Somewhere More Simple

by Marion Molteno

Rare Book

Genres: Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published July 29, 2012

Reviews

[Rubery Book Award · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rubery Prize Shortlisted 2018

A novel about three people, Anna, Cari, and Hugh, who are drawn to the Isles of Scilly for different reasons, but whose lives become connected. Those connections are revealed slowly, but with enough tension to sustain a beautiful story of love and loss, and the need to find ways of dealing with both. The characterisation is convincing: certainly the central characters have psychological depth, and their various emotional traumas and entanglements are presented with subtlety and sensitivity. The language is lucid, frequently poetic, and there is a strong sense of place. Generally this is a sophisticated work of literary fiction that is thoroughly enjoyable. A lovely novel.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautifully written with narrative evoking the beauty of island life. And boring as hell. Plot development was really slow, teasers as to future revelations waited too long to deliver and the main characters, Cari and Anna were, for me, totally unbelievable. Get a grip ladies!

[Grace Venters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping story

A gripping story, full of fascinating descriptions not only of landscapes, but of people, feelings, relationships, and how life should be lived. Never assumed there is a place somewhere more simple!

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really enjoyed this well thought out and descriptive book which I felt unfolded gradually, and i also feel that the overall story line may well hit a nerve or two for many people who either want or need a change in their lives. The three main characters become intertwined and involved and it gave me a very good feel of how they all were trying to deal with life

[Pat Morris-jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved this book. Great on so many levels. It’s really almost 4 stars but not quite, as being strict atm due to awarding loads of 5 stars in last year. Where do you go if it’s amazing? Easy, lovely read.

[Rachael Bark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. A quiet thoughtful book. Each character has an inner world which seem familiar. The story of a special place set on the Isles of Scilly is reason enough to give this book a go. I'll hunt out more of MM's work.

[Morag Stevenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this while on holiday on the Isles of Scilly. A good beach book .A nice extra when you can imagine the scenario taking place as you are on the islands the story takes place.
Deliciously predictable.

[Daisy Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haven’t enjoyed a book this much in a long time. Felt really special reading a book about Scilly while on the islands 🩷

[Mary Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story of life on the small islands cast into the sea off the coast of Britain is one of the most hauntingly beautiful stories I've ever read. The descriptions of the islands are precise, poetic, and will make you will feel as if you're living there. Some passages reminded me of D. H. Lawrence, others of Virginia Woolf, but the narrative is modern, attuned to environment and relationships. A great read.

[Melanie Mole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm afraid this jumped about too much for me. So I only read 4 chapters. It wasn't what I expected it to be so I didn't pursue it as I wasn't enjoying it. But the writing was good apart from the fact that it seemed to jump to quickly from one thing to another.