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Flytten till Cornwall
A sweeping, romantic debut set in Cornwall, reminiscent of Rosamunde Pilcher.
When artist Maddie inherits a house in Cornwall shortly after the death of her husband, she hopes it will be the fresh start she and her step-daughter Hannah desperately need.
Trevenen is beautiful but neglected, a rambling house steeped in history. Maddie is enchanted by it and determined to learn as much as she can about its past. As she discovers the stories of generations of women who've lived there before, Maddie begins to feel her life is somehow intertwined within its walls.
But Maddie's dream of a calm life in the countryside is far from the reality she faces. Still struggling with her grief and battling with Hannah, Maddie is unable to find inspiration for her painting and realises she may face the prospect of having to sell Trevenen, just as she is coming to love it.
And as Maddie and Hannah pull at the seams of Trevenen's past, the house reveals secrets that have lain hidden for generations.
This gorgeously sweeping debut from Liz Fenwick is touched with romance and mystery, a perfect summer read.
When artist Maddie inherits a house in Cornwall shortly after the death of her husband, she hopes it will be the fresh start she and her step-daughter Hannah desperately need.
Trevenen is beautiful but neglected, a rambling house steeped in history. Maddie is enchanted by it and determined to learn as much as she can about its past. As she discovers the stories of generations of women who've lived there before, Maddie begins to feel her life is somehow intertwined within its walls.
But Maddie's dream of a calm life in the countryside is far from the reality she faces. Still struggling with her grief and battling with Hannah, Maddie is unable to find inspiration for her painting and realises she may face the prospect of having to sell Trevenen, just as she is coming to love it.
And as Maddie and Hannah pull at the seams of Trevenen's past, the house reveals secrets that have lain hidden for generations.
This gorgeously sweeping debut from Liz Fenwick is touched with romance and mystery, a perfect summer read.
365 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2012
222 people are currently reading
2528 people want to read
About the author
Liz Fenwick
25 books578 followersAward winning author of ten novels and two novellas. The latest is The Secrets of Harbour House out in the UK in July 2025. There are translated editions of my novels available in Dutch, German, Portuguese, French, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Estonian, Latvian, Turkish, Serbian, Czech, Hungarian, Italian, and Finnish.
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May 20, 2013I'll confess myself slightly biased as Liz is a good friend of mine, and I read part of this book in manuscript form before it was published.
But then again, I'm not biased. I don't like books just because they're written by friends of mine. A good book, in my opinion, has to grab me and hold me with both hands and not let me go. Liz's book isn't my normal sort of read—it's not a storyline or a cover that normally appeals to me in a bookshop. But I'm glad I picked it up, because as soon as I stepped into Cornwall with the characters I was drawn into their world. It's magical, emotional and atmospheric. I wanted that house with all of my heart, and I wanted Maddie and Hannah to find happiness there.
But then again, I'm not biased. I don't like books just because they're written by friends of mine. A good book, in my opinion, has to grab me and hold me with both hands and not let me go. Liz's book isn't my normal sort of read—it's not a storyline or a cover that normally appeals to me in a bookshop. But I'm glad I picked it up, because as soon as I stepped into Cornwall with the characters I was drawn into their world. It's magical, emotional and atmospheric. I wanted that house with all of my heart, and I wanted Maddie and Hannah to find happiness there.
February 6, 2016
I really thought I would like this one. There's an old house in Cornwall, near Frenchman's Creek, that dates to the 1500's. Maddie has inherited it. After the death of her husband she and her stepdaughter, Hannah, move in. The house is really just a small side bit. The bulk of the story...oh my! Too much family dysfunction. I felt I was reading a soap opera. The dysfunction goes on and on. Plus the *thing* that Maddie did was obvious from early on. The story is told in alternating viewpoints of Maddie and Hannah.
October 26, 2021
This was a lovely book. The first in a series set in Cornwall. The only irritant in this story was the teenage step-daughter Hannah who was unbelievably surly and uncooperative most of the time. This lasts through most of the book but, to be honest after awhile it didn’t bother me and I enjoyed the book immensely. I love Liz Fenwick’s books as they are such a good read i highly recommend them.
March 11, 2015
After the death of her husband artist, Maddie inherits a house in Cornwall. Oh that we should all have a relative who will leave us such a house in such a picturesque setting! Maddie hopes it will bring a new start for her and her stepdaughter, Hannah. Needless to say Hannah resents being moved away from friends and school. The characters are well drawn and I enjoyed reading this story, even though at times I could have slapped Hannah for the way she behaves and mouths off at Maddie. And she sure has a mouth on her! I struggled to believe that Maddie would put up with as much as she did. But then I’ve never been a stepparent so maybe I shouldn’t judge. I also struggled to understand the decision Maddie made while John was alive. I won’t say imposed on her by John because Maddie still had a choice. I’m not surprised she struggled with guilt.
One of the great positives is the relationship that springs up between Hannah and Old Tom. Old Tom is just a beautiful character – a type of grandfather figure anyone would like to have. Some lovely scenes with Hannah and Old Tom plus a few tears from this reader involved at one stage. There is also of course a love interest. Again I tried to put myself in Maddie’s position and couldn’t imagine getting to that point of dating that soon after her husband‘s death, but maybe that’s me. The friend Tamsin brings a little light relief by at times saying outrageous things, but she is a good friend to Maddie. The description of the house and the area is great. I liked the mystery and all the colour and painting references too even though I wouldn’t know one end of a paint brush from the other. For the most part an enjoyable time spent in Cornwall and I’d be interested in reading another book by this author.
One of the great positives is the relationship that springs up between Hannah and Old Tom. Old Tom is just a beautiful character – a type of grandfather figure anyone would like to have. Some lovely scenes with Hannah and Old Tom plus a few tears from this reader involved at one stage. There is also of course a love interest. Again I tried to put myself in Maddie’s position and couldn’t imagine getting to that point of dating that soon after her husband‘s death, but maybe that’s me. The friend Tamsin brings a little light relief by at times saying outrageous things, but she is a good friend to Maddie. The description of the house and the area is great. I liked the mystery and all the colour and painting references too even though I wouldn’t know one end of a paint brush from the other. For the most part an enjoyable time spent in Cornwall and I’d be interested in reading another book by this author.
December 1, 2018
The false way it leads the reader on over a trauma in the heroine’s past, did not ring true to me. Nor did her deep mourning for her deceased husband harmonize with her flirtatious behavior. The middle of the book drags along. Not my cup of tea.
June 25, 2023
I received a delightful package in the mail yesterday from my Sister of my heart, Verlie. It was books for my Little Free Library Shed.
Inside were a series of books that took me back in time, because the majority of them I had already read.
But, what I saw, was not only a wonderful opportunity to share these books with the neighborhood, but another writing experience for me. More reviews for Goodreads. So…look out for quite a few reviews coming this way.
Premise: When we first meet Maddie and Hannah, they are in a car at night, driving along dark country lanes in a tunnel of hedgerows that make you think they are being propelled forward into some destination they will never reach. And then…
The car breaks down and Maddie decides to go for help.
It is a great opening scene, because we have no idea where she is headed, and who these women are, and what is up. Or what could possibly be around the corner. You know those scenes when cars break down with two women in them at night?
Oh, wait a minute, this isn’t a mystery? I digress.
Maddie is recently widowed, and she is dragging her teenage stepdaughter with her to Cornwall, to an abandoned house she has inherited. By someone she doesn’t know very well. And this becomes the story.
Fixer upper – not just the house. But the people, too. And this may not be easy for the characters to do – or for us readers, to be witness to, as well. I admit sometimes I wanted to slap some sense into them. Well, I am not a violent person, but you know what I mean. Get on with it, girls.
While there is some romance in this story, it also was about giving the characters some space and time to grieve and find a way to move on with their lives. As well as to love themselves before they could love someone else.
The setting was beautiful. The transformation of the house and the women made it a kinda worthwhile read at the time – but, I have to be honest, I was an impatient reader during those adjustment periods which made up the majority of the story. And...
You gotta admit - the story... We have been here before...
May 29, 2022
Please don't be put off by my rating as it was the ambling storyline that I disliked. I can see that this would appeal to many who are after a gentle read.
September 1, 2016
I read this in 2013. I actually bought it based on its cover, tut tut. I absolutely love the cover, as it reminds me of the back of our very own Cornish house (that we bought and moved into in 2011).
This book had me willing to love it before I even read the first page. However, the story did not disappoint. I do love a good old house with years of mysteries hidden within it, so this was a very entertaining read.
I found details about Cornwall and its weather, especially the horizontal rain, roads without street lamps, local people knowing everyone else's business and general quirkiness, made me giggle throughout the book, as it reminded me of when I first moved down to Cornwall.
Although this is a standalone novel, if you do wish to read Liz Fenwick's books in chronological order, then you should read her second book, A Cornish Affair, before reading this one.
This book had me willing to love it before I even read the first page. However, the story did not disappoint. I do love a good old house with years of mysteries hidden within it, so this was a very entertaining read.
I found details about Cornwall and its weather, especially the horizontal rain, roads without street lamps, local people knowing everyone else's business and general quirkiness, made me giggle throughout the book, as it reminded me of when I first moved down to Cornwall.
Although this is a standalone novel, if you do wish to read Liz Fenwick's books in chronological order, then you should read her second book, A Cornish Affair, before reading this one.
March 18, 2016
Zaista je prelepa i dirljiva ljubavna i zivotna prica.
July 18, 2018
Adorei este livro. Vivi neste livro. Um livro que fala de um casa que esconde mistérios e segredos passados, fala de corações destroçados e de amor inesperado que acontece quando menos esperamos.
April 16, 2017
Başlarda biraz, durağan olsa da çok güzel bir ikinci şans romanı idi.Kadin kahramanin üvey kızı ile olan ilişkisini yazar iyi işlemişti.
December 3, 2016
"Kuća u Kornvolu" nije ni malo mirisala na zanimljivu knjigu. Ja se sa knjigom povežem dodirom. Ona nije nikako bila knjiga za prvi pogled. Ali zaista, trebalo mi je lagano štivo, neka mekana pričica sa kojom ću da utonem u san. Mekana poput mančmeloV pjene. Prosta. Jednostavna. Bez napetosti. I zaista, knjiga je takva. Dobro, možda malo bolja. Nema tenzija, predvidiva je, sa jednostavnim opisima koji ne zahtijevaju razmišljanje. Da, takva je. Gledano s površine. Možda malo nedorečena u pojedinim stranicama. Možda čak i ne liči na knjigu koju bih kupila. A poznato je - ne sudi o knjizi na osnovu korica.
Jednostavna ljubavna priča, ali i komplikovana potraga za samim sobom. Priča o gubicima, o sudbni koja može lako da zadesi bilo koga od nas. Priča o prijateljstvu, ljubavi, poštovanju, korijenima i lutanjima. Naravno, nije u redu da otkrivam sve, niti ću to uraditi. U ovim preporukama pričamo o emocijama. Pričamo o stvarnim vjetrovima koji se podignu kad shvatiš koliko je život sačinjen od uspona i padova, i da ne treba ništa čuvati za specijalne prilike, jer svaki trenutak je specijalna prilika. Nikad ne možeš znati da li je ljubav tvog života osoba pored tebe dok ne probaš, dok ne pokušaš, dok ne otvoriš srce za nove dane, a zatvoriš prošlost iza sebe.
Zvuči teško i komplikovano, znam. Ali nije tako. Čemu još može da te nauči "Kuća u Kornvolu"? Možda nekim jednostavnim prijateljstvima. Možda onoj čuvenoj rečenici da nikad ne odustaneš. Možda da treba da pogledaš oko sebe i razmisliš da li u tvojoj okolini postoji neki Matori Tom kom možeš da pomogneš. Možda shvatiš da je gubitak sastavni dio života. Ali kad nešto izgubiš, obično nešto i dobiješ. I znaš, ponekad je potrebno da napraviš novi početak u životu. Ne plaši se.
I možda je ova priča mekana poput pamuka, možda je predvidiva, ali svakako je vrijedna čitanja.
Jednostavna ljubavna priča, ali i komplikovana potraga za samim sobom. Priča o gubicima, o sudbni koja može lako da zadesi bilo koga od nas. Priča o prijateljstvu, ljubavi, poštovanju, korijenima i lutanjima. Naravno, nije u redu da otkrivam sve, niti ću to uraditi. U ovim preporukama pričamo o emocijama. Pričamo o stvarnim vjetrovima koji se podignu kad shvatiš koliko je život sačinjen od uspona i padova, i da ne treba ništa čuvati za specijalne prilike, jer svaki trenutak je specijalna prilika. Nikad ne možeš znati da li je ljubav tvog života osoba pored tebe dok ne probaš, dok ne pokušaš, dok ne otvoriš srce za nove dane, a zatvoriš prošlost iza sebe.
Zvuči teško i komplikovano, znam. Ali nije tako. Čemu još može da te nauči "Kuća u Kornvolu"? Možda nekim jednostavnim prijateljstvima. Možda onoj čuvenoj rečenici da nikad ne odustaneš. Možda da treba da pogledaš oko sebe i razmisliš da li u tvojoj okolini postoji neki Matori Tom kom možeš da pomogneš. Možda shvatiš da je gubitak sastavni dio života. Ali kad nešto izgubiš, obično nešto i dobiješ. I znaš, ponekad je potrebno da napraviš novi početak u životu. Ne plaši se.
I možda je ova priča mekana poput pamuka, možda je predvidiva, ali svakako je vrijedna čitanja.
August 10, 2012
Em primeiro lugar, parabéns á Quinta Essência por esta maravilhosa capa que condiz perfeitamente com a história que o livro conta.
Maddie que acaba de perder o marido, John, parte para a Cornualha com a enteada, Hannah. Herdou lá uma mansão da sua tia-avó (como veio a descobrir), está em mais condições e Maddie não possui o dinheiro suficiente para a restaurar e como se não bastasse Hannah não gosta dela e trata-a como se ela fosse invisivel e uma bruxa. A casa tem muitos segredos, incluindo um esconderijo para contrabandista que como se vem a descobrir é o jaz Thomasina. Maddie apaixona-se por Mark que não tem um passado muito respeitador, mas é uma ótima pessoa para com ela, assim como a sua melhor amiga Tamsin. Maddie redescobre a sua inspiração para pintar quando monta o seu estúdio no celeiro da casa.
Quanto a Hannah, descobre um grande amigo no velho Tom que, infelizmente, acaba por falecer com cancro tal como John, deixando Hannah mais uma vez desolada. Esta também conhece Will e apaixona-se por ele.
Uma história comovedora que me deu muito prazer a ler! Não imagino o que é perder um pai, felizmente, mas compreendo as atitudes de Hannah em relação á madrasta. Achei encantadora a relação que Hannah desenvolveu com Tom pois fez-me lembrar a relação que tinha com o meu avô.
Enfim, uma autora nova que me fez tornar fã dela e da sua escrita. Fez-me ler quase compulsivamente este livro, inclusivé por noite adentro. Este livro valeu sem dúvida alguma o tempo que dispendi a lê-lo.
Aconselho a leitura, sem reservas algumas!
http://oprazerdaleitura94.blogspot.pt...
Maddie que acaba de perder o marido, John, parte para a Cornualha com a enteada, Hannah. Herdou lá uma mansão da sua tia-avó (como veio a descobrir), está em mais condições e Maddie não possui o dinheiro suficiente para a restaurar e como se não bastasse Hannah não gosta dela e trata-a como se ela fosse invisivel e uma bruxa. A casa tem muitos segredos, incluindo um esconderijo para contrabandista que como se vem a descobrir é o jaz Thomasina. Maddie apaixona-se por Mark que não tem um passado muito respeitador, mas é uma ótima pessoa para com ela, assim como a sua melhor amiga Tamsin. Maddie redescobre a sua inspiração para pintar quando monta o seu estúdio no celeiro da casa.
Quanto a Hannah, descobre um grande amigo no velho Tom que, infelizmente, acaba por falecer com cancro tal como John, deixando Hannah mais uma vez desolada. Esta também conhece Will e apaixona-se por ele.
Uma história comovedora que me deu muito prazer a ler! Não imagino o que é perder um pai, felizmente, mas compreendo as atitudes de Hannah em relação á madrasta. Achei encantadora a relação que Hannah desenvolveu com Tom pois fez-me lembrar a relação que tinha com o meu avô.
Enfim, uma autora nova que me fez tornar fã dela e da sua escrita. Fez-me ler quase compulsivamente este livro, inclusivé por noite adentro. Este livro valeu sem dúvida alguma o tempo que dispendi a lê-lo.
Aconselho a leitura, sem reservas algumas!
http://oprazerdaleitura94.blogspot.pt...
September 9, 2012
Iniciei a leitura deste livro ontem e terminei-o hoje, isto deverá começar por dizer algo certo? Pela primeira vez em muitos anos, estou de férias e não me dá para ler policiais, têm sido romances atrás de romances, e todos eles bonitos... mas este... quem o tiver na estante por favor, leia os primeiros 2 capítulos...
A escrita é muito bem conseguida, no entanto a autora passa de uma cena para a outra deixando-nos num constante suspense, género os intervalos da TVI. Quando digo que passa de uma cena para a outra devo avisar que depois não a retomamos, já se passaram horas ou mesmo dias, várias foram as vezes que senti que a autora podeira ter desenvlvido um pouco mais a cena em questão.
Relativamente às personagens posso dizer que senti por diversas vezes, vontade de esbofetear Hannah por tanta falta de educação, no entanto esta insensibilidade é bastante visível na «maravilhosa» fase da adolescência, e sim critico-a muito pois recordo-me bem da minha «maravilhosa» fase... adorei o Tom, o Gunnar poderia ter sido mais explorado, o Mark... bem o Mark foi muito bem conseguido ;-)
O final do livro foi delicioso, choroso, emotivo... sem dúvida uma autora a seguir... vou já ao site dela ver o que há mais!!!!
A escrita é muito bem conseguida, no entanto a autora passa de uma cena para a outra deixando-nos num constante suspense, género os intervalos da TVI. Quando digo que passa de uma cena para a outra devo avisar que depois não a retomamos, já se passaram horas ou mesmo dias, várias foram as vezes que senti que a autora podeira ter desenvlvido um pouco mais a cena em questão.
Relativamente às personagens posso dizer que senti por diversas vezes, vontade de esbofetear Hannah por tanta falta de educação, no entanto esta insensibilidade é bastante visível na «maravilhosa» fase da adolescência, e sim critico-a muito pois recordo-me bem da minha «maravilhosa» fase... adorei o Tom, o Gunnar poderia ter sido mais explorado, o Mark... bem o Mark foi muito bem conseguido ;-)
O final do livro foi delicioso, choroso, emotivo... sem dúvida uma autora a seguir... vou já ao site dela ver o que há mais!!!!
August 30, 2014
Overall it is a well written book. It is predictable of course but there were one or two surprises for sure. However I had an issue with both the main characters Maddie and Hannah. I don't know if we are suppose to feel sorry for Hannah but I actually hated her and never ended up liking her. I couldn't believe her attitude and that Maddie would allow that. As well, Maddie's constant thinking instead of saying what she is thinking bothered me as well. However the relationships these characters had with the other characters in the book were so real that it made up for it. It actually makes me want to go visit Cornwall one day :)
November 27, 2014
The Cornish House is a nice story set in Cornwall with all the necessary Cornish elements of an old house with secrets, a ghost, seascapes, wind, little village where no secrets can be kept gorgeous dark haired Cornishman. The characters had lots of issues to deal with, POV was done well, and the story kept me awake as I heard The Cornish House on MP3 in the car. Since I didn't actually read it I couldn't tell if the many two word beats such as 'She smiled' were actually beats or speech tags. Either way I learned something: to be careful of using too many short beats of a similar structure as they sound clunky when read aloud. This is a good genre novel. Three and a half stars.
June 20, 2021
Niet slecht - de schrijfstijl is best prettig - maar vond er ook niet zoveel aan.
April 22, 2018
This review can be found at sarahsvignettes.wordpress.com
I am writing this review having only finished The Cornish House about 15 minutes ago. It is very rare for me to do so as usually I need some time to allow my thoughts to order in my head, especially when I have felt such a deep connection with a book, as I did with this one. So, this review runs the risk of sounding like a series of ramblings rather than well thought out. What makes this one different? The effect that this particular book has had on me and how I needed to write my thoughts down straight away.
When Maddie and her 16 year old stepdaughter Hannah move to Cornwall, they are both hurting from Maddie losing her husband and Hannah, her father. Maddie has inherited Trevenen and feels it would be a fresh start for both of them.
The Cornish House is a story of love, loss, grief, and healing. It really shows how there is light at the end of the tunnel. It is so poignant and heartfelt and certainly pulled at my heartstrings - it had me in tears on a couple of occasions. There is a lovely romantic thread within it and a mystery to uncover too - especially as the house starts to reveal the secrets to its past.
I loved all of the characters in this story but Hannah was the one who had the most impact on me. At 16, she really is a moody teenager but as the story progresses we see and feel how much she is hurting from the loss of her father - something I can relate to. I am 15 years older than Hannah but I have felt those same raw emotions. However, I must admit that Hannah did get on my nerves at times but it is testament to Liz Fenwick's great character creation to write a character in Hannah who was able to test my patience quite a lot!!
Another character to mention is Old Tom. A former teacher, now in his eighties, he comes into Hannah's life right when she needs that sense of order and a voice of reason to help her on her journey. He is a delightful character and I think everyone should have an Old Tom in their lives.
I was so drawn into this story that I felt I was living both Maddie's and Hannah's stories and so it brought familiar emotions to the surface - but this can only happen if the writing is strong enough to create such atmosphere and Liz Fenwick's writing is and does. This is her debut book, published in 2012, and I have read her later works prior to this. What a debut this must have been. I am so pleased that she has gone on to write and publish 5 more books and a novella and I look forward to reading A Path To The Sea next year.
I am writing this review having only finished The Cornish House about 15 minutes ago. It is very rare for me to do so as usually I need some time to allow my thoughts to order in my head, especially when I have felt such a deep connection with a book, as I did with this one. So, this review runs the risk of sounding like a series of ramblings rather than well thought out. What makes this one different? The effect that this particular book has had on me and how I needed to write my thoughts down straight away.
When Maddie and her 16 year old stepdaughter Hannah move to Cornwall, they are both hurting from Maddie losing her husband and Hannah, her father. Maddie has inherited Trevenen and feels it would be a fresh start for both of them.
The Cornish House is a story of love, loss, grief, and healing. It really shows how there is light at the end of the tunnel. It is so poignant and heartfelt and certainly pulled at my heartstrings - it had me in tears on a couple of occasions. There is a lovely romantic thread within it and a mystery to uncover too - especially as the house starts to reveal the secrets to its past.
I loved all of the characters in this story but Hannah was the one who had the most impact on me. At 16, she really is a moody teenager but as the story progresses we see and feel how much she is hurting from the loss of her father - something I can relate to. I am 15 years older than Hannah but I have felt those same raw emotions. However, I must admit that Hannah did get on my nerves at times but it is testament to Liz Fenwick's great character creation to write a character in Hannah who was able to test my patience quite a lot!!
Another character to mention is Old Tom. A former teacher, now in his eighties, he comes into Hannah's life right when she needs that sense of order and a voice of reason to help her on her journey. He is a delightful character and I think everyone should have an Old Tom in their lives.
I was so drawn into this story that I felt I was living both Maddie's and Hannah's stories and so it brought familiar emotions to the surface - but this can only happen if the writing is strong enough to create such atmosphere and Liz Fenwick's writing is and does. This is her debut book, published in 2012, and I have read her later works prior to this. What a debut this must have been. I am so pleased that she has gone on to write and publish 5 more books and a novella and I look forward to reading A Path To The Sea next year.
December 26, 2024
Well, Liz Fenwick has really cornered the market on all things Cornish, with just about a book a year since her first book on Cornwall – this one – published in 2012. This is my second Liz Fenwick and as this is her first book on the subject, I was expecting a lot of beautiful scenery and all things Cornwall. Instead, it was just family drama after family drama. Frankly Hannah, Maddie’s stepdaughter is terrible and actually hijacks the whole plot. I got so fed up with her that at one stage I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to finish the book. I was hoping for so much more. This definitely wasn’t a relaxing summer read. Despite all this, I am still planning to read another of Fenwick’s at some stage. Hopefully Hannah, or someone like her doesn’t make a reappearance. The Cornish House just scrapes in at 3 stars due to the other characters in the book, particularly Tamsin and Tom who I really enjoyed.
January 22, 2017
een heel ontroerend boek met interessante personages die je zo voor je ziet. een mooi verhaal over liefde en verlies, hoe je denkt dat mensen je zien en hoe je jezelf ziet, hoe mensen je kunnen verrassen en hoe je jezelf verrast.
August 18, 2012
The reader first meets Maddie and step-daughter Hannah when they’re almost at the end of their journey to reach Trevenen. They’ve been on the road from London since 2pm and have now been travelling for 8 hours. The car breaks down on a deserted country road. It’s Friday and a Bank Holiday weekend. Leaving Hannah asleep, Maddie goes off and eventually finds a home with a light on. The homeowner opens the door in a dishevelled state and after phoning the rescue service, walks Maddie back to the car. This is the first time that Mark Triggs rescues Maddie … Watching Maddie and Hannah interact, the reader knows there is a great deal of tension between them.
Narrated in the third person and switching between Maddie and Hannah’s point of view, the reader gets to experience how each of them handle their grief over John and settle into a small community. The tension between them is very real and affects them on many levels. There are some real heart-breaking scenes that we witness. At the end of each narration, the reader is left with either intrigue (and so questions that need answering!) or unresolved tension. This is a real page turner.
Hannah connects with her peers easily. Release from the tensions with Maddie comes from time spent with Old Tom. Retired school teacher, courteous and ‘old-fashioned’ he can say things to her that no-one else can. Old Tom is a key figure in many ways. One of my favourite scenes is with Hannah working the wood with him. I loved the way the author showed the connection between the wood and Hannah. It reminded me of the days when I used to go to work with my father in the holidays! Being a cabinet maker and French Polisher, I always thought my father had an almost mystical connection with the wood … the author explains this beautifully.
Decisions that were made when John was alive affect Maddie on a very deep level and so she is also carrying burdens from this time into the present time. Those decisions are hinted at so that we know there is also something else underlying Maddie’s grief although we don’t know what that is for sure for a long time. I made a tentative guess … I say tentative because I couldn’t work out the reason so thought I wasn’t correct. When we know the reason it makes perfect sense on a logical/practical level. It also links into the history of Trevenen.
There are two male leads … Mark Triggs who has emotional baggage from his past and has quite a reputation. His friendship with Maddie deepens which is enchanting to watch. To the reader it feels real and not contrived. The easiness they have with each and the intimacy pulls you in and I have to say affects your own emotions! The other lead is ‘The Viking’, Gunnar who is in the area researching. Both bring her trauma – unintentionally. I have to admit to falling in love with Mark myself. Who wouldn’t want a man who is always there in times of need and causes that type of chemical reaction : )
When Maddie enters Trevenen for the first time “The disturbance caused dust to swirl and a sigh seemed to emerge from the walls.” I loved the visuals this created.
The family history connection is woven through the story. If you read my reviews you will know how much I enjoy these threads. Maddie enters Trevenen knowing nothing and alongside our characters we find out a little at a time and so the truth builds. This is another page turner.
I felt the author captured a small community with its social dynamics really well. I feel as if I have been a part of it! I’ve felt doubt, pain and love. I’ve sat in the church and felt tears on my cheeks. I’ve felt anger and frustration at the world. Colours have caught my eye that I wanted to paint and I’ve eaten meals in the pub enjoying Tamsin’s banter.
The Cornish House is a stunning debut.
I would like to thank the author for choosing me to win a signed copy on Facebook. I am so glad she did! This is one of my favourite books this year.
Narrated in the third person and switching between Maddie and Hannah’s point of view, the reader gets to experience how each of them handle their grief over John and settle into a small community. The tension between them is very real and affects them on many levels. There are some real heart-breaking scenes that we witness. At the end of each narration, the reader is left with either intrigue (and so questions that need answering!) or unresolved tension. This is a real page turner.
Hannah connects with her peers easily. Release from the tensions with Maddie comes from time spent with Old Tom. Retired school teacher, courteous and ‘old-fashioned’ he can say things to her that no-one else can. Old Tom is a key figure in many ways. One of my favourite scenes is with Hannah working the wood with him. I loved the way the author showed the connection between the wood and Hannah. It reminded me of the days when I used to go to work with my father in the holidays! Being a cabinet maker and French Polisher, I always thought my father had an almost mystical connection with the wood … the author explains this beautifully.
Decisions that were made when John was alive affect Maddie on a very deep level and so she is also carrying burdens from this time into the present time. Those decisions are hinted at so that we know there is also something else underlying Maddie’s grief although we don’t know what that is for sure for a long time. I made a tentative guess … I say tentative because I couldn’t work out the reason so thought I wasn’t correct. When we know the reason it makes perfect sense on a logical/practical level. It also links into the history of Trevenen.
There are two male leads … Mark Triggs who has emotional baggage from his past and has quite a reputation. His friendship with Maddie deepens which is enchanting to watch. To the reader it feels real and not contrived. The easiness they have with each and the intimacy pulls you in and I have to say affects your own emotions! The other lead is ‘The Viking’, Gunnar who is in the area researching. Both bring her trauma – unintentionally. I have to admit to falling in love with Mark myself. Who wouldn’t want a man who is always there in times of need and causes that type of chemical reaction : )
When Maddie enters Trevenen for the first time “The disturbance caused dust to swirl and a sigh seemed to emerge from the walls.” I loved the visuals this created.
The family history connection is woven through the story. If you read my reviews you will know how much I enjoy these threads. Maddie enters Trevenen knowing nothing and alongside our characters we find out a little at a time and so the truth builds. This is another page turner.
I felt the author captured a small community with its social dynamics really well. I feel as if I have been a part of it! I’ve felt doubt, pain and love. I’ve sat in the church and felt tears on my cheeks. I’ve felt anger and frustration at the world. Colours have caught my eye that I wanted to paint and I’ve eaten meals in the pub enjoying Tamsin’s banter.
The Cornish House is a stunning debut.
I would like to thank the author for choosing me to win a signed copy on Facebook. I am so glad she did! This is one of my favourite books this year.
November 13, 2015
Hot off the heels from finishing The Cornish Affair, (which I loved) I jumped straight into The Cornish House. A little research told me that this was the correct chronological order for Liz Fenwick's series.
I really liked the cameos from characters from The Cornish Affair. Now I have read 3 of her books I see that such cameos are a constant intermittent theme throughout the series and that while each novel may be read in isolation by reading the whole series there is a whole extra level of characterization which opens up.
To me this book is a solid, highly enjoyable piece of fiction. I have given it 4 stars rather than 5 simply because its siblings "The Cornish Affair" and "The Cornish Stranger" are so extremely strong and I had to find a way to differentiate. If this were a book by any other author, or a stand-alone text I strongly suspect that I would rate it as 5*.
(Is it even ethical to mark an author down simply because her other work is so magnificent?)
I really liked the cameos from characters from The Cornish Affair. Now I have read 3 of her books I see that such cameos are a constant intermittent theme throughout the series and that while each novel may be read in isolation by reading the whole series there is a whole extra level of characterization which opens up.
To me this book is a solid, highly enjoyable piece of fiction. I have given it 4 stars rather than 5 simply because its siblings "The Cornish Affair" and "The Cornish Stranger" are so extremely strong and I had to find a way to differentiate. If this were a book by any other author, or a stand-alone text I strongly suspect that I would rate it as 5*.
(Is it even ethical to mark an author down simply because her other work is so magnificent?)
May 20, 2012
'The Cornish House' is an absolutely engrossing tale of love and grief, set in the magnificent landscape of Cornwall, which is beautifully portrayed. When a widow and her step-daughter try to start a new life as far from London as they can go, they don't expect their new house to play such a huge part in their lives. But it has a way of drawing out their secrets while slowly revealing its own. The process is painful, but ultimately healing, and the power of love and forgiveness proves that every hurdle can be overcome. A wonderful sweeping story that carries the reader along!
December 9, 2018
I really thought I would like this one but sadly no... Hannah is rude 90% of the book and Daphne gets white and almost faint everytime she hears something about her past relatives... Ppl she never knew even existed in the first place.. *roll eyes*.
I really like the cover though.
I really like the cover though.
August 14, 2021
NL scroll ⬇️
A nice story. Nothing fancy, simple writing, with an okay, but predictable storyline. Characters remained a bit flat. Not feeling them or Cornwall, as some people apparently did through this book. Enjoyable enough all in all. Whether I will be reading more by this author? Dunno...
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Een leuk verhaal. Niet spectaculair, eenvoudig geschreven, aangenaam maar voorspelbaar verhaal. Karakters bleven vlak. Ik voelde niet met ze mee, en voelde me niet in Cornwall, zoals sommige mensen klaarblijkelijk wel deden door dit boek. Goed leesbaar, al met al. Of ik nog meer van deze schrijfster lezen ga? Mwa...
A nice story. Nothing fancy, simple writing, with an okay, but predictable storyline. Characters remained a bit flat. Not feeling them or Cornwall, as some people apparently did through this book. Enjoyable enough all in all. Whether I will be reading more by this author? Dunno...
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Een leuk verhaal. Niet spectaculair, eenvoudig geschreven, aangenaam maar voorspelbaar verhaal. Karakters bleven vlak. Ik voelde niet met ze mee, en voelde me niet in Cornwall, zoals sommige mensen klaarblijkelijk wel deden door dit boek. Goed leesbaar, al met al. Of ik nog meer van deze schrijfster lezen ga? Mwa...
July 23, 2019
Your classic "cheesy feel-good novel". Not swept away by the writing but I have a soft spot for cheesy romance which made it hard to put this book down. A lovely light summer read for those cozy, lazy rainy days
August 14, 2024
Bra bok, fina miljöer och gripande handling. Har läst 3 böcker i serien men tyvärr i fel ordning. Men upplever att det ändå funkar.
November 2, 2013
What a lovely escapist and emotional read this début from Liz Fenwick is, I will definitely be reading her novels again. Her second novel A Cornish Affair was published in May of this year and she is already writing a third. Personally I find her writing reminiscent of that of Rosamunde Pilcher a novelist I was a great fan of until her retirement from writing in 2000.
The novel centres around 'Trevenen' the house of the title, as the novel starts the protagonist Maddie a recently widowed artist, arrives to make a home there with her step daughter. Having inherited the property Maddie is hoping that she and Hannah will be able to make a fresh start here. Neglected and rambling the house very soon gets under her skin and she becomes more and more interested in the past generations that have lived there. Her dream of a new life though is fraught with problems, the costs of repairing the house, her lack of inspiration for her art on which she depends for an income and last but not least her relationship with Hannah, which is far from easy. As Maddie and Hannah unravel the secrets of the house and start to settle it also becomes painfully obvious that they may not be able to afford to make it their home after all and may have to sell up.
Consider when you pick this up to read, which if you are a fan of this genre I can recommend, that this is a début novel, from an author that will continue to entertain us as her confidence grows and she becomes bolder in her writing. This is what I am hoping anyway.
http://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogspo...
The novel centres around 'Trevenen' the house of the title, as the novel starts the protagonist Maddie a recently widowed artist, arrives to make a home there with her step daughter. Having inherited the property Maddie is hoping that she and Hannah will be able to make a fresh start here. Neglected and rambling the house very soon gets under her skin and she becomes more and more interested in the past generations that have lived there. Her dream of a new life though is fraught with problems, the costs of repairing the house, her lack of inspiration for her art on which she depends for an income and last but not least her relationship with Hannah, which is far from easy. As Maddie and Hannah unravel the secrets of the house and start to settle it also becomes painfully obvious that they may not be able to afford to make it their home after all and may have to sell up.
Consider when you pick this up to read, which if you are a fan of this genre I can recommend, that this is a début novel, from an author that will continue to entertain us as her confidence grows and she becomes bolder in her writing. This is what I am hoping anyway.
http://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogspo...
July 17, 2012
Após uma grande perda, a morte do seu marido, Maddie decide deixar Londres e ir viver para a Cornualha com a sua enteada Hannah, para uma casa de nome Trevenen que acabou de herdar. Um novo começo estaria assim reservado para ambas, no entanto, estavam longe de imaginar a reviravolta que as suas vidas iriam sofrer.
Longe estava eu também de imaginar as emoções que iria sentir ao ler este livro: umas vezes alegria e divertimento, pelas peripécias que algumas personagens provocam, como a Tamsin; outras tristezas, pelos obstáculos que outras têm que ultrapassar e pelas privações que são obrigadas a viver, e ainda raiva, principalmente pela forma como Hannah encara por vezes as amarguras da vida e a forma como reage com a sua madrasta, Maddie.
Desta forma, este livro foi um verdadeiro turbilhão de sentimentos. Por vezes dava por mim a rir, mas foi com uma lágrima no olho que o terminei. Isto porque apesar de ao início achar a história a desenvolver vagarosamente, a dada altura dei por mim completamente vidrada no enredo e a torcer pelo seu desfecho positivo.
Um livro cheio de mistério, de grandes revelações, de puzzles que finalmente se encaixam. É também um livro que enaltece o amor, mas também a amizade. A autora tem ainda uma forma muito agradável de descrever as personagens, os locais e as paisagens.
Penso que com esta minha opinião deixei bem claro o gosto que tive ao ler “A Casa dos Sonhos” e que o aconselho. Contudo, deixo aqui a chamada de atenção para a edição do livro, uma vez que encontrei algumas falhas, nomeadamente frases por terminar e letras trocadas.
Longe estava eu também de imaginar as emoções que iria sentir ao ler este livro: umas vezes alegria e divertimento, pelas peripécias que algumas personagens provocam, como a Tamsin; outras tristezas, pelos obstáculos que outras têm que ultrapassar e pelas privações que são obrigadas a viver, e ainda raiva, principalmente pela forma como Hannah encara por vezes as amarguras da vida e a forma como reage com a sua madrasta, Maddie.
Desta forma, este livro foi um verdadeiro turbilhão de sentimentos. Por vezes dava por mim a rir, mas foi com uma lágrima no olho que o terminei. Isto porque apesar de ao início achar a história a desenvolver vagarosamente, a dada altura dei por mim completamente vidrada no enredo e a torcer pelo seu desfecho positivo.
Um livro cheio de mistério, de grandes revelações, de puzzles que finalmente se encaixam. É também um livro que enaltece o amor, mas também a amizade. A autora tem ainda uma forma muito agradável de descrever as personagens, os locais e as paisagens.
Penso que com esta minha opinião deixei bem claro o gosto que tive ao ler “A Casa dos Sonhos” e que o aconselho. Contudo, deixo aqui a chamada de atenção para a edição do livro, uma vez que encontrei algumas falhas, nomeadamente frases por terminar e letras trocadas.
September 2, 2013
I absolutely loved this many-layered book. This is a far more in-depth novel than the usual romantic novel. Recently widowed Madded moves to the beautiful but badly-in-need-of-repair house of the title. But who is her mysterious benefactor and how is Maddie related to her? Slowly the layers are revealed; teenage stepdaughter Hannah's fear of being abandoned which she hides behind a wall of stroppiness; Maddie's own guilty secret and, as an adoptee, her search for her own roots. Hero Mark has his own problems to overcome before he and Maddie can get together. All the characters are well-defined and totally believable. And, of course, the house itself, with its own secrets, plays a major role. Looking forward to reading Liz's next book A Cornish Affair.
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