Enjoyed. Wanted to find out what happened to the characters. Desperately wanted Edith to have a happy 'ending', although I knew this was impossible. Thought it rather scrappily resolved, though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The cover, name and back of this book were totally misleading! The book turned out to be a heartfelt journey with two 10/12 year old sisters. About 10% of the book was about the female explorer and her journeys.
“Worldwide Adventures in Love” is Louise Wener’s forth novel and it is a poignant and moving reflection on love, loss and the fragility of life.
Wener’s character’s crackle with life and carry a real emotional punch. The plot is both charming and engaging as two sisters struggle to come to terms with the death of their eccentric and reclusive elderly neighbour, Edith, just as their own family begins to unravel.
Discovering Edith’s letters from the 1930’s reveal her past as an explorer and adventurer, along with the doomed love affair that shaped her life. The resonances between her past life and the fragile & chaotic disintegration of the girls’ own family provides a rich and satisfying seam that Wener exploits with consummate skill.
Wener fashions a pitch-perfect evocation of growing up in the late seventies, where the problems of modern life could be successfully resolved by the combination of a Tarzan movie and a Battenberg cake. I loved the fact that her protagonist’s sister chose a Mohawk haircut because it could be successfully self-administered, rather than having anything to do with the blossoming punk-rock scene of the Sex Pistols.
For me this was as satisfying as Wener’s debut novel, but carries far greater emotional weight and currency. She had me in tears with the ending of the novel. I found her writing brave, knowing and wise. Given that this was originally published in 2008 I hope that Wener is close to publishing her next book. It will have been worth the wait.
Margaret finding and reading the letters and her ideas about them shoulve been worked out. I wouldve liked it better from margarets viewpoint. it shouldve been more about the bond between the 2 sisters.
Schitterend verhaal en herkenbaar beschreven hoe we waren in de loop van de jaren 70. Maar ook een kijk in de wereld van de jaren 30. Het thema de liefde en vrouwen in de loop der jaren blijft een ontdekking.