Putney Bridge

by Helen Ryan

Martha has a comfortable, satisfying life with her partner, Gabe, a gentle American academic. Her two daughters, from a previous relationship, are now both adult. Jo, ambitious and independent, is pursuing a career as a barrister. Jo’s younger sister is very different. Shelley, just 20, sweet natured, trusting and innocent, still lives at home and works at a local animal clinic. They are a normal, happy family - and then Shelley meets Sam on the street and everything changes. Martha struggles to accept Shelley’s choice of boyfriend as, with increasing anger, she witnesses the erosion of all Shelley’s values under Sam’s influence. When Martha’s efforts to persuade Shelley to give Sam up fail, she decides on a more direct approach. The consequences of her actions are devastating for everyone and change the course of Martha’s life forever. “After I’d gone up to bed that night, leaving Gabe amidst the carnage I had created in the living room, I formulated my plan. But it was pure chance that I met Sam on Putney Bridge some three weeks later and I went ahead with it.”

Genres: Fiction

217 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 11, 2015

Reviews

[Pippa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not an easy one to review without revealing too much so I have hidden this one just in case. It is quite a short story and well written however it is rather gloomy with only a very minimal sense of redemption in the closing chapter. Personally I read for escapism and while I have no desire to read fantasy or those silly Mills and Boon style romances, I like a book to end on a bit of a bright note, not everything is perfect but the good outweighs the bad. For that reason I am unlikely to read more by this author.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book for a rather silly reason - my oldest friend lived in Putney for years, so I knew the background geography reasonably well, but once I started it, something resonated with me: how quickly what we think of as normal life can change into someone very different and mystifying, how close we all are to the unseen parts of human existence. Anyone who has raised a child will surely empathise with Martha's dilemmas and divided loyalties as the story unfolds......

[Ms M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful

In so many ways a gentle story of a family, nuclear and extended, dealing with conflict and dysfunction. What are the boundaries of parenting and selfish control? What are the limits of parenting and compassion? What are the depths of trust? There are no easy answers as this book so aptly shows. All solutions come with consequences.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart wrenching

I couldn't stop reading once I started. It so accurately describes the feeling a parent has for their child when they feel they are on the wrong path and the lengths they will go to circumvent it. So poignant that it makes one question the acceptability of the actions. Excellent book club read.

[Sterlingcindysu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick free read for Kindle from Amazon. I read The Demise of Gladys Kingbefore, so I was expecting some wild, creepy stuff. That's not the case here, but the plot still bothered me! So four stars for getting such a reaction from me.

So I'm marking this whole review of a spoiler...because if I were the mother--

And my 20 year old daughter, who still lived at home, had just got a job by the skin of her teeth and had no university prospects met a guy--her first boyfriend--who started her smoking, drinking and gambling, staying out all hours of the night, had no money and was homeless I would have laid down the law much sooner. *If* she kept her job and didn't smoke, then I'd deal with it and keep my mouth shut. But with no chance of a job, no money and ruining her health, no. The boyfriend who left the mother, well good riddance to him. He wasn't helping anyway. He should have taken the guy aside and asked the hard questions.

(Come to think of it, where did they get the money for their drinking, etc? I would have been keeping my wallet with me at all times.)

[Meg Onthemove Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather a depressing tale of a woman who can't see beyond the narrow needs of her own middle class existence. It is pretty well written and compelling however, and it is hard not to feel a great deal of empathy for her almost ignored partner, younger socially awkward daughter experiencing first love and loss, and the daughter's boyfriend, who just isn't good enough for the mother.

[JT CAREY · Rating 4 out of 5]

A relatively short read about the dynamics of a particular family - from the mom's viewpoint. The story is very well-written and easy to read. Definitely absorbing and worth a couple of 'me' hours when you want to disappear into other people's problems and lives.

[Connie Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Read...

I had no idea what this book was about...it kept me up most of the night, even while feeling that I was watching a train wreck and knowing I had no power to stop it.

[Susan Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

For Love

A poignant story of family, hopes and dreams. We don't always see the same things in the same way and when the differences stand out it is hard to accept. A sad journey where there are no winners and a great sense of loss for all concerned.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked it up because of the title. Rather a depressing tale.

[Karen Riddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong emotional read. I almost felt it was a memoir. Very well written but sad, and thought provoking

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an odd book. I am still not sure if I liked or even understood the main character. Having said that, it was well written.

[Mr. Bohemian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hello, I'm Nurse 911, aspiring assistant of Doctor 2. I am contractually obliged to remind you of his rugged phrenology and scattered modeling and acting gigs. In his office, we arrange appointments for new and/or indie books. I had difficulty understanding the patient upon first contact. After having adjusted to their British manner of speech, I could then comprehend the patient. Our main character, Martha, is mother of two girls and narrator to a series of personal events within the gloomy, city setting of East London. It was an emotional piece, one that details the story of a small family in harmony until it is forever shifted by the influence of Sam. Not much is known about this seemingly shady character, but his presence near the family as Shelley's (the daughter) boyfriend is enough to send Martha into a mental and emotional breakdown. Fights would break out and misunderstandings are inflated between Martha and her Daughter. Even for a fictional piece, I had to feel empathy for this family having gone through so much drama, and so much pain. The characters or easy to bond with and the story will keep you until the end. The final diagnosis of the patient is four out of five British royal stars.

Fresh patients every week! Click the banner to explore previous appointments.

[E McMahon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good

I didn't read any reviews before it read this book. It was really easy to get into the story and understand the characters , especially Martha, judging people or deciding what's best for young adults. Really makes you think how you would handle the situation

[Jilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It really brings home just how quickly things in life can change and just how rapidly family life can go downhill. I also liked the way that it illustrates how the choices that we all make in life don't just affect us but those around us. Your entire life can go in a completly different direction because of the choices and actions of others. Really makes you think. A brilliant story.

*****************************

Martha has a comfortable, satisfying life with her partner, Gabe, a gentle American academic.

Her two daughters, from a previous relationship, are now both adult. Jo, ambitious and independent, is pursuing a career as a barrister. Jo’s younger sister is very different. Shelley, just 20, sweet natured, trusting and innocent, still lives at home and works at a local animal clinic.

They are a normal, happy family - and then Shelley meets Sam on the street and everything changes.

Martha struggles to accept Shelley’s choice of boyfriend as, with increasing anger, she witnesses the erosion of all Shelley’s values under Sam’s influence.

When Martha’s efforts to persuade Shelley to give Sam up fail, she decides on a more direct approach. The consequences of her actions are devastating for everyone and change the course of Martha’s life forever.

“After I’d gone up to bed that night, leaving Gabe amidst the carnage I had created in the living room, I formulated my plan. But it was pure chance that I met Sam on Putney Bridge some three weeks later and I went ahead with it.”

[Lisa-Jaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd forgotten what this book was about by the time I came to reading it on the kindle.. I wish you could read the blurbs on kindle!

However, I chose this book as I liked the cover and it was a well written quick read. When the youngest daughter starts dating Sam a homeless guy, the ripples through the family as the mother does her best to try and make sense of it all come to the fore. A very emotional passionate book and well worth reading.

[Mary Grand · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually started this book early yesterday and finsihed it late last night. It is short, but extemely gripping and moving story. The author was a lawyer and shows real depth of understanding about her subject matter.I can't say too much without giving away the plot but i highly recommend this, a unique debut novel.