Out of the Shadows

by Titia Sutherland

Out of the Shadows Sutherland, Titia

Genres: Fiction

Hardcover

First published October 22, 1992

Reviews

[Julie Dunnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit meatier than some of the other Black Swan books. Rachel is a widow whose children believe she should move out of her home because of the ghosts that seem to haunt some of them. She takes a lodger Tom who is 13 years younger than her and they start an improbable affair. All rather pie in the sky. The darker edge is the discovery of the wartime tragedy which took place in the house and the undertones of abuse by Rachel’s late husband Henry of their daughter. Never really explicitly stated but implied. An odd book which I do not need to read again!

[Janet Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the writing style. There are numerous beautifully written descriptive passages.

Perhaps because the main character Rachel and I are not too far apart in age, both with 3 adult children and grandchildren, I found the novel relatable.

It had depth too and was an original plot.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachel sets out to investigate the history of her house, and also takes in a lodger, the handsome and helpful Tom.

Part of the reason for the research makes this a rather different novel from most women's fiction, since there are ghosts involved. It's mainly character-based, with some delightful people including Rachel's granddaughter, the sensitive and serious Emily.

Recommended if you like women's fiction set in the 1990s.

Longer review: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm trying to thin out bookshelves - never an easy task - and am re-reading some of the many white-spined books from the 1990s that provided escapist, undemanding entertainment. This was mildly entertaining - light - but twenty years on the situation Rachael finds herself in is too glibly unlikely and her ultimate decisions unlikeable. A bit too saccharine, for all its efficient writing.