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My Mother's Shadow
Addie thinks she knows everything about her mother. But when a stranger appears claiming to be her sister, she realises that her life so far has been a lie. But why?
Perfect for fans of Kate Morton and Santa Montefiore.
Hartland House has always been a faithful keeper of secrets...
1958. Sent to beautiful Hartland to be sheltered from her mother's illness, Liz spends the summer with the wealthy Shaw family. They treat Liz as one of their own, but their influence could be dangerous...
Now. Addie believes she knows everything about her mother Elizabeth and their difficult relationship until her recent death. When a stranger appears claiming to be Addie's sister, she is stunned. Is everything she's been told about her early life a lie?
How can you find the truth about the past if the one person who could tell you is gone? Addie must go back to that golden summer her mother never spoke of...and the one night that changed a young girl's life for ever.
458 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2017
735 people are currently reading
1485 people want to read
About the author
Nikola Scott
4 books127 followersNikola Scott started out in book publishing and worked as a crime fiction editor in America and England for many years. Turning her back on blood-spattered paperback covers and dead bodies found in woods, she sat down at her kitchen table one day to start her first novel — and hasn’t stopped writing since. Obsessed with history and family stories (‘How exactly did you feel when your parents gave the house to your brother?’) she is well-known – and feared – for digging up dark secrets and turning them into novels.
She is the author of the internationally bestselling MY MOTHER'S SHADOW, SUMMER OF SECRTS and THE ORCHARD GIRLS. Her fourth novel, THE LIFE I STOLE, about a young woman determined to become a doctor in 1950s England, is out now. All her novels have been translated widely around the world.
Nikola lives in Frankfurt with her husband and two boys (and a kitchen table).
Visit www.nikolascott.com for more information, or find Nikola on Instagram @nikolascottauthor, Twitter @nikola_scott and Facebook @NikolaScottAuthor.
Once a month, Nikola sends out a popular newsletter about writing, reading, book news, freebies and loads of therapeutic baking. Join in here if you’d love to be a part of it all: bit.ly/NikolaScottNews
She is the author of the internationally bestselling MY MOTHER'S SHADOW, SUMMER OF SECRTS and THE ORCHARD GIRLS. Her fourth novel, THE LIFE I STOLE, about a young woman determined to become a doctor in 1950s England, is out now. All her novels have been translated widely around the world.
Nikola lives in Frankfurt with her husband and two boys (and a kitchen table).
Visit www.nikolascott.com for more information, or find Nikola on Instagram @nikolascottauthor, Twitter @nikola_scott and Facebook @NikolaScottAuthor.
Once a month, Nikola sends out a popular newsletter about writing, reading, book news, freebies and loads of therapeutic baking. Join in here if you’d love to be a part of it all: bit.ly/NikolaScottNews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
May 19, 2024
Un roman istoric de introspecție, dens, pe tema identității și a descoperirii adevărului.
Descoperim un roman cu fraze frumoase, scrise cu măiestrie, cu descrieri excelente ce îți dezvăluie povestea în fața ochilor. Atât de real este redat totul, încât aproape că cititorul poate simți mirosul trandafirilor din grădină și poate experimenta emoțiile și trăirile personajelor.
Cartea are două planuri temporale cu două voci narative diferite: vocea lui Liz și vocea lui Debbie.
Preferatele mele au fost paginile din jurnalul lui Liz unde se derulează povestea anilor `60, scrisă intr-un stil subtil și sincer.
O poveste luminoasă cu un final fericit.
Recomand.
Descoperim un roman cu fraze frumoase, scrise cu măiestrie, cu descrieri excelente ce îți dezvăluie povestea în fața ochilor. Atât de real este redat totul, încât aproape că cititorul poate simți mirosul trandafirilor din grădină și poate experimenta emoțiile și trăirile personajelor.
Cartea are două planuri temporale cu două voci narative diferite: vocea lui Liz și vocea lui Debbie.
Preferatele mele au fost paginile din jurnalul lui Liz unde se derulează povestea anilor `60, scrisă intr-un stil subtil și sincer.
O poveste luminoasă cu un final fericit.
Recomand.
September 29, 2017
My Mother’s Shadow is definitely a book that is going to stay with me for a long time. The poignant story line is deeply affecting, especially when read as a mother of two children, I found that i often had a lump in my throat whilst reading about Elizabeth’s horrific experiences. It’s hard to believe that people judged and treated people so cruelly over so little without realizing the damaging effects that it would have on all concerned. I’m very thankful that thinking has now moved on and we now live in a much more open-minded society.
The main character, Addie, was very realistic and hugely likeable and I found myself really drawn to her story and plight throughout the book. The transformation she goes through is brilliant and I enjoyed watching her grow in confidence and start to stand up for herself, doing what she wanted to do rather than what she thought others wanted her to do. I felt for her with her difficult relationship with her mother, who she felt she never pleased and was never good enough for. It was hard reading about how this had affected her over the years and it was good to see her come out of her mother’s shadow in this regard and become a much more confident and together person. Her relationship with Phoebe and Andrew was lovely to read about as i felt that in their presence we got to see the really Addie and i loved how much more confident and unafraid she was around them.
The descriptions of the idyllic summer that Elizabeth spent with the Shaws was beautifully described and I really felt that I could picture those lazy, summer days in my mind’s eye. It was lovely to see a different, care free side to Elizabeth and to watch her grow throughout the summer in her new-found acceptance. Some of the games and mischief the children got up to was stuff that i used to enjoy doing when i was a kid, which helped create a wonderful sense of nostalgia for me and the fun i used to have.
Unusually for me with a book with two time-lines I found that i enjoyed them both equally. Normally I am rushing through one part of the story to find out what is happening in the other, normally older timeline. I think this is down to the author cleverly sharing out the facts and reveals between the two timelines so as to keep both interesting whereas i don’t believe this is always the case with other books. This also helped keep the story really interesting and I found that i kept reading, faster and faster as the book progressed in order to find out what had happened. Sometimes one of the story lines revealed a clue that wasn’t yet known in the other story line and then i found myself on tender hooks, waiting for it to be discovered and to see what their reaction would be to the new information. This helped create a lot of tension and anticipation in the book which made the book very easy to read.
Though it is hard to believe, this is Nikola Scott’s debut novel and I very much look forward to reading more from her. I felt the comparison with Kate Morton & Rachel Hore was very much deserved and feel sure that if you like their books you will enjoy this one!
Huge thank you to Becky Hunter and Headline for providing me with a copy of this book.
The main character, Addie, was very realistic and hugely likeable and I found myself really drawn to her story and plight throughout the book. The transformation she goes through is brilliant and I enjoyed watching her grow in confidence and start to stand up for herself, doing what she wanted to do rather than what she thought others wanted her to do. I felt for her with her difficult relationship with her mother, who she felt she never pleased and was never good enough for. It was hard reading about how this had affected her over the years and it was good to see her come out of her mother’s shadow in this regard and become a much more confident and together person. Her relationship with Phoebe and Andrew was lovely to read about as i felt that in their presence we got to see the really Addie and i loved how much more confident and unafraid she was around them.
The descriptions of the idyllic summer that Elizabeth spent with the Shaws was beautifully described and I really felt that I could picture those lazy, summer days in my mind’s eye. It was lovely to see a different, care free side to Elizabeth and to watch her grow throughout the summer in her new-found acceptance. Some of the games and mischief the children got up to was stuff that i used to enjoy doing when i was a kid, which helped create a wonderful sense of nostalgia for me and the fun i used to have.
Unusually for me with a book with two time-lines I found that i enjoyed them both equally. Normally I am rushing through one part of the story to find out what is happening in the other, normally older timeline. I think this is down to the author cleverly sharing out the facts and reveals between the two timelines so as to keep both interesting whereas i don’t believe this is always the case with other books. This also helped keep the story really interesting and I found that i kept reading, faster and faster as the book progressed in order to find out what had happened. Sometimes one of the story lines revealed a clue that wasn’t yet known in the other story line and then i found myself on tender hooks, waiting for it to be discovered and to see what their reaction would be to the new information. This helped create a lot of tension and anticipation in the book which made the book very easy to read.
Though it is hard to believe, this is Nikola Scott’s debut novel and I very much look forward to reading more from her. I felt the comparison with Kate Morton & Rachel Hore was very much deserved and feel sure that if you like their books you will enjoy this one!
Huge thank you to Becky Hunter and Headline for providing me with a copy of this book.
March 25, 2023
Het verhaal begint als de moeder van Addie net een jaar geleden gestorven is--aangereden door een auto--en de familie bij elkaar is om de sterfdag te gedenken.
Addie is in de kamer van haar moeder om herinneringen op te halen, als ineens de telefoon gaat en iemand naar haar moeder vraagt, en het lijkt nogal officieel. Addie is zo in de war dat ze zegt dat zij Mrs. Harington is, en de persoon aan de andere kant dringt aan op een ontmoeting omdat er dingen te bespreken zouden zijn, en Mrs. Harington uitdrukkelijk gevraagd had geen documenten of dergelijke naar haar adres te sturen.
Nu is Addie nog meer overstuur, had haar moeder een geheim? En ineens staat er iemand voor de deur, een vrouw die zegt dat ze de dochter is van Mrs. Harington, dus de zus van Addie!
Vanaf dan wordt het een echte rollercoaster. Wie is deze vrouw? Wat voor informatie heeft ze?
De vader van Addie krijgt zelfs een hartaanval als hij Addie en haar andere zus, Venetia, hoort discussiëren over wat er gaande kan zijn.
Eerst staat Addie afwijzend tegenover Phoebe (de vrouw die beweert haar zus te zijn) maar dan is ze zo nieuwsgierig dat de twee vrouwen gaan samenwerken om het geheim te ontsluieren. Want ze blijken een tweeling te zijn. Waarom is Addie bij hun moeder blijven wonen en is Phoebe afgestaan? Wie is hun echte vader?
De personages zijn zeer goed uitgewerkt, vooral Addie zien we uitgroeien van een vrouw die meestal doet wat anderen van haar verwachten, tot een vrouw die eindelijk gaat voor wat ze zélf wil maken van haar leven.
Ook de stukjes van de andere tijdlijn, de jeugd van Elisabeth, de moeder van Addie en Phoebe, zijn heel goed geschreven. Ook hier kan je echt meeleven, en de beschrijvingen van de vreugdevolle zomer op Hartland zijn prachtig. En dan wordt de verdrietige tijd in Elisabeth's leven verteld, hartverscheurend.
Dus ja, dit is een heel goed boek, meeslepend en spannend, met goede karakteriseringen.
Addie is in de kamer van haar moeder om herinneringen op te halen, als ineens de telefoon gaat en iemand naar haar moeder vraagt, en het lijkt nogal officieel. Addie is zo in de war dat ze zegt dat zij Mrs. Harington is, en de persoon aan de andere kant dringt aan op een ontmoeting omdat er dingen te bespreken zouden zijn, en Mrs. Harington uitdrukkelijk gevraagd had geen documenten of dergelijke naar haar adres te sturen.
Nu is Addie nog meer overstuur, had haar moeder een geheim? En ineens staat er iemand voor de deur, een vrouw die zegt dat ze de dochter is van Mrs. Harington, dus de zus van Addie!
Vanaf dan wordt het een echte rollercoaster. Wie is deze vrouw? Wat voor informatie heeft ze?
De vader van Addie krijgt zelfs een hartaanval als hij Addie en haar andere zus, Venetia, hoort discussiëren over wat er gaande kan zijn.
Eerst staat Addie afwijzend tegenover Phoebe (de vrouw die beweert haar zus te zijn) maar dan is ze zo nieuwsgierig dat de twee vrouwen gaan samenwerken om het geheim te ontsluieren. Want ze blijken een tweeling te zijn. Waarom is Addie bij hun moeder blijven wonen en is Phoebe afgestaan? Wie is hun echte vader?
De personages zijn zeer goed uitgewerkt, vooral Addie zien we uitgroeien van een vrouw die meestal doet wat anderen van haar verwachten, tot een vrouw die eindelijk gaat voor wat ze zélf wil maken van haar leven.
Ook de stukjes van de andere tijdlijn, de jeugd van Elisabeth, de moeder van Addie en Phoebe, zijn heel goed geschreven. Ook hier kan je echt meeleven, en de beschrijvingen van de vreugdevolle zomer op Hartland zijn prachtig. En dan wordt de verdrietige tijd in Elisabeth's leven verteld, hartverscheurend.
Dus ja, dit is een heel goed boek, meeslepend en spannend, met goede karakteriseringen.
March 8, 2019
9 de 10*
Costuma dizer-se que não importa o destino, o importante é a viagem. Concordo em absoluto e acho que descreve em pleno este livro. Alguns livros vão em crescendo até a um pico de suspense, de drama, de paixão. “A Sombra do Passado” não tem esse pico, mas não precisa. Todo o livro é uma viagem deliciosa, uma leitura quentinha para dias frios, porque a escrita é, de facto, fabulosa e aconchegante. É o livro para ler devagar e saborear!
Comentário completo em:
https://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.c...
Costuma dizer-se que não importa o destino, o importante é a viagem. Concordo em absoluto e acho que descreve em pleno este livro. Alguns livros vão em crescendo até a um pico de suspense, de drama, de paixão. “A Sombra do Passado” não tem esse pico, mas não precisa. Todo o livro é uma viagem deliciosa, uma leitura quentinha para dias frios, porque a escrita é, de facto, fabulosa e aconchegante. É o livro para ler devagar e saborear!
Comentário completo em:
https://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.c...
October 29, 2017
Do you like family secrets, characters to root for, and a book that whisks you away on an emotional rollercoaster? If you’re nodding your head, then My Mother’s Shadow by Nikola Scott is a book you need to take note of.
Balancing the books is a quick fire review where I list the assets and liabilities of a book (as I see them) and leave you decide if you think this book is worth investing in.
The Assets of My Mother’s Shadow by Nikola Scott:
Mother/Daughter theme : I lap up mother/daughter themes in books. And I loved that a loving relationship was present, but there was also a strained relationship. It wasn’t a cruel one, but rather a situation where they didn’t understand each other, and wound each other up. Both bonds were fascinating to read about.
Swoony cover: Scorn all you want! I’m a shallow book-cover-magpie and I can never resist a gorgeous cover. The image on this one, of a girl crossing from a dark depressing world into a happier, light-filled zone captures the tone of the book perfectly.
Secrets: Family secrets lure me. I want to dig deep, and uncover every hidden detail. Watching the search for the truth, and the subsequent fallout that rocked the family made this a book that I wanted to keep reading and reading.
Emotional Rollercoaster: I loved how the author wove all the emotions in to the story in such a way that I felt them all. I was giddy during the fun summer, broken at the misery some characters endured, frustrated at how gullible one naïve girl was, enraged by a useless father, confused by the shocking appearance of new family members, and in love with how a sister bond developed. All the moods, and all the feels made this a very emotionally satisfying read.
The Liabilities of My Mother’s Shadow by Nikola Scott:
Rambling sentences: Some sentences were overly rambling, and long winded. It was something I noted, but it didn’t overly hinder my enjoyment of the work.
Investment potential of My Mother’s Shadow by Nikola Scott:
If you like the sound of a contemporary/recent historical fiction mash-up and a heartfelt plot, then this might be just the book for you. Or if you are a fan of authors like Kate Morton, or Julia Crouch, then you might also like this one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Headline Review for giving me a copy of this book for review consideration. As always, no matter what the source of the book, you get my honest, unbiased opinion.
Balancing the books is a quick fire review where I list the assets and liabilities of a book (as I see them) and leave you decide if you think this book is worth investing in.
The Assets of My Mother’s Shadow by Nikola Scott:
Mother/Daughter theme : I lap up mother/daughter themes in books. And I loved that a loving relationship was present, but there was also a strained relationship. It wasn’t a cruel one, but rather a situation where they didn’t understand each other, and wound each other up. Both bonds were fascinating to read about.
Swoony cover: Scorn all you want! I’m a shallow book-cover-magpie and I can never resist a gorgeous cover. The image on this one, of a girl crossing from a dark depressing world into a happier, light-filled zone captures the tone of the book perfectly.
Secrets: Family secrets lure me. I want to dig deep, and uncover every hidden detail. Watching the search for the truth, and the subsequent fallout that rocked the family made this a book that I wanted to keep reading and reading.
Emotional Rollercoaster: I loved how the author wove all the emotions in to the story in such a way that I felt them all. I was giddy during the fun summer, broken at the misery some characters endured, frustrated at how gullible one naïve girl was, enraged by a useless father, confused by the shocking appearance of new family members, and in love with how a sister bond developed. All the moods, and all the feels made this a very emotionally satisfying read.
The Liabilities of My Mother’s Shadow by Nikola Scott:
Rambling sentences: Some sentences were overly rambling, and long winded. It was something I noted, but it didn’t overly hinder my enjoyment of the work.
Investment potential of My Mother’s Shadow by Nikola Scott:
If you like the sound of a contemporary/recent historical fiction mash-up and a heartfelt plot, then this might be just the book for you. Or if you are a fan of authors like Kate Morton, or Julia Crouch, then you might also like this one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Headline Review for giving me a copy of this book for review consideration. As always, no matter what the source of the book, you get my honest, unbiased opinion.
April 18, 2019
The year is 1958. In an effort to shield Elizabeth from her mother’s illness, Elizabeth is sent by her parents to stay Harland House with the Shaw family. It is meant to be a pleasant stay, but there Elizabeth finds more than she ever expected. And even though there is joy, lasting sorrow is never far away.. In the present day story Adele, usually known as Addie, is mourning the death of the mother she feels she could never please enough. Younger sister Venetia always seemed to be the favourite while Addie was closer to her father. But then Addie’s world is turned on its end when a stranger appears at the door claiming to be Addie’s twin sister. How could such a thing be possible? Had her life been built on lie? How can she find out the truth? Meanwhile her long-time friend Andrew is urging her to leave her current job and start a restaurant with him. Addie is faced with hard decisions and choices in more than one area of her life. As she navigates her way through them, she comes to understand some of the hard choices her mother made and the secrets that have been buried for years.
The reader is shown the state of society in the late 1950s and the way society has since changed. The attitudes and conditions young women who fell pregnant while unmarried were appalling. This is not the first book I have read that details this, but it is no less effective because it has been documented before. It’s easy to get emotionally involved in the plight of these young women and the way they were treated. The characters are well drawn. Addie is very much a people pleaser and at times unaware of what, to the reader, seems obvious. There is at least one character who is selfish and annoying and takes advantage of Addie’s amiable nature. The setting is beautifully described and I liked the way the plot unfolded.
The story caught my interest from the outset and maintained it throughout. This debut novel is an engaging read and it will be interesting to see what this writer turns her hand to next. I loved the contrast between the relationship Elizabeth had with her mother and how different it was to what Addie had with her mother. I found this to be a very enjoyable read that tugs at the heartstrings at times.
The reader is shown the state of society in the late 1950s and the way society has since changed. The attitudes and conditions young women who fell pregnant while unmarried were appalling. This is not the first book I have read that details this, but it is no less effective because it has been documented before. It’s easy to get emotionally involved in the plight of these young women and the way they were treated. The characters are well drawn. Addie is very much a people pleaser and at times unaware of what, to the reader, seems obvious. There is at least one character who is selfish and annoying and takes advantage of Addie’s amiable nature. The setting is beautifully described and I liked the way the plot unfolded.
The story caught my interest from the outset and maintained it throughout. This debut novel is an engaging read and it will be interesting to see what this writer turns her hand to next. I loved the contrast between the relationship Elizabeth had with her mother and how different it was to what Addie had with her mother. I found this to be a very enjoyable read that tugs at the heartstrings at times.
October 14, 2022
Family secrets.
Emotionally invested.
I love Lisa Wingate books and she was spot on with her quote “Perfect for fans of Before we were yours” totally!
Gripping.
Intriguing.
What I loved was the well tuned merging of the side by side timelines, how beautifully written it was.
I find in some books with dual timeline I favour one over another but in this one I needed no preference at all as both kept me intrigued throughout.
The descriptions, the planting of what scene to set in my mind was perfectly arranged by this author Nikola Scott.
Character growth and reveals we’re all here and I enjoyed every minute of my experience with these characters.
So if anything I’ve said triggers your interest or you’ve read this (as it’s been out since 2017) share your thoughts with me.
Emotionally invested.
I love Lisa Wingate books and she was spot on with her quote “Perfect for fans of Before we were yours” totally!
Gripping.
Intriguing.
What I loved was the well tuned merging of the side by side timelines, how beautifully written it was.
I find in some books with dual timeline I favour one over another but in this one I needed no preference at all as both kept me intrigued throughout.
The descriptions, the planting of what scene to set in my mind was perfectly arranged by this author Nikola Scott.
Character growth and reveals we’re all here and I enjoyed every minute of my experience with these characters.
So if anything I’ve said triggers your interest or you’ve read this (as it’s been out since 2017) share your thoughts with me.
January 14, 2024
Some serious subject matter, namely society’s attitude towards and treatment of young women in the 1950s, is contained within this dual time story about family secrets. I won’t say much more other than, in a small way, it put me in mind of Claire Keegan’s acclaimed novel, Small Things Like These.
Much my favourite element of the book were the sections from the point of view of Addie’s mother, Elizabeth, during the time she spends at Hartland House. She’s at an impressionable age and has been brought up in a household ruled by her strict father. I thought the author depicted really well the conflict Elizabeth feels between her joy at a glimpse into a different, freer kind of life and her guilt at being apart from her seriously ill mother. Elizabeth documents her experiences, including the relationships she forms with the members of the Shaw family, in meticulous detail in her journal. (Yes, I know, that trope beloved of historical novels, the secret diary.) She also writes the most heartrending letters to her mother.
I liked the way the author described the Sussex countryside and also how she subtly wove into the story themes of social inequality and the lingering impact of the Second World War. For example, Elizabeth is surprised at the spaciousness of Hartland House and the way the family live. She observes, ‘They must have no idea at all what other families live like. That living space for the majority of people is precious and rare, that up in London whole neighbourhoods have not yet been rebuilt after the Blitz, that people cram together in terrible hovels or ten to a house, with everyone from Grandma to the lodger slotted into bedrooms like sardines.
I’m going to be honest and say I was less engaged by the present day element of the story. I tried my best but I really couldn’t warm to Addie, who seemed to me to act in a much less mature way than you’d expect from someone supposed to be forty years old. She comes across as rather self-absorbed, a bit ditsy and someone whom chaos follows in her wake. However, I could sympathise with the situation she finds herself in as revelations about her family and demands for her attention from her (annoying) sister and her father come thick and fast in ‘an onslaught of needs and wants’. I thought she was rather mean to her best friend, Andrew and the side plot involving their childhood plan to go into business together was superfluous.
I’m afraid I also found the book rather slow – it’s 368 pages but felt longer partly perhaps because of the small text – although the pace does pick in the final third of the book as answers to the mystery are gradually revealed. And there’s a pretty good twist at one point although it does occur as a result of what I term a ‘Casablanca moment’, i.e. ‘Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine’. There were also a few elements, for me, that stretched credulity. Having said that, My Mother’s Shadow is an absorbing story with moments of real emotion that I’m sure many readers will enjoy.
Much my favourite element of the book were the sections from the point of view of Addie’s mother, Elizabeth, during the time she spends at Hartland House. She’s at an impressionable age and has been brought up in a household ruled by her strict father. I thought the author depicted really well the conflict Elizabeth feels between her joy at a glimpse into a different, freer kind of life and her guilt at being apart from her seriously ill mother. Elizabeth documents her experiences, including the relationships she forms with the members of the Shaw family, in meticulous detail in her journal. (Yes, I know, that trope beloved of historical novels, the secret diary.) She also writes the most heartrending letters to her mother.
I liked the way the author described the Sussex countryside and also how she subtly wove into the story themes of social inequality and the lingering impact of the Second World War. For example, Elizabeth is surprised at the spaciousness of Hartland House and the way the family live. She observes, ‘They must have no idea at all what other families live like. That living space for the majority of people is precious and rare, that up in London whole neighbourhoods have not yet been rebuilt after the Blitz, that people cram together in terrible hovels or ten to a house, with everyone from Grandma to the lodger slotted into bedrooms like sardines.
I’m going to be honest and say I was less engaged by the present day element of the story. I tried my best but I really couldn’t warm to Addie, who seemed to me to act in a much less mature way than you’d expect from someone supposed to be forty years old. She comes across as rather self-absorbed, a bit ditsy and someone whom chaos follows in her wake. However, I could sympathise with the situation she finds herself in as revelations about her family and demands for her attention from her (annoying) sister and her father come thick and fast in ‘an onslaught of needs and wants’. I thought she was rather mean to her best friend, Andrew and the side plot involving their childhood plan to go into business together was superfluous.
I’m afraid I also found the book rather slow – it’s 368 pages but felt longer partly perhaps because of the small text – although the pace does pick in the final third of the book as answers to the mystery are gradually revealed. And there’s a pretty good twist at one point although it does occur as a result of what I term a ‘Casablanca moment’, i.e. ‘Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine’. There were also a few elements, for me, that stretched credulity. Having said that, My Mother’s Shadow is an absorbing story with moments of real emotion that I’m sure many readers will enjoy.
April 4, 2024
3.5⭐️
April 17, 2019
3,5*
Opinião completa em_ https://marcadordelivros.blogspot.com...
Opinião completa em_ https://marcadordelivros.blogspot.com...
July 19, 2019
The first thing I noticed while reading My Mother's Shadow, is how beautiful everything is described. I really felt like I was right there in the house of secrets. This story fascinated me with all the family history. I must say that I particularly loved a certain line describing the moon....Or maybe it's the moon that has made people giddy tonight, the way it hangs in the sky as if pinned there, low above the stables and bursting full with a strange orange light. This just goes to show how skilled Nikola is in writing scenes. I personally can't hardly believe that this is Nikola Scott's first novel.
My Mother is so very precious to me that I cried as Addie' mother died by being hit by a Lorry. The twist had me glued to the pages when Addie finds out that she has an older sister she hadn't even known she had. I want to keep the rest of the story hidden away. For me I found that this story is one of the most enthralling, heartbreaking books that I have read in quite some time. There is the mysterious story of a lost child, a mother's secret, and one golden summer that changed a woman's life for ever. I highly recommend My Mother's Shadow because it has it all . A perfect summer. A young woman in love. And a shocking secret kept for decades. I'm looking forward to Nikola Scott's next historical novel and contemporary story, which is set in the late 1930s A group of friends come together for a last glorious country house weekend at Summerhill, a beautiful, remote estate on the Cornish coast. I'm in for this next novel as I am sure it will be another beautiful read. Find my review on Amazon Waterstones
June 3, 2021
Valutazione: ⭐⭐⭐/5.
Ho conosciuto per bene la penna di Nicola Scott, quando alla fine della scorsa estate lessi il suo secondo romanzo, "L'estate dei segreti", che per me, seppur fosse scritto davvero bene, si rivelò una delusione. Ho scelto di concederle una seconda possibilità, leggendo questo, "Le rose di Elizabeth", il romanzo d'esordio, che ho trovato davvero mille volte più bello e interessante del precedente.
Il romanzo si apre a distanza di un anno preciso dalla morte di Elizabeth, la madre di Addie, di cui durante il libro ci sarà occasione di leggere la storia dal suo punto di vista attraverso i sue diari.
Durante l'anniversario della morte di Elizabeth, Addie e la sua famiglia si riuniscono nella villa di famiglia, quando a un certo punto si presenta in casa una completa sconosciuta che si rileverà essere la gemella della nostra protagonista, di cui lei e tutti erano completamente ignari.
Il seguito della storia si svolge con Addie e Phoebe che cercheranno di capire la storia della loro madre, Elizabeth, una donna che per tutta la vista, la prima, ha percepito come fredda e distaccata, quando dentro portava il peso di un passato veramente duro e triste.
Devo ammettere che da questa storia di genere narrativo, non mi aspettavo davvero nulla. Anzi, più che altro pensavo di trovarmi davanti la solita storia un po' noiosa in cui spesso mi imbatto. Però, questo romanzo ha saputo catturare la mia attenzione, e ci tenevo tantissimo a scoprire la storia che si celava dietro la madre dura e severa di Addie.
La storia è narrata in due modi, sia dal punto di vista di Addie e dal suo indagare con Phoebe, sua sorella, sia attraverso i diari di Elizabeth. Certe cose dal punto di vista della madre si sanno prima rispetto a ciò che sanno le figlie, e viceversa. Ho trovato però più interessante scoprire la storia dal punto di vista di Addie.
L'unica cosa che mi ha po' fatto storcere il naso è che il titolo scelto non ci azzecca per niente con la storia.
È stata una storia che ha saputo rispondere a ogni mia domanda che mi facevo mentre che procedevo con la lettura. È stato un romanzo che mi aperto un mondo su come venivano trattate le ragazze madri negli anni '60, tema di cui ero praticamente all'oscuro prima di fare questa lettura davvero piacevole.
Consigliato!
Ho conosciuto per bene la penna di Nicola Scott, quando alla fine della scorsa estate lessi il suo secondo romanzo, "L'estate dei segreti", che per me, seppur fosse scritto davvero bene, si rivelò una delusione. Ho scelto di concederle una seconda possibilità, leggendo questo, "Le rose di Elizabeth", il romanzo d'esordio, che ho trovato davvero mille volte più bello e interessante del precedente.
Il romanzo si apre a distanza di un anno preciso dalla morte di Elizabeth, la madre di Addie, di cui durante il libro ci sarà occasione di leggere la storia dal suo punto di vista attraverso i sue diari.
Durante l'anniversario della morte di Elizabeth, Addie e la sua famiglia si riuniscono nella villa di famiglia, quando a un certo punto si presenta in casa una completa sconosciuta che si rileverà essere la gemella della nostra protagonista, di cui lei e tutti erano completamente ignari.
Il seguito della storia si svolge con Addie e Phoebe che cercheranno di capire la storia della loro madre, Elizabeth, una donna che per tutta la vista, la prima, ha percepito come fredda e distaccata, quando dentro portava il peso di un passato veramente duro e triste.
Devo ammettere che da questa storia di genere narrativo, non mi aspettavo davvero nulla. Anzi, più che altro pensavo di trovarmi davanti la solita storia un po' noiosa in cui spesso mi imbatto. Però, questo romanzo ha saputo catturare la mia attenzione, e ci tenevo tantissimo a scoprire la storia che si celava dietro la madre dura e severa di Addie.
La storia è narrata in due modi, sia dal punto di vista di Addie e dal suo indagare con Phoebe, sua sorella, sia attraverso i diari di Elizabeth. Certe cose dal punto di vista della madre si sanno prima rispetto a ciò che sanno le figlie, e viceversa. Ho trovato però più interessante scoprire la storia dal punto di vista di Addie.
L'unica cosa che mi ha po' fatto storcere il naso è che il titolo scelto non ci azzecca per niente con la storia.
È stata una storia che ha saputo rispondere a ogni mia domanda che mi facevo mentre che procedevo con la lettura. È stato un romanzo che mi aperto un mondo su come venivano trattate le ragazze madri negli anni '60, tema di cui ero praticamente all'oscuro prima di fare questa lettura davvero piacevole.
Consigliato!
March 19, 2025
Umbra mamei, o istorie atât de profundă despre viaţa unei femei ce a trăit mereu cu gândul că poartă vina pentru moartea unui copil. Despre nedreptatea ce era în anii 60 faţă de o femeie.
Addie o femeie de 40 de ani, după moartea mamei află că are o soră geamănă care a fost dată spre adopţie.
La început nu vrea să creadă, dar cu timpul toate indiciile îi arată ca e adevărat. Credea că mama e de vină, dar află că mama a fost cea care a suferit cel mai mult.
Addie o femeie de 40 de ani, după moartea mamei află că are o soră geamănă care a fost dată spre adopţie.
La început nu vrea să creadă, dar cu timpul toate indiciile îi arată ca e adevărat. Credea că mama e de vină, dar află că mama a fost cea care a suferit cel mai mult.
September 12, 2018
My Mother’s Shadow alternates between the late 1950’s and the present day and is an engrossing read of family secrets and deception.
The story begins in the present day with Addie and her family gathering at home to remember the first anniversary of the death of her mother, Elizabeth. Her death was so unexpected and they are still struggling to come to terms with their loss. The last thing they need is someone turning up on the doorstep claiming to be Addie’s sister.
Elizabeth had a difficult and somewhat unhappy past and through her narrative told by way of diary entries, we see her loss of her own mother’s death, her experience of first love and the cold cruelty of her father. In many ways her story was heartbreaking – events which in those days would cause a scandal and which were thought to be shameful wouldn’t be thought of in the same way today and it makes you so aware of how society has moved on.
Phoebe, the woman claiming to be Addie’s sister, was the exact opposite of Addie. Phoebe was confident, assured and was very much full on when she wanted something. Addie was much more reticent and indecisive however the emerging relationship between the two was very well told.
Addie had a difficult relationship with her mother, she never felt that she was good enough, unlike her sister Venetia who seemed to be her mother’s favourite daughter, but as the story moves on and she finds out more about her mother’s life, she gains a new level of understanding and acceptance and ultimately, hopefully, forgiveness.
My Shadow’s Shadow is an intriguing book of family drama, with a little bit of mystery between the pages and the odd twist and surprise thrown in. Gradually the full story is revealed and the full extent of secrets and betrayal by certain people come to light.
This was a perfect read for my recent holiday. Nikola Scott writes beautifully with vivid descriptions and I enjoyed the pace and the flow of the story. The characters had enough personality for them to be believable and the emotions given to them certainly brought them to life. My Mother’s Shadow is the author’s debut novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be looking forward to her next book.
The story begins in the present day with Addie and her family gathering at home to remember the first anniversary of the death of her mother, Elizabeth. Her death was so unexpected and they are still struggling to come to terms with their loss. The last thing they need is someone turning up on the doorstep claiming to be Addie’s sister.
Elizabeth had a difficult and somewhat unhappy past and through her narrative told by way of diary entries, we see her loss of her own mother’s death, her experience of first love and the cold cruelty of her father. In many ways her story was heartbreaking – events which in those days would cause a scandal and which were thought to be shameful wouldn’t be thought of in the same way today and it makes you so aware of how society has moved on.
Phoebe, the woman claiming to be Addie’s sister, was the exact opposite of Addie. Phoebe was confident, assured and was very much full on when she wanted something. Addie was much more reticent and indecisive however the emerging relationship between the two was very well told.
Addie had a difficult relationship with her mother, she never felt that she was good enough, unlike her sister Venetia who seemed to be her mother’s favourite daughter, but as the story moves on and she finds out more about her mother’s life, she gains a new level of understanding and acceptance and ultimately, hopefully, forgiveness.
My Shadow’s Shadow is an intriguing book of family drama, with a little bit of mystery between the pages and the odd twist and surprise thrown in. Gradually the full story is revealed and the full extent of secrets and betrayal by certain people come to light.
This was a perfect read for my recent holiday. Nikola Scott writes beautifully with vivid descriptions and I enjoyed the pace and the flow of the story. The characters had enough personality for them to be believable and the emotions given to them certainly brought them to life. My Mother’s Shadow is the author’s debut novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be looking forward to her next book.
April 6, 2019
Assim que li a sinopse, fiquei muito curiosa e não me desiludiu em nada.
Uma história passada em dois tempos. Finais dos anos 50, acompanhamos através de partes do seu diário a vida da jovem Liz. Quarenta anos depois, Adele, filha de Liz, depara-se com uma desconhecida que diz ser sua irmã.
Adoro histórias que vão alternando entre espaços temporais diferentes e, ainda por uma história com segredos de família, foram os ingredientes certos para me manterem agarrada a este livro, da primeira à última página.
Adorei e fiquei com muito vontade de ler mais da autora.
Vejam também a minha opinião mais detalhada em vídeo, AQUI.
Uma história passada em dois tempos. Finais dos anos 50, acompanhamos através de partes do seu diário a vida da jovem Liz. Quarenta anos depois, Adele, filha de Liz, depara-se com uma desconhecida que diz ser sua irmã.
Adoro histórias que vão alternando entre espaços temporais diferentes e, ainda por uma história com segredos de família, foram os ingredientes certos para me manterem agarrada a este livro, da primeira à última página.
Adorei e fiquei com muito vontade de ler mais da autora.
Vejam também a minha opinião mais detalhada em vídeo, AQUI.
May 14, 2019
Neste livro é-nos apresentado duas histórias contadas em dois tempos diferentes.
Ficamos a conhecer a história de Elizabeth nos finais dos anos 50 e a história da Adele, a sua filha nos dias de hoje.
Este livro gira em torno de um segredo do passado que é descoberto no dia em que a família da Elizabeth se encontra reunida para lhe prestar uma homenagem no primeiro ano da sua morte.
É um livro com um enredo bastante envolvente onde os anos do passado e do presente estão bem diferenciados com estilos de letra diferentes, o que faz com que não haja confusões a nível temporal.
Adorei este livro e a possibilidade de desvendar este segredo do passado e de ficar a conhecer mais sobre as relações familiares que envolvem todas estas personagens e os mistérios que elas ficam a conhecer.
Ficamos a conhecer a história de Elizabeth nos finais dos anos 50 e a história da Adele, a sua filha nos dias de hoje.
Este livro gira em torno de um segredo do passado que é descoberto no dia em que a família da Elizabeth se encontra reunida para lhe prestar uma homenagem no primeiro ano da sua morte.
É um livro com um enredo bastante envolvente onde os anos do passado e do presente estão bem diferenciados com estilos de letra diferentes, o que faz com que não haja confusões a nível temporal.
Adorei este livro e a possibilidade de desvendar este segredo do passado e de ficar a conhecer mais sobre as relações familiares que envolvem todas estas personagens e os mistérios que elas ficam a conhecer.
November 13, 2022
ביום השנה למות אמה מגלה אדי שאמה שיקרה לה כל חייה, והסתירה ממנה סוד על עברה. העלילה נעה בין ההווה שבו אדי מגלה שיש לה אחות תאומה לעבר שמתאר את סיפור התבגרותה של האם בסוף שנות ��-50.
הכתיבה יפיפיה ומלאה בתיאורים ציוריים, ועדיין הספר זז לי מאוד לאט. לקח לי זמן להיכנס לתוכו. רק אחרי שקראתי 1/3 מהספר הוא ממש התחיל לרתק אותי.
הספר עוסק רבות ביחסי הורים-ילדים: בין אדי לאמה, אליזבת, ובין אליזבת להוריה. הספר מדבר גם על אובדן וההתמודדות איתו.
אם יש לכם סבלנות לצלוח התחלה איטית, כדאי לכם לקרוא את הספר
הכתיבה יפיפיה ומלאה בתיאורים ציוריים, ועדיין הספר זז לי מאוד לאט. לקח לי זמן להיכנס לתוכו. רק אחרי שקראתי 1/3 מהספר הוא ממש התחיל לרתק אותי.
הספר עוסק רבות ביחסי הורים-ילדים: בין אדי לאמה, אליזבת, ובין אליזבת להוריה. הספר מדבר גם על אובדן וההתמודדות איתו.
אם יש לכם סבלנות לצלוח התחלה איטית, כדאי לכם לקרוא את הספר
November 6, 2017
טלנובלה לא רעה. לפעמים מעניינת, לפעמים פחות.
June 3, 2024
Liker historien og dagbøkene. Kunne vært litt kortere, syns den drog litt ut.
September 29, 2019
En mycket fin berättelse. Lite förutsägbar ibland, men allt som allt är den mycket detaljerad och känslosam.
November 7, 2020
Amazing book! Such an engaging story, I didn’t want to put it down.
September 22, 2017
This was such an engaging, emotional book that mixes the dual timelines so well, that once I had started reading I just couldn't put it down.
What happens when you find out that when you thought you knew someone, it turns out you knew very little? This is what happens to Addie after her mother Elizabeths' death. She always had a difficult relationship with her mother and never could understand why, but a year after her death another woman appears on the doorstep claiming to be Elizabeths' daughter and has exactly the same birthdate, throwing everything the family knew up in the air and bringing back some very bad memories and bad feelings.
As we follow Addie and her journey to find the truth, we also see back in time to 1958 when Elizabeth kept a diary of her time living with her sick mother, and father, and her Summer spent at Hartland House. It is a fascinating mix of history, family secrets and self discovery and does an amazing job of pulling you in as a reader as you see at close hand the devastation that secrets can wreak on a family.
There is never a let up in the pace, and as Addie discovers more and more about her mother as she finds letters and a mobile phone, it really shows how you can never really know a person. And there's a heartbreaking twist thrown in for good measure that took me by surprise and took my breath away.
A stunning read and I can't wait to read more from this author.
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC of this book in return for a fair and honest review.
What happens when you find out that when you thought you knew someone, it turns out you knew very little? This is what happens to Addie after her mother Elizabeths' death. She always had a difficult relationship with her mother and never could understand why, but a year after her death another woman appears on the doorstep claiming to be Elizabeths' daughter and has exactly the same birthdate, throwing everything the family knew up in the air and bringing back some very bad memories and bad feelings.
As we follow Addie and her journey to find the truth, we also see back in time to 1958 when Elizabeth kept a diary of her time living with her sick mother, and father, and her Summer spent at Hartland House. It is a fascinating mix of history, family secrets and self discovery and does an amazing job of pulling you in as a reader as you see at close hand the devastation that secrets can wreak on a family.
There is never a let up in the pace, and as Addie discovers more and more about her mother as she finds letters and a mobile phone, it really shows how you can never really know a person. And there's a heartbreaking twist thrown in for good measure that took me by surprise and took my breath away.
A stunning read and I can't wait to read more from this author.
Thank you to the publisher for an ARC of this book in return for a fair and honest review.
March 14, 2017
I was sent this book to read and review
The story first starts in 1958 when Elizabeth is sent to the country in Sussex to a beautiful country home. But Elizabeth meets and falls in love with a man. Inevitably you can guess she becomes pregnant as the story then changes to years later when Elizabeth's daughter Addie is around. But one day she opens the door to her home to a huge surprise. A woman is standing there claiming to be her twin. But her mother has never mentioned she has a sibling. Is this woman lying or was she separated at birth ? Pheobe is adamant they are related and the pair begin the journey through the past the the days when their mother was younger and the events that occurred - not all of them happy.
This book takes you on an emotional journey of two young women who try to connect with each other in a way they have not grown up with. Troubles and emotional times are met along the way and you can't help but feel this could be any one in your street. Imagine if this happened to you !
The story first starts in 1958 when Elizabeth is sent to the country in Sussex to a beautiful country home. But Elizabeth meets and falls in love with a man. Inevitably you can guess she becomes pregnant as the story then changes to years later when Elizabeth's daughter Addie is around. But one day she opens the door to her home to a huge surprise. A woman is standing there claiming to be her twin. But her mother has never mentioned she has a sibling. Is this woman lying or was she separated at birth ? Pheobe is adamant they are related and the pair begin the journey through the past the the days when their mother was younger and the events that occurred - not all of them happy.
This book takes you on an emotional journey of two young women who try to connect with each other in a way they have not grown up with. Troubles and emotional times are met along the way and you can't help but feel this could be any one in your street. Imagine if this happened to you !
March 18, 2019
Ein wirklich tragische und dennoch irgendwie schöne Familiengeschichte, die man so schnell nicht vergessen kann.
November 23, 2020
I was absolutely enthralled by the way Nikola Scott was able to bring the stories of Liz and Addie to the page. The depth of emotion and interweaving of plots made this book a page-turner from start to finish. The mother-daughter relationship in this book is complex and reminds the reader that parents aren't always as we see them. This is an intriguing look at how the past impacts the future for generations.
July 18, 2024
5/5
Una dintre lecturile mele favorite pe anul 2024. 💞
Un roman cu o incarcatura emotionala mare.. nu ma asteptam ca pana la sfarsit sa-mi placa atat de mult cum mi-a placut cu un sfarsit fericit care mi-a umplut inima de caldura.
Una dintre lecturile mele favorite pe anul 2024. 💞
Un roman cu o incarcatura emotionala mare.. nu ma asteptam ca pana la sfarsit sa-mi placa atat de mult cum mi-a placut cu un sfarsit fericit care mi-a umplut inima de caldura.
November 27, 2017
Am Anfang steht der große Verlust der Mutter. Sie stirbt bei ihrem Unfall und ihre erwachsene, älteste Tochter Addie bleibt zerrissen zurück. Nie hat sie es Elisabeth recht machen können. Der Vater zieht sich in eine ausgewachsene Depression zurück, die jüngere Schwester versucht mit aller Macht, Kontrolle zumindest vorzuspielen und ihr bester Freund will unbedingt ein Restaurant mit Addie eröffnen. Genug für eine Krise. Doch alles gerät aus den Fugen, als eine Frau vor der Tür steht, und behauptet, Elisabeths Tochter zu sein, am gleichen Tag geboren, wie auch Addie selbst.
Es ist mehr als nur eine individuelle Apokalypse, die der Roman erzählt. Der Umsturz einer Familie, in all ihren Strukturen und vor allem ihrem größten Geheimnis. Im Zentrum aber steht Addie und ihre ganz eigene Art und Weise, die Dinge zu betrachten. Der Verlust der Murrer, gefolgt vom Verlust dessen, was sie immer über Elisabeth zu wissen geglaubt hat. Es ist eine Identitätskrise, die mitschwingt. Nicht nur für Addie, sondern auch für ihre Fremdsicht auf Elisabeth. Wie prägend dieser Eindruck der eigenen Mutter ist, wird im Laufe des Romans und vor allem am Ende immer wieder klar. Addies Entscheidungen sprechen für sich.
In Zeit der Schwalben erfolgt die Spurensuche über Bruchteile. Der Leser aber erfährt die volle und wahre Geschichte, indem immer wieder Zeitsprünge zurück zu Elisabeths Tagebucheinträgen führen. Zwei Erzählstimmen also, die unterschiedlicher kaum sein könnten. Denn die Elisabeth der Tagebücher ist gerade mal 16, steht vor dem größten Verlust, und das im Grunde gleich zweimal. Dahinter verbirgt sich ein schonungsloser Blick auf den Umgang mit jungen, unverheirateten Schwangeren im England der fünfziger Jahre, auf Abläufe in Heimen für ledige Mütter und Krankenhäuser, aber auch ein Blick in die Moralvorstellungen jener Zeit. Es sind die Folgen dieser Verstrickungen, die Addie aus der Bahn werfen.
Wenig märchenhaft ist dafür ihr Roman. Addie ist keine verkitschte, aufgeregte Frauenfigur, sondern sehr nachdenklich und introvertiert. Oft sagt sie lieber gar nichts, selbst wenn ihr etwas auf der Seele brennt. Sie sucht die Schuld immer bei sich und wird nun von einer ganz anderen Art von „Schuld“ konfrontiert. Dass sie nicht weggegeben wurde. Zeit der Schwalben versucht auch da trotz Ich-Erzählerin mehrere Perspektiven anzubieten und schafft das souverän. Komplex durchdacht und mit Feinheiten zurechtgeformt. Es waren sehr wenige Stellen, die mich irritiert haben oder zum Meckern veranlassen. Am meisten die Liebesgeschichte, die irgendwie zwischendrin geradezu aufgedrängt wird. Sie hätte für mich gerne fehlen kommen, denn das Ende des Romans ist eigentlich Addies Abschluss mit der Geschichte ihrer Mutter – und dafür braucht es keinen Mann.
Es ist mehr als nur eine individuelle Apokalypse, die der Roman erzählt. Der Umsturz einer Familie, in all ihren Strukturen und vor allem ihrem größten Geheimnis. Im Zentrum aber steht Addie und ihre ganz eigene Art und Weise, die Dinge zu betrachten. Der Verlust der Murrer, gefolgt vom Verlust dessen, was sie immer über Elisabeth zu wissen geglaubt hat. Es ist eine Identitätskrise, die mitschwingt. Nicht nur für Addie, sondern auch für ihre Fremdsicht auf Elisabeth. Wie prägend dieser Eindruck der eigenen Mutter ist, wird im Laufe des Romans und vor allem am Ende immer wieder klar. Addies Entscheidungen sprechen für sich.
In Zeit der Schwalben erfolgt die Spurensuche über Bruchteile. Der Leser aber erfährt die volle und wahre Geschichte, indem immer wieder Zeitsprünge zurück zu Elisabeths Tagebucheinträgen führen. Zwei Erzählstimmen also, die unterschiedlicher kaum sein könnten. Denn die Elisabeth der Tagebücher ist gerade mal 16, steht vor dem größten Verlust, und das im Grunde gleich zweimal. Dahinter verbirgt sich ein schonungsloser Blick auf den Umgang mit jungen, unverheirateten Schwangeren im England der fünfziger Jahre, auf Abläufe in Heimen für ledige Mütter und Krankenhäuser, aber auch ein Blick in die Moralvorstellungen jener Zeit. Es sind die Folgen dieser Verstrickungen, die Addie aus der Bahn werfen.
Wenig märchenhaft ist dafür ihr Roman. Addie ist keine verkitschte, aufgeregte Frauenfigur, sondern sehr nachdenklich und introvertiert. Oft sagt sie lieber gar nichts, selbst wenn ihr etwas auf der Seele brennt. Sie sucht die Schuld immer bei sich und wird nun von einer ganz anderen Art von „Schuld“ konfrontiert. Dass sie nicht weggegeben wurde. Zeit der Schwalben versucht auch da trotz Ich-Erzählerin mehrere Perspektiven anzubieten und schafft das souverän. Komplex durchdacht und mit Feinheiten zurechtgeformt. Es waren sehr wenige Stellen, die mich irritiert haben oder zum Meckern veranlassen. Am meisten die Liebesgeschichte, die irgendwie zwischendrin geradezu aufgedrängt wird. Sie hätte für mich gerne fehlen kommen, denn das Ende des Romans ist eigentlich Addies Abschluss mit der Geschichte ihrer Mutter – und dafür braucht es keinen Mann.
October 2, 2024
Following the destiny of both a mother and her daughter, My Mother’s Shadow contains some of the best pages I’ve read this year. It deals with a powerful subject—getting pregnant in the '60s without being married and being sent to an institution that was supposed to help pregnant, unmarried teenagers.
In 2000, Addie follows the path of discovering what her late mother did when she was young. A new character enters the story a year after her mother’s death: her twin sister. The two characters learn to get along, and the need to find the truth about themselves becomes a bond no one can break. Despite always feeling that her mother never fully loved her, Addie will come to realize that there was both a greater love and sadness tied to her mother’s decision to give birth to her children.
Liz’s point of view, revealed through the pages of her journal, was amazing. It’s the kind of story that can break your heart because it was so powerful and perfectly written, without a single flaw in those pages. The vintage atmosphere of her story is something I’m always drawn to. Elizabeth’s emotions were perfectly described—how she felt when her mother died, how she sought comfort in a young man’s arms due to the lack of affection from her father, the portrayal of the institution she was sent to, and how the girls were treated and lied to. It was incredible.
I loved every single word of Elizabeth’s story. Her story deserves 5⭐️, but the present-day story, Addie’s, didn’t stand out until the last few pages, when the past and present came together. I didn’t connect with Addie; she’s not a character I could fall in love with, but her mother was undoubtedly the best character I’ve encountered this year. Also, the story of getting pregnant in the '60s and the charity institutions that were supposed to help these girls is a subject I love, but this book gave a more subjective tone to it—real, raw emotions were conveyed. I’m looking forward to another book from this author, but only if it’s written in the past-tense style this book has provided, because I know this author can truly break my heart. And I want that.
In 2000, Addie follows the path of discovering what her late mother did when she was young. A new character enters the story a year after her mother’s death: her twin sister. The two characters learn to get along, and the need to find the truth about themselves becomes a bond no one can break. Despite always feeling that her mother never fully loved her, Addie will come to realize that there was both a greater love and sadness tied to her mother’s decision to give birth to her children.
Liz’s point of view, revealed through the pages of her journal, was amazing. It’s the kind of story that can break your heart because it was so powerful and perfectly written, without a single flaw in those pages. The vintage atmosphere of her story is something I’m always drawn to. Elizabeth’s emotions were perfectly described—how she felt when her mother died, how she sought comfort in a young man’s arms due to the lack of affection from her father, the portrayal of the institution she was sent to, and how the girls were treated and lied to. It was incredible.
I loved every single word of Elizabeth’s story. Her story deserves 5⭐️, but the present-day story, Addie’s, didn’t stand out until the last few pages, when the past and present came together. I didn’t connect with Addie; she’s not a character I could fall in love with, but her mother was undoubtedly the best character I’ve encountered this year. Also, the story of getting pregnant in the '60s and the charity institutions that were supposed to help these girls is a subject I love, but this book gave a more subjective tone to it—real, raw emotions were conveyed. I’m looking forward to another book from this author, but only if it’s written in the past-tense style this book has provided, because I know this author can truly break my heart. And I want that.
July 23, 2019
A historical family drama where consequences are far reaching and disastrous.
It took me a while to get into this book, though not quite sure why. The two storlines flow well, Adele's story in the present, and Elizabeth's in the past. I've found Elizabeth's storyline more gripping, the diary style retelling of her life gave insight into a young girl's feelings, her struggle with her mother's terminal illness, a cold father, first love and the time's rigidness to give importance to appearences and social status. And as it usually happens with books like such, this storyline overtook the other, as it laid the foundation for today's struggles.
A well presented book, thoroughly researched and well written. It highlights a time in history where people finally could breath easy after the struggles of WW2, but when women's rights took a backward step behind lace curtains and rigid proper behaviour, where any deviance was dealt with stricktly, quietly and often cruelly.
A time is history when society finally became happy again but when women's lives were far from easy.
We have come so far but there's still a way to go.
Highly recommend it.
It took me a while to get into this book, though not quite sure why. The two storlines flow well, Adele's story in the present, and Elizabeth's in the past. I've found Elizabeth's storyline more gripping, the diary style retelling of her life gave insight into a young girl's feelings, her struggle with her mother's terminal illness, a cold father, first love and the time's rigidness to give importance to appearences and social status. And as it usually happens with books like such, this storyline overtook the other, as it laid the foundation for today's struggles.
A well presented book, thoroughly researched and well written. It highlights a time in history where people finally could breath easy after the struggles of WW2, but when women's rights took a backward step behind lace curtains and rigid proper behaviour, where any deviance was dealt with stricktly, quietly and often cruelly.
A time is history when society finally became happy again but when women's lives were far from easy.
We have come so far but there's still a way to go.
Highly recommend it.
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