Love Like Hate Adore

by Deirdre Purcell

Angela Devine, at thirty-six, has never had it easy. Eldest daughter of an alcoholic mother who died prematurely, she raised her little brother alone. Today, James is nineteen, and his relationship with Angela, hitherto very close, is becoming strained. The day he is accused of rape, the existence of the young woman turns into a nightmare.

Angela, who loves James and trusts him, refuses to believe in his guilt. The trial takes place, however, and the case is sufficiently murky for the young man to be sentenced to four years in prison—suspended for lack of evidence. The victim and her family feel aggrieved, the media escalate the case, and Angela and her brother are harassed and assaulted as soon as they leave their home.

Powerless to help James, Angela experiences a period of loneliness. She will have to gradually admit that she must find herself and, finally, take care of her own life—she, who, until now, has devoted herself to the happiness of others...

A beautiful Irish-style novel, full warmth, sensitivity... and love.

Genres: Fiction, Ireland

384 pages, Hardcover

First published August 22, 1997

About the author

Deirdre Purcell (1945–2023) was an Irish author, actress, and journalist.

Reviews

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young woman who has spent most of her life shoring up a druggie mother, or caring for her siblings so they wouldn't have to go into care after the death of said mother, is the narrator. The scene is nineties Dublin and one or two current affairs issues are mentioned to fit the story into context.

Angie has a brother aged nineteen at this point, and they've been living together since he was a couple of months old. They each have bitty jobs but she makes the rent. Then the lad is accused of rape by a better-off girlfriend, and their lives crash to pieces.

The social system is shown to us through Angie's experience, the free legal aid, the continuing bail, and pressure to plead guilty to a lesser charge. Meanwhile the young woman concerned has decided to make a career out of being an assault victim and no sooner is the case over (with a female judge) than she is in every media channel telling her story. Nobody is interested in hearing the man's story or asking if it takes two to tango. To be clear, neither Angie nor the author (nor this writer) condones rape of any kind.


I found the tale well-written to show us this responsible sister trying to cope, trying to find a life for herself, pass an exam and retain even one friend. Angie's an ordinary woman and this must be an experience many family members of young accused men would share. I thought the vague ending was unsatisfactory and could have been stronger.

[Okidoki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ingen äkta må-bra eftersom tråkiga saker händer, men ändå, jag trivs så bra i min väninna Angelas sällskap.

[Erica Eybers · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok... If you are into books with no dialogue... Author left room for a sequel... Doubt if i would read it though....

[Antares · Rating 2 out of 5]

Niestety strasznie źle mi się tę książkę czytało. Prócz stylu autorki, męcząca była również jej bohaterka, która w jakiś dziwny, patologiczny sposób, uparcie chroni i usprawiedliwia swojego brata, zamiast pozwolić mu ponieść konsekwencje swoich czynów. Zajmuje się jego życiem, totalnie zaniedbując własne. Irytująca dla mnie postawa kobiety w typie ofiary, mającej życiową misję: "poświęcę swoje życie i szczęście by wyciągać cię, braciszku, z każdego bagna, w które się masz kaprys wpakować".
Ocena LC: 3/10

[flajol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised by this book - I expected light chick lit, and instead got a riveting examination of how a woman's life unravels when her brother is accused of a shocking crime. Not a particularly comfortable read, but worth reading.

[Natty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Angela Devine became my friend, so I really did not want to finish this book. I love that she takes you into her confidence like a true busom buddy. However, I don`t like the ending at all

[Jacqueline · Rating 2 out of 5]

read but not remembered.

[Chandre · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't finish it. I got bored after chapter 8

[Carobe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genom eld och vatten.