Borrowed Time

by Jenni Daiches

A year after the sudden death of her husband, Sonia Billings impulsively leaves her Yorkshire home of nearly four decades for a rundown railway carriage in the Scottish Highlands, much to the dismay of her three grown children, who would prefer that she remain in England.

But with her seventieth birthday approaching, Sonia whose mother died at seventy-three feels that she is living on borrowed time and must make the most of what she has left. Scotland may not be her birthplace, but Sonia has fond memories of a childhood spent with her Scottish mother and grandparents, and in the Highlands she feels closer to her eldest son, who tragically died there.

Though not long her home, Scotland is where Sonia feels she needs to be: here, she is the eccentric white-haired woman who lives with two dogs in a railway carriage. Here, she is an outsider, and is free to examine and reinvent herself. She enjoys her independence and, as the referendum day approaches, reflects on what independence would mean for Scotland and for the UK. Borrowed Time is an exercise in gratitude. Daiches explores life's happiest, saddest and most mundane moments with equal measure, showing that even an ordinary life is extraordinary in its details. Her ability to savour every moment is contagious.

Genres: Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2016

About the author

Jenni Daiches is the name under which literary historian Jenni Calder writes novels and poetry.

She was born in the USA, educated in the US and England, and has lived and worked in Scotland since 1971. She worked at the National Museum of Scotland in various capacities from 1978 to 2001. Both before and since she has worked as a freelance writer and lecturer.

Reviews

[Andy Marr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daiches' 'Forgive' remains one of the finest books I've read in the past few years. 'Borrowed Time' followed similar themes of love and life, marriage and mortality, and was, for the most part, excellent. But it just seemed to lack a little of Forgive's oomph - to lack, I suppose, a little purpose - so it's just a four this time round. Great writing, though.

[ClareT · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that I wish I could give 3 1/2 stars to. I really liked the book, I liked the main character and I liked the writing style. It is a nice book. A story about a woman approaching 70, unexpectedly widowed, and now doing something for herself, despite the misgivings of her family. Even if that something is moving to Scotland to live in a railway carriage. But the writing style appealed so much because it felt as though I was reading someone's biography, not a novel, or maybe I just like the idea of living in a railway carriage at the bottom of someone's garden in the wilderness.

It is another book of memories and remembrances and one in which not much happens. Probably not every one's cup of tea, unless you just want a nice Sunday afternoon read when the weather is cold and bleak.

[Susanne Chatburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a breath of fresh air after my previous book which I really struggled to slog through. It was refreshing to read a book about a woman in her 60’s, reviewing her life. Sonia is recently widowed and almost on a whim, sells the family home in Yorkshire and buys a converted railway carriage in the garden of a big house in the Scottish highlands. Here she acquires two dogs, a cat and muses over her family history. Shades of Anne Tyler, one of my favourite authors, in the this story.

[Angie Craggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice story. Lovely to hear many of the Scottish place names that I’ve visited.
The only downside was the way it jumped about with various years in the story, a bit confusing.
But enjoyed it, and quite jealous of her new life.

[Julie Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea of downsizing to Scotland and living in a railway carriage is very appealing !
A lovely story about families and memories.