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Dárek na rozloučenou
Melissa dostane v den svých pětadvacátých narozenin nezvyklý dárek – deník, který si její matka psala, když umírala na rakovinu. Kniha je plná receptů, vyprávění a rad, ale také nepříjemných faktů, o nichž Melissa doposud neměla ani potuchy. A tak zatímco se včera ještě nemohla rozhodnout, zda přijme místo v bulvárních novinách a zda se rozejde s přítelem, dnes její mysl zaměstnává vědomí, že po matce možná zdědila smrtelnou genetickou chorobu a že její otec jejím biologickým otcem vlastně být nemusí…
Melancholický, ale zároveň nesmírně optimistický román, který otevřeně pojednává stejně tak o rakovině jako o lásce mezi matkou a dcerou, jež nedostaly příležitost říct si vše, co chtěly a který je vyprávěn nejen z pohledu Melissy, ale i její matky a ovdovělého otce.
Melancholický, ale zároveň nesmírně optimistický román, který otevřeně pojednává stejně tak o rakovině jako o lásce mezi matkou a dcerou, jež nedostaly příležitost říct si vše, co chtěly a který je vyprávěn nejen z pohledu Melissy, ale i její matky a ovdovělého otce.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published June 5, 2015
1325 people are currently reading
2040 people want to read
About the author
Teresa Driscoll
14 books2,692 followersTeresa Driscoll is a former BBC TV news presenter whose psychological thrillers have sold over two million copies in more than 20 languages. Her first thriller I AM WATCHING YOU was kindle #1 in the UK, USA and Australia and has sold more than 1.5 million copies in English alone.
Teresa writes book club fiction as well as thrillers and her work has been optioned for film.
During her long career as a journalist, Teresa worked for newspapers, magazines and television, including 15 years presenting the BBC TV news programme Spotlight. Covering crime for so long, she was deeply moved by the haunting impact on the relatives, the friends and the witnesses and it is those ripples she explores now in her darker fiction.
Teresa lives in glorious Devon with her family and blogs regularly about her "writing life" at her website - www.teresadriscoll.com.
Teresa writes book club fiction as well as thrillers and her work has been optioned for film.
During her long career as a journalist, Teresa worked for newspapers, magazines and television, including 15 years presenting the BBC TV news programme Spotlight. Covering crime for so long, she was deeply moved by the haunting impact on the relatives, the friends and the witnesses and it is those ripples she explores now in her darker fiction.
Teresa lives in glorious Devon with her family and blogs regularly about her "writing life" at her website - www.teresadriscoll.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
June 10, 2015
This is a beautiful novel that felt like it was truly written from the heart.
Recipes for Melissa is about a young woman who lost her mother to cancer at 8 years old. When she reaches 25, she is given a journal that was written by her mother before she died, and intended for Melissa once she had grown up.
Expect to be taken on an emotional and nostalgic journey as Melissa reads through her mother’s journal.
There is so much to love about this book. I loved the recipes, part of it being set in Cornwall which is where I now live, the fact that at times it made me smile and at other times it made me cry.
This story is beautifully written and well paced. I very much feel I became a part of this book, and feel it will stay with me for some time.
I have such fond memories of making soda bread as a child. My Mum is Irish, so we used to make it together a lot when I was young. I loved cutting the cross along the top of it to help it rise in the oven. Mmm, the smell of freshly baked soda bread, yummy.
The reference to Jaws is where the child in me fully connected with this book, as I have such a clear memory of being 4 years old, sitting on the settee, sharing chips with my Dad, while watching Jaws, and my Mum coming home from her evening shift at the hospital, being horrified that Daddy had let me watch Jaws with him. I remember telling Mummy I wasn’t scared, but later had repeat nightmares of a shark coming through my bedroom window, not helped when the window started swinging away from the wall in a storm one night …argh!
If you like the sound of the blurb, then I highly recommend you read this, as it is a wonderful story.
I would like to thank the publisher, Bookouture for allowing me a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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June 4, 2015Recipes for Melissa: The heartbreaking story of a mother's goodbye to her daughter by Teresa Driscoll
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oh my word where do I start with this wonderful piece of work.
I have been sat slowly pacing this book, taking in every detail, every emotion that came out from each page, every word, every full stop and coma.
This is a story that cannot be hurried. Its a story you need to sit and 'feel' and boy, did I feel. I digested it.
I can't give you, the reader, too much information or I would spoil it. But think of the title, Recipes for Melissa. As we can read from the blurb Melissa gets left a book written by her Mother, the Mother she lost at a young age through cancer. The recipes are not only baking recipes.
I felt I had my book open and Melissa has her book open, I felt nosy at times as I was peering into the written words of her lost Mother. She inherited this book when she was 25, her Mothers wishes. Her Father didn't know, her husband didn't know. She kept it hidden, except US the readers get privvy to what's in there. Its upbeat, its fun at times, its how to bake things, things that she shared cooking with her Mother in the kitchen when she was alive and she herself was young.
I felt in my heart for Melissa, the times she couldn't face reading on, what else she was going to discover.
She learns about herself, she learns why she thinks certain things, she starts to remember, but......
she also discovers a very important factor that can alter her life.....
and
she discovers another important factor that could change her life drastically.
Does your Mother know you?
Does your Mother know what choices you would choose when faced with something or would she just hope.
I just adored this book.
Like I say, this book really needs to be savoured for the taste and pleasure it gives. Digest it with care, read it with care and go on the journey with Melissa.
LOVED IT.
I have to thank Bookouture for my copy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oh my word where do I start with this wonderful piece of work.
I have been sat slowly pacing this book, taking in every detail, every emotion that came out from each page, every word, every full stop and coma.
This is a story that cannot be hurried. Its a story you need to sit and 'feel' and boy, did I feel. I digested it.
I can't give you, the reader, too much information or I would spoil it. But think of the title, Recipes for Melissa. As we can read from the blurb Melissa gets left a book written by her Mother, the Mother she lost at a young age through cancer. The recipes are not only baking recipes.
I felt I had my book open and Melissa has her book open, I felt nosy at times as I was peering into the written words of her lost Mother. She inherited this book when she was 25, her Mothers wishes. Her Father didn't know, her husband didn't know. She kept it hidden, except US the readers get privvy to what's in there. Its upbeat, its fun at times, its how to bake things, things that she shared cooking with her Mother in the kitchen when she was alive and she herself was young.
I felt in my heart for Melissa, the times she couldn't face reading on, what else she was going to discover.
She learns about herself, she learns why she thinks certain things, she starts to remember, but......
she also discovers a very important factor that can alter her life.....
and
she discovers another important factor that could change her life drastically.
Does your Mother know you?
Does your Mother know what choices you would choose when faced with something or would she just hope.
I just adored this book.
Like I say, this book really needs to be savoured for the taste and pleasure it gives. Digest it with care, read it with care and go on the journey with Melissa.
LOVED IT.
I have to thank Bookouture for my copy
March 28, 2015
What an absolutely beautiful story! Every mother and every daughter should read this book. The writing is magical, the recipes divine. The pace never lags, every chapter ending in such a way that you want more. Even though we know from very early on that Melissa’s mother is dead, this is an uplifting and heart-warming book that urges us to savour each moment with our loved ones. I loved all the characters, especially Eleanor. I loved the way Max and Anna’s relationship develops and especially admired how the author interspersed the fire at the university with Eleanor being hospitalized. I found the bit where Anna covers her face to hide her cold sores as she climbs down the ladder and Max collapsing onto the grass especially poignant somehow. This whole story is beautifully put together, much like the book given to Melissa, a precious memento from the tragic past. The author has a way of bringing scenes alive for us and I could picture the cottage at Porthleven, I could smell the sea on Melissa’s sixth birthday, could see people craning their necks to spy what was written on the sand, could hear the tide lapping at the beach. This would make a fantastic movie, I think. And I like the fact that this book has recipes - I will be trying them out with my daughter. A beautiful story that reminds us of what is precious. The prose is assured, stunning. I especially loved this line: ‘Shiny, dark hair with glints of autumn in the right light.’ Inspiring and ultimately hopeful, this is an amazing debut. This author has a new fan in me and I cannot wait for her next offering.
July 11, 2015
Review to follow once I've dried my eyes and recovered with some sleep but truly magical writing
Okay several hours later and a period of recovery later
Well I'm going to be honest I've marked it as five stars but I have this niggle in my brain saying 4.9, 4.9..... I'll explain why, to be a five star it has to have captured me hook line and sinker and been like that throughout the book and for the best part of the story this did but I have to confess at the start I was a bit annoyed at the modern day sections telling me about Max at work and Sam and Melissa on holiday as I felt I was missing out on the much nicer sections about Melissa reading her mums journal and Eleanor back when she was ill with cancer writing it. However that said I very quickly began to overlook this and blend the sections together more as the book progressed.
The sections of writing and reading the journal are really the main focus of this book and I was worried when I started this that it would have a lot to live up to after reading The Memory Book by Rowan Coleman but this section of the storyline really held my focus and certainly lived up to the standards I had set in my mind, the more I read the more it became unputdownable actually once I hit 50% through it was finished in 2 sittings (not easy as a mum of a 5yr old and a 3yr old)
Though the journal was titled with the name Recipes for Melissa it became so much more than that and a truly inspiring read I loved the recipe angle though (and may well try a few at some point) it was a nice starting point to bring out the bits that mum and daughter could bond over through words where physical presence wasn't possible.
Very well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future
Okay several hours later and a period of recovery later
Well I'm going to be honest I've marked it as five stars but I have this niggle in my brain saying 4.9, 4.9..... I'll explain why, to be a five star it has to have captured me hook line and sinker and been like that throughout the book and for the best part of the story this did but I have to confess at the start I was a bit annoyed at the modern day sections telling me about Max at work and Sam and Melissa on holiday as I felt I was missing out on the much nicer sections about Melissa reading her mums journal and Eleanor back when she was ill with cancer writing it. However that said I very quickly began to overlook this and blend the sections together more as the book progressed.
The sections of writing and reading the journal are really the main focus of this book and I was worried when I started this that it would have a lot to live up to after reading The Memory Book by Rowan Coleman but this section of the storyline really held my focus and certainly lived up to the standards I had set in my mind, the more I read the more it became unputdownable actually once I hit 50% through it was finished in 2 sittings (not easy as a mum of a 5yr old and a 3yr old)
Though the journal was titled with the name Recipes for Melissa it became so much more than that and a truly inspiring read I loved the recipe angle though (and may well try a few at some point) it was a nice starting point to bring out the bits that mum and daughter could bond over through words where physical presence wasn't possible.
Very well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future
December 8, 2015
I initially wanted to read this book because the main character shares a first name with me. However, it also had an eerie feel for me, as this Melissa's mother passed away a long time ago, leaving only a book of recipes as her legacy. It was also fitting for me to read this book right now, as I'm participating in an online writing retreat about memories related to food. A lot of the story touched on that concept. I liked that the story had more than I was expecting, as it also features Melissa's father Max's perspective. I really liked Max a lot and felt even more sympathetic toward him. Melissa was a likable character though (I'd be worried if she wasn't...). I partially wanted her to set out on her own to figure out what Eleanor (her mom) was trying to tell her. However, I also loved how Sam looked after her and clearly loved her, even after all she put him through.
What didn't work so well for me was all the dragged out suspense. I like that there were some twists I didn't see coming, but it felt like she kept making the same hints over and over before we could get to the climax of the story. There was also a lot of jumping back and forth in time and between narratives. Melissa's story took place in 2011, but Eleanor's took place in 1994. Suddenly there would be a character and/or time switch in the middle of a chapter, which threw me off.
Overall, it was a sweet mother and daughter story. I couldn't imagine being in Eleanor's shoes, nor could I imagine losing a parent at such a young age. Both concepts are heart-wrenching. Having said that, some parts of the story are difficult to read, emotionally. The novel drew me in though, and I still am thinking about it.
Movie cast ideas:
Melissa: Lily Collins (http://imdb.to/1NSwZC3)
Sam: Armie Hammer (http://imdb.to/1HRHH9A)
(I liked them together in Mirror, Mirror.)
Max (2011): Colin Firth (http://bit.ly/1NCCing)
What didn't work so well for me was all the dragged out suspense. I like that there were some twists I didn't see coming, but it felt like she kept making the same hints over and over before we could get to the climax of the story. There was also a lot of jumping back and forth in time and between narratives. Melissa's story took place in 2011, but Eleanor's took place in 1994. Suddenly there would be a character and/or time switch in the middle of a chapter, which threw me off.
Overall, it was a sweet mother and daughter story. I couldn't imagine being in Eleanor's shoes, nor could I imagine losing a parent at such a young age. Both concepts are heart-wrenching. Having said that, some parts of the story are difficult to read, emotionally. The novel drew me in though, and I still am thinking about it.
Movie cast ideas:
Melissa: Lily Collins (http://imdb.to/1NSwZC3)
Sam: Armie Hammer (http://imdb.to/1HRHH9A)
(I liked them together in Mirror, Mirror.)
Max (2011): Colin Firth (http://bit.ly/1NCCing)
April 3, 2015
I would like to begin by thanking Net Galley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of this amazing book for my honest review.
This book by far deserves 10 stars. I was so attached to the characters and their lives, from beginning to end.
Melissa receives a package...a package she never expected but in a waited needed...Is it ever to late to say good bye? Even 17 years later?
Melissa's mother was fighting a battle with cancer. She couldn't bring herself to burden her 8 year old daughter with her day to day trials with this illness. She chose another route, a recipe book, a diary of sorts really.
With each entry, she gave Melissa a recipe and she told Melissa more and more pieces about her life (her mother) and their life together. Even information about her father...
Some memories were happy ones and other ones may break her heart forever...
But these are things that she needs to hear no matter the cost...
This book by far deserves 10 stars. I was so attached to the characters and their lives, from beginning to end.
Melissa receives a package...a package she never expected but in a waited needed...Is it ever to late to say good bye? Even 17 years later?
Melissa's mother was fighting a battle with cancer. She couldn't bring herself to burden her 8 year old daughter with her day to day trials with this illness. She chose another route, a recipe book, a diary of sorts really.
With each entry, she gave Melissa a recipe and she told Melissa more and more pieces about her life (her mother) and their life together. Even information about her father...
Some memories were happy ones and other ones may break her heart forever...
But these are things that she needs to hear no matter the cost...
August 2, 2015
I’m a sucker for stories that tug at the heartstrings, so this novel was perfect for me. Having lost my own mother just a few months ago, it hit very close to home. It’s only when we lose a parent do we realise how much of their stories we wish we could recapture, and though my mother was 96 at the time of her death, and not young as the mother in this story, I so wish she had kept some sort of a diary I could have picked up to read through after she had gone. At least I was able to put myself in Melissa’s shoes and do so vicariously through this wonderful novel.
April 20, 2015
Recipes for Melissa is an absolutely beautifully written book. It is heartbreaking and sad, but at the same time it is also uplifting and inspirational. The book is a reminder that you have to make the most of each day, making sure to laugh and love lots, and be true to your heart. I picked this up and found it virtually impossible to put down again. It took me on an emotional rollercoaster which, if I'm honest I was sad to get off at the end. It is quite hard to write a review which would do the book justice as to do so would mean giving lots of the plot away, and I don't want to do that and spoil it for others. But Recipes for Melissa is a powerful tale that will stick me with for a long time to come.
Melissa lost her Mum to cancer when she was just eight years old. We meet Melissa as she turns 25. She gets called into a solicitors office where she is given a book that her Mum put together whilst she was ill. Realising that she won't be around to see Melissa grow up, become a wife and Mum the book contains memories of their life together, as well as practical tips and some special recipes.
The story flits between the present day, and the past. We see Melissa dealing with life and her relationship. All is not as rosy as it should be, and we see her internal battle to try and work out whether her future lies with her boyfriend, and what she wants from life. She is also thrown back into mourning the loss of her Mum and finding out more about what happened. It's fair to say that this is a really hard time for her, and I wanted to wrap her up in cotton wool.
Watching Melissa read back over memories of her childhood was very moving. Like most of us, our memories can be sketchy, and we can forget some of things that at the time felt 'normal', but can come to mean so much later on. Silly things, like baking or smells that we forget about, only to be reminded of when we get older and become nostalgic. Reading her Mum's book does this for Melissa, and it is very emotional to relive it with her.
But what makes this book so special and moving for me is that the author has also included Melissa's Mum, Eleanor's voice. I wasn't just reading her words, I could feel myself being transported into her world and her head to experience her illness and emotions first hand. This was so powerful. The angst, the injustice of the situation, but overriding that all, the love for her daughter. The love between a mother and her child is unique, and I know from being a Mum to my daughter that all I want in life is for her to be happy and know she is loved. Trying to imagine how Eleanor must have felt writing this was scary. I realised that whilst this is fiction, it happens in real life and I am filled with so much admiration and respect for these families.
Each part of the story connects in to a recipe which has a story behind it. So, not only do we get a moving and compelling story, but we also get some brilliant recipes too! Now what's not to love about good food? My mouth was watering at times at the thought of the smells and tastes. I loved that the recipes and instructions were included and I will definitely be giving a few of them a go!
I admit, my heart broke a number of times whilst reading, and more than once I was reaching for the tissues, and was totally absorbed in the story. It felt quite close to home in some ways as I lost my Aunt a few years ago. She had a young family and it made me reflect on how she and the kids must have felt.
The book is so cleverly written that I find it hard to believe that this is Teresa's debut novel. But its not all sadness and mourning. There is a really strong storyline which does also delve into the present day and we meet great characters such as Max, Melissa's Dad, who I really liked. I actually felt the book was uplifting and inspirational and it left me feeling positive and determined to enjoy life and those I share it with.
Thank you to Bookouture for kindly providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Melissa lost her Mum to cancer when she was just eight years old. We meet Melissa as she turns 25. She gets called into a solicitors office where she is given a book that her Mum put together whilst she was ill. Realising that she won't be around to see Melissa grow up, become a wife and Mum the book contains memories of their life together, as well as practical tips and some special recipes.
The story flits between the present day, and the past. We see Melissa dealing with life and her relationship. All is not as rosy as it should be, and we see her internal battle to try and work out whether her future lies with her boyfriend, and what she wants from life. She is also thrown back into mourning the loss of her Mum and finding out more about what happened. It's fair to say that this is a really hard time for her, and I wanted to wrap her up in cotton wool.
Watching Melissa read back over memories of her childhood was very moving. Like most of us, our memories can be sketchy, and we can forget some of things that at the time felt 'normal', but can come to mean so much later on. Silly things, like baking or smells that we forget about, only to be reminded of when we get older and become nostalgic. Reading her Mum's book does this for Melissa, and it is very emotional to relive it with her.
But what makes this book so special and moving for me is that the author has also included Melissa's Mum, Eleanor's voice. I wasn't just reading her words, I could feel myself being transported into her world and her head to experience her illness and emotions first hand. This was so powerful. The angst, the injustice of the situation, but overriding that all, the love for her daughter. The love between a mother and her child is unique, and I know from being a Mum to my daughter that all I want in life is for her to be happy and know she is loved. Trying to imagine how Eleanor must have felt writing this was scary. I realised that whilst this is fiction, it happens in real life and I am filled with so much admiration and respect for these families.
Each part of the story connects in to a recipe which has a story behind it. So, not only do we get a moving and compelling story, but we also get some brilliant recipes too! Now what's not to love about good food? My mouth was watering at times at the thought of the smells and tastes. I loved that the recipes and instructions were included and I will definitely be giving a few of them a go!
I admit, my heart broke a number of times whilst reading, and more than once I was reaching for the tissues, and was totally absorbed in the story. It felt quite close to home in some ways as I lost my Aunt a few years ago. She had a young family and it made me reflect on how she and the kids must have felt.
The book is so cleverly written that I find it hard to believe that this is Teresa's debut novel. But its not all sadness and mourning. There is a really strong storyline which does also delve into the present day and we meet great characters such as Max, Melissa's Dad, who I really liked. I actually felt the book was uplifting and inspirational and it left me feeling positive and determined to enjoy life and those I share it with.
Thank you to Bookouture for kindly providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
August 22, 2016
Sem explorar descaradamente o conteúdo trágico do livro, Receitas de Vida para Melissa traz-nos uma história comovente sobre uma menina que, não tendo oportunidade de se despedir da mãe de forma definitiva antes de ela falecer (se é que tal é de alguma forma possível) tem agora em mulher, aos 25 anos de idade, a possibilidade de o fazer de outra forma.
Não querendo antecipar o seu sofrimento, Eleanor optou por não dizer à filha de oito anos que tinha cancro; recusou tratamentos mais agressivos e tentou viver os seus últimos dias da forma mais normal e confortável possível enquanto preparava um diário que seria entregue a Melissa aos 25 anos de idade.
Assim, Eleanor escreve para a mulher que espera que Melissa venha um dia a ser; deixa-lhe receitas de culinária, explica algumas das suas decisões, partilha uns quantos segredos, deixa algumas dicas e conselhos para Melissa incentivando-a a ser bondosa e generosa, a não perder tempo preocupada com o que os outros querem e com o que lhes faz feliz mas sim com o que lhe faz feliz a ela e, de alguma forma, despede-se da filha.
Ao longo do livro, Teresa Driscoll explora as ligações criadas através da comida e do acto de cozinhar. As receitas da mãe desbloqueiam a memória de Melissa, permitindo-lhe recordar episódios do passado, recriar momentos. É muito interessante como uma certa refeição/alimento pode ser automaticamente associada a determinadas ocasiões/eventos, pessoas ou até estados de espírito.
Driscoll foca também a importância do diagnóstico precoce de um cancro e o dilema de, quando há essa oportunidade, querer saber se a nível hereditário há probabilidade de vir a desenvolver cancro. Embora seja uma questão de tempo para todos nós o peso do diagnóstico e a fatalidade do prognóstico só pode ser terrível, concedendo à ameaça e à fugacidade do tempo contornos bem definidos e reais - quantas vezes mais nos será permitido presenciar determinado hábito/acontecimento, quantas vezes mais nos será permitido desfrutar de certa companhia... quanto tempo resta... e o desespero de saber que nunca será suficiente.
Numa altura em que Melissa enfrenta decisões importantes no que respeita à sua relação amorosa e ao emprego, o diário acaba por lhe trazer conforto e esclarecimento; mais uma vez, não o podendo fazer fisicamente, Eleanor consegue estar 'presente' numa altura em que a filha precisa dela e, apesar de terem passado 13 anos, Eleanor parece conhecer a filha, intuindo correctamente sobre a forma como o seu carácter se viria a desenvolver.
Infelizmente, existem alguns aspectos negativos que me levam a ficar pelas três estrelas: (1) a alteração de um ponto de vista para outro é feita de forma abrupta e, embora funcione bem ao início, à medida que o truque é repetido uma e outra vez torna-se irritante e despropositado; (2) o enredo é bastante previsível; (3) gostaria que o ponto de vista de Eleanor ocupasse mais espaço no livro, nem que para isso fosse excluído o ponto de vista do pai de Melissa uma vez que, embora seja uma personagem obviamente importante na narrativa, os seus capítulos não fazem muito pelo livro nem pelo desenvolvimento do mesmo; (4) algumas situações/emoções parecem demasiado forçadas e pouco autênticas.
Não querendo antecipar o seu sofrimento, Eleanor optou por não dizer à filha de oito anos que tinha cancro; recusou tratamentos mais agressivos e tentou viver os seus últimos dias da forma mais normal e confortável possível enquanto preparava um diário que seria entregue a Melissa aos 25 anos de idade.
Assim, Eleanor escreve para a mulher que espera que Melissa venha um dia a ser; deixa-lhe receitas de culinária, explica algumas das suas decisões, partilha uns quantos segredos, deixa algumas dicas e conselhos para Melissa incentivando-a a ser bondosa e generosa, a não perder tempo preocupada com o que os outros querem e com o que lhes faz feliz mas sim com o que lhe faz feliz a ela e, de alguma forma, despede-se da filha.
Ao longo do livro, Teresa Driscoll explora as ligações criadas através da comida e do acto de cozinhar. As receitas da mãe desbloqueiam a memória de Melissa, permitindo-lhe recordar episódios do passado, recriar momentos. É muito interessante como uma certa refeição/alimento pode ser automaticamente associada a determinadas ocasiões/eventos, pessoas ou até estados de espírito.
Driscoll foca também a importância do diagnóstico precoce de um cancro e o dilema de, quando há essa oportunidade, querer saber se a nível hereditário há probabilidade de vir a desenvolver cancro. Embora seja uma questão de tempo para todos nós o peso do diagnóstico e a fatalidade do prognóstico só pode ser terrível, concedendo à ameaça e à fugacidade do tempo contornos bem definidos e reais - quantas vezes mais nos será permitido presenciar determinado hábito/acontecimento, quantas vezes mais nos será permitido desfrutar de certa companhia... quanto tempo resta... e o desespero de saber que nunca será suficiente.
Numa altura em que Melissa enfrenta decisões importantes no que respeita à sua relação amorosa e ao emprego, o diário acaba por lhe trazer conforto e esclarecimento; mais uma vez, não o podendo fazer fisicamente, Eleanor consegue estar 'presente' numa altura em que a filha precisa dela e, apesar de terem passado 13 anos, Eleanor parece conhecer a filha, intuindo correctamente sobre a forma como o seu carácter se viria a desenvolver.
Infelizmente, existem alguns aspectos negativos que me levam a ficar pelas três estrelas: (1) a alteração de um ponto de vista para outro é feita de forma abrupta e, embora funcione bem ao início, à medida que o truque é repetido uma e outra vez torna-se irritante e despropositado; (2) o enredo é bastante previsível; (3) gostaria que o ponto de vista de Eleanor ocupasse mais espaço no livro, nem que para isso fosse excluído o ponto de vista do pai de Melissa uma vez que, embora seja uma personagem obviamente importante na narrativa, os seus capítulos não fazem muito pelo livro nem pelo desenvolvimento do mesmo; (4) algumas situações/emoções parecem demasiado forçadas e pouco autênticas.
April 30, 2015
Is it ever too late for the gift of goodbye?
Melissa Dance was eight years old when her mother died. They never got to say goodbye.
Melissa and her father lived their lives without her mother. Melissa managed by blanking out her memories of her mother, while her father clung on to them. Both of them coping in ways they could. On her 25th birthday, she gets handed a journal. It is her mother’s journal which she had left with special instructions to be handed over when Melissa turned 25. The journal that he mother wrote just for Melissa, something that even her father is completely unaware of. It is her way of saying goodbye to her daughter, at a time she feels might be right, rather than as a bewildered eight year old. But is the the right time or it s it too late already? Has Melissa moved into an unforgiving state with little memories of her mother to match the words that leap out of the journal? Or will her mother’s words reach out to her, hug her and comfort her when she needs it the most?
A beautifully written book. One that touched my heart. Melissa’s emotions as she reads the book and the way it impacts her life at the moment, was beautifully brought out. It was heartbreaking and sweet at the same time. A mother’s pain at leaving her eight year old and her beloved husband was palpable in Melissa’s mother’s words. It did make me wonder how/what I would do if faced with a similar situation. Would you make the most of the little time you have left in the world, by making it as normal and memorable as possible or would you tell you daughter and prepare her as best as you can. I’m not sure if I agreed with everything that Melissa’s mum did, as in, not saying a goodbye to her eight year old, before she died, but the beauty of the book is that it makes you empathise with the characters. You may not completely agree with their way of thinking but your heart goes out to them, you understand why.
The book is not just about Melissa and her mum, it is also about her dad who has been struggling in many ways himself. Having had the most wonderful relationship with his wife, he fears that he has had his chance at happiness. He’d be too greedy to expect more.
A book that will stay with me. The recipes of course, are an essential part of the book. The author does such a beautiful job of merging the recipes with Melissa’s mum’s words that you don’t even realise where an anecdote ends and a recipe begins. Beautifully handled throughout. A 4.5/5 read for me.
Melissa Dance was eight years old when her mother died. They never got to say goodbye.
Melissa and her father lived their lives without her mother. Melissa managed by blanking out her memories of her mother, while her father clung on to them. Both of them coping in ways they could. On her 25th birthday, she gets handed a journal. It is her mother’s journal which she had left with special instructions to be handed over when Melissa turned 25. The journal that he mother wrote just for Melissa, something that even her father is completely unaware of. It is her way of saying goodbye to her daughter, at a time she feels might be right, rather than as a bewildered eight year old. But is the the right time or it s it too late already? Has Melissa moved into an unforgiving state with little memories of her mother to match the words that leap out of the journal? Or will her mother’s words reach out to her, hug her and comfort her when she needs it the most?
A beautifully written book. One that touched my heart. Melissa’s emotions as she reads the book and the way it impacts her life at the moment, was beautifully brought out. It was heartbreaking and sweet at the same time. A mother’s pain at leaving her eight year old and her beloved husband was palpable in Melissa’s mother’s words. It did make me wonder how/what I would do if faced with a similar situation. Would you make the most of the little time you have left in the world, by making it as normal and memorable as possible or would you tell you daughter and prepare her as best as you can. I’m not sure if I agreed with everything that Melissa’s mum did, as in, not saying a goodbye to her eight year old, before she died, but the beauty of the book is that it makes you empathise with the characters. You may not completely agree with their way of thinking but your heart goes out to them, you understand why.
The book is not just about Melissa and her mum, it is also about her dad who has been struggling in many ways himself. Having had the most wonderful relationship with his wife, he fears that he has had his chance at happiness. He’d be too greedy to expect more.
A book that will stay with me. The recipes of course, are an essential part of the book. The author does such a beautiful job of merging the recipes with Melissa’s mum’s words that you don’t even realise where an anecdote ends and a recipe begins. Beautifully handled throughout. A 4.5/5 read for me.
August 9, 2015
I delayed reading this novel because my family was going through a sad time. That was my first mistake.
I thought the idea of including recipes in a book had been done to death. That was my second one.
Then I reached the stage and state of mind when I could read it and do it justice. I’m so glad I did, because although it moved me to tears, they were good tears. In this moving but triumphantly uplifting story you’ll find emotion without sentimentality, characters but never caricatures and a depth of understanding which makes you want to go back and read it all over again – as I did.
I warmed to Melissa, whose mother, Eleanor died of breast cancer. Eleanor left behind a journal, which she instructed should be given to Melissa on the latter’s 25th birthday.
But it was Eleanor who stole my heart: her warmth, bravery and compassion. It takes a skilled writer to literally bring a dead character to life, but Teresa Driscoll passes all expectations.
Male characters are incredibly convincing. Maybe I’m showing my age, but Max – Melissa’s father – is someone who will stay with me.
This is billed as debut novel, but Teresa Driscoll is not someone who has simply struck lucky. She’s worked hard to achieve her success and I’m looking forward to her next book.
I thought the idea of including recipes in a book had been done to death. That was my second one.
Then I reached the stage and state of mind when I could read it and do it justice. I’m so glad I did, because although it moved me to tears, they were good tears. In this moving but triumphantly uplifting story you’ll find emotion without sentimentality, characters but never caricatures and a depth of understanding which makes you want to go back and read it all over again – as I did.
I warmed to Melissa, whose mother, Eleanor died of breast cancer. Eleanor left behind a journal, which she instructed should be given to Melissa on the latter’s 25th birthday.
But it was Eleanor who stole my heart: her warmth, bravery and compassion. It takes a skilled writer to literally bring a dead character to life, but Teresa Driscoll passes all expectations.
Male characters are incredibly convincing. Maybe I’m showing my age, but Max – Melissa’s father – is someone who will stay with me.
This is billed as debut novel, but Teresa Driscoll is not someone who has simply struck lucky. She’s worked hard to achieve her success and I’m looking forward to her next book.
September 28, 2015
I had high expectations when I started this book because I head only positive things about it. Unfortunately the book didn't really work for me.
Judging from the blurb I expected the book Melissa got from her dead mother to play an important role in the book. Sadly this wasn't the case...there were only a few excerpts. The rest of the time the story was only dragging. The story was told from different perspectives what I generally like but here the one told from Melissa's father was just needless.
I couldn't connect with the characters and for me the writing was really lacking on the emotional basis. I wasn't even close to cry, everything was told in a very distant way.
In the end everything felt just forced and I wasn't very satisfied.
Judging from the blurb I expected the book Melissa got from her dead mother to play an important role in the book. Sadly this wasn't the case...there were only a few excerpts. The rest of the time the story was only dragging. The story was told from different perspectives what I generally like but here the one told from Melissa's father was just needless.
I couldn't connect with the characters and for me the writing was really lacking on the emotional basis. I wasn't even close to cry, everything was told in a very distant way.
In the end everything felt just forced and I wasn't very satisfied.
February 10, 2017
Teresa Driscolls "Für alle Tage, die noch kommen" ist ein berührender Roman über eine junge Frau, die auch noch Jahre nach deren Ableben mit dem Verlust ihrer Mutter zu kämpfen hat.
An ihrem 25. Geburtstag erhält Melissa einen Anruf eines ihr unbekannten Anwalts. Ihre Mutter, die seit 17 Jahren tot ist, hat ein Buch geschrieben, das sie nun bekommen soll. Darin befinden sich nicht nur Rezepte zum Nachkochen, sondern auch Anleitungen fürs Leben und das ein oder andere Geständnis, mit dem Melissa nicht gerechnet hätte.
Auf der Reise in die Vergangenheit findet Melissa nicht nur Erinnerungen, die sie längst verdrängt hat, sondern endlich auch sich selbst wieder.
"Für alle Tage, die noch kommen" erzählt auf eine berührende und ehrliche Art und Weise, wie sehr sich der Verlust eines geliebten Menschen auf das eigene Leben auswirken kann. Dieses Buch wird aus drei Perspektiven erzählt (Vater, Mutter, Tochter) und beinhaltet auch Ausschnitte aus dem Rezeptbuch. Vor allem diese Ausschnitte sind stellenweise unglaublich emotional zu lesen.
Der einzige Kritikpunkt von meiner Seite ist, dass die Ausschnitte aus dem Rezeptbuch nicht ausreichend gekennzeichnet sind und ohne Überleitung mitten in den Kapiteln beginnen, was den Lesefluss etwas stört.
Insgesamt erzählt dieses Buch eine wunderbare Geschichte, die mir sehr gut gefallen hat.
Sehr lesenswert!
An ihrem 25. Geburtstag erhält Melissa einen Anruf eines ihr unbekannten Anwalts. Ihre Mutter, die seit 17 Jahren tot ist, hat ein Buch geschrieben, das sie nun bekommen soll. Darin befinden sich nicht nur Rezepte zum Nachkochen, sondern auch Anleitungen fürs Leben und das ein oder andere Geständnis, mit dem Melissa nicht gerechnet hätte.
Auf der Reise in die Vergangenheit findet Melissa nicht nur Erinnerungen, die sie längst verdrängt hat, sondern endlich auch sich selbst wieder.
"Für alle Tage, die noch kommen" erzählt auf eine berührende und ehrliche Art und Weise, wie sehr sich der Verlust eines geliebten Menschen auf das eigene Leben auswirken kann. Dieses Buch wird aus drei Perspektiven erzählt (Vater, Mutter, Tochter) und beinhaltet auch Ausschnitte aus dem Rezeptbuch. Vor allem diese Ausschnitte sind stellenweise unglaublich emotional zu lesen.
Der einzige Kritikpunkt von meiner Seite ist, dass die Ausschnitte aus dem Rezeptbuch nicht ausreichend gekennzeichnet sind und ohne Überleitung mitten in den Kapiteln beginnen, was den Lesefluss etwas stört.
Insgesamt erzählt dieses Buch eine wunderbare Geschichte, die mir sehr gut gefallen hat.
Sehr lesenswert!
June 24, 2015
A heart-wrenchingly good novel, with a story that will tear at your heartstrings and wring you inside out, leaving you feeling emotionally drained, but uplifted and thankful for every good thing in your life. The plot has been lovingly devised and centres on the death of a mother/wife and the long term effects on the daughter and husband left behind, whilst simultaneously interweaving a link between them again to promoting the healing process. It is beautifully handled and leaves a lump in the throat from beginning to end, with the touching language and descriptions that cannot fail to reduce even the most hardened person to floods of tears.
The relationships between the characters are managed skillfully and create such a heightened atmosphere of love and loss, which is highly dramatic and tense in parts and filled with such a profound sense of love in others. It is impossible not to be touched to the core by this novel.
The conversational tone and language used in the novel adds to the sense of closeness created, both between the characters and with the reader and this almost casual style makes it all the more appealing for the reader as it adds to the credibility throughout. The use of a range of perspectives enables the reader to view events from everybody's point-of-view and therefore it is impossible to side with any one character - you just have to feel such deep sorrow and empathy for all of them. It is written so effectively that it is impossible to put down, creating an urge in the reader to get to the end and find out how it all pans out...
This would be a great holiday read, but be warned... you will be brought to tears, so make sure to have tissues at the ready.
The relationships between the characters are managed skillfully and create such a heightened atmosphere of love and loss, which is highly dramatic and tense in parts and filled with such a profound sense of love in others. It is impossible not to be touched to the core by this novel.
The conversational tone and language used in the novel adds to the sense of closeness created, both between the characters and with the reader and this almost casual style makes it all the more appealing for the reader as it adds to the credibility throughout. The use of a range of perspectives enables the reader to view events from everybody's point-of-view and therefore it is impossible to side with any one character - you just have to feel such deep sorrow and empathy for all of them. It is written so effectively that it is impossible to put down, creating an urge in the reader to get to the end and find out how it all pans out...
This would be a great holiday read, but be warned... you will be brought to tears, so make sure to have tissues at the ready.
May 20, 2015
Melissa is handed a journal on her 25th birthday. She lost her mum when she was 8 and before she died she had started a journal to pass on some treasured memories and family recipes. She really struggled with the loss of her mum as a child and just tried to block it out and avoid mention of her. As she reads through the pages and looks at the old photos certain little glimpses into her childhood come back to her.
She is in a relationship but is scared to take the next step- losing her mum at such a young age has made her wary of trying to love a child or giving her whole heart to her partner. When he discovers she's had the journal- whilst they are on holiday, he seems to understand her a little more.
You can feel the mum's pain and anguish, full of love for her daughter as she writes her journal entries for her daughter to read when she is old enough to take in the words.
The book weaves skillfully back to memories of her childhood through the journal, her dad's reluctance to have a new relationship and how protective he still feels over his daughter and her relationship.
Such a moving book- full of love for her child and her husband. What a treasure for Melissa.
Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this one.
She is in a relationship but is scared to take the next step- losing her mum at such a young age has made her wary of trying to love a child or giving her whole heart to her partner. When he discovers she's had the journal- whilst they are on holiday, he seems to understand her a little more.
You can feel the mum's pain and anguish, full of love for her daughter as she writes her journal entries for her daughter to read when she is old enough to take in the words.
The book weaves skillfully back to memories of her childhood through the journal, her dad's reluctance to have a new relationship and how protective he still feels over his daughter and her relationship.
Such a moving book- full of love for her child and her husband. What a treasure for Melissa.
Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this one.
June 15, 2015
Melissa was only 8 when her mother died - and her way of coping was to block out and so has little memory of her. Fast forward 17 years and she is handed a book that even her father knew nothing about.
In the form of recipes it is a journal written for Melissa by her mother as her way of saying goodbye, it is so full of love and every recipe is an anecdote about her life, and it starts to bring back the memories that Melissa has long buried.
It is a beautiful book well written and certainly tugs at the heartstrings, you can feel the pain her mother was going through having to leave her and her father behind, but it is not a depressing story at all
In the form of recipes it is a journal written for Melissa by her mother as her way of saying goodbye, it is so full of love and every recipe is an anecdote about her life, and it starts to bring back the memories that Melissa has long buried.
It is a beautiful book well written and certainly tugs at the heartstrings, you can feel the pain her mother was going through having to leave her and her father behind, but it is not a depressing story at all
May 23, 2016
This book is very touching. It also portrays an interesting description about how cancer was being researched during the nineties, when gene research first brought up questions about genetic transmission and heredity. But the book is much more than that: it is an emotional rendering of a young woman's search for her Mother, through the means of the diary her Mother left her, together with recipes, photographs and secrets... secrets so terrible that risked putting all of Melissa's life in questions, until their resolution suddenly settled her on a better course.
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon 23 May 2016.
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon 23 May 2016.
April 14, 2015
I have en eight year old daughter myself, so reading about a girl of this age who loses her mother felt really poignant. I loved the narrative which wove its way back and forward in time but somehow all felt very present, interspersed with some wonderful recipes (many of which I look forward to trying!). Teresa Driscoll writes passionately, truthfully and movingly about this difficult subject, leaving the reader guessing right up until the last moment how it will pan out. An accomplished debut, I look forward to the next book.
June 5, 2015
This is a beautiful story told through a journal left to Melissa by her mother. She was 8 years old when her mother died of breast cancer and since her mother knew she wouldn't be around she wrote to her about boys, food, life and her father. I loved this book and the little tidbits and food stories that were scattered throughout the story. Set in England this tale is easy to read and divided nicely into chapters set in Melissa's view, her dad's view, her boyfriend and of course her mother. I look forward to more books by Teresa Driscoll.
April 7, 2015
I received this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Loved this book...heartbreaking, funny, and poignant...A definite must read for the love story lover.
August 10, 2016
Tocante. Uma forma magistral de demonstração de amor de uma mãe para com a sua filha. Temos de aproveitar todos os momentos bons que a vida nos dá
April 9, 2018
Despite the effort to try to empathize with the main characters in this "family drama" novel, I just couldn't. On top of that, I wasn't particularly taken by the writing. This particular penmanship wasn't inviting. On the contrary, the writing was so detached, that I couldn't feel the warmth of real characters, as I normally expect. Now, I want to emphasize that this is my personal experience. I'm sure other readers feel differently, as it should be.
Too bad that the nuggets of wisdom that the deceased Eleonor wanted to convey in her book of Recipes for Melissa, her daughter, were lost to me in this rather bland story.
Too bad that the nuggets of wisdom that the deceased Eleonor wanted to convey in her book of Recipes for Melissa, her daughter, were lost to me in this rather bland story.
June 13, 2021
What a sweet story about a mother/daughter and other relationships in life. At first I thought it was just ok but got much better as it went on. Quick read definitely worth it
July 3, 2015
Originally posted on http://beccasbooooks.blogspot.co.uk/
I've had my eye on this book for a while now and I was so excited when I finally reached it after wading through my gigantic to-read pile, so I couldn't wait to dive in! I knew, after reading the blurb, that I was in for an emotional ride and it turned out I was right. Please note: Recipes for Melissa should be read with tissues, ice-cream, and a phone on-hand to call up your nearest and dearest to tell them you love them.
I won't re-tell the blurb, mainly because it's right up there ^^^ for you to have a read of yourself, and secondly because I want to TALK ABOUT THIS BEAUTIFUL STORY! Bookish beauts, it had it all. The emotion, the raw and real sadness, the delicacy of memories resurfacing through the retelling of a story known yet long forgotten. The unbreakable bond between mother and daughter. The unearthing of secrets, the uprooting of the present day, consequences, truths, and above all, love. I knew, after just a couple of chapters into Recipes for Melissa, that I was going to succumb to Teresa's enchanting approach to storytelling, and I was so right. There was something magical about it, yet still it felt real and believable. Something ethereal and charming, yet still, Teresa dealt with serious, life-changing circumstances. It made me cry, it made me smile, it made want to grab all of my loved ones and squeeze them extra, extra tightly, and by the end of it, it made me want to re-live the entire story again. Teresa's writing bursts at the seams with passion and love and I could tell that the author truly put her heart and soul into Melissa's story. There were aspects, emotional aspects that is, that I don't believe could have been told in such a way unless they'd been felt and experienced first hand. The writing itself flowed fluidly and, despite the pace being fantastically set, and I mean this in the best way possible, I would have continued reading even if it hadn't been because I cared about the characters so deeply, was desperate, even, to see how this beautifully moving and inspirational story would end. I already know, after finishing Recipes for Melissa last night, that I will most definitely be keeping my eye out for more exciting book news from Teresa Driscoll. The need, urge, tug, pull (call it what you will) for me to reach the finish line, panting and breathless beside Melissa, is one that I will pair with Teresa from now on.
The characters within Recipes for Melissa were fantastically structured, impeccably put together and absolutely memorable. Melissa Dance, her partner Sam, her father Max Dance and her dear mother Eleanor, all added their own, unique meanings to the novel itself. What I adored most, looking back now, was probably how Teresa chose to tell Recipes for Melissa. As I'm sure you can gather from the title, recipes do play an integral part within this story, mostly because of how easily they can conjure up memories that Melissa had thought she'd long forgotten, by their scents, flavour and even, sometimes, just from the general act of baking. Alongside the gorgeous essence of food and baking came the captivating switching of narratives, not forgetting the added switching of tense too, which I enjoyed immensely. From Melissa in the present day, to her mother writing the recipe/memory book in the past, it was moving, bitter-sweet and oh-so-breathtaking. We also get to see the story from Melissa's father Max's point of view, which gave such an interesting insight to his separate life away from his daughter. This to-ing and fro-ing between then and now reeled me in entirely. I couldn't have put it down even if I had wanted to.
As I said before, I am already dying to get my hands on Teresa's next novel, so I'll be keeping my eyes out for updates and news on that front, but Recipes for Melissa? It is a must-read for every book lover out there. It will take you out of your comfort zone but show you how precious life, and your loved ones are. It will show you how quickly things can be taken from our grasp and, ultimately, it will reinforce the fact that we should never, ever take our lives for granted. We are, after all, delicate, fragile human beings and it is love that sees us through the times when we think we can no longer go on.
Becca's Books is awarding Recipes for Melissa by Teresa Driscoll with FIVE BEAUTIFUL CUPCAKES. A life-affirming, nostalgic, captivating tale of one mother and daughter, whose love for each other echoes throughout the years spent apart.
I've had my eye on this book for a while now and I was so excited when I finally reached it after wading through my gigantic to-read pile, so I couldn't wait to dive in! I knew, after reading the blurb, that I was in for an emotional ride and it turned out I was right. Please note: Recipes for Melissa should be read with tissues, ice-cream, and a phone on-hand to call up your nearest and dearest to tell them you love them.
I won't re-tell the blurb, mainly because it's right up there ^^^ for you to have a read of yourself, and secondly because I want to TALK ABOUT THIS BEAUTIFUL STORY! Bookish beauts, it had it all. The emotion, the raw and real sadness, the delicacy of memories resurfacing through the retelling of a story known yet long forgotten. The unbreakable bond between mother and daughter. The unearthing of secrets, the uprooting of the present day, consequences, truths, and above all, love. I knew, after just a couple of chapters into Recipes for Melissa, that I was going to succumb to Teresa's enchanting approach to storytelling, and I was so right. There was something magical about it, yet still it felt real and believable. Something ethereal and charming, yet still, Teresa dealt with serious, life-changing circumstances. It made me cry, it made me smile, it made want to grab all of my loved ones and squeeze them extra, extra tightly, and by the end of it, it made me want to re-live the entire story again. Teresa's writing bursts at the seams with passion and love and I could tell that the author truly put her heart and soul into Melissa's story. There were aspects, emotional aspects that is, that I don't believe could have been told in such a way unless they'd been felt and experienced first hand. The writing itself flowed fluidly and, despite the pace being fantastically set, and I mean this in the best way possible, I would have continued reading even if it hadn't been because I cared about the characters so deeply, was desperate, even, to see how this beautifully moving and inspirational story would end. I already know, after finishing Recipes for Melissa last night, that I will most definitely be keeping my eye out for more exciting book news from Teresa Driscoll. The need, urge, tug, pull (call it what you will) for me to reach the finish line, panting and breathless beside Melissa, is one that I will pair with Teresa from now on.
The characters within Recipes for Melissa were fantastically structured, impeccably put together and absolutely memorable. Melissa Dance, her partner Sam, her father Max Dance and her dear mother Eleanor, all added their own, unique meanings to the novel itself. What I adored most, looking back now, was probably how Teresa chose to tell Recipes for Melissa. As I'm sure you can gather from the title, recipes do play an integral part within this story, mostly because of how easily they can conjure up memories that Melissa had thought she'd long forgotten, by their scents, flavour and even, sometimes, just from the general act of baking. Alongside the gorgeous essence of food and baking came the captivating switching of narratives, not forgetting the added switching of tense too, which I enjoyed immensely. From Melissa in the present day, to her mother writing the recipe/memory book in the past, it was moving, bitter-sweet and oh-so-breathtaking. We also get to see the story from Melissa's father Max's point of view, which gave such an interesting insight to his separate life away from his daughter. This to-ing and fro-ing between then and now reeled me in entirely. I couldn't have put it down even if I had wanted to.
As I said before, I am already dying to get my hands on Teresa's next novel, so I'll be keeping my eyes out for updates and news on that front, but Recipes for Melissa? It is a must-read for every book lover out there. It will take you out of your comfort zone but show you how precious life, and your loved ones are. It will show you how quickly things can be taken from our grasp and, ultimately, it will reinforce the fact that we should never, ever take our lives for granted. We are, after all, delicate, fragile human beings and it is love that sees us through the times when we think we can no longer go on.
Becca's Books is awarding Recipes for Melissa by Teresa Driscoll with FIVE BEAUTIFUL CUPCAKES. A life-affirming, nostalgic, captivating tale of one mother and daughter, whose love for each other echoes throughout the years spent apart.
September 9, 2015
Meine Meinung:
Für alle Tage, die noch kommen wird abwechselt aus verschiedenen Sichten, auktorial erzählt. Am Anfang erfährt der Leser zunächst erst einmal ein bisschen mehr über Melissa. Auf den ersten Seiten geht es darum, wie die Protagonistin das Buch erhält, welches ihre Mutter für sie geschrieben hat. und wie sie anfängt, es zu lesen. Im Grunde genommen sind dies an sich ziemlich emotionale Szenen, doch ich muss leider sagen, dass der "Funke" erst einfach nicht überspringen wollte. Es fiel mir schwer einen Draht zu Melissa aufzubauen, da sie mir zu unnahbar vorkam. Sie verschließt sich total. Nicht nur für ihre Familie und ihren Freund, sondern ebenfalls gegenüber des Lesers. Dieser Aspekt hat es mir sehr schwer gemacht, die Emotionen so richtig mitfühlen zu können, was ich gerade bei einer solchen Geschichte sehr schade finde.
Zum Glück fängt die Protagonistin im Laufe des Buches an, sich immer mehr zu öffnen. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt, wenn man als Leser endlich ihre Mauer durchbrechen konnte, erwischen einen die Gefühle von ihr, aber auch von den anderen, völlig ungedämpft, mit voller Wucht. Ich war an einigen Stellen so gerührt, dass es mir schwer fiel, überhaupt weiter zu lesen. Die Stimmung, die mich beim Lesen irgendwann gepackt hatte, hat mich doch ziemlich bedrückt.
»Jeden Tag, wenn ich dich ansehe, mein geliebtes Mädchen, macht mein Magen einen Freudenhüpfer. Und ich hoffe, du wirst eines Tages selbst erfahren, wovon ich schreibe. Denn ich verspreche dir, es wird plötzlich das sein, wofür du lebst...«
Zitat aus: "Für alle Tage, die noch kommen"
Nach den anfänglichen Schwierigkeiten fühlte ich mich jedoch richtig wohl mit und in dieser Geschichte. Teresa Driscoll schreibt mit einem sehr hohen Tempo und versteht sich darin, dem Leser jede einzelne Szene vor Augen führen zu können. Sehr oft hatte ich das Gefühl, Eleanor über die Schulter zu blicken, während sie neue Zeilen in das Buch schrieb. Sie war mir von Anfang an ziemlich nahe und ich konnte ihre Entscheidung, Melissa nichts von ihrer Erkrankung erzählen zu wollen, total nachvollziehen. Mit viel Fingerspitzengefühl erzählt uns die Autorin über die schwierige Zeit während Eleanors Erkrankung, blickt aber auch immer wieder auf die glücklichen Zeiten der Eheleute zurück. Diese Szenen geben dem Leser Luft zum Durchatmen und schafft so eine noch engere Bindung zu den einzelnen Figuren. Man erlebt, wie sie "vorher" waren und erlebt sozusagen live mit, wie es "danach" mit ihnen weiter geht. Wie sie sich entwickelten.
Natürlich weiß man ganz genau, dass Eleanor ihre Krankheit nicht überleben wird, ansonsten hätte sie ja schließlich dieses Buch nicht geschrieben, doch als ich an dieser entscheidenden Szene angekommen bin, konnte ich trotzdem nicht mehr an mich halten. Ich habe echt ein paar (viele) Tränen vergießen müssen.
Zusätzlich zu den Emotionen, die, wenn sie einmal da sind, nicht mehr verschwinden werden, hat es mir sehr gut gefallen, wie Teresa Driscoll immer wieder einen kleinen Cliffhanger eingebaut hat. Erzählt uns Melissa gerade die Geschehnisse, endet das Kapitel so gemein, dass man unbedingt wissen möchte, wie es weiter geht, doch dann kommt auf einmal Max zu Wort und man muss sich gedulden, bis man seine Zeit erneut mit Melissa teilen kann. Das Gemeine daran ist: Auch bei Max´ Kapitelende geschieht so ein gemeines "Ende". Diese Art von Kapitelende schafft natürlich eine immense Neugier, so dass man als Leser einfach weiter lesen muss.
Als absolut großartig habe ich eine Wendung empfunden, mit der ich so in keinster Weise gerechnet hätte. Ich habe dort eine regelrechte Schnappatmung entwickelt und konnte es echt nicht glauben...
Zum Ende gibt es nicht viel zu sagen, außer, dass ich absolut zufrieden damit gewesen bin. Ich mag es sehr, wie Teresa Driscoll Melissas Geschichte zu Ende gebracht hat. Sie hat mir damit ein Lächeln ins Gesicht gezaubert.
Fazit:
Mit Für alle Tage, die noch kommen ist Teresa Driscoll ein wirklich schöner, emotionaler Roman gelungen, der mir überzeugen konnte. Mit viel Herz erzählt uns die Autorin, wie Melissa mit der Situation des "Buches" umgeht und zeigt außerdem, wie sie ihr Leben meistert. Ich habe alle Figuren total in mein Herz geschlossen und war an einigen Stellen zutiefst berührt. Die flotte Schreibweise und die stets dagewesene Spannung fesseln einen an die Geschichte, so dass man das Buch am Liebsten gar nicht weg legen möchte. Für mich ein absolut empfehlenswerter Roman.
© www.mybooksparadise.de
Für alle Tage, die noch kommen wird abwechselt aus verschiedenen Sichten, auktorial erzählt. Am Anfang erfährt der Leser zunächst erst einmal ein bisschen mehr über Melissa. Auf den ersten Seiten geht es darum, wie die Protagonistin das Buch erhält, welches ihre Mutter für sie geschrieben hat. und wie sie anfängt, es zu lesen. Im Grunde genommen sind dies an sich ziemlich emotionale Szenen, doch ich muss leider sagen, dass der "Funke" erst einfach nicht überspringen wollte. Es fiel mir schwer einen Draht zu Melissa aufzubauen, da sie mir zu unnahbar vorkam. Sie verschließt sich total. Nicht nur für ihre Familie und ihren Freund, sondern ebenfalls gegenüber des Lesers. Dieser Aspekt hat es mir sehr schwer gemacht, die Emotionen so richtig mitfühlen zu können, was ich gerade bei einer solchen Geschichte sehr schade finde.
Zum Glück fängt die Protagonistin im Laufe des Buches an, sich immer mehr zu öffnen. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt, wenn man als Leser endlich ihre Mauer durchbrechen konnte, erwischen einen die Gefühle von ihr, aber auch von den anderen, völlig ungedämpft, mit voller Wucht. Ich war an einigen Stellen so gerührt, dass es mir schwer fiel, überhaupt weiter zu lesen. Die Stimmung, die mich beim Lesen irgendwann gepackt hatte, hat mich doch ziemlich bedrückt.
»Jeden Tag, wenn ich dich ansehe, mein geliebtes Mädchen, macht mein Magen einen Freudenhüpfer. Und ich hoffe, du wirst eines Tages selbst erfahren, wovon ich schreibe. Denn ich verspreche dir, es wird plötzlich das sein, wofür du lebst...«
Zitat aus: "Für alle Tage, die noch kommen"
Nach den anfänglichen Schwierigkeiten fühlte ich mich jedoch richtig wohl mit und in dieser Geschichte. Teresa Driscoll schreibt mit einem sehr hohen Tempo und versteht sich darin, dem Leser jede einzelne Szene vor Augen führen zu können. Sehr oft hatte ich das Gefühl, Eleanor über die Schulter zu blicken, während sie neue Zeilen in das Buch schrieb. Sie war mir von Anfang an ziemlich nahe und ich konnte ihre Entscheidung, Melissa nichts von ihrer Erkrankung erzählen zu wollen, total nachvollziehen. Mit viel Fingerspitzengefühl erzählt uns die Autorin über die schwierige Zeit während Eleanors Erkrankung, blickt aber auch immer wieder auf die glücklichen Zeiten der Eheleute zurück. Diese Szenen geben dem Leser Luft zum Durchatmen und schafft so eine noch engere Bindung zu den einzelnen Figuren. Man erlebt, wie sie "vorher" waren und erlebt sozusagen live mit, wie es "danach" mit ihnen weiter geht. Wie sie sich entwickelten.
Natürlich weiß man ganz genau, dass Eleanor ihre Krankheit nicht überleben wird, ansonsten hätte sie ja schließlich dieses Buch nicht geschrieben, doch als ich an dieser entscheidenden Szene angekommen bin, konnte ich trotzdem nicht mehr an mich halten. Ich habe echt ein paar (viele) Tränen vergießen müssen.
Zusätzlich zu den Emotionen, die, wenn sie einmal da sind, nicht mehr verschwinden werden, hat es mir sehr gut gefallen, wie Teresa Driscoll immer wieder einen kleinen Cliffhanger eingebaut hat. Erzählt uns Melissa gerade die Geschehnisse, endet das Kapitel so gemein, dass man unbedingt wissen möchte, wie es weiter geht, doch dann kommt auf einmal Max zu Wort und man muss sich gedulden, bis man seine Zeit erneut mit Melissa teilen kann. Das Gemeine daran ist: Auch bei Max´ Kapitelende geschieht so ein gemeines "Ende". Diese Art von Kapitelende schafft natürlich eine immense Neugier, so dass man als Leser einfach weiter lesen muss.
Als absolut großartig habe ich eine Wendung empfunden, mit der ich so in keinster Weise gerechnet hätte. Ich habe dort eine regelrechte Schnappatmung entwickelt und konnte es echt nicht glauben...
Zum Ende gibt es nicht viel zu sagen, außer, dass ich absolut zufrieden damit gewesen bin. Ich mag es sehr, wie Teresa Driscoll Melissas Geschichte zu Ende gebracht hat. Sie hat mir damit ein Lächeln ins Gesicht gezaubert.
Fazit:
Mit Für alle Tage, die noch kommen ist Teresa Driscoll ein wirklich schöner, emotionaler Roman gelungen, der mir überzeugen konnte. Mit viel Herz erzählt uns die Autorin, wie Melissa mit der Situation des "Buches" umgeht und zeigt außerdem, wie sie ihr Leben meistert. Ich habe alle Figuren total in mein Herz geschlossen und war an einigen Stellen zutiefst berührt. Die flotte Schreibweise und die stets dagewesene Spannung fesseln einen an die Geschichte, so dass man das Buch am Liebsten gar nicht weg legen möchte. Für mich ein absolut empfehlenswerter Roman.
© www.mybooksparadise.de
April 20, 2015
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advance copy I received for my honest review.
When Melissa was just 8 years old, her mother Eleanor died of breast cancer. Knowing that she wouldn’t be around to watch her daughter grow up, and to share with her the wisdom that is so often passed down from mothers to daughters, Eleanor decides to leave Melissa a book that she will receive when she is 25, explaining many of the things that she won’t be there to share with her in person. Containing not only recipes and photographs, the book also shares the reasons why Eleanor decided not to tell her only child of her illness and guides Melissa in how to make certain decisions in her own, now adult, life.
Told from the perspectives of Melissa, her father Max, and her late mom Eleanor this is a touching, but not overly emotional story of a devastating illness and the impact it has on both the patient and those left behind. It investigates the advances that have been made in the field of medicine regarding the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, and although at times (briefly), it did start to sound like a bit of a science or biology lesson, the message here is clear: everyone has the option to be tested, and to take preventative measures if and where necessary. Early detection is key.
The themes explored here are realistic ones. Max, tentatively wondering if he should take further his attraction to the lovely Anna; Melissa’s fear of marriage to the steadfast Sam and her very understandable reasons for this fear; her uncertainty, at the age of 25, of how to react to receiving such an unexpected gift from her mother, and her exploration into the missing memories of the happy times they’d shared. While she tries to figure out how she feels about all of this, she prefers to keep her mother’s book to herself, not sure of how Sam and Max will react to it when she does share it with them. While I could understand her reluctance to tell her father about it immediately (wondering if he’d feel excluded, and why his late wife hadn’t left something similar for him), I did struggle to understand why she felt she couldn’t tell Sam about it.
It was especially insightful to read Eleanor’s chapters and to follow her journey, her thoughts and fears as she wrote in her book for Melissa. How could one ever know the pain of a mother leaving a legacy for her child, knowing that she will not be there for all those important life-events when a daughter so desperately needs her mother by her side? And how do I even begin to describe that this is heart-wrenching, but subtle at the same time? Driscoll has achieved a marvellous balance in her writing: not over emotive, but still poignant and moving. It is really masterfully authored, especially for a debut novel!
A thoroughly enjoyable book despite the subject matter, and a new author who shows a lot of promise. We’ll undoubtedly be looking forward to her next book.
August 25, 2015
Melissa bekommt 17 Jahre nach dem Tod ihrer Mutter Eleonor vom Notar ein Buch übergeben, in welchem Eleonor ihre Gedanken, Ratschläge und Rezepte aufgeschrieben hat, um diese an ihre Tochter weiterzugeben. Doch als Melissa das Buch bekommt, befindet sie sich gerade in einer Phase ihres Lebens, welche von Zweifel und Zukunftsängsten bestimmt ist. Denn gerade hat sie den Heiratsantrages ihres Freundes Sam abgelehnt. Während des Lesens des Buches denkt Melissa immer mehr über ihr Leben nach und beginnt, einiges zu verstehen, was nicht nur ihr Leben ändert.
Schon allein da Buch ist eine kleine Sehenswürdigkeit. Und dabei liegt die Betonung auf „klein“. Denn gegenüber den „normalen“ Hardcovern ist es fast winzig anzusehen.
Durch das zarte Blau des Covers und der minimalistischen Covergestaltung sagt es fast schon alles über den Inhalt aus.
Und dieser ist genauso „himmlisch“ wie das Äußere.
Alles fängt damit an, dass Melissa von einem Notar ein Buch überreicht bekommt, in welchem Erinnerungen, Rezepte, Bilder und Gedanken ihrer vor 17 Jahren verstorbenen Mutter stehen. Und so hat Melissa nicht nur mit ihrem eigenen Leben zu kämpfen, sondern auch noch mit den Gedanken ihrer Mutter.
Ich war von Anfang an gebannt von dem wunderbaren Schreibstil der Autorin. Mir kam er fast leise vor, zart und unscheinbar. Und doch einprägsam und stark, mit einem unbeugsamen Willen.
In Rekordzeit hatte ich die Geschichte durch, die abwechselnd aus Melissas, Eleonors und Melissas Vater Max Sicht erzählt wird. Man taucht in ihre Gedankenwelt ein und versteht so immer Stück für Stück, was vor 17 Jahren geschehen ist und begleitet Max und Melissa auf ihrem weiteren Weg.
Natürlich ist es traurig, natürlich macht man sich Gedanken, aber es gibt auch noch so viel anderes in der Geschichte zu entdecken. Positives und Schönes.
Melissa ist ein sehr sympathische Frau, die als Kind schon einen traumatischen Schicksalsschlag erleben musste. Dass sie damit immer noch zu kämpfen hat, und der Verlust ihrer Mutter doch so manchmal noch ihr Leben beeinflusst, ist verständlich und nachvollziehbar.
Ihren Vater Max habe ich sehr ins Herz geschlossen, da er eine total sympathische Art hat. Er legt viel Wert auf die Meinung seiner Tochter, die sich aber zur Zeit mehr um ihr Leben kümmern muss.
Das Ende wartet dann aber doch nochmal mit einer kleinen Überraschung auf. Und man fragt sich, wie nun alles ausgeht.
Fazit:
Eine wundervolle Geschichte mit zarten Tönen und einer berührenden Note.
Schon allein da Buch ist eine kleine Sehenswürdigkeit. Und dabei liegt die Betonung auf „klein“. Denn gegenüber den „normalen“ Hardcovern ist es fast winzig anzusehen.
Durch das zarte Blau des Covers und der minimalistischen Covergestaltung sagt es fast schon alles über den Inhalt aus.
Und dieser ist genauso „himmlisch“ wie das Äußere.
Alles fängt damit an, dass Melissa von einem Notar ein Buch überreicht bekommt, in welchem Erinnerungen, Rezepte, Bilder und Gedanken ihrer vor 17 Jahren verstorbenen Mutter stehen. Und so hat Melissa nicht nur mit ihrem eigenen Leben zu kämpfen, sondern auch noch mit den Gedanken ihrer Mutter.
Ich war von Anfang an gebannt von dem wunderbaren Schreibstil der Autorin. Mir kam er fast leise vor, zart und unscheinbar. Und doch einprägsam und stark, mit einem unbeugsamen Willen.
In Rekordzeit hatte ich die Geschichte durch, die abwechselnd aus Melissas, Eleonors und Melissas Vater Max Sicht erzählt wird. Man taucht in ihre Gedankenwelt ein und versteht so immer Stück für Stück, was vor 17 Jahren geschehen ist und begleitet Max und Melissa auf ihrem weiteren Weg.
Natürlich ist es traurig, natürlich macht man sich Gedanken, aber es gibt auch noch so viel anderes in der Geschichte zu entdecken. Positives und Schönes.
Melissa ist ein sehr sympathische Frau, die als Kind schon einen traumatischen Schicksalsschlag erleben musste. Dass sie damit immer noch zu kämpfen hat, und der Verlust ihrer Mutter doch so manchmal noch ihr Leben beeinflusst, ist verständlich und nachvollziehbar.
Ihren Vater Max habe ich sehr ins Herz geschlossen, da er eine total sympathische Art hat. Er legt viel Wert auf die Meinung seiner Tochter, die sich aber zur Zeit mehr um ihr Leben kümmern muss.
Das Ende wartet dann aber doch nochmal mit einer kleinen Überraschung auf. Und man fragt sich, wie nun alles ausgeht.
Fazit:
Eine wundervolle Geschichte mit zarten Tönen und einer berührenden Note.
July 11, 2015
This is one of the most touching stories I have read for some time. I was expecting to be needing a lot of hankies but while it's emotional, it's not actually a sad book. There are some sad moments, of course, but on the whole it is just a beautifully written story. At the age of 25 Melissa, very unexpectedly, has been given a book of recipes compiled by her mother who died when Melissa was only 8. Along with the recipes, Eleanor has written about her memories of time she has spent with Melissa and her father Max and included photographs and words of advice for her daughter. This has come to Melissa at a time of her life where she is having to make some big decisons about her future and she finds it quite difficult to deal with this unexpected contact with her mother.
I think one of the reasons this book wasn't as sad as I expected is that it was written from Eleanor to Melissa as a grown woman, not the small child she was when Eleanor died. She is able to talk to her daughter as an adult not as a little girl. Melissa can begin to relate to her mother as an adult and understand a bit more about what was happening when she was ill. Inevitably, memories are aroused, some happy some sad. Eleanor's love for her daughter was so clear and you can really feel her sorrow at not being around for her as an adult. You can also understand her struggle about whether to tell Melissa some secrets which could change her life.
I really liked the chapters written from Melissa's father Max's point of view as well. He is obviously such a lovely man and has done a wonderful job of bringing up his daughter. Perhaps now it is time for him to have a chance at happiness again. Melissa's partner Sam, is also portrayed as a lovely caring man and their relationship was well recounted, particularly as Melissa comes to terms with some quite big revelations which could affect their future.
I really loved this book. It was so beautfully written, emotional without being overly sentimental and ultimately an uplifting read. This is Teresa Driscoll's debut novel and I can't wait to see what she writes next.
I think one of the reasons this book wasn't as sad as I expected is that it was written from Eleanor to Melissa as a grown woman, not the small child she was when Eleanor died. She is able to talk to her daughter as an adult not as a little girl. Melissa can begin to relate to her mother as an adult and understand a bit more about what was happening when she was ill. Inevitably, memories are aroused, some happy some sad. Eleanor's love for her daughter was so clear and you can really feel her sorrow at not being around for her as an adult. You can also understand her struggle about whether to tell Melissa some secrets which could change her life.
I really liked the chapters written from Melissa's father Max's point of view as well. He is obviously such a lovely man and has done a wonderful job of bringing up his daughter. Perhaps now it is time for him to have a chance at happiness again. Melissa's partner Sam, is also portrayed as a lovely caring man and their relationship was well recounted, particularly as Melissa comes to terms with some quite big revelations which could affect their future.
I really loved this book. It was so beautfully written, emotional without being overly sentimental and ultimately an uplifting read. This is Teresa Driscoll's debut novel and I can't wait to see what she writes next.
June 13, 2015
I loved loved LOVED this book! I want everyone to know and everyone to read it now! Having just wiped away the tears from finally allowing myself to finish it (I tried but I really couldn't read it any slower!) I wanted to share that if you want an emotional beautifully written novel to take on your holidays this year then this is my top recommendation to take with you. Don't think it's about recipes or death, it is about a woman's love for her daughter and the way she chooses to express this after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Melissa lost her mum when she was 8 and really doesn't have many me more of that time or her childhood. She is handed a book from her mother's solicitor when she is 25 and what she reads will have an impact on her life in ways she was not expecting.
I adored Eleanor and enjoyed so much reading her recipes and felt her heartbreak when she finds out she has cancer. She wants to hand down all the things like advice, recipes and family stories-all those things we get from our mums throughout our lives and take for granted. I felt quite a personal connection to her and understood totally what she was trying to do and why. As a mother this is your worst nightmare and Teresa Driscoll has handing it impeccably. It is realistic, topical and emotional and I would give it more than 5* if I could.
Don't worry that this will be a depressing account of an 8 year old girl losing her mother, it is full of hope, love and promise and comes very highly recommended by me!
I received a copy of this book via netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
Melissa lost her mum when she was 8 and really doesn't have many me more of that time or her childhood. She is handed a book from her mother's solicitor when she is 25 and what she reads will have an impact on her life in ways she was not expecting.
I adored Eleanor and enjoyed so much reading her recipes and felt her heartbreak when she finds out she has cancer. She wants to hand down all the things like advice, recipes and family stories-all those things we get from our mums throughout our lives and take for granted. I felt quite a personal connection to her and understood totally what she was trying to do and why. As a mother this is your worst nightmare and Teresa Driscoll has handing it impeccably. It is realistic, topical and emotional and I would give it more than 5* if I could.
Don't worry that this will be a depressing account of an 8 year old girl losing her mother, it is full of hope, love and promise and comes very highly recommended by me!
I received a copy of this book via netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
May 30, 2015
My review originally posted at http://www.literaryweek.com
Recipes for Melissa is a superbly written debut novel from British author Teresa Driscoll. The book has been described as perfect for fans of Rowan Coleman, Lucy Dillon and JoJo Moyes, and this reviewer agrees. The book is largely formatted in the style of a journal, left to the lead character Melissa by her mother Eleanor. This offers a unique method of presenting the story to the reader, and it works well here, particularly in a book so full of raw emotion. The plot of Recipes for Melissa is full of heart tugging moments, particularly those parts that quite obviously transport the lead character back to her childhood. The journal format of the book also allows the author to insert small tidbits of insight from Melissa herself, and we start to develop more of an understanding into her background. A mention has to be given to the character of Max, who probably ended up being my favourite of the whole story. Melissa’s father has obviously gone through a great deal of heartbreak, and this is beautifully put across by Driscoll, really allowing the reader to connect with Max. Overall, an emotional read, but a beautiful one at the same time – I look forward to future books from this author.
We received a free copy of this book for review.
Recipes for Melissa is a superbly written debut novel from British author Teresa Driscoll. The book has been described as perfect for fans of Rowan Coleman, Lucy Dillon and JoJo Moyes, and this reviewer agrees. The book is largely formatted in the style of a journal, left to the lead character Melissa by her mother Eleanor. This offers a unique method of presenting the story to the reader, and it works well here, particularly in a book so full of raw emotion. The plot of Recipes for Melissa is full of heart tugging moments, particularly those parts that quite obviously transport the lead character back to her childhood. The journal format of the book also allows the author to insert small tidbits of insight from Melissa herself, and we start to develop more of an understanding into her background. A mention has to be given to the character of Max, who probably ended up being my favourite of the whole story. Melissa’s father has obviously gone through a great deal of heartbreak, and this is beautifully put across by Driscoll, really allowing the reader to connect with Max. Overall, an emotional read, but a beautiful one at the same time – I look forward to future books from this author.
We received a free copy of this book for review.
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