An Ordinary Woman: An utterly captivating and uplifting story of one woman’s strength and determination…

by Susan Sallis

From the Sunday Times bestselling author Susan Sallis comes a wonderfully evocative novel, perfect for fans of Maeve Binchy, Fiona Valpy and Rosamunde Pilcher.READERS ARE LOVING AN ORDINARY WOMAN! "A remarkable story of love, life, pleasures and hazards. Strong characters who define this story. Excellent read and would strongly recommend Susan Sallis" -- 5 STARS"The storyline was captivating from the start..." - 5 STARS"This book held me from the first page to the last!" - 5 STARS"Very good story, loved every minute..." - 5 STARS***********************************************WHEN NEEDED, WILL SHE BE ABLE TO RISE TO THE CHALLENGE?1945, Connecticut. A scandal breaks which forces a baffled Rose, aged four, and her mother to leave America and return home to England.The following May, a sister is born - Joanna or 'Jon'. Rose and Jon are like chalk and cheese. Jon is vivacious, fun, impetuous, rash and persuasive. Rose is reserved, steady, sure, reliable and...ordinary. It is her lot in life to hold the family together through times of tragedy and emotional upheaval.But, when, years later, Jon sets events in motion which send Rose across the Atlantic again and into the most extraordinary event of her life, can she ever be thought of as ordinary again?

482 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 14, 1991

About the author

Susan Sallis was the author of over twenty bestselling novels, many of them set in the West Country. She was born in Gloucestershire and lived in Somerset with her family. She died in 2020.

Reviews

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A saga of "An Ordinary Woman" and her roles as daughter, granddaughter, niece, sister, wife and mother and daughter-in-law. In telling the story of Rosamund (Rose or Rosie for short) Harris Fairbrother the reader also learns the stories of Rose's mother and sister, their lives, their loves.

The story begins slowly on VJ Night in Connecticut but with each detail that is revealed the speed of the story is no longer an issue as it enfolds the reader's attention and becomes captivating. It is a story of ordinary days and the choices made on these seemingly ordinary days that sometimes become extraordinary moments and memories all the while changing lives forever.

This novel was my first introduction to the writing of Susan Sallis and I will not hesitate to read more of her writing. I loved how the characters were so easy to visualize from their strengths to their flaws and their life stories unfolded with each page read.

[Xanthoula · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ordinary woman

It is a pleasant read, enjoyable. The plot and the characters are borrowed from an extraordinarily place, though. Thank you.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always enjoy a Susan Sallis story & this one did not disappoint. Had me gripped from the very start. Lots of characters & a true family saga of ups and downs and twists and turns.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

At the start of this book I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy it, but by the third chapter I was deeply involved with the storyline. A multi-generational saga that begins in America at the end of WWII and ends in England in the 1970's or'80s. I enjoyed all the family interactions, especially between the two sisters Rose and Jon. All the intertwining between the characters are not always believable, but that's why I read fiction! I believe in love and all the happiness and sadnes in between. Extremely enjoyable read and highly recommended.

[Therobertstribe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I expected

From the description of this book I expected to read about a woman returning to get birthplace in america, discover things about her past and learn about herself in the process.

What I got was a slow moving family drama, spanning 40 years. The story was completely chronological and tells the story of the main characters life. The book is set almost entirely in the UK and although two of the characters do return to America it is not until 75% into the book .

Let me start by saying this is not really a genre I would choose to read and if I had known this was what the book was I would not have chosen it. The boom is obviously well loved by many readers that enjoy this style of writing. Personally I found it slow moving and a bit depressing, it reminded me of a very slow moving soap opera, characters have affairs, people are born, people die and there are two instances of attempted child abuse. In the whole I didn't connect to the characters very deeply although most of them are fairly likable.

Just not for me.

[Alva · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous engaging story from the wonderful storyteller, Susan Sallis. I've read so many of her books through the years and this one is a lovely return to her flowing way with words. Generations of family affected by decisions made over the years, siblings Rose and Jon negotiate their way from childhood to adulthood and parenthood. Strong believable characters make their way through life with all its pleasures, sadness and dangers. I loved the characters of Rose and Jon's Mum, Aileen, and David's Mum, Maud. This is a story that begins in the USA at the end of WW2, when Rose is four years old. We travel to England and back to America as the story unfolds. A captivating account of one family's journey. Susan Sallis, you are missed.

[sharon check · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful story

Susan Wallis has managed to weave a tale of love over generations and two countries. Rose is only four as the story begins and she endures a scary and traumatic experience from an older boy. Then after seeing her mom with a man she doesn't know she is whisked away to safety by the son of her friend" Fack. ". Then in no time at all Rose and her mothers are on their way to her family in England and the start of a new life. Lots of twists and turns as the years go by and this reader kept interest right to the end.

[Jackie Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read

I found this book a little slow in the beginning, however that from changed and I found myself thoroughly involved. The characters are so well developed that you feel you thoroughly know them, all their good, bad, and in between. I felt close to everyone in the book. The story was set in both England and America, and was multi generational. I loved this novel and highly recommend it.

[Margaret Bender · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tangled relationships

The story was filled with so many different characters. They all had their own problems and hard times. It was a long detailed story. I almost stopped reading it. But I did finish it. It made me cry when David died. It was a beautiful explanation of the end of his life. All the different characters, who were all into them selves. I'm happy that they did change for the better at the end. Thanks for the story.

[Noel Cathey · Rating 4 out of 5]

a gently written book pages of love, suduction, surviving chcoies effecting generations -- tao complete answer to the questinos of life, death and accepting our actions -related first hand by Rose the eldest who did and did not connect with family yet had the character to not create angst--- memories of growing up which effected the adult life-when things are finally resoved- it is for the benefit of each indivuidal to have love, forgiveness ---- - a reason for being --

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family saga that covers several generations. Easy to slip into the characters lives, and the years quickly slip by. I had never read this author and I did not know what to expect. It’s not the kind of novel I typically read, but I can see the appeal for a large audience.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

[Janesmcdowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of triumph

The tale begins in the 40's and ends over 30 years later. Two women with different fathers but the same mother chose opposing paths their entire lives until they were in their 30s. There was much pain and loss in both their lives. In the end end they both found love and contentment. This was a very long tale but heartwarming in the end.

[Gill James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit it took me a while to get into this book. it seemed slow and I was irritate d by the lack of abbreviations in speech - did not instead of didn't etc. Yet we get to know the characters well. They are believable and rounded. The ending is upbeat, so worth the wait.

[kathleen g morand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Certainly not an ordinary book!

I really enjoyed this book because of the portrayal of life in that time and place.The characters were well developed and the reader grew to relate to them on many levels.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complications

Well , I wasn't comfortable with this authors writing style. But I stuck with it. Interesting story with some surprises. I really didn't like most of the characters, except David.

[Mrs Naomi Messiter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author and I don’t think Icould have chosen a better one. I love the description of all the characters so that one can almost see them. Great writing.

[jillian taft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong characters with a tale to tell. Enjoyed the book, a good holiday read. The ordinary woman referred to in the book title proves to be an 'extraordinary woman' as the story unfolds.

[Cristie Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This multi-generational story captured the triumphs and struggles of a family. Thanks to the author's vivid detail and brilliant writing, I was able to easily imagine the story as I read.

[Marsha Rust · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, the story had wonderful realistic characters and I was saddened when it ended (and would love a second book).

[Catherine Skyrm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching

Sisters Rose and Jon wind their way through a battlefield of love, betrayal and heart-wrenching emotions to find their place in the world

[AnneMari Sanchez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good read

A long drawn out story ultimately about last vs and family. A little sappy and a bit confusing here and there.

[Hester · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it. Would read more by this author :-)

[Chris Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read

I was engrossed every step of the family journey. The ups and downs were intriguing and emotional. I recommend this book.

[Kelly Devine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just an ordinary book. A nice read.

[Janey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather long, not exactly boring but didn’t draw me in much until the last quarter

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating story........Loved It!

[Suzanne Schuon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a journey!

Following this family was so interesting. The characters seemed real, and I was always what was next. There were several surprises!

[mary cosmah johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book by Sallis,

I was completely taken away from the first page. Never read many books on persons living in England. But the beginning was what caught my heart, the 4 yr old little girl, describing a party was so real, I felt like I was there.
Ms. Sallis has that knack, I loved the family saga. I shall be reading many of her books.