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The Truth About Us
Despite forty-five difficult years of marriage, Nell and Gordon Lewis seem to be drifting quietly into retirement until Gordon begins an affair with Cath, a woman twenty five years younger. To save her disintegrating marriage, Nell seizes on Cath's dire personal circumstances, and invites her to come and live with them. Nell believes this will give the opportunity to observe what she hopes is a doomed relationship. Accepting Nell's offer, Cath moves in, but instead of remaining the watchful victim, this arrangement quickly exposes Nell's complicity in her long and turbulent marriage, her contempt for her husband, but also her capacity to find love where and when she least expects it.
212 pages, Paperback
Published February 29, 2016
45 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 5, 2016
I really enjoyed this book and read it very quickly as I was absorbed in the characters. There was such subtlety in the relationships that made the book compelling and highly readable. I could see this as a BBC drama. Excellent.
September 25, 2016
I received this book via goodreads in exchange for an honest review
I really enjoyed this suburban tale of trust betrayal marriage & keeping up appearances I liked The character Nell and I felt for her I recommend this book
I really enjoyed this suburban tale of trust betrayal marriage & keeping up appearances I liked The character Nell and I felt for her I recommend this book
May 8, 2016
I enjoyed this story, although from a woman's point of view I felt that part of it was implausible (would a wife really invite her husband's lover to stay at her house?). It was well written and I enjoyed Nell's unfolding romance. However, I did have some problems with the layout of the dialogue, and at times wondered who was saying what to whom, but overall a good read. Recommended.
September 18, 2017
A gentle sadness
The characters are so strong in this gentle tale. Nell has wasted her life on a monster of a man but has she? It is her choice and we all have choices! She hopefully moves on despite the terror of losing her home with her dear son.
The characters are so strong in this gentle tale. Nell has wasted her life on a monster of a man but has she? It is her choice and we all have choices! She hopefully moves on despite the terror of losing her home with her dear son.
June 14, 2017
Not too bad.
It was OK but not as good as I hoped out would be. Slightly dis appointed in the ending of this book but would look for other books by same author.
It was OK but not as good as I hoped out would be. Slightly dis appointed in the ending of this book but would look for other books by same author.
February 14, 2017
Enjoyable easy read
This was very well written. Read it in 2 days couldn't put it down well thought out storyline , Nell was a very strong and likeable character unlike her husband and neighbour's. Will be looking to see if I can find more books from this author.
This was very well written. Read it in 2 days couldn't put it down well thought out storyline , Nell was a very strong and likeable character unlike her husband and neighbour's. Will be looking to see if I can find more books from this author.
October 23, 2016
I read this quite quickly - the beginning was sort of difficult to get into but then the story got going and things fell into place, making it quite a gripping read. I've dropped a star on the rating because of the Dialogue though... At times it was hard to figure out who was saying what and the Dialogue wasn't entirely easy to follow. For example:
"You've come back then I see." Andrew shakes his Father's hand.
The above line wasn't spoken by Andrew, as traditional layout would lead you to believe. There's a lot of this throughout the book and that may frustrate you if you like to read 'easy' without having to go back and forth to figure out who said which line. Other than that though (which can be quite a big deal to some people!) this is a fairly good read and I think I would read more by the same author in the future.
"You've come back then I see." Andrew shakes his Father's hand.
The above line wasn't spoken by Andrew, as traditional layout would lead you to believe. There's a lot of this throughout the book and that may frustrate you if you like to read 'easy' without having to go back and forth to figure out who said which line. Other than that though (which can be quite a big deal to some people!) this is a fairly good read and I think I would read more by the same author in the future.
February 8, 2017
A good afternoon's read.
No idea what this book was about, I might have thought it was a murder. However it was a good tale. I ended up liking Nell and could have wished for a happier ending. But I would recommend it.
No idea what this book was about, I might have thought it was a murder. However it was a good tale. I ended up liking Nell and could have wished for a happier ending. But I would recommend it.
November 2, 2016
An interesting read
4 stars as, despite some fairly unlikeable and repugnant characters at the outset, the story gained momentum and became deeper and interesting. Nell's character is particularly well drawn, as we see her move from scorned wife to someone with strength and insight. Gordon's character is well drawn and deeply unlikeable, whilst the catalyst, Cath is weak and somewhat wet. We start with a middle-class drama and end with a love story, too late in life, tragic in execution, but still worth having. All in all, a good read.
4 stars as, despite some fairly unlikeable and repugnant characters at the outset, the story gained momentum and became deeper and interesting. Nell's character is particularly well drawn, as we see her move from scorned wife to someone with strength and insight. Gordon's character is well drawn and deeply unlikeable, whilst the catalyst, Cath is weak and somewhat wet. We start with a middle-class drama and end with a love story, too late in life, tragic in execution, but still worth having. All in all, a good read.
August 23, 2016
Brilliant
What a wonderful story. It has made me laugh and cry. Loved some of the descriptions of Gordon. There must be lots of lives lived like Nell and Gordon. So glad John came into Nell's life. The characters were built up so well. Will look to see if Simon Kettlewell has written anything else. I do hope so
What a wonderful story. It has made me laugh and cry. Loved some of the descriptions of Gordon. There must be lots of lives lived like Nell and Gordon. So glad John came into Nell's life. The characters were built up so well. Will look to see if Simon Kettlewell has written anything else. I do hope so
August 22, 2016
A different story of domestic un-bliss
A story about ordinary people living in extraordinary circumstances and the challenges Nell, the wife of Gordon faces. I warmed to Nell, despite sometimes not being sure where the plot was going to take her.
A story about ordinary people living in extraordinary circumstances and the challenges Nell, the wife of Gordon faces. I warmed to Nell, despite sometimes not being sure where the plot was going to take her.
September 11, 2016
The storyline was ok, the emotion flat and apart from John, I can't say that I cared for or about anyone else.
It wasn't my cup of tea, as I really hate weak women. However I did manage to finish it, so something must have held my attention. I know for definite it won't be a reread!!
It wasn't my cup of tea, as I really hate weak women. However I did manage to finish it, so something must have held my attention. I know for definite it won't be a reread!!
September 12, 2016
Fantastic novel
A fabulous read, I read it in two sittings. I loved the depth of characters that writer brings alive, I really felt I knew them personally. Now downloaded his other two novels.
A fabulous read, I read it in two sittings. I loved the depth of characters that writer brings alive, I really felt I knew them personally. Now downloaded his other two novels.
February 9, 2017
Poignant with intimations of our own aging.
Beautifully written and with crafted characters I read this in one sitting. It is overwhelmingly sad until the end when it leaves a sense of hope.
Beautifully written and with crafted characters I read this in one sitting. It is overwhelmingly sad until the end when it leaves a sense of hope.
August 13, 2016
Excellent read
Both laughed cried and could not put this down
Well written from a true observer on life !!
Best book I have read in a long time
Both laughed cried and could not put this down
Well written from a true observer on life !!
Best book I have read in a long time
October 24, 2016
Really enjoyed this. Q different to what I would normally read
January 22, 2017
I got quite absorbed in this book, I felt like you could relate to the characters. Highly recommended if you want a shortish read.
May 29, 2017
a sad love story sbout wasted opportunities. very sweet.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews