب نه تنها ویراستار نداشته، بلکه مطمئنم هیچکس قبل از چاپ یه بار هم از روش نخونده.
اگر قصد خوندن این کتابو دارید، میوه ی خارجی از نشر آموت رو بخونید. که البته باید بگم اصلا این کتابو توصیه نمیکنم. مگر اینکه شما هم از طرفدارای پر و پا قرص کتابای زرد و عاشقانه های آبکی باشید!
July 26, 2015
This was a disappointment. I've read and really liked other Moyes novels which I feel were written with substance however this book was so shallow and left me feeling flat. It fell short in so many ways from the technique employed- the "past" story and the "present " story based around an unusual house in a conservative seaside English town. The house itself is supposed to be a character in the novel, and was built in the 1920's, however the two parts to the story take place in the 1950's and the present day. No history or background is given for this character and I was left quite confused. On one hand the house itself seemed important, on the other no information was given about it and in the present day it was being restored to its former 1920's glory, so what did that have to do with the "past" story of the 1950's? The human characters were not fleshed out either. And the were so many of them it was hard to keep track of who was important, or just a side character. We get introduced to so many people and then they just seem to fade away. For example Celia's family- what happened to Celia's parents? Brother and sister? The main characters are also not well done. Lottie could be so interesting but ends up a cranky and meddling old lady. And in the present story Daisy is the most boring chick lit character you can imagine. Of course she is perfect and everyone loves her and she has had no problems up until her boyfriend of 8years and father of her newborn leaves her. But of course not worry- there is a Mr Darcy waiting in the wings for our heroine! Jones, Daisy's boss, new owner of the house who has employed Daisy to refurbish it into a boutique hotel. He is an irascible, surly, rich womaniser but of course with a heart of gold. Eye- rolling!!
The book was very slow to start in the 1950's and once it got going it switched to the present day story and I felt wth a big sigh, now I feel like I am starting a whole new book. The ending was predictable. So disappointing because it had potential.
The book was very slow to start in the 1950's and once it got going it switched to the present day story and I felt wth a big sigh, now I feel like I am starting a whole new book. The ending was predictable. So disappointing because it had potential.
February 13, 2020
به معنای واقعی کلمه مزخرف
اونقدری که حوصله م نکشید و نصفه کاره ولش کردم.
از این لجم میگیره که تو کتابفروشی ها کتابهای جوجو مویز را کنار کتاب های فردریک بکمن میزارن.
کتابهای بکمن در حین داستان کلی نکات روانشناختی و مهارت ارتباطی و به مسائلی مثل قضاوت نکردن دیگران و... میپردازه.
کتابهای جوجو مویز نکته آموزندهای نداره.
حالا بعضی کتابهاش مثل یک بعلاوه یک سرگرم کننده ست. ولی این کتاب سرگرم کننده هم نبود. مزخرف
اونقدری که حوصله م نکشید و نصفه کاره ولش کردم.
از این لجم میگیره که تو کتابفروشی ها کتابهای جوجو مویز را کنار کتاب های فردریک بکمن میزارن.
کتابهای بکمن در حین داستان کلی نکات روانشناختی و مهارت ارتباطی و به مسائلی مثل قضاوت نکردن دیگران و... میپردازه.
کتابهای جوجو مویز نکته آموزندهای نداره.
حالا بعضی کتابهاش مثل یک بعلاوه یک سرگرم کننده ست. ولی این کتاب سرگرم کننده هم نبود. مزخرف
February 27, 2014
Regular visitors to my blog will probably know that I'm a big fan of Jojo Moyes ever since she came to my awareness with books like Me Before You and The Girl You Left Behind, but recently I have decided to read her back catalogue of work, this book being the first. Foreign Fruit was first published in 2003 and is set in two time periods, contemporary and the 1950's but inter-links seamlessly to form a fascinating and compelling story. We start off in the 1950's, in the sleepy seaside town of Merham, where everybody seems to know each others business, and keeping any kind of secret is practically impossible. We meet two girls, Lottie, who loves the town, is steady and reliable and has grown up with the Holden family as an evacuee during the war, and Celia, the Holden's flighty and slightly rebellious daughter, who feels restricted by the holds of the town and her family and longs to break away.
This opportunity comes sooner than expected when a little excitement comes to the town in the form of a group of bohemians including an actress (shock horror!) who take over a property called Arcadia in the town and proceed to shake things up a little in the town, much to the horror of its inhabitants. In the end, after a slight scandal, Celia escapes to London, and Lottie remains with the Holden family. Fast forward a little while and Celia returns from London to visit the family with her new fiance Guy, which creates a host of problems for Lottie, and changes everything for both families and for Lottie in particular forever.
We then get a switch in the story to contemporary times, where the author introduces us to a woman called Daisy who has a young child and is having a terrible time. Her long-term boyfriend and father of her child has disappeared unable to cope with the demands of a baby, and Daisy is left alone literally holding the baby. To distract her from her personal issues, she has taken on a commission to re-decorate and re-design a house called Arcadia (yep, the same one in the 50's story, glad you're keeping up!) as a top class hotel, for a shrewd businessman who has taken over ownership of it. But when the old house comes back to life, some old problems start to rear their ugly heads along with it, and Daisy also finds herself re-evaluating her life and her choices.
Jojo Moyes as always pulls the reader in with a beautiful and convoluted plot that keeps the pages turning without ever becoming dull. I loved the array of characters that were presented and how the author made me feel part of the story rather than an outsider looking in. If I had to choose I would probably say that I preferred the 1950's element of the story more than the contemporary as the time period just seemed to come alive on the pages, but I loved our contemporary character Daisy and felt sorry for her struggles as a single working mother, which feels very current and relevant by today's standards! I also enjoyed the authors representation of some characters in a sleepy seaside town, where idle gossip and sticking your nose into everyone else's business is standard, to get a bit of entertainment and to relieve the dullness and monotony of life. It did take a little while for the story to get a bit of momentum, but as soon as it did, I was hooked and had to read on to see how it would all play out. While I still prefer Me Before You and The Girl You Left Behind by this author, this is a great read and one I would recommend for any fans of her work.
Please see my full review at http://www.bibliobeth.com
This opportunity comes sooner than expected when a little excitement comes to the town in the form of a group of bohemians including an actress (shock horror!) who take over a property called Arcadia in the town and proceed to shake things up a little in the town, much to the horror of its inhabitants. In the end, after a slight scandal, Celia escapes to London, and Lottie remains with the Holden family. Fast forward a little while and Celia returns from London to visit the family with her new fiance Guy, which creates a host of problems for Lottie, and changes everything for both families and for Lottie in particular forever.
We then get a switch in the story to contemporary times, where the author introduces us to a woman called Daisy who has a young child and is having a terrible time. Her long-term boyfriend and father of her child has disappeared unable to cope with the demands of a baby, and Daisy is left alone literally holding the baby. To distract her from her personal issues, she has taken on a commission to re-decorate and re-design a house called Arcadia (yep, the same one in the 50's story, glad you're keeping up!) as a top class hotel, for a shrewd businessman who has taken over ownership of it. But when the old house comes back to life, some old problems start to rear their ugly heads along with it, and Daisy also finds herself re-evaluating her life and her choices.
Jojo Moyes as always pulls the reader in with a beautiful and convoluted plot that keeps the pages turning without ever becoming dull. I loved the array of characters that were presented and how the author made me feel part of the story rather than an outsider looking in. If I had to choose I would probably say that I preferred the 1950's element of the story more than the contemporary as the time period just seemed to come alive on the pages, but I loved our contemporary character Daisy and felt sorry for her struggles as a single working mother, which feels very current and relevant by today's standards! I also enjoyed the authors representation of some characters in a sleepy seaside town, where idle gossip and sticking your nose into everyone else's business is standard, to get a bit of entertainment and to relieve the dullness and monotony of life. It did take a little while for the story to get a bit of momentum, but as soon as it did, I was hooked and had to read on to see how it would all play out. While I still prefer Me Before You and The Girl You Left Behind by this author, this is a great read and one I would recommend for any fans of her work.
Please see my full review at http://www.bibliobeth.com
June 19, 2019
Book Review
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Title - Foreign Fruit
Book Details - Paperback - 424 Pages
Author - Jojo Moyes
Era - 1950s (sea town) - England
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I actually picked this book up because of the era and I was intrigued to know more about the Arcadia House.
This book is set up in three parts. Arcadia House is a kind of mixture between art deco and art moderne. The style stems from 1925 Exhibition Internationale design Arts Decoratifs. As the story begins, we are in England, we are introduced to the Holdens (not the car variety!) . Mrs Holden, prim and proper with her "afternoon teas with the ladies" ...Celia, Lottie, Sylvia, Freddie plus Mr Holden himself. Now as it happens a bunch of creatives moved into Arcadia House and had their wild parties and it was their domain for their art scene. Much to the annoyance of Mrs Holden, Lottie and Celia were scooped up in the hype of it all. Secrets unfold as the house itself unfolds some very colourful characters, which ends when Lottie leaves the sea side town for good to go to Paris. Part 2 & 3 tells the story of how the Arcadia House turns into a Hotel, with alot of objection from the locals.
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This was quite a refreshing read, I've had this book on my tbr pile for a few years now, so I thought it was about time to read it. It's a happy book with lots going on in it. I particularly liked the young ones of the Holdens, Freddie and Sylvia, they were at the age where they said the wrong thing and put their foot in it. I was also fascinated by the Bohemians, a new word for me and what it stood for. I had not one, but a few .. "aha" moments as the author surprised me with a few plot twists that were neatly sprung up upon me. I'm so glad I eventually got around to reading this book, as it proved more than I was anticipating.
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I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the sea side (particularly the English), as there are alot of descriptive scenery and such like. Anyone who enjoys the 1950s era, as there are alot references to art work, decor and social scenes and beliefs of that time. Anyone who, like me, likes the historical buildings factor in their books and anyone who loves a good feel book with quite a bit of humour in it.
.
Title - Foreign Fruit
Book Details - Paperback - 424 Pages
Author - Jojo Moyes
Era - 1950s (sea town) - England
.
I actually picked this book up because of the era and I was intrigued to know more about the Arcadia House.
This book is set up in three parts. Arcadia House is a kind of mixture between art deco and art moderne. The style stems from 1925 Exhibition Internationale design Arts Decoratifs. As the story begins, we are in England, we are introduced to the Holdens (not the car variety!) . Mrs Holden, prim and proper with her "afternoon teas with the ladies" ...Celia, Lottie, Sylvia, Freddie plus Mr Holden himself. Now as it happens a bunch of creatives moved into Arcadia House and had their wild parties and it was their domain for their art scene. Much to the annoyance of Mrs Holden, Lottie and Celia were scooped up in the hype of it all. Secrets unfold as the house itself unfolds some very colourful characters, which ends when Lottie leaves the sea side town for good to go to Paris. Part 2 & 3 tells the story of how the Arcadia House turns into a Hotel, with alot of objection from the locals.
.
This was quite a refreshing read, I've had this book on my tbr pile for a few years now, so I thought it was about time to read it. It's a happy book with lots going on in it. I particularly liked the young ones of the Holdens, Freddie and Sylvia, they were at the age where they said the wrong thing and put their foot in it. I was also fascinated by the Bohemians, a new word for me and what it stood for. I had not one, but a few .. "aha" moments as the author surprised me with a few plot twists that were neatly sprung up upon me. I'm so glad I eventually got around to reading this book, as it proved more than I was anticipating.
.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the sea side (particularly the English), as there are alot of descriptive scenery and such like. Anyone who enjoys the 1950s era, as there are alot references to art work, decor and social scenes and beliefs of that time. Anyone who, like me, likes the historical buildings factor in their books and anyone who loves a good feel book with quite a bit of humour in it.
January 20, 2018
3.5*
Al terminar la historia me ha quedado la sensación de "incompleta", es decir, me han faltado cosas, me han faltado momentos, creo que el final se ha resuelto demasiado deprisa y he echado de menos leer más sobre esos reencuentros que tanto llegas a desear. Sin embargo, no puedo negar que Jojo tiene una habilidad espectacular para combinar dos historias paralelas, pasado y presente, e irlas resolviendo poco a poco.
Al terminar la historia me ha quedado la sensación de "incompleta", es decir, me han faltado cosas, me han faltado momentos, creo que el final se ha resuelto demasiado deprisa y he echado de menos leer más sobre esos reencuentros que tanto llegas a desear. Sin embargo, no puedo negar que Jojo tiene una habilidad espectacular para combinar dos historias paralelas, pasado y presente, e irlas resolviendo poco a poco.
August 20, 2023
Spędziłam całą niedzielę, żeby doczytać połowę książki, a to już coś oznacza. Lubię historie tworzone przez Moyes i nawet to, że są tak rozbudowane i opasłe, mi nie przeszkadza. Autorka snuje swoje opowieści tak, że ciężko się od nich oderwać, a już najlepiej, gdy jest jakaś historia z przeszłości połączona z tą z „teraźniejszości”.
Przy powieściach Moyes pierwsze 100 stron zazwyczaj trochę męczę, bo ciężko mi się wdrążyć w historię i załapać flow, ale w tym przypadku już od razu załapało. Trochę nie czaję końcowych happy endów, ale i tak czas z tą książką był dobrze spędzonym czasem.
Przy powieściach Moyes pierwsze 100 stron zazwyczaj trochę męczę, bo ciężko mi się wdrążyć w historię i załapać flow, ale w tym przypadku już od razu załapało. Trochę nie czaję końcowych happy endów, ale i tak czas z tą książką był dobrze spędzonym czasem.
May 2, 2018
Lottie is taken in by the Holden family as an evacuee during the war and lives in the quiet and conservative seaside town of Merham. Lottie makes friends with Celia Holden, and when an interesting and arty family move into the art deco house, they become involved with the controversial inhabitants.
When Celia goes off to London to work and comes back home engaged, the girls' lives change forever.
The story switches to modern day, where thr art deco house is being converted into a hotel. All of the old secrets will emerge.
This one was just ok for me. The characters were way too underdeveloped for my liking. Can't believe I found a Jojo Moyes I didn't love.
When Celia goes off to London to work and comes back home engaged, the girls' lives change forever.
The story switches to modern day, where thr art deco house is being converted into a hotel. All of the old secrets will emerge.
This one was just ok for me. The characters were way too underdeveloped for my liking. Can't believe I found a Jojo Moyes I didn't love.
July 24, 2014
This is Jojo Moyes' second book and I have to say that it is quite obvious she became much more skilled as a writer with subsequent works. This was a most peculiar book. Very hard to tell in which time frame the author was presenting each scenario (the story jumps back in time). There are so many characters it is difficult to work out the connections between them, not helped by editorial errors in which names are mixed up. Also there are characters whose presence is never explained and I often wondered just what was their purpose and relevance (even after getting to about page 400). It is apparently quite usual to employ a blind beautician without explanation. Hard to imagine I know, but there is such a character in this story. We only find out at about page 300 that she is not her own boss when her actual boss is introduced - yet another character to add to the confusion.
The renovation of the house, on which the story hinges, seems to drift in and out of the entire story and not much is made of this aspect of the novel in that it was difficult, if not impossible, to form a mental picture of this house which apparently left everyone awestruck.
I found the whole experience of reading this novel quite disappointing as I love Jojo Moyes' style and have enjoyed several of her later books. I would be hard pressed to recommend this book to anyone. I will not let this experience put me off reading Moyes' books again as she really is one of my favourite authors, writing such thought provoking material that leaves me feeling as if I have just had a really good read. We all have to learn as we go along our chosen path.
The renovation of the house, on which the story hinges, seems to drift in and out of the entire story and not much is made of this aspect of the novel in that it was difficult, if not impossible, to form a mental picture of this house which apparently left everyone awestruck.
I found the whole experience of reading this novel quite disappointing as I love Jojo Moyes' style and have enjoyed several of her later books. I would be hard pressed to recommend this book to anyone. I will not let this experience put me off reading Moyes' books again as she really is one of my favourite authors, writing such thought provoking material that leaves me feeling as if I have just had a really good read. We all have to learn as we go along our chosen path.
February 9, 2015
I typically like her books, but I found this one troubling on two fronts. On one hand, several of the paralel plots were predictable. On the other, it was frustratingly not very specific in explaining what happened to the original cast. Would not read again.
SPOILER * * *
On thinking on it more, several plot holes really bother me.
(1) Why did Lottie not tell Guy that Camille was his? Seems like he would have loved knowing he had family. Is Lottie just planning on continuing to lie to Camille?
(2) Why all the emphasis on Camille's storyline and the fact she was great at her job, but about to lose it? With the sub plot of opening the hotel and the sub plot of the money Lottie received, I kept expecting Camille to be offered an opportunity to open a new spa at the hotel or be able to buy out the business. All this talk to acheive nothing.
(3) It is ridiculous to think Lottie did not know what happened to Celia. It was a small town. Think having the town doctor's daughter wind up in a sanitarium would not be big news?
(4) Did Celia die in the hospital? Come back home? I wish there had been more clarity.
Again, I really like this writer, but she clearly got better with experience.
SPOILER * * *
On thinking on it more, several plot holes really bother me.
(1) Why did Lottie not tell Guy that Camille was his? Seems like he would have loved knowing he had family. Is Lottie just planning on continuing to lie to Camille?
(2) Why all the emphasis on Camille's storyline and the fact she was great at her job, but about to lose it? With the sub plot of opening the hotel and the sub plot of the money Lottie received, I kept expecting Camille to be offered an opportunity to open a new spa at the hotel or be able to buy out the business. All this talk to acheive nothing.
(3) It is ridiculous to think Lottie did not know what happened to Celia. It was a small town. Think having the town doctor's daughter wind up in a sanitarium would not be big news?
(4) Did Celia die in the hospital? Come back home? I wish there had been more clarity.
Again, I really like this writer, but she clearly got better with experience.
September 21, 2017
تعداد شخصیت ها خیلی زیاد بود و سخت میشد باهاش ارتباط برقرار کرد، به محض اینکه شرایط و شخصیت ها اشنا شد و تو روال داستان قرار گرفتم، داستان به زمان حال پرش کرد و شخصیت های جدید وارد شدن و روز از نو روزی از نو.
بخش هایی از کتاب هم احتمالا مشکل سانسور و... داشت که مترجم در لفافه بهش پرداخته بود، مفهوم دریافت میشد ولی خب بازم تو ذوقم میزد.
دو شخصیت اصلی زن داستان (حداقل برای من) اصلا دوست داشتنی نبودن و بقیه شخصیت ها حضورشون در داستان خیلی کمرنگ تر از اون بود که بشه باهاشون ارتباط گرفت.
شاید اگر کتاب خلاصه تر و شخصیت ها کمتر میشد، خیلی بهتر بود اما در کل نسبت به بقیه کتاب هایی که از مویز خوندم ضعیف تر بود.
فکر میکنم شرایط تعیین میکنه چقدر یک کتاب رو دوست داشته باشیم، برعکس یک بعلاوه یک این کتاب رو با سختگیری بیشتری خوندم و شاید هم به همین دلیل اینقدر کم ستاره دادم. فکر میکنم اگر این کتاب رو تو شرایط یک بعلاوه یک میخوندم چهار ستاره بهش میدادم.
بخش هایی از کتاب هم احتمالا مشکل سانسور و... داشت که مترجم در لفافه بهش پرداخته بود، مفهوم دریافت میشد ولی خب بازم تو ذوقم میزد.
دو شخصیت اصلی زن داستان (حداقل برای من) اصلا دوست داشتنی نبودن و بقیه شخصیت ها حضورشون در داستان خیلی کمرنگ تر از اون بود که بشه باهاشون ارتباط گرفت.
شاید اگر کتاب خلاصه تر و شخصیت ها کمتر میشد، خیلی بهتر بود اما در کل نسبت به بقیه کتاب هایی که از مویز خوندم ضعیف تر بود.
فکر میکنم شرایط تعیین میکنه چقدر یک کتاب رو دوست داشته باشیم، برعکس یک بعلاوه یک این کتاب رو با سختگیری بیشتری خوندم و شاید هم به همین دلیل اینقدر کم ستاره دادم. فکر میکنم اگر این کتاب رو تو شرایط یک بعلاوه یک میخوندم چهار ستاره بهش میدادم.
May 31, 2016
My first Jojo Moyes and certianly not my last.
This book is divided in 2 parts with no transition whatsoever between them. The first part revolves around the 1950's on a costal litle town that thrives on the arrival of hollydaymakers during thr summer. It tells the story of Lottie, a girl who was evacuated from London during the War and was kind of adopted by the Holden family. It describes the events of one summer that will changes their lives forever.
It is also the story of Arcadia House, an art deco house set in thar litle sleepy town, that is a protagonist on it's own as many are to be witnessed inside it's walls.
Fast forward to the present where the magic of Arcadia House works once again in a most satisfying manner.
It is a portrait of the 1950's mentality, it's traits and conventions and how it will afect the lives of our protagonists.
I liked it but there was a bit on the 1st part that i thought a wee bit too whiny, but then again probably justifiable to plot point.
All in all and enjoyable read.
This book is divided in 2 parts with no transition whatsoever between them. The first part revolves around the 1950's on a costal litle town that thrives on the arrival of hollydaymakers during thr summer. It tells the story of Lottie, a girl who was evacuated from London during the War and was kind of adopted by the Holden family. It describes the events of one summer that will changes their lives forever.
It is also the story of Arcadia House, an art deco house set in thar litle sleepy town, that is a protagonist on it's own as many are to be witnessed inside it's walls.
Fast forward to the present where the magic of Arcadia House works once again in a most satisfying manner.
It is a portrait of the 1950's mentality, it's traits and conventions and how it will afect the lives of our protagonists.
I liked it but there was a bit on the 1st part that i thought a wee bit too whiny, but then again probably justifiable to plot point.
All in all and enjoyable read.
June 7, 2018
Mám pocit, že som túto knihu čítala celé veky, ale ľudia moji... to bolo tak výborné! Rozhodne dobre strávený čas. Nenapadá mi jediné negatívum a užila som si asi každú jednu stránku a časť príbehu. Veľmi ma bavila práve časť z minulosti, no k srdcu mi prirástla aj súčasná situácia pričom som hlavnej hrdinke držala palce a obľúbila som si ju. Táto kniha mi dokonale sadla a ani som netušila, že je presne tým, čo som aktuálne potrebovala. Odporúčam.
December 26, 2019
Me ha gustado. Casi siempre me gusta lo que escribe Jojo. Y estoy convencida, sin duda, de que el terreno en el que mejor se mueve es el de las historias contadas en dos tiempos, entre el pasado y el presente, como en «Hasta siempre, mi amor» o «La chica que dejaste atrás». Sin embargo, esta novela (su ópera prima) me ha costado un poco. Comienza con una narración muy detallada de los hechos del pasado, que en algunos puntos no me han resultado nada verosímiles. Esa parte, la primera de las tres en que está dividido el libro, se me ha hecho muy lenta. Después, con la segunda y la tercera, todo se vuelve más dinámico, pero sigue resultando un poco difícil empatizar con algunos personajes y situaciones. Y el final, con bastantes frentes abiertos, me parece que se ha resuelto demasiado apurado, después de muchas páginas de desarrollo lento.
¿Que por qué me ha gustado? Porque leer a Jojo es siempre un placer. Por su estilo, su tono, su uso del lenguaje, las emociones que transmite, las descripciones, la fluidez (casi siempre) de la narración. Es una novela un poco especial, pero creo que merece la pena leerla.
¿Que por qué me ha gustado? Porque leer a Jojo es siempre un placer. Por su estilo, su tono, su uso del lenguaje, las emociones que transmite, las descripciones, la fluidez (casi siempre) de la narración. Es una novela un poco especial, pero creo que merece la pena leerla.
December 6, 2015
I really enjoy the alternating time lines in Moyes' novels. This one is set in 50s and 2000s, with Lottie as the main character who ties the stories together. This is a novel of relationships--family, friends, romantic--that plays out against the backdrop of a fabulous art deco house in a British seaside town. It's home to bohemian artists in the 50s and will be an artist retreat again, restored to its original splendor, in the 21st century. Interesting but flawed characters in both time lines, questions of social mores, time lines past and present, polished prose, a romantic tone, and a relaxed pace, after, for me at least, a slow start. Readers who fondly remember Maeve Binchy and Rosamund Pilcher will be pleased.
September 9, 2021
if I was 43 and divorced I feel like I could love this book
March 27, 2017
Debo confesar que de los libros que leí de Jojo Moyes, este, es el que mas me costó. Se me hizo lento y por momentos algo denso, sobre todo en la primera parte y por lo mismo creo que no logré simpatizar con ninguno de sus personajes, ni llegar a entender algunas situaciones. La segunda parte esta mejor, mas ágil y por lo tanto, para mi, mas entretenida.
Si no tengo mal entendido, este es uno de los primeros libros escrito por la autora y creo que se nota como con el paso del tiempo y la experiencia fue puliendo su estilo.
Si no tengo mal entendido, este es uno de los primeros libros escrito por la autora y creo que se nota como con el paso del tiempo y la experiencia fue puliendo su estilo.
March 20, 2014
(Windfallen)
I enjoyed this book but would have enjoyed it more if it did not have so many loose ends (in my opinion).
1. I thought the lack of follow up with Celia left a big hole in the story. I would have liked to have known about her life post marriage and especially what her thoughts were when she needed the end of her life (and we don't even find out how she died). Plus, it would have been fascinating to know what she wrote to Lottie in those unsent letters. I thought the epilogue was rather cryptic as well. What exactly was the author trying to say about Celia. What did she mean by "when I came out, everyone pretended I hadn't been there at all"? She mentioned a "kind" of hospital so my assumption is that she suffered some sort of mental collapse? I just don't like not knowing unequivocally.
2. Would have liked to hear more about the Holden family and what happened to them. Sylvia was such an odd character and I was hoping we'd get a bit of background.
3. I found the Camille storyline to be a bit random. Why make her an adulteress? Just didn't seem to make sense to me in the overall storyline.
4. I didn't find it that believable that Lottie suffered for 30+ years pining for Guy, estranged her loyal husband and those around her, finally meet Guy again and experience the same powerful feelings at first sight, have him say "It's not too late" then suddenly decide she should be a good wife to Joe.
I enjoyed this book but would have enjoyed it more if it did not have so many loose ends (in my opinion).
1. I thought the lack of follow up with Celia left a big hole in the story. I would have liked to have known about her life post marriage and especially what her thoughts were when she needed the end of her life (and we don't even find out how she died). Plus, it would have been fascinating to know what she wrote to Lottie in those unsent letters. I thought the epilogue was rather cryptic as well. What exactly was the author trying to say about Celia. What did she mean by "when I came out, everyone pretended I hadn't been there at all"? She mentioned a "kind" of hospital so my assumption is that she suffered some sort of mental collapse? I just don't like not knowing unequivocally.
2. Would have liked to hear more about the Holden family and what happened to them. Sylvia was such an odd character and I was hoping we'd get a bit of background.
3. I found the Camille storyline to be a bit random. Why make her an adulteress? Just didn't seem to make sense to me in the overall storyline.
4. I didn't find it that believable that Lottie suffered for 30+ years pining for Guy, estranged her loyal husband and those around her, finally meet Guy again and experience the same powerful feelings at first sight, have him say "It's not too late" then suddenly decide she should be a good wife to Joe.
July 22, 2021
Abandonată
February 9, 2022
DNF
Losy bohaterów były mi całkiem obojętne,więc sama historia również mnie nie interesowała. Fabuła może była wymyślona ciekawie, ale wykonanie jej od złej strony totalnie mnie znudziło. Nie czytam dalej, bo dałoby mi to tylko fakt skończenia jej, ale żadnej przyjemności lub wyniesionych wartości. Nudna,przedłużona,sztuczna,karykaturalna.
Losy bohaterów były mi całkiem obojętne,więc sama historia również mnie nie interesowała. Fabuła może była wymyślona ciekawie, ale wykonanie jej od złej strony totalnie mnie znudziło. Nie czytam dalej, bo dałoby mi to tylko fakt skończenia jej, ale żadnej przyjemności lub wyniesionych wartości. Nudna,przedłużona,sztuczna,karykaturalna.
October 3, 2024
Šita patiko mažiausiai iš Jojo Moyes knygų. Lyg ir veikėjus sunku pamėgti, lyg ir veiksmas rutuliojosi lėtai ir neįdomiai. Kelis kartus svarsčiau mesti, bet užkabino pakankamai, kad norėčiau perskaityti iki pabaigos.
September 2, 2014
Hard to find this on Goodreads. 'Windfallen' is aka 'Foreign Fruits'. Not sure if the versions are different, but I read Windfallen.
I had a hard time with the first 50 pages or so of this one. I was confused, bored... I'm not sure when, but maybe Chapter 3 or 4, I was hooked! Then came part 2 and the story switched to modern day:(. While parts of the past still weaved into the story, I wished so bad the whole book would have been about the drama of Part 1's characters. Love the Bohemians! Very precious story of 'forbidden' love. ( Sounds odd I know!)
*I was at first confused at the epilogue, but after rereading the prologue I'm pretty sure I've figured it out-Celia went insane believing her own lies.
***I'm still confused, as it was never really cleared up... Did Lottie know Guy from her early years in London ? When she first saw him and was speechless , it seemed as if she had??? Maybe it was just the feelings of fate-- I don't know, can anyone clear that up for me?? :)
I don't know if this was better than Moyes 'Last Lover from your Lover'. I did however enjoy most of this more than 'Me Before You' and 'One Plus One'. The latter are set in present day, I just love JoJo Moyes story's set in the past. Regardless, I'm so glad to have discovered her work! Can't wait for the next one!
I had a hard time with the first 50 pages or so of this one. I was confused, bored... I'm not sure when, but maybe Chapter 3 or 4, I was hooked! Then came part 2 and the story switched to modern day:(. While parts of the past still weaved into the story, I wished so bad the whole book would have been about the drama of Part 1's characters. Love the Bohemians! Very precious story of 'forbidden' love. ( Sounds odd I know!)
*I was at first confused at the epilogue, but after rereading the prologue I'm pretty sure I've figured it out-Celia went insane believing her own lies.
***I'm still confused, as it was never really cleared up... Did Lottie know Guy from her early years in London ? When she first saw him and was speechless , it seemed as if she had??? Maybe it was just the feelings of fate-- I don't know, can anyone clear that up for me?? :)
I don't know if this was better than Moyes 'Last Lover from your Lover'. I did however enjoy most of this more than 'Me Before You' and 'One Plus One'. The latter are set in present day, I just love JoJo Moyes story's set in the past. Regardless, I'm so glad to have discovered her work! Can't wait for the next one!
April 19, 2015
It's official, Jojo Moyes is my very favorite author. I'm making myself wait to start a new book by her just so I can put off the day when I'll have no more Jojo Moyes books to read.
This book follows a pattern she's employed before, starting with a story taking place decades ago and then, when that storyline has reached it's crisis point, skipping forward to present day and new characters. But of course, the present and the past always collide and present day events end up resolving the things that happened in the past.
Jojo is such a master at evoking time and place. I could picture post-war Merham effortlessly. And the characters she creates always reach in and grab hold of your heart. I thought mine would break by the time the mid-century part of this story reached its tipping point.
Then we moved to the present day and poor Daisy and I was having a lot of other emotions, those a lot more hostile. When you're having arguments in your head on behalf of fictional characters, you know the book has touched you.
I love the communities Moyes creates in her books, many major and minor characters with separate storylines that all weave together in a satisfying conclusion. In short, I wish every book was this good.
This book follows a pattern she's employed before, starting with a story taking place decades ago and then, when that storyline has reached it's crisis point, skipping forward to present day and new characters. But of course, the present and the past always collide and present day events end up resolving the things that happened in the past.
Jojo is such a master at evoking time and place. I could picture post-war Merham effortlessly. And the characters she creates always reach in and grab hold of your heart. I thought mine would break by the time the mid-century part of this story reached its tipping point.
Then we moved to the present day and poor Daisy and I was having a lot of other emotions, those a lot more hostile. When you're having arguments in your head on behalf of fictional characters, you know the book has touched you.
I love the communities Moyes creates in her books, many major and minor characters with separate storylines that all weave together in a satisfying conclusion. In short, I wish every book was this good.
August 19, 2021
مثل بقیه ی کارای جوجو مویز سطحی و ضعیف بود اما این یکی سراسر فیلم ترکی بود!
December 19, 2024
Den letzten Rest, sprich die letzten 100 Seiten des Buches schenke ich mir. Es war leider nicht meins. Schade. Aber mich fesselten weder die Charakteren noch die Geschichte, sodass ich noch nicht einmal wissen möchte wie es mit den einzelnen Personen weitergeht bzw. wie sich die Geschichte am Ende auflösen wird.
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