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The Playground
Eve is putting her life together again. Her partner has walked out on her. She's moved into a tiny flat on the outskirts of Dublin. She has no job. But she does have her beloved baby daughter - and there's a little playground across the street. It's a tired spot for teenagers and tramps, but Eve is determined to make this new life work. Alongside her interfering lodger and a group of local mums she swings into action to make the playground the heart of the community. But not all games are innocent - and not all friends are true. When a terrible accident is blamed on her, Eve must forge her own independence - and realise that the playground is not a place to hide from adulthood.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2014
1 person is currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Julia Kelly
65 books28 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 25, 2014
There is some great Irish fiction around right at the minute and this is an excellent example of that – my first read of Julia Kelly but certainly not the last.
Eve is not having a good time – thrust into having to find independance and having made a move in order to try and kickstart her life, she doesnt have a lot, but she DOES have her daughter and is determined to make a better life for her. Across the street from her is a small playground – something for Eve to focus on to make it part of the community. But is she trusting too much?
I loved Eve – her character had emotional resonance for me as, like her, I am in the midst of a new start – she is vulnerable yet determined and Julia Kelly has managed to give a beautiful poignancy to the range and depth of her feelings about what is going on around her. I followed avidly along with her, over the bumps in the road, through the turmoil and onwards towards a hopefully brighter future. In a way it is a coming of age tale for a woman already of age and as such it was absolutely compelling.
The sense of place is very evocative, wonderfully described and puts you right in the picture – there is a lovely flow and lilt to the prose that allows you to live in Eve’s world and see how she develops – it was one of those books that you are intrigued and touched by, especially when it comes to the hidden motivations of the characters within. Not everyone and everything is as it appears and you will find yourself avidly turning the pages to find out what will happen.
Overall then a lovely story, heart warming and heart wrenching, with some sublimely drawn characters and a very fascinating storyline.
Highly Recommended.
Eve is not having a good time – thrust into having to find independance and having made a move in order to try and kickstart her life, she doesnt have a lot, but she DOES have her daughter and is determined to make a better life for her. Across the street from her is a small playground – something for Eve to focus on to make it part of the community. But is she trusting too much?
I loved Eve – her character had emotional resonance for me as, like her, I am in the midst of a new start – she is vulnerable yet determined and Julia Kelly has managed to give a beautiful poignancy to the range and depth of her feelings about what is going on around her. I followed avidly along with her, over the bumps in the road, through the turmoil and onwards towards a hopefully brighter future. In a way it is a coming of age tale for a woman already of age and as such it was absolutely compelling.
The sense of place is very evocative, wonderfully described and puts you right in the picture – there is a lovely flow and lilt to the prose that allows you to live in Eve’s world and see how she develops – it was one of those books that you are intrigued and touched by, especially when it comes to the hidden motivations of the characters within. Not everyone and everything is as it appears and you will find yourself avidly turning the pages to find out what will happen.
Overall then a lovely story, heart warming and heart wrenching, with some sublimely drawn characters and a very fascinating storyline.
Highly Recommended.
May 12, 2019
Terrible book. So muddly.
December 27, 2014
I just finished three lovely days of slipping off into the beautifully familiar world of Julia Kelly. The writing is unselfconscious and never twee.
If you're looking for chick-lit, or fast-paced romance, this one's not for you, but if you are happy to languish in some gorgeous writing in a world so utterly convincing that you'll later get confused and tell the story as though it did indeed happen to a friend, or perhaps even yourself, then this book's for you.
Eve is newly single and is trying to make a life for herself and her little girl in a seaside town on the outskirts of Dublin. This story will resonate with anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by the intensity of love and protection they feel for a child. In an attempt to fit in, Eve gets involved in the comings and goings of the local playground and much like real life, these comings and goings both bind and break friendships. Kelly's observations are witty and her characters finely drawn.
If you are interested in contemporary Dublin stories, read this. In fact read it regardless!
If you're looking for chick-lit, or fast-paced romance, this one's not for you, but if you are happy to languish in some gorgeous writing in a world so utterly convincing that you'll later get confused and tell the story as though it did indeed happen to a friend, or perhaps even yourself, then this book's for you.
Eve is newly single and is trying to make a life for herself and her little girl in a seaside town on the outskirts of Dublin. This story will resonate with anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by the intensity of love and protection they feel for a child. In an attempt to fit in, Eve gets involved in the comings and goings of the local playground and much like real life, these comings and goings both bind and break friendships. Kelly's observations are witty and her characters finely drawn.
If you are interested in contemporary Dublin stories, read this. In fact read it regardless!
September 27, 2014
Finished in a late night fit of worrying. W26.
September 1, 2018
A revamp of a life and a revamp of a local playground. This book is good but not great
May 28, 2015
Aside from a few characters that didn't fit, and some aspects of the main character I didn't see the point of, this is a lovely book. A marvellous debut.
January 29, 2017
Slow book... I really couldn't grip it and it's been over a week and I couldn't find the time to finish this book... disappointing.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews