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Išduota širdis
1955 metai, britų valdoma Malaja. Keletą savaičių slaugiusi poliomielitu užsikrėtusią draugę, Lidija grįžta namo. Tačiau vakarinės saulės nutvieksta Kartraitų šeimos vila skendi tyloje. Vyro Aleko ir dviejų dukrelių – nė ženklo, telefono linija neveikia, o tarnų taip pat nepavyksta prisišaukti. Išsigandusi ir pasimetusi Lidija jaučiasi išduota paties artimiausio žmogaus.
Galiausiai jauna moteris nuveja kylančią paniką ir ima veikti. Pasikliaudama apytikrėmis žiniomis, kurias pavyko išpešti iš Aleko viršininko, Lidija leidžiasi į pavojingą kelionę per pilietinio karo siaubiamus egzotiškos šalies miestus ir džiungles, puoselėdama viltį netrukus vėl apkabinti savo dukras.
„Išduota širdis" – tai kvapą gniaužianti drąsios moters istorija, kupina skaudžių paslapčių ir besąlygiškos meilės bei ryžto paaukoti viską, kad surastų savo vaikus.
Galiausiai jauna moteris nuveja kylančią paniką ir ima veikti. Pasikliaudama apytikrėmis žiniomis, kurias pavyko išpešti iš Aleko viršininko, Lidija leidžiasi į pavojingą kelionę per pilietinio karo siaubiamus egzotiškos šalies miestus ir džiungles, puoselėdama viltį netrukus vėl apkabinti savo dukras.
„Išduota širdis" – tai kvapą gniaužianti drąsios moters istorija, kupina skaudžių paslapčių ir besąlygiškos meilės bei ryžto paaukoti viską, kad surastų savo vaikus.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
340 people are currently reading
3357 people want to read
About the author
Dinah Jefferies
23 books1,286 followers*Breaking News* Richard & Judy pick THE TEA PLANTERS WIFE for their autumn bookclub 2015. Here's what Santa Montefiore said: ‘My ideal read; mystery, love, heart-break and joy – I couldn’t put it down.’
Here's what Richard Madeley said. "The Tea Planter’s Wife is so much more than a conventional love story, with all its twists and turns and guilt and betrayal...deeply impressive. The fetid, steamy atmosphere of the tropics rises from these pages like a humid mist. We are on a tea plantation in 1920s Ceylon and 19 year old Gwendolyn Hooper is the new bride of the owner, a wealthy and charming widower. But her romantic dreams of marriage are overshadowed by echoes from the past – an old trunk of musty dresses; an overgrown and neglected gravestone in the grounds. Her new husband refuses to talk about them. Gwen’s perfect man is becoming a perfect stranger…"
Quote from the great author Kate Furnivall about my first book THE SEPARATION:
'A powerful story of love and loss that is utterly captivating. I was drawn deep into the world of Malaya and England in the 1950s in this intense exploration of what it means to love. Beautifully written and wonderfully atmospheric, Dinah Jefferies skilfully captures this fragile moment of history in a complex and thrilling tale. THE SEPARATION is a gripping and intelligent read.'
In 1985, the sudden death of Dinah Jefferies’ fourteen year old son brought her life to a standstill. She drew on that experience, and on her own childhood spent in Malaya during the 1950s to write her debut novel, The Separation. The guns piled high on the hall table when the rubber planters came into town for a party, the colour and noise of Chinatown, the houses on stilts, and the lizards that left their tails behind.
Now living in Gloucestershire, Dinah once lived in Tuscany working as an au pair for an Italian countess; she has also lived in a ‘hippy’ rock’n roll commune based in an Elizabethan manor house, but started writing when she was living in a small 16th Century village in Spain.
Here's what Richard Madeley said. "The Tea Planter’s Wife is so much more than a conventional love story, with all its twists and turns and guilt and betrayal...deeply impressive. The fetid, steamy atmosphere of the tropics rises from these pages like a humid mist. We are on a tea plantation in 1920s Ceylon and 19 year old Gwendolyn Hooper is the new bride of the owner, a wealthy and charming widower. But her romantic dreams of marriage are overshadowed by echoes from the past – an old trunk of musty dresses; an overgrown and neglected gravestone in the grounds. Her new husband refuses to talk about them. Gwen’s perfect man is becoming a perfect stranger…"
Quote from the great author Kate Furnivall about my first book THE SEPARATION:
'A powerful story of love and loss that is utterly captivating. I was drawn deep into the world of Malaya and England in the 1950s in this intense exploration of what it means to love. Beautifully written and wonderfully atmospheric, Dinah Jefferies skilfully captures this fragile moment of history in a complex and thrilling tale. THE SEPARATION is a gripping and intelligent read.'
In 1985, the sudden death of Dinah Jefferies’ fourteen year old son brought her life to a standstill. She drew on that experience, and on her own childhood spent in Malaya during the 1950s to write her debut novel, The Separation. The guns piled high on the hall table when the rubber planters came into town for a party, the colour and noise of Chinatown, the houses on stilts, and the lizards that left their tails behind.
Now living in Gloucestershire, Dinah once lived in Tuscany working as an au pair for an Italian countess; she has also lived in a ‘hippy’ rock’n roll commune based in an Elizabethan manor house, but started writing when she was living in a small 16th Century village in Spain.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 303 reviews
December 13, 2022
It was 1953 when eleven year old Emma and her younger sister Fleur accompanied their father, Alec Cartwright, to the docks, where they were about to depart for England. The family had lived in Malaya for as long as the children remembered, and Emma loved it. But most of all, she loved her mother, and couldn't work out why she wasn't there, why their father wasn't waiting for Lydia before they left, and why he wouldn't answer their questions.
When Lydia arrived home, the house was empty - devoid of life. Where were her children, where was Alec? Lydia couldn't work out what had happened, but when she was told Alec and the girls had moved on to a small place for his new job, she set out to follow them. The jungle of Malaya was rife with terrorists and the danger was always with them. When the bus Lydia was travelling on was ambushed, she was lucky escape with her life, but she continued with her search. Devastation and grief travelled with her - would she ever see her children again?
The Separation is Dinah Jefferies debut novel, set in Malaya in the 1950s, where she herself was born. A well written story, a story of heartbreak and loss, of terror and grief, I loved Emma's character. She was a strong and determined child, and I admired her fortitude. I've thoroughly enjoyed everything I've read by this author, and this one was no exception. Highly recommended.
When Lydia arrived home, the house was empty - devoid of life. Where were her children, where was Alec? Lydia couldn't work out what had happened, but when she was told Alec and the girls had moved on to a small place for his new job, she set out to follow them. The jungle of Malaya was rife with terrorists and the danger was always with them. When the bus Lydia was travelling on was ambushed, she was lucky escape with her life, but she continued with her search. Devastation and grief travelled with her - would she ever see her children again?
The Separation is Dinah Jefferies debut novel, set in Malaya in the 1950s, where she herself was born. A well written story, a story of heartbreak and loss, of terror and grief, I loved Emma's character. She was a strong and determined child, and I admired her fortitude. I've thoroughly enjoyed everything I've read by this author, and this one was no exception. Highly recommended.
October 31, 2014
Malayan Emergency, the year is 1955, which is when the Malayan guerrilla war was being fought for an Anti-British government in Malaya. The period of Insurgency has occurred just after the Japanese troops left the country followed by Malayan economic disruption. The war is at its full form, and the red-headed Europeans were treated with disrespect.
A woman named Lydia Cartwright who found herself searching for her two young daughters amidst of deadly war and terrorism, murder, lies, and deceit. A wild goose chase for a ray of hope in the Malayan jungles, Lydia's life had never had been so terrorizing and so on the edge. A mother's painful journey of searching her daughters among pain and bloodshed and uncovering so many hidden puzzle pieces , mysteries and secrets, in the way letting her guard down for more than one time.
The Separation by Dinah Jefferies is an enriching and soul-touching story that is bound to be etched on to your hearts for a very long time.
I cannot thank enough to the author, Dinah Jefferies for providing me with a copy of her incredible novel to read and review the same.
I loved every bit of it and every piece of it. On the opening scene of the book, we see that Emma is playing with her younger sister, Fleur on their Malayan country home and then all of a sudden, their dad, Alec is asking them to pack off all their belongings hastily and all the while, Emma was asking what about their mother, Lydia, will she come with them, how will she know that they have left the house, worrying badly about her. When Lydia returns to the empty house, she meets Maznan, a young half-Chinese boy, who has to be rescued to be taken back into the jungle to his mother. And thus Lydia embarks upon a journey to save another mother's child and of her own daughters. From terrorist attacks to ambush to getting lost in a deep dark jungle which leads to uncertainty, how much pain can a mother take for the sake of her own daughters?
The Separation is a gorgeously-written and suspenseful tale about the pull between a mother and a daughter’s love and individual freedom, Lydia finding hers among Jack and Adil and Emma finding hers with a boy named Billy and among her fictional stories.
The author has a deep psychological grip on her characters, which are portrayed as versatile, flawed and sympathetic human beings, all achingly vulnerable, all wracked by fear, need and guilt.
Lydia, a perfect mother, always kept her daughters locket and the lizard earrings of her own mysterious mother as a lucky charm, has been a victim of lies and deceit. From getting torn apart from the world's most purest form of love to forcing to believe her children's death, a brave and fearless woman who is an epitome to the all the mothers of the world who teaches us that how to not lose hope and trust.
Emma, the most lovable and favorite character of this book, sweet and innocent, inevitably attached to her mother, from being a victim of sexual harassment to lies and torment of her own soul, a little girl, who believed in her heart that she will one day find her mother.
The characters are bound to draw a mark upon your mind. The emotions run deep and rich with pain and love and hope, and with every feeling of Lydia and Emma, you might find yourself, rooting for these two characters. Tears welled in my eyes in the climax scene and beautiful words and feelings of Emma, make it look all more delectable and emotional.
Honestly, I never wanted this book to finish, but after their separation, I so wanted Lydia to find Emma, to hold her, caress her and love and protect her from those vile, evil men. And I'm sure, like me, you too might lose yourself in this enthralling and heart-warming tale of a mother and daughter’s inevitable bond.
P.S. You will get a mesmerizing and something serene feeling when you look at that beautiful cover. And I wish, I could have given more than 5 stars to this book.
A woman named Lydia Cartwright who found herself searching for her two young daughters amidst of deadly war and terrorism, murder, lies, and deceit. A wild goose chase for a ray of hope in the Malayan jungles, Lydia's life had never had been so terrorizing and so on the edge. A mother's painful journey of searching her daughters among pain and bloodshed and uncovering so many hidden puzzle pieces , mysteries and secrets, in the way letting her guard down for more than one time.
The Separation by Dinah Jefferies is an enriching and soul-touching story that is bound to be etched on to your hearts for a very long time.
I cannot thank enough to the author, Dinah Jefferies for providing me with a copy of her incredible novel to read and review the same.
I loved every bit of it and every piece of it. On the opening scene of the book, we see that Emma is playing with her younger sister, Fleur on their Malayan country home and then all of a sudden, their dad, Alec is asking them to pack off all their belongings hastily and all the while, Emma was asking what about their mother, Lydia, will she come with them, how will she know that they have left the house, worrying badly about her. When Lydia returns to the empty house, she meets Maznan, a young half-Chinese boy, who has to be rescued to be taken back into the jungle to his mother. And thus Lydia embarks upon a journey to save another mother's child and of her own daughters. From terrorist attacks to ambush to getting lost in a deep dark jungle which leads to uncertainty, how much pain can a mother take for the sake of her own daughters?
The Separation is a gorgeously-written and suspenseful tale about the pull between a mother and a daughter’s love and individual freedom, Lydia finding hers among Jack and Adil and Emma finding hers with a boy named Billy and among her fictional stories.
The author has a deep psychological grip on her characters, which are portrayed as versatile, flawed and sympathetic human beings, all achingly vulnerable, all wracked by fear, need and guilt.
Lydia, a perfect mother, always kept her daughters locket and the lizard earrings of her own mysterious mother as a lucky charm, has been a victim of lies and deceit. From getting torn apart from the world's most purest form of love to forcing to believe her children's death, a brave and fearless woman who is an epitome to the all the mothers of the world who teaches us that how to not lose hope and trust.
Emma, the most lovable and favorite character of this book, sweet and innocent, inevitably attached to her mother, from being a victim of sexual harassment to lies and torment of her own soul, a little girl, who believed in her heart that she will one day find her mother.
The characters are bound to draw a mark upon your mind. The emotions run deep and rich with pain and love and hope, and with every feeling of Lydia and Emma, you might find yourself, rooting for these two characters. Tears welled in my eyes in the climax scene and beautiful words and feelings of Emma, make it look all more delectable and emotional.
Honestly, I never wanted this book to finish, but after their separation, I so wanted Lydia to find Emma, to hold her, caress her and love and protect her from those vile, evil men. And I'm sure, like me, you too might lose yourself in this enthralling and heart-warming tale of a mother and daughter’s inevitable bond.
P.S. You will get a mesmerizing and something serene feeling when you look at that beautiful cover. And I wish, I could have given more than 5 stars to this book.
October 23, 2018
Dinah Jefferies just does it for me. I love her writing and the way she creates characters that you just connect with. The locations are a big part of her books and always at a point of political upheaval. In this book, Malaya is the country experiencing the political changes and as a result, Lydia loses contact with her daughters and husband and there are no traces.
This story shows the despair a mother goes through losing her daughters and the steps she will make to discover the truth.
This story shows the despair a mother goes through losing her daughters and the steps she will make to discover the truth.
December 21, 2022
4★s
I found The Separation to be a thoroughly enjoyable and engrossing piece of historical fiction. Set in the 1950s, the story switches between the colourful, steamy environment of tropical Malaya and the dull, grey chill of the English Midlands. The historical period in Malaya, The Emergency, is one of Communist insurgency and guerrilla warfare, in the time leading up to Independence and the cutting of ties with the British empire. I was aware that Australian Defence Forces personnel served in Malaya during this time but knew nothing about the conflict. So I am grateful that I learned something historically meaningful from this novel.
The story is told from two perspectives, that of a mother and her daughter, who were separated by a series of events that kept them ignorant of each other’s lives for many years. The chapters relating to the mother, Lydia Cartwright, are told in the third person, while the reader gets the older daughter Emma’s accounts in the first person. Both characters are strong personalities, vividly portrayed, and I found myself invested in their often fraught situations…and there were a lot of those situations. This novel is packed with episodes which take the narrative into new spheres and involve many different characters.
The Cartwright family unit was shattered by the abrupt actions of Lydia’s husband, Alec, and it takes a long time in the novel for his reasons to become clear. The author does well in examining the social values of the era, in particular the dominance of patriarchal attitudes towards women and girls. It was through the sexist attitudes of Alec’s pompous boss George that the separation of the two Cartwright girls from their mother was made possible. The dramas of the Emergency depicted in the novel owe much to the conduct of the British colonial authorities of the time, a theme which resonated with me here in Australia, today, where colonialism is being re-evaluated in light of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Two of the many excellent secondary characters really stood out for me…first there was the disgustingly creepy Englishman Mr Oliver who molested Emma, with massive consequences in an era when women did not speak up about sexual abuse, and second, the glamorous socialite Cicely who was generous in her support for Lydia as the latter faced so many traumatic events in Malaya.
Cicely: ‘Men never know what’s really going on. Darling, you look a fright. I think a bath for you and then something to eat.’
‘I always thought men were the ones who DID know what was going on,’ Lydia said.
Cicely laughed and waggled a pointed finger at her. ‘You have a lot to learn, my girl.’
The author’s depiction of life in Malaya and Singapore for both British colonists and natives imparts a strong feeling of authenticity. Dinah Jefferies spent the first nine years of her life there. Her memories of the Asian settings, with their colour, heat, smells and sounds convey a powerful sense of place.
Although I was strongly engaged with the story, I was frustrated with some of the plot developments, which is reflected in the rating I have given. In some parts of Lydia’s narrative, there seemed to be a bit too much repetition of her emotional woes. There is a major sub-plot regarding the native boy Maz, whom Lydia takes in and cares for, which seemed to me to be excessively complicated. Maz himself is a delightful character, who gives the story some warmth and levity, while giving Lydia a reason to keep going in the face of adversity.
It seemed that the mother and her two children would be separated for ever, yet I hoped for their reconciliation. Their emotional losses were deeply felt, impacting on their relationships with everyone around them. But their memories persisted, and their love never waned. Above all else, this is a novel about love and loyalty, about women’s strength and resilience in the face of hardship and deprivation.
I found The Separation to be a thoroughly enjoyable and engrossing piece of historical fiction. Set in the 1950s, the story switches between the colourful, steamy environment of tropical Malaya and the dull, grey chill of the English Midlands. The historical period in Malaya, The Emergency, is one of Communist insurgency and guerrilla warfare, in the time leading up to Independence and the cutting of ties with the British empire. I was aware that Australian Defence Forces personnel served in Malaya during this time but knew nothing about the conflict. So I am grateful that I learned something historically meaningful from this novel.
The story is told from two perspectives, that of a mother and her daughter, who were separated by a series of events that kept them ignorant of each other’s lives for many years. The chapters relating to the mother, Lydia Cartwright, are told in the third person, while the reader gets the older daughter Emma’s accounts in the first person. Both characters are strong personalities, vividly portrayed, and I found myself invested in their often fraught situations…and there were a lot of those situations. This novel is packed with episodes which take the narrative into new spheres and involve many different characters.
The Cartwright family unit was shattered by the abrupt actions of Lydia’s husband, Alec, and it takes a long time in the novel for his reasons to become clear. The author does well in examining the social values of the era, in particular the dominance of patriarchal attitudes towards women and girls. It was through the sexist attitudes of Alec’s pompous boss George that the separation of the two Cartwright girls from their mother was made possible. The dramas of the Emergency depicted in the novel owe much to the conduct of the British colonial authorities of the time, a theme which resonated with me here in Australia, today, where colonialism is being re-evaluated in light of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Two of the many excellent secondary characters really stood out for me…first there was the disgustingly creepy Englishman Mr Oliver who molested Emma, with massive consequences in an era when women did not speak up about sexual abuse, and second, the glamorous socialite Cicely who was generous in her support for Lydia as the latter faced so many traumatic events in Malaya.
Cicely: ‘Men never know what’s really going on. Darling, you look a fright. I think a bath for you and then something to eat.’
‘I always thought men were the ones who DID know what was going on,’ Lydia said.
Cicely laughed and waggled a pointed finger at her. ‘You have a lot to learn, my girl.’
The author’s depiction of life in Malaya and Singapore for both British colonists and natives imparts a strong feeling of authenticity. Dinah Jefferies spent the first nine years of her life there. Her memories of the Asian settings, with their colour, heat, smells and sounds convey a powerful sense of place.
Although I was strongly engaged with the story, I was frustrated with some of the plot developments, which is reflected in the rating I have given. In some parts of Lydia’s narrative, there seemed to be a bit too much repetition of her emotional woes. There is a major sub-plot regarding the native boy Maz, whom Lydia takes in and cares for, which seemed to me to be excessively complicated. Maz himself is a delightful character, who gives the story some warmth and levity, while giving Lydia a reason to keep going in the face of adversity.
It seemed that the mother and her two children would be separated for ever, yet I hoped for their reconciliation. Their emotional losses were deeply felt, impacting on their relationships with everyone around them. But their memories persisted, and their love never waned. Above all else, this is a novel about love and loyalty, about women’s strength and resilience in the face of hardship and deprivation.
July 23, 2018
Estrangement
The Separation is a book about a devastating impromptu separation between a mother and her daughters. What were the unknown events that led to the separation, was it accidental or planned. Were her family murdered, kidnapped or was it a deliberate estrangement? The unknown sends Lydia into turmoil and desperation and she will not stop until she discovers what happened. Her help comes in the form of someone she can't be sure she can trust. But what choice does she have? What are the consequences?
The story backdrop is Malaya in the 1950s and it adds to the atmosphere not only because of the tropical, simmering environment but the context in which the region was facing with insurgents challenging the British colonial rule.
Dinah Jefferies takes the reader on a very captivating, breath-taking and atmospheric journey through a foreign land on a mission of despair and hope and eventually resolution. It is an easy read that helps with the fast pace of the book.
The Separation is a book about a devastating impromptu separation between a mother and her daughters. What were the unknown events that led to the separation, was it accidental or planned. Were her family murdered, kidnapped or was it a deliberate estrangement? The unknown sends Lydia into turmoil and desperation and she will not stop until she discovers what happened. Her help comes in the form of someone she can't be sure she can trust. But what choice does she have? What are the consequences?
The story backdrop is Malaya in the 1950s and it adds to the atmosphere not only because of the tropical, simmering environment but the context in which the region was facing with insurgents challenging the British colonial rule.
Dinah Jefferies takes the reader on a very captivating, breath-taking and atmospheric journey through a foreign land on a mission of despair and hope and eventually resolution. It is an easy read that helps with the fast pace of the book.
July 21, 2016
Having being absolutely captivated by the authors debut novel, I was looking forward to this second exploration of historical fiction set in a mysterious and exotic location. The author creates a very vivid portrait of 1950s Malaya (I had to Google its exact location in the world, I have to admit I wasn't a hundred percent sure where it was..) although doesn't quite live up to her previous works, a tall order I realise.
The novel is told from two perspectives; that of mother Lidia and her eldest daughter Emma, the latter being in first person. I enjoyed reading Emma's chapters the most, it was interesting to see a young adults perspective on growing up in Malaya having adapted from her English roots.
When Lidia returns from visiting her sick friend, she comes home to find her husband and two beloved daughters missing without trace. In a country at civil war, littered with police corruption and dangerous animals within the Malayan jungle, what hope is there?
I found the first half of the book very enjoyable, however the second half became rather tedious and there were a lot of different people to keep track of. Some of the writing also felt repetitive, which is a real shame, as the quality of the book could have been so much better.
The author is gifted at historical fiction, without a doubt. She accurately describes real events and weaves her characters into them, which is to be applauded. Unlike her debut, 'The Tea Planters Wife', this just isn't as riveting and I found some of the character development poor; Lidia's husband being the main culprit. I also felt some aspects of the story didn't finish the way I had anticipated and the ending was too abrupt.
I would like to read a third novel by this author; as a fan of historical fiction anyway, I feel she deserves credit for her talents in this genre, even if this book didn't quite hit the mark for me.
The novel is told from two perspectives; that of mother Lidia and her eldest daughter Emma, the latter being in first person. I enjoyed reading Emma's chapters the most, it was interesting to see a young adults perspective on growing up in Malaya having adapted from her English roots.
When Lidia returns from visiting her sick friend, she comes home to find her husband and two beloved daughters missing without trace. In a country at civil war, littered with police corruption and dangerous animals within the Malayan jungle, what hope is there?
I found the first half of the book very enjoyable, however the second half became rather tedious and there were a lot of different people to keep track of. Some of the writing also felt repetitive, which is a real shame, as the quality of the book could have been so much better.
The author is gifted at historical fiction, without a doubt. She accurately describes real events and weaves her characters into them, which is to be applauded. Unlike her debut, 'The Tea Planters Wife', this just isn't as riveting and I found some of the character development poor; Lidia's husband being the main culprit. I also felt some aspects of the story didn't finish the way I had anticipated and the ending was too abrupt.
I would like to read a third novel by this author; as a fan of historical fiction anyway, I feel she deserves credit for her talents in this genre, even if this book didn't quite hit the mark for me.
July 17, 2014
I think Dinah Jefferies is for me a 'broad brush' writer. The overall plot of this novel is good but some of the fine lines and detail do not convince and lack depth.
To draw some positives; the descriptions of Malaya are good. As Lydia reflects; "The dark green hell of Malaya terrified her, yet the beauty of it had crept under her skin", but even here, it would have been good to have gone a little deeper into why and how the country's beauty had had this impact. Lydia is crashing through so many plot driving issues that we don't really see or feel why she has this emotional relationship with Malaya.
But positives; some of the writing is intense and works well. Two passages stand out; when Emma finally admits her abuse is handled well and Lydia following the woman in blue through the streets of Malacca also is gripping. The end of the novel is also nicely paced and brought a lot of issues to a rewarding conclusion.
This would seem a plot rather than character novel. Apart from Lydia and Emma most of the characters seem there to drive the plot and lack real life and any real depth. The description of Jack and his sexual prowess just seemed to be the stuff of female fantasy and his demise did not interest or touch me at all because he had never come alive anyway. Lydia's claims of moral conflict with her relationship with Jack and the ease with which she resumes a sexual relationship with him may have been the actions of an emotionally confused woman but also meant this theme, or part of the novel, lacked any gravitas. Exactly the same could be said of her relationship with Adil. Their relationship is just too predictable and grows too fast to convince.
I have never argued that novels are gender orientated but I have a hunch this may be an exception to that rule. I suspect that the descriptions of Lydia's sexual encounters may be more to the female taste rather than male taste.
For me the real problem with this novel is that too much happens, too many issues are raised for any of them to be developed to any depth. The impact of colonial life, gorilla warfare, emotional impacts of an institutional upbringing, child abuse, love, betrayal and more, all there to feed the plot but no real depth.
I should not be unfair. If you like a lot of 'action' and incident heavy plot driven novels then you will like this. As I said earlier, it is good broad brush writing. If you prefer the fine lines to exact, depth in your characters and incident tight and used sparingly, the you may be disappointed. I am prepared to say this wasn't really for me.
To draw some positives; the descriptions of Malaya are good. As Lydia reflects; "The dark green hell of Malaya terrified her, yet the beauty of it had crept under her skin", but even here, it would have been good to have gone a little deeper into why and how the country's beauty had had this impact. Lydia is crashing through so many plot driving issues that we don't really see or feel why she has this emotional relationship with Malaya.
But positives; some of the writing is intense and works well. Two passages stand out; when Emma finally admits her abuse is handled well and Lydia following the woman in blue through the streets of Malacca also is gripping. The end of the novel is also nicely paced and brought a lot of issues to a rewarding conclusion.
This would seem a plot rather than character novel. Apart from Lydia and Emma most of the characters seem there to drive the plot and lack real life and any real depth. The description of Jack and his sexual prowess just seemed to be the stuff of female fantasy and his demise did not interest or touch me at all because he had never come alive anyway. Lydia's claims of moral conflict with her relationship with Jack and the ease with which she resumes a sexual relationship with him may have been the actions of an emotionally confused woman but also meant this theme, or part of the novel, lacked any gravitas. Exactly the same could be said of her relationship with Adil. Their relationship is just too predictable and grows too fast to convince.
I have never argued that novels are gender orientated but I have a hunch this may be an exception to that rule. I suspect that the descriptions of Lydia's sexual encounters may be more to the female taste rather than male taste.
For me the real problem with this novel is that too much happens, too many issues are raised for any of them to be developed to any depth. The impact of colonial life, gorilla warfare, emotional impacts of an institutional upbringing, child abuse, love, betrayal and more, all there to feed the plot but no real depth.
I should not be unfair. If you like a lot of 'action' and incident heavy plot driven novels then you will like this. As I said earlier, it is good broad brush writing. If you prefer the fine lines to exact, depth in your characters and incident tight and used sparingly, the you may be disappointed. I am prepared to say this wasn't really for me.
March 28, 2018
The Separation mi-a plăcut cel mai mult dintre cele trei cărți citite de la Dinah Jefferies. Este romanul ei de debut și mi se pare puțin ciudat că nu a fost tradus și la noi. Sper că totuși se va traduce, pentru că merită citit. E o dramă de familie profundă, care mi-a intrat în suflet. Nu mai vorbesc din nou despre stilul autoarei și talentul ei de a reda atmosfera și de a te vrăji.
Romanul spune povestea Lydiei, o mamă care se întoarce acasă și găsește o casă goală, căci soțul ei, Alec, a dispărut, luându-le cu el pe cele două fete, Emily și Fleur. Întregul roman este o căutare. Legătura dintre mamă și fiică este prezentată foarte frumos. Ele se caută permanent, din Malaezia până în Anglia, în plin război, într-o lume acaparată de sărăcie și distrugere. Suferința Lydiei este palpabilă. Nici nu vreau să îmi imaginez cum se simte o mamă care își caută disperată copiii, mai ales într-o lume atât de periculoasă, în plin război civil. O mamă pe care toată lumea o minte și încearcă să o facă să creadă ca trebuie să meargă mai departe, căci nu mai e nimic de găsit. Lydia e nevoită să lupte împotriva tuturor și împotriva ei însăși pentru a-și asculta inima și a continua să-și caute fetele. La polul opus, micuța Emily resimte și ea despărțirea de mamă, dorul, singurătatea într-o lume nouă, unde nu se poate adapta. Să fii smuls din țara ta natală, din căminul tău și de la pieptul mamei e îngrozitor, chiar dacă cel care face asta e însuși tatăl tău.
Lydia a făcut și face multe greșeli pe parcursul romanului. Am încercat să nu o judec pentru relația ei cu Jack și mai apoi cu Adil. Cred că pur și simplu avea nevoie de cineva care să o ajute să uite de singurătate, de dor, de ea însăși. Oricum, a plătit destul de scump pentru greșelile ei. Din păcate pentru Em și Fleur, și ele au avut de suferit. Cumva lucrurile au părut mai ușoare pentru Fleur, ea fiind mai mică și mai atașată de tatăl ei decât de Lydia, însă cred că acesta nu a putut compensa lipsa figurii materne.
Mi-a plăcut romanul, deși a fost previzibil. Am trecut peste tot ce critic de obicei la un roman, pentru că mesajul transmis a fost mai important decât detaliile tehnice. Genul acesta de roman are ca scop doar să-ți ajungă la inimă, să te facă să suferi alături de personaje, chiar dacă le placi sau nu, să te pui în locul lor într-un scenariu atât de negru și să te bucuri pentru ele la final. Romanul acesta îți dă speranță și încredere. Încredere că, orice s-ar întâmpla cu/pe lumea asta, legătura dintre mamă și fiică nu poate fi niciodată ruptă, pentru că nu e pământeană. :)
Recomand!
Romanul spune povestea Lydiei, o mamă care se întoarce acasă și găsește o casă goală, căci soțul ei, Alec, a dispărut, luându-le cu el pe cele două fete, Emily și Fleur. Întregul roman este o căutare. Legătura dintre mamă și fiică este prezentată foarte frumos. Ele se caută permanent, din Malaezia până în Anglia, în plin război, într-o lume acaparată de sărăcie și distrugere. Suferința Lydiei este palpabilă. Nici nu vreau să îmi imaginez cum se simte o mamă care își caută disperată copiii, mai ales într-o lume atât de periculoasă, în plin război civil. O mamă pe care toată lumea o minte și încearcă să o facă să creadă ca trebuie să meargă mai departe, căci nu mai e nimic de găsit. Lydia e nevoită să lupte împotriva tuturor și împotriva ei însăși pentru a-și asculta inima și a continua să-și caute fetele. La polul opus, micuța Emily resimte și ea despărțirea de mamă, dorul, singurătatea într-o lume nouă, unde nu se poate adapta. Să fii smuls din țara ta natală, din căminul tău și de la pieptul mamei e îngrozitor, chiar dacă cel care face asta e însuși tatăl tău.
Lydia a făcut și face multe greșeli pe parcursul romanului. Am încercat să nu o judec pentru relația ei cu Jack și mai apoi cu Adil. Cred că pur și simplu avea nevoie de cineva care să o ajute să uite de singurătate, de dor, de ea însăși. Oricum, a plătit destul de scump pentru greșelile ei. Din păcate pentru Em și Fleur, și ele au avut de suferit. Cumva lucrurile au părut mai ușoare pentru Fleur, ea fiind mai mică și mai atașată de tatăl ei decât de Lydia, însă cred că acesta nu a putut compensa lipsa figurii materne.
Mi-a plăcut romanul, deși a fost previzibil. Am trecut peste tot ce critic de obicei la un roman, pentru că mesajul transmis a fost mai important decât detaliile tehnice. Genul acesta de roman are ca scop doar să-ți ajungă la inimă, să te facă să suferi alături de personaje, chiar dacă le placi sau nu, să te pui în locul lor într-un scenariu atât de negru și să te bucuri pentru ele la final. Romanul acesta îți dă speranță și încredere. Încredere că, orice s-ar întâmpla cu/pe lumea asta, legătura dintre mamă și fiică nu poate fi niciodată ruptă, pentru că nu e pământeană. :)
Recomand!
September 21, 2017
He disfrutado mucho esta novela, recorriendo Malasia con ella.
Describe una historia muy tierna, donde se palpa la nostalgia y la fuerza de la protagonista. Además describe la época colonial inglesa y la Emergencia, con lo quedemos he aprendido un poquito.
Aunque el argumento no nos da muchas sorpresas, no se hace aburrido, todo lo contrario, se llena de personajes muy nobles y de segundas oportunidades.
Me ha gustado mucho la historia y su desenlace.
Describe una historia muy tierna, donde se palpa la nostalgia y la fuerza de la protagonista. Además describe la época colonial inglesa y la Emergencia, con lo quedemos he aprendido un poquito.
Aunque el argumento no nos da muchas sorpresas, no se hace aburrido, todo lo contrario, se llena de personajes muy nobles y de segundas oportunidades.
Me ha gustado mucho la historia y su desenlace.
February 3, 2016
I found this debut novel by Dinah Jefferies an emotional, atmospheric and gripping read. I was engrossed in the story from the very start. I found myself drawn deeply into the story and grew to care very much about the lives of Lydia Cartwright and her eldest daughter Emma in particular. These are the two main characters whose stories we follow throughout the novel, supported by a well drawn and diverse cast of other family, friends and accomplices in Malaya and in England.
The setting in Malaya (now Malaysia) is vividly conjured by Dinah Jefferies; the sights, the colours, the creatures, the jungle and the dangers that lurked thereabouts, the people depicted in evocative prose that provides an authentic background to Lydia's journey. It is not a place or time I knew much about and I felt transported there to the time of the Malayan Emergency and plunged back into history as I read. I read at the end that the author had spent some of her childhood in Malaya and I think her experience and sense of the place comes through vividly to the reader through her evocative writing. In addition to this there is the murky sense of wrongdoing lingering, which the characters have to uncover for themselves but much of which the reader is party to, making for a heartbreaking read at times.
I could feel the pain Emma felt at being separated from her mother, and I was so sad and angry about the things Lydia heard and was told about her daughters Emma and Fleur. Lydia was distraught and heart broken, her life had been pulled from under her, so that at the worst point;
'She felt herself slipping far away beneath the surface of life, where nothing could reach her, where there was no love, no pain, and there was no point in hoping.'
I loved how Emma found escape and solace in her creative writing;
'Sometimes I felt the world was too unfair, so when things got really bad I wrote stories. I loved the way you could make up anything you wanted.'
It was powerful stuff for me as a reader, to know what each of them was going through, and I was desperately willing things to come right, for the truth to be revealed. The structure was one I liked; chapters with Emma narrating in the first person, and then Lydia's experiences told of in the third person, and both voices held my attention, though I admit to warming most of all to Emma. My favourite passage from the book is one of Emma's thoughts;
'...I imagined a fine line that wound halfway round the world. It was the invisible thread that stretched from west to east and back again; one end was attached to my mother's heart and the other to mine. And, I knew, whatever might happen, that thread would never be broken.'
Those words really struck me and felt so heartfelt and moving, they conveyed to me how strong the emotional attachment was between Lydia and Emma, that it could not and would not be broken despite them not being together physically.
I don't want to slip into giving any spoilers as to how the tale unfolds; I would say that I liked in particular the characters Emma and Lydia and the very strong bond between them, and I admired Veronica on how she conducted herself. Lydia showed courage and kindness in caring for the young child Maz whose mother has abandoned him we are told. One character's deceitful behaviour was to me unbearably, terribly cruel and I could not wait for the moment when this might finally be exposed. There are various intriguing strands to the story, beginning right at the prologue, which made me wonder and which are brought together and resolved by the end of the novel in a successful way.
I found this an absorbing story that took me to a destination unfamiliar to me, opened my eyes to another place and time in our history, and it is a beautifully written story with plenty of tension and depth. A very good read throughout with a heart wrenching last hundred pages or so; I felt emotional towards the end as the last few stages of the story were played out. I had been deeply drawn into Emma's and Lydia's worlds and still think about them after closing the book. A gorgeous book cover too.
4.5 stars
The setting in Malaya (now Malaysia) is vividly conjured by Dinah Jefferies; the sights, the colours, the creatures, the jungle and the dangers that lurked thereabouts, the people depicted in evocative prose that provides an authentic background to Lydia's journey. It is not a place or time I knew much about and I felt transported there to the time of the Malayan Emergency and plunged back into history as I read. I read at the end that the author had spent some of her childhood in Malaya and I think her experience and sense of the place comes through vividly to the reader through her evocative writing. In addition to this there is the murky sense of wrongdoing lingering, which the characters have to uncover for themselves but much of which the reader is party to, making for a heartbreaking read at times.
I could feel the pain Emma felt at being separated from her mother, and I was so sad and angry about the things Lydia heard and was told about her daughters Emma and Fleur. Lydia was distraught and heart broken, her life had been pulled from under her, so that at the worst point;
'She felt herself slipping far away beneath the surface of life, where nothing could reach her, where there was no love, no pain, and there was no point in hoping.'
I loved how Emma found escape and solace in her creative writing;
'Sometimes I felt the world was too unfair, so when things got really bad I wrote stories. I loved the way you could make up anything you wanted.'
It was powerful stuff for me as a reader, to know what each of them was going through, and I was desperately willing things to come right, for the truth to be revealed. The structure was one I liked; chapters with Emma narrating in the first person, and then Lydia's experiences told of in the third person, and both voices held my attention, though I admit to warming most of all to Emma. My favourite passage from the book is one of Emma's thoughts;
'...I imagined a fine line that wound halfway round the world. It was the invisible thread that stretched from west to east and back again; one end was attached to my mother's heart and the other to mine. And, I knew, whatever might happen, that thread would never be broken.'
Those words really struck me and felt so heartfelt and moving, they conveyed to me how strong the emotional attachment was between Lydia and Emma, that it could not and would not be broken despite them not being together physically.
I don't want to slip into giving any spoilers as to how the tale unfolds; I would say that I liked in particular the characters Emma and Lydia and the very strong bond between them, and I admired Veronica on how she conducted herself. Lydia showed courage and kindness in caring for the young child Maz whose mother has abandoned him we are told. One character's deceitful behaviour was to me unbearably, terribly cruel and I could not wait for the moment when this might finally be exposed. There are various intriguing strands to the story, beginning right at the prologue, which made me wonder and which are brought together and resolved by the end of the novel in a successful way.
I found this an absorbing story that took me to a destination unfamiliar to me, opened my eyes to another place and time in our history, and it is a beautifully written story with plenty of tension and depth. A very good read throughout with a heart wrenching last hundred pages or so; I felt emotional towards the end as the last few stages of the story were played out. I had been deeply drawn into Emma's and Lydia's worlds and still think about them after closing the book. A gorgeous book cover too.
4.5 stars
August 8, 2023
▪︎ "Și, cu toate că mami nu era cu adevărat aici, mi-am imaginat o linie subțire care ajungea până în cealaltă jumătate de lume, un fir subțire ce se întindea de la vest la est și înapoi, cu un capăt legat de inima mamei mele, iar cu celălalt, de a mea. Și am știut că, orice s-ar întâmpla, firul acesta nu se va rupe niciodată."
▪︎ "Vorba e de argint, tăcerea e de aur."
▪︎ "Se simți lunecând departe, dincolo de viață, unde nimic nu o putea ajunge, unde nu există nici dragoste, nici durere și nici speranța nu are vreun rost."
▪︎ "Cum ar fi putut să cunoască puterea dulce-amăruie pe care o are un copil asupra inimii tale? Felul în care ți-ai da viata într-o clipă pentru el. Cât e de greu, atunci când un copil moare, să mai poți respira."
▪︎ "Cât de trist ar fi fost ca pasiunea să treacă și să descopere că, de fapt, nu fusese nimic mai mult."
▪︎ " - Bunica se mai întoarce vreodată?
- Hai să ne aducem aminte de lucrurile frumoase. [...] Mi-au dat lacrimile și mi s-a tăiat respirația. Of, bunico, îmi pare atât de rău că nu ești aici. Eram tristă nu doar pentru că nu mai era aici, cu noi, ci și pentru că mi-am adus aminte cum viața poate decurge normal o vreme, pentru ca apoi totul să se sfârșească. "
▪︎ "Îmi pare rău că nu am fost cinstit cu tine în ceea ce privește trecutul meu. Iar acum ... iată-l. Se bagă între noi și distruge prezentul."
▪︎ "Credeam că reușisem să-mi ascund durerea, dar oare era încă vizibilă în ochii mei?"
Personaje: Lydia, Alec, Jack, Emma, Fleur, Maznan, Veronica, Adil
Acțiunea romanului se petrece în timpul Insurecției comuniste din Malaya (acum Federația Malaysia) din anii '50, iar protagoniștii sunt membrii familiei Cartwright (Lydia, Alec și cele două fiice - Emma și Fleur).
Romanul debutează cu hotărârea lui Alec de a pleca, împreună cu fetele, din Malaya, părăsind-o pe Lydia, care urma să se întoarcă dintr-o călătorie făcută unei prietene. Romanul este narat din două perspective - perspectiva Lydiei și perspectiva Emmei, și urmărește evoluția acestora pe parcursul timpului și încercarea lor de a se regăsi. Tatăl lor află că a fost înșelat de soția sa și, prin urmare, decide să o părăsească, luându-i și copiii, însă fata cea mare nu se dă bătută și încearcă să se reîntâlnească cu mama sa.
Romanul are multe răsturnări de situație, prin care personajele trebuie să treacă și să își dea seama ce au de făcut în continuare.
Este o poveste frumoasă, despre familie și despărțirea de aceasta, despre adulter, iubire și încercarea de regăsire. Mi-a plăcut modul de narare a acțiunii, evidențierea personajelor și modul în care s-au legat toate evenimentele, la sfârșit. Este a doua carte de-a autoarei pe care o citesc și pot spune că îmi place stilul ei. Cu siguranță voi citi și celelalte cărți publicate de aceasta.❤️
▪︎ "Vorba e de argint, tăcerea e de aur."
▪︎ "Se simți lunecând departe, dincolo de viață, unde nimic nu o putea ajunge, unde nu există nici dragoste, nici durere și nici speranța nu are vreun rost."
▪︎ "Cum ar fi putut să cunoască puterea dulce-amăruie pe care o are un copil asupra inimii tale? Felul în care ți-ai da viata într-o clipă pentru el. Cât e de greu, atunci când un copil moare, să mai poți respira."
▪︎ "Cât de trist ar fi fost ca pasiunea să treacă și să descopere că, de fapt, nu fusese nimic mai mult."
▪︎ " - Bunica se mai întoarce vreodată?
- Hai să ne aducem aminte de lucrurile frumoase. [...] Mi-au dat lacrimile și mi s-a tăiat respirația. Of, bunico, îmi pare atât de rău că nu ești aici. Eram tristă nu doar pentru că nu mai era aici, cu noi, ci și pentru că mi-am adus aminte cum viața poate decurge normal o vreme, pentru ca apoi totul să se sfârșească. "
▪︎ "Îmi pare rău că nu am fost cinstit cu tine în ceea ce privește trecutul meu. Iar acum ... iată-l. Se bagă între noi și distruge prezentul."
▪︎ "Credeam că reușisem să-mi ascund durerea, dar oare era încă vizibilă în ochii mei?"
Personaje: Lydia, Alec, Jack, Emma, Fleur, Maznan, Veronica, Adil
Acțiunea romanului se petrece în timpul Insurecției comuniste din Malaya (acum Federația Malaysia) din anii '50, iar protagoniștii sunt membrii familiei Cartwright (Lydia, Alec și cele două fiice - Emma și Fleur).
Romanul debutează cu hotărârea lui Alec de a pleca, împreună cu fetele, din Malaya, părăsind-o pe Lydia, care urma să se întoarcă dintr-o călătorie făcută unei prietene. Romanul este narat din două perspective - perspectiva Lydiei și perspectiva Emmei, și urmărește evoluția acestora pe parcursul timpului și încercarea lor de a se regăsi. Tatăl lor află că a fost înșelat de soția sa și, prin urmare, decide să o părăsească, luându-i și copiii, însă fata cea mare nu se dă bătută și încearcă să se reîntâlnească cu mama sa.
Romanul are multe răsturnări de situație, prin care personajele trebuie să treacă și să își dea seama ce au de făcut în continuare.
Este o poveste frumoasă, despre familie și despărțirea de aceasta, despre adulter, iubire și încercarea de regăsire. Mi-a plăcut modul de narare a acțiunii, evidențierea personajelor și modul în care s-au legat toate evenimentele, la sfârșit. Este a doua carte de-a autoarei pe care o citesc și pot spune că îmi place stilul ei. Cu siguranță voi citi și celelalte cărți publicate de aceasta.❤️
March 10, 2023
Mano nuomonė: Ši autorė man pažįstama, nes skaičiau jos knygą „ Arbatos plantariaus žmona“ ir ji man labai patiko.
„Išduota širdis“ yra debiutinis autorės romanas, kurį autorė parašė po skaudžios netekties: žuvus keturiolikmečiam sūnui.
Apie ką gi ši istorija:
Keletą savaičių slaugiusi poliomielitu užsikrėtusią draugę, Lidija grįžta namo. Tačiau vakarinės saulės nutvieksta Kartraitų šeimos vila skendi tyloje. Vyro Aleko ir dviejų dukrelių – nė ženklo, telefono linija neveikia, o tarnų taip pat nepavyksta prisišaukti. Išsigandusi ir pasimetusi Lidija jaučiasi išduota paties artimiausio žmogaus ir praranda vaikus.
„Išduota širdis“ – tai kvapą gniaužianti drąsios moters istorija, kupina skaudžių paslapčių, besąlygiškos meilės bei ryžto paaukoti viską, kad surastų savo vaikus. Šis pasakojimas, persmelktas išdavystės kartėlio, jeigu ne tu išduodi, tada tave išduoda.
Gvildenama skaudi tema- moteris praranda vaikus- kuri nepalieka abejingos nei vienos mamos. Bet man buvo sunku susidraugauti su Lidija, kuri kaip ir turėjo būti auka, bet ištikrųjų buvo pavaizduota (man taip pasirodė) kaip besiblaškanti plaštakė. Aš beveik visur ją kaltinau. Visi skauduliai, visos netektys ir visos išdavystės įvyko vien dėl pačios Lidijos kaltės ir kartais neveiksnumo ar neteisingų sprendimų. Buvo toks jausmas, jog autorei pačiai buvo sunku įsijausti į tas bėdas ir ji nemokėjo aprašyti jautrių, sukrečiančių išgyvenimų apie kuriuos taip norėjo papasakoti. Romanas debiutinis, viskas suprantama, ir netgi pateisinama, bet, nežiūrint to, gavosi atgrasus moters/mamos paveikslas. Manęs nepalietė jos pergyvenimai, bet vat jos vyresniosios dukters portretas buvo ryškus ir mielas. Taip norėjosi jai padėti surasti mamą.
Norvegijoje ši knyga buvo laba populiari. Išleista 32 000 tiražu, bet aš truputį nusivyliau šia knyga.
O jūs būtinai paskaitykit šią knygą. Apie ją atsiliepimai tiek goodreads, tiek tarp knygų apžvalgininkų labai geri.
Daviau 3*
„Išduota širdis“ yra debiutinis autorės romanas, kurį autorė parašė po skaudžios netekties: žuvus keturiolikmečiam sūnui.
Apie ką gi ši istorija:
Keletą savaičių slaugiusi poliomielitu užsikrėtusią draugę, Lidija grįžta namo. Tačiau vakarinės saulės nutvieksta Kartraitų šeimos vila skendi tyloje. Vyro Aleko ir dviejų dukrelių – nė ženklo, telefono linija neveikia, o tarnų taip pat nepavyksta prisišaukti. Išsigandusi ir pasimetusi Lidija jaučiasi išduota paties artimiausio žmogaus ir praranda vaikus.
„Išduota širdis“ – tai kvapą gniaužianti drąsios moters istorija, kupina skaudžių paslapčių, besąlygiškos meilės bei ryžto paaukoti viską, kad surastų savo vaikus. Šis pasakojimas, persmelktas išdavystės kartėlio, jeigu ne tu išduodi, tada tave išduoda.
Gvildenama skaudi tema- moteris praranda vaikus- kuri nepalieka abejingos nei vienos mamos. Bet man buvo sunku susidraugauti su Lidija, kuri kaip ir turėjo būti auka, bet ištikrųjų buvo pavaizduota (man taip pasirodė) kaip besiblaškanti plaštakė. Aš beveik visur ją kaltinau. Visi skauduliai, visos netektys ir visos išdavystės įvyko vien dėl pačios Lidijos kaltės ir kartais neveiksnumo ar neteisingų sprendimų. Buvo toks jausmas, jog autorei pačiai buvo sunku įsijausti į tas bėdas ir ji nemokėjo aprašyti jautrių, sukrečiančių išgyvenimų apie kuriuos taip norėjo papasakoti. Romanas debiutinis, viskas suprantama, ir netgi pateisinama, bet, nežiūrint to, gavosi atgrasus moters/mamos paveikslas. Manęs nepalietė jos pergyvenimai, bet vat jos vyresniosios dukters portretas buvo ryškus ir mielas. Taip norėjosi jai padėti surasti mamą.
Norvegijoje ši knyga buvo laba populiari. Išleista 32 000 tiražu, bet aš truputį nusivyliau šia knyga.
O jūs būtinai paskaitykit šią knygą. Apie ją atsiliepimai tiek goodreads, tiek tarp knygų apžvalgininkų labai geri.
Daviau 3*
April 14, 2014
This story just blew me away!
From the opening chapter I was gripped when we first meet the characters then quickly learn something is not quite right . This is an intricate story with plenty of twists and turns making it very hard to predict what could happen next. The mother in the story is called Lydia and she has a big heart and is incredibly resilient , she needs to be to cope with what is going on in the story. The bond between her and her children, one of them especially, Emma, is very touching . The story is told from two countries by different people and it is fast paced. There are no slow moments in this book so if you want a book that will keep your interest then I recommend this without doubt. There is one particular character that I detested and that made the story even harder to put down as his behaviour is shocking so you want to see what is going to happen with him. There is so much to love about this book that I could recommend this to anyone! A story of hope and love.
I received this book for review from the lovely folks over at Lovereading.co.uk .
From the opening chapter I was gripped when we first meet the characters then quickly learn something is not quite right . This is an intricate story with plenty of twists and turns making it very hard to predict what could happen next. The mother in the story is called Lydia and she has a big heart and is incredibly resilient , she needs to be to cope with what is going on in the story. The bond between her and her children, one of them especially, Emma, is very touching . The story is told from two countries by different people and it is fast paced. There are no slow moments in this book so if you want a book that will keep your interest then I recommend this without doubt. There is one particular character that I detested and that made the story even harder to put down as his behaviour is shocking so you want to see what is going to happen with him. There is so much to love about this book that I could recommend this to anyone! A story of hope and love.
I received this book for review from the lovely folks over at Lovereading.co.uk .
December 1, 2018
Although I liked some stories, there were too many foreshadowings that were not resolved. One of my criticism is that the author drags out this very complicated story and then resolves everything in a quick finale! I found the back-and-forth chapters between the mother and Emma annoying. The writing was good, but the story could have been better developed.
November 9, 2014
This powerful debut novel by Dinah Jefferies is set in the 1950’s against the background of the Malayan ‘Emergency’. I have to admit I knew nothing about this time in history until I started reading The Separation but it’s obviously a subject that the author knows well from personal experience and the ever present danger of that period is superbly brought to life.
The story is told from two perspectives – Lydia, the mother, who arrives home from visiting a sick friend to a deserted house - her husband Alec and their two girls, Emma and Fleur, have gone. No note has been left and Lydia has no idea where they are. We also hear the other side of the story from Emma, the eldest daughter, aged 11. Emma was closest to her mother and misses her badly but her father won’t tell them why they are leaving or when their mother will join them.
I loved this story of love and loss …. and revenge. Lydia is desperate to find her girls but is thwarted by acts of deceit and betrayal by those she trusted. Her daughters feel lost and confused at their mother’s disappearance and can’t understand why she has abandoned them. There were so many times when I wanted to shout through the pages and tell them that they hadn’t been forgotten and that their mother was looking for them.
The heat and the exotic sights and smells of the Malayan jungle and landscape are vividly described against the danger of guerilla attacks. Violence and murder are rife and as a white woman, Lydia is extremely vulnerable and faces her own share of danger. Her mothering instincts are needed when she is asked to look after Maznan Chang, a young abandoned Malay/Chinese boy. With no one to protect him, he needs Lydia as much as she needs him and although she becomes extremely fond of him, his presence only intensifies her feelings of loss for her own girls.
There are some great characters portrayed here which you will either love or hate – there were a couple that I disliked with a passion. For me, Lydia, Emma, Veronica and Adil had the most depth but each of the others, whether good or bad, had a distinct personality.
Parts of the book are heart achingly sad but there is always hope and that is the only thing that Lydia and Emma have to cling to. They are both very strong characters and Emma is definitely her mother’s daughter; at times she seems willful and uncontrollable – she fights against her father’s strictness whereas her younger sister Fleur, is more amenable and seems to be his favourite. Various parts of the story which at first seemed random are bought together to a conclusion which had me near to tears.
I love stories that educate as well as entertain and this one certainly did that. It was an emotional read at times and all the way through I was desperately hoping that all would end well. This was a superb first novel and I can’t wait to read Dinah’s new book, due for publication in May 2015 – The Tea Planter’s Wife
The story is told from two perspectives – Lydia, the mother, who arrives home from visiting a sick friend to a deserted house - her husband Alec and their two girls, Emma and Fleur, have gone. No note has been left and Lydia has no idea where they are. We also hear the other side of the story from Emma, the eldest daughter, aged 11. Emma was closest to her mother and misses her badly but her father won’t tell them why they are leaving or when their mother will join them.
I loved this story of love and loss …. and revenge. Lydia is desperate to find her girls but is thwarted by acts of deceit and betrayal by those she trusted. Her daughters feel lost and confused at their mother’s disappearance and can’t understand why she has abandoned them. There were so many times when I wanted to shout through the pages and tell them that they hadn’t been forgotten and that their mother was looking for them.
The heat and the exotic sights and smells of the Malayan jungle and landscape are vividly described against the danger of guerilla attacks. Violence and murder are rife and as a white woman, Lydia is extremely vulnerable and faces her own share of danger. Her mothering instincts are needed when she is asked to look after Maznan Chang, a young abandoned Malay/Chinese boy. With no one to protect him, he needs Lydia as much as she needs him and although she becomes extremely fond of him, his presence only intensifies her feelings of loss for her own girls.
There are some great characters portrayed here which you will either love or hate – there were a couple that I disliked with a passion. For me, Lydia, Emma, Veronica and Adil had the most depth but each of the others, whether good or bad, had a distinct personality.
Parts of the book are heart achingly sad but there is always hope and that is the only thing that Lydia and Emma have to cling to. They are both very strong characters and Emma is definitely her mother’s daughter; at times she seems willful and uncontrollable – she fights against her father’s strictness whereas her younger sister Fleur, is more amenable and seems to be his favourite. Various parts of the story which at first seemed random are bought together to a conclusion which had me near to tears.
I love stories that educate as well as entertain and this one certainly did that. It was an emotional read at times and all the way through I was desperately hoping that all would end well. This was a superb first novel and I can’t wait to read Dinah’s new book, due for publication in May 2015 – The Tea Planter’s Wife
March 11, 2015
This début novel which I picked up recently at my local library, was as captivating as the blurb on the cover led me to believe it would be. Dinah Jefferies spent her own childhood in Malaya and was there at the time of the Emergency that took place there in the 1950's. The novel is set in this period and she freely admits that although the characters are imaginary she has of course drawn on her own experiences. It is these memories, plus her mothers memoirs and photographs that have helped make this novel feel so authentic in its 1950's setting. If you want to know more about the background I recommend you read the author's note at the end of the novel.
A heartbreaking story, as the novel opens it is Malaya in the mid fifties and Lydia Cartwright returns home from visiting a friend to find her home is deserted. Her husband, Alec and their daughters Emma and Fleur are not there. To make it worse the phone is dead and the servants have also disappeared. Lydia contacts her husband's boss only to be told he has been sent into the jungle on a posting. She cannot understand why her husband has departed without her and not even left her a message. Setting off on a dangerous journey through the war torn area to catch him up, she has to turn for help to a friend from her past, Jack Harding. Not a good idea as he is a man she had vowed to leave in her past, however she is prepared to sacrifice everything to be reunited with her family.
Lydia has secrets but she is about to face much worse a devastating betrayal! Encouraging you to read this for yourself, without spoilers is my policy, when writing reviews.
Highly recommend this new author to readers that enjoy fairly contemporary historical fiction and those that like to be transported to foreign shores. I am already looking forward to reading The Tea Planter's Wife which is due for publication in August 2015.
http://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogspo...
A heartbreaking story, as the novel opens it is Malaya in the mid fifties and Lydia Cartwright returns home from visiting a friend to find her home is deserted. Her husband, Alec and their daughters Emma and Fleur are not there. To make it worse the phone is dead and the servants have also disappeared. Lydia contacts her husband's boss only to be told he has been sent into the jungle on a posting. She cannot understand why her husband has departed without her and not even left her a message. Setting off on a dangerous journey through the war torn area to catch him up, she has to turn for help to a friend from her past, Jack Harding. Not a good idea as he is a man she had vowed to leave in her past, however she is prepared to sacrifice everything to be reunited with her family.
Lydia has secrets but she is about to face much worse a devastating betrayal! Encouraging you to read this for yourself, without spoilers is my policy, when writing reviews.
Highly recommend this new author to readers that enjoy fairly contemporary historical fiction and those that like to be transported to foreign shores. I am already looking forward to reading The Tea Planter's Wife which is due for publication in August 2015.
http://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogspo...
September 17, 2015
Me ha gustado muchísimo este libro
July 26, 2024
Romanzo ambientato in parte in Malesia, in parte in Inghilterra. Si tratta del solito polpettone sentimentale dell'autrice, che comunque scorre via piacevolmente.
Lydia è sposata con Alec e ha due figlie, Emma e Fleur, con cui vive in Malesia, ma all'improvviso si innamora di un altro uomo, e il marito la costringe a scegliere tra lui e l'altro. Lydia sceglie di restare con Alec per le figlie, ma, dopo un breve periodo di assenza in cui va ad assistere un'amica malata, scopre che la sua famiglia è scomparsa. Amici comuni le fanno credere che si siano trasferiti all'interno del territorio, una zona alquanto pericolosa, invece, dalla narrazione di Emma, la figlia maggiore, il lettore sa che Alec è partito per tornare in Inghilterra portando con sé le figlie e facendo credere loro che la madre le ha abbandonate.
Quando arriva nel villaggio in cui le è stato detto che ci sono le figlie, Lydia scopre che c'è stato un attacco, con un conseguente incendio, e che non c'è nessun superstite, così piange disperatamente la morte delle figlie. Nel frattempo, l'uomo con cui aveva una relazione cerca di consolarla.
La storia è narrata da due diversi punti di vista, quello di Emma, in prima persona, e quello di Lydia, tramite il discorso indiretto libero.
Madre e figlia - la figlia, soprattutto - non riescono a rassegnarsi alla perdita dell'altra, e alla fine Emma troverà un'insospettata alleata nella nuova compagna del padre, Veronica, che la aiuta a ritrovare le tracce di sua nonna, la madre di Lydia, che ha il suo stesso nome, Emma, e che ha abbandonato la figlia in un istituto religioso.
Lydia è un personaggio particolare: è una donna che sembra aver bisogno di appoggiarsi sempre a una figura maschile per andare avanti, anche se in realtà è capace di riprendersi più volte dai colpi che le vengono sferzati, quindi in realtà è più forte di quanto non creda. Però non sono riuscita ad ammirarla, anzi, non mi è piaciuta più di tanto.
Emma è invece una ragazzina caparbia, forte, che reagisce alle avversità con tenacia, anche quando sa che il padre potrebbe punirla per il suo comportamento.
Naturalmente nel romanzo Jefferies affronterà molti temi relativi alla situazione storica della Malesia, anche se non si sofferma davvero su nessuno di essi. Per esempio, si parla della dominazione giapponese durante la Seconda Guerra Mondiale e del trattamento delle donne malesi, anche se in questo caso è un tema trattato in maniera superficiale, perché riguarda la madre di un personaggio secondario.
Lydia è sposata con Alec e ha due figlie, Emma e Fleur, con cui vive in Malesia, ma all'improvviso si innamora di un altro uomo, e il marito la costringe a scegliere tra lui e l'altro. Lydia sceglie di restare con Alec per le figlie, ma, dopo un breve periodo di assenza in cui va ad assistere un'amica malata, scopre che la sua famiglia è scomparsa. Amici comuni le fanno credere che si siano trasferiti all'interno del territorio, una zona alquanto pericolosa, invece, dalla narrazione di Emma, la figlia maggiore, il lettore sa che Alec è partito per tornare in Inghilterra portando con sé le figlie e facendo credere loro che la madre le ha abbandonate.
Quando arriva nel villaggio in cui le è stato detto che ci sono le figlie, Lydia scopre che c'è stato un attacco, con un conseguente incendio, e che non c'è nessun superstite, così piange disperatamente la morte delle figlie. Nel frattempo, l'uomo con cui aveva una relazione cerca di consolarla.
La storia è narrata da due diversi punti di vista, quello di Emma, in prima persona, e quello di Lydia, tramite il discorso indiretto libero.
Madre e figlia - la figlia, soprattutto - non riescono a rassegnarsi alla perdita dell'altra, e alla fine Emma troverà un'insospettata alleata nella nuova compagna del padre, Veronica, che la aiuta a ritrovare le tracce di sua nonna, la madre di Lydia, che ha il suo stesso nome, Emma, e che ha abbandonato la figlia in un istituto religioso.
Lydia è un personaggio particolare: è una donna che sembra aver bisogno di appoggiarsi sempre a una figura maschile per andare avanti, anche se in realtà è capace di riprendersi più volte dai colpi che le vengono sferzati, quindi in realtà è più forte di quanto non creda. Però non sono riuscita ad ammirarla, anzi, non mi è piaciuta più di tanto.
Emma è invece una ragazzina caparbia, forte, che reagisce alle avversità con tenacia, anche quando sa che il padre potrebbe punirla per il suo comportamento.
Naturalmente nel romanzo Jefferies affronterà molti temi relativi alla situazione storica della Malesia, anche se non si sofferma davvero su nessuno di essi. Per esempio, si parla della dominazione giapponese durante la Seconda Guerra Mondiale e del trattamento delle donne malesi, anche se in questo caso è un tema trattato in maniera superficiale, perché riguarda la madre di un personaggio secondario.
May 5, 2018
What a heart-wrenching story but at the same time it captures your attention. The Separation is gripping, powerful and emotional. I can see why Dinah Jefferies is classed as an extraordinary story-teller. Dinah is a major new writer that millions of women readers are just going to love and I just see her fan base grow. I think book clubs should snap this novel up as there is plenty of points up for discussion. I for one hope that in the future that further books by Dinah Jefferies will be published.
Dinah Jefferies was born in Malaya in 1948 and moved to England when she was age nine.
The Separation is set in Mayala.
Emma and Fleur were expecting their mother to collect them from school, but their father did instead. Emma questioned where is mummy?. Their father just seemed to ignore their questions and simply said we are going away to England. With no sign of their mother home before they left for the ship, Emma wrote her mother a letter to say that she miss her and that she is looking forward to seeing her in England.
When their mother arrived home she found the house was too silent with no one home. Will Emma and Fleur see their mother again?.
This is an most enjoyable book to read. I hope that many readers will enjoy reading this story as much as I have.
Dinah Jefferies was born in Malaya in 1948 and moved to England when she was age nine.
The Separation is set in Mayala.
Emma and Fleur were expecting their mother to collect them from school, but their father did instead. Emma questioned where is mummy?. Their father just seemed to ignore their questions and simply said we are going away to England. With no sign of their mother home before they left for the ship, Emma wrote her mother a letter to say that she miss her and that she is looking forward to seeing her in England.
When their mother arrived home she found the house was too silent with no one home. Will Emma and Fleur see their mother again?.
This is an most enjoyable book to read. I hope that many readers will enjoy reading this story as much as I have.
October 17, 2016
Zamišljam da pisac pre nego što sedne da radi ima neki kostur priče u glavi koji zatim razrađuje i lagano boji unutar tih linija koje su zacrtane, dodaje nijanse likovima i unosi kompleksnost u priču. Tako gledano, ovo je bojanka za trogodišnjaka koja je ostala crno-bela!
Kako sam besna na sebe kad potrošim vreme na knjigu iz koje ništa nisam naučila, koja me nije nimalo zabavila i koju ću zaboraviti za manje od mesec dana. Sada sam baš mnogo besna zbog ove!
Ono što me je privuklo knjizi je prostor u kome se radnja odvija, Malezija u vreme revolucije tokom pedesetih godina, razmišljam, sigurno nešto može odavde da se nauči, u fokusu je odnos majke i ćerke, mogu sebi s vremena na vreme da priuštim lepu porodičnu melodramu? Od toga ništa nije bilo, priča je samo niz tragičnih događaja koji me nimalo nisu potresli jer se nisam vezala ni za jedan lik, ničiji motiv nije objašnjen, zaplet je nerealan, rasplet još gori.
Ne preporučujem ovu knjigu nikome, ako volite egzotične predele, lepo uzmite Perl Bak ili Rani Maniku.
Kako sam besna na sebe kad potrošim vreme na knjigu iz koje ništa nisam naučila, koja me nije nimalo zabavila i koju ću zaboraviti za manje od mesec dana. Sada sam baš mnogo besna zbog ove!
Ono što me je privuklo knjizi je prostor u kome se radnja odvija, Malezija u vreme revolucije tokom pedesetih godina, razmišljam, sigurno nešto može odavde da se nauči, u fokusu je odnos majke i ćerke, mogu sebi s vremena na vreme da priuštim lepu porodičnu melodramu? Od toga ništa nije bilo, priča je samo niz tragičnih događaja koji me nimalo nisu potresli jer se nisam vezala ni za jedan lik, ničiji motiv nije objašnjen, zaplet je nerealan, rasplet još gori.
Ne preporučujem ovu knjigu nikome, ako volite egzotične predele, lepo uzmite Perl Bak ili Rani Maniku.
September 17, 2018
DINAH JEFFERIES - IŠDUOTA ŠIRDIS 💔
Apie šią autorę tikriausiai jau daugelis esate girdėję, o galbūt net gi skaitę jos bestselerį "Arbatos plantatoriaus žmona". Pastarosios dar nesubskaičiusi, tad šių dviejų knygų palyginti negaliu, bet kaip pirmoji pažintis su šia autore, manau, jog tikrai vykusi.
Veiksmas vyksta 1955 Malajoje. Lidija keletą savaičių slaugiusi sergančią draugę, grįžta į tuščius namus. Nei vyro, nei dukrelių namuose nėra. Pasimetusi ir išsigandusi Lidija net nenutuokia, kur galėjo pradingti visa jos šeima. Moteris ryžtąsi bet kokia kaina surasti savo dukreles. Nors ir esant pavojingomis sąlygomis, ji leidžiasi į kelią.
Mano nuomone, tai istorija, kuri nepaliks abejingų. Šis pasakojimas persmelktas išdavystės, praradimų bei atradimų. Apie tai kokia galinga yra motinos meilė, kuri nepaiso jokių kliūčių.Taip pat knygoje buvo gausu stiprių ir įtaigių veikėjų, tačiau, kažkodėl Lidija manęs neįtikino šimtu procentų. Labiau įtaigesnė bei tikroviškesnė pasirodė jos dukra Ema. Nepaisant to, man knyga tikrai patiko. Suvirpino širdį. ❤️
Apie šią autorę tikriausiai jau daugelis esate girdėję, o galbūt net gi skaitę jos bestselerį "Arbatos plantatoriaus žmona". Pastarosios dar nesubskaičiusi, tad šių dviejų knygų palyginti negaliu, bet kaip pirmoji pažintis su šia autore, manau, jog tikrai vykusi.
Veiksmas vyksta 1955 Malajoje. Lidija keletą savaičių slaugiusi sergančią draugę, grįžta į tuščius namus. Nei vyro, nei dukrelių namuose nėra. Pasimetusi ir išsigandusi Lidija net nenutuokia, kur galėjo pradingti visa jos šeima. Moteris ryžtąsi bet kokia kaina surasti savo dukreles. Nors ir esant pavojingomis sąlygomis, ji leidžiasi į kelią.
Mano nuomone, tai istorija, kuri nepaliks abejingų. Šis pasakojimas persmelktas išdavystės, praradimų bei atradimų. Apie tai kokia galinga yra motinos meilė, kuri nepaiso jokių kliūčių.Taip pat knygoje buvo gausu stiprių ir įtaigių veikėjų, tačiau, kažkodėl Lidija manęs neįtikino šimtu procentų. Labiau įtaigesnė bei tikroviškesnė pasirodė jos dukra Ema. Nepaisant to, man knyga tikrai patiko. Suvirpino širdį. ❤️
May 9, 2014
A captivating story about love and loss. Almost unbearable to read at times, the continuous deceit and turmoil that the main protagonist Lydia has to endure. One good quality of this debut novel was its ability to paint a picture of the time period and surroundings in which it was set; in war torn Malaya in the 1950’s. I enjoyed being swept along with Lydia’s story and truly felt for her throughout, as events unfolded. I also liked the relationships that she made on her journey. I did enjoy Emma’s contribution, however this felt somewhat less developed. Having said that, this novel did succeed in making me tearful towards the end! I am a big fan of debut novels and as this one goes, it was pretty good; I gave it a rating of 4 out of 5 as 3 stars (liked it!) didn’t seem fair and I did find myself wanting to know how things would come to an end. Always a tough one, trying to rate on individual merits. We need more stars! I reckon about a 7/10.
May 19, 2014
Sorry, I seem to have put my review in the Comments section by mistake, but just to say again that 'The Separation' is a wonderful debut novel - engrossing, page-turning, beautifully written and *very* atmospheric. We can not only see, but hear, smell, touch and almost taste the Malayan jungle in which the distraught Lydia searches for her 'lost' girls. Because of the narrative device of the two voices, there's an additional poignancy in that the reader knows more than Lydia and/or Emma know, about what is *really* going on. I loved The Separation* and have had the great pleasure of doing a number of bookshop events with Dinah. I do think that this exciting and compelling novel marks the start of what will be a very successful writing career.
August 14, 2020
It has been a little while since I last picked up a book by this author but I had forgotten just how beautiful her writing is. This story is split into two perspectives - the first being from the view of the mother, Lydia, who returns home to discover that both her husband and two children have moved away. She understands that her husband had got an urgent job in another location and moved quickly with her to follow them when she can so we follow her as she travels the very hard and troubling path. The second part of this story is that we follow Lydia's daughters as they travel with their father to their new home.
This truly was a heartbreaking story where you have a mother who is separated from her children and not sure how long it will take or whether it is possible for her to see them again. Along the way, Lydia also meets several other characters including a boy who she is asked if he can accompany her on her journey to safety. She agrees but there is more to this boy's history than she realises.
This was such a beautiful story in a mainly sad kind of way and I would highly recommend.
For more reviews, please check out the link below:
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
This truly was a heartbreaking story where you have a mother who is separated from her children and not sure how long it will take or whether it is possible for her to see them again. Along the way, Lydia also meets several other characters including a boy who she is asked if he can accompany her on her journey to safety. She agrees but there is more to this boy's history than she realises.
This was such a beautiful story in a mainly sad kind of way and I would highly recommend.
For more reviews, please check out the link below:
Debra's Book Cafe
Debs :-)
March 1, 2021
Ilgai prie lentynos rinkausi kurią knygą skaityti. Jau skaičiau šios autorės “Arbatos plantatoriaus žmona”, labai patiko ši istorija. Pagalvojau, kad ir šiuo metu norėčiau perskaityti kurią nors iš Dinah knygų. Skaityklėję turėjau šią.
Visa istorija vyksta 1955 metais, kai šalį siaubia pilietinis karas. Lidija kurį laiką slaugė savo sergančią draugę. Grįžusi namo ji neranda nei savo vyro, nei dviejų dukterų. Namai skendi visiškoje tyloje. Vienintelis šiaudas, kuris gali padėti ieškoti dingusios šeimos yra vyro viršininkas.
Prisiskaičiau įvairių atsiliepimų apie šią istoriją, todėl didelių lūkesčių neturėjau. Džiaugiuosi, kad knyga manęs nenuvylė. Jau nuo pirmo puslapio suintrigavo Lidijos gyvenimo istorija. Tikrai buvo smalsu sužinoti kur ir kodėl dingo jos vyras ir dukros.
Istorija pasakojama iš dviejų pusių - Lidijos ir Emos, jos dukters. Nepatiko tai, kad nepažymėta kurios vardu pradedamas skyrius, tačiau tai nebuvo didelis minusas. Man labiau patiko Emos dalis, nes jos gyvenimas nebuvo kaip eilinės paauglės.
Lengvas, neįpareigojantis romanas, kuris puikiai tinka norint atsipalaiduoti nuo saldžių meilės romanų ar įtemptų detektyvų.
Visa istorija vyksta 1955 metais, kai šalį siaubia pilietinis karas. Lidija kurį laiką slaugė savo sergančią draugę. Grįžusi namo ji neranda nei savo vyro, nei dviejų dukterų. Namai skendi visiškoje tyloje. Vienintelis šiaudas, kuris gali padėti ieškoti dingusios šeimos yra vyro viršininkas.
Prisiskaičiau įvairių atsiliepimų apie šią istoriją, todėl didelių lūkesčių neturėjau. Džiaugiuosi, kad knyga manęs nenuvylė. Jau nuo pirmo puslapio suintrigavo Lidijos gyvenimo istorija. Tikrai buvo smalsu sužinoti kur ir kodėl dingo jos vyras ir dukros.
Istorija pasakojama iš dviejų pusių - Lidijos ir Emos, jos dukters. Nepatiko tai, kad nepažymėta kurios vardu pradedamas skyrius, tačiau tai nebuvo didelis minusas. Man labiau patiko Emos dalis, nes jos gyvenimas nebuvo kaip eilinės paauglės.
Lengvas, neįpareigojantis romanas, kuris puikiai tinka norint atsipalaiduoti nuo saldžių meilės romanų ar įtemptų detektyvų.
March 29, 2018
This was my first book by the author and certainly will not be my last as I am working my way through her others. I really enjoyed it. I liked the characters and being transported to a far away land. I am not what you would class as a wordly traveller and do not enjoy some books set in different countries but it all depends on the actual content and storylines. This was actually a very plain and simple tale which was beautifully woven with some emotional moments too. My only issue was my copy was very small print but I managed to finish it all the same. A lovely read.
March 28, 2020
Really enjoyed this book. Had to keep reading to find out what happened.
May 1, 2020
Abandonei este livro sem nenhum arrependimento. Muito drama sem sentido nenhum.
Decidi desistir, e confesso que li o último capítulo por curiosidade (e ainda bem que desisti...)
Decidi desistir, e confesso que li o último capítulo por curiosidade (e ainda bem que desisti...)
July 29, 2022
A real good tale. Very easy to read but makes you want to keep reading to find out what happens.
August 8, 2014
Imagine that you've returned home from visiting a friend to find that your house is empty – your husband and children have disappeared, the servants have vanished and when you pick up the phone the line is dead. You set out in search of your family, determined to find them no matter what, but it's not going to be an easy task because this is Malaya in 1955: a country at war.
This is what happens to Lydia Cartwright in this wonderful debut novel by Dinah Jefferies. As Lydia leaves the family home in Malacca and heads north to Ipoh believing that her husband (who works for the British Administration) may have been posted there, we discover that Alec and the two girls – Emma, aged eleven, and Fleur, eight – have gone somewhere else entirely. Will Lydia ever see her daughters again?
The Separation is divided into two distinct storylines told in alternating chapters. In one we follow Lydia as she makes the discovery that her children are missing. As she embarks on her nightmarish journey through the dangerous Malayan jungle, she faces terrorist attacks, gunfire and overcrowded buses and trains, as well as the possibility that she has been betrayed and deceived. In the other thread of the story we join Emma as she and Fleur try to settle into their new lives while coming to terms with the loss of their mother. Things are not easy for Emma and she too is forced to go through some terrible ordeals, all the while clinging to the hope that her mother is still alive and one day they will be reunited.
I thought the structure of the novel worked well; I enjoyed reading both Lydia's chapters and Emma's and never felt that we were spending too much time on one character at the expense of the other. Lydia's story is more dramatic (and full of beautiful, exotic descriptions of Malaya) but of the two I think I preferred Emma's. That could just be due to the fact that I felt closer to Emma as she narrates in the first person while Lydia's chapters are written in the third person – or maybe it's because although I'm not a mother I am a daughter so it was easier for me to identify with Emma. I did like and sympathise with both main characters, though, and desperately wanted them to be together again. Of course, I'm not going to tell you whether that happens or not!
I have never read anything about the history of Malaya (as it was still known in the 1950s before becoming Malaysia) so that was another aspect of the book I found interesting. The story isn't weighed down with too much historical detail but by the time I'd finished the book I felt that I'd learned a little bit about The Emergency (the name given to the war) and what it was like to be a woman and a European living in Malaya during that period. I was interested to read that Dinah Jefferies was born in Malaya and lived there until the age of nine, which means she was able to draw on some of her own experiences and memories.
This was a very impressive first novel and I'm already looking forward to the second book from Dinah Jefferies, The Tea Planter's Wife, which is going to be set in Sri Lanka.
This is what happens to Lydia Cartwright in this wonderful debut novel by Dinah Jefferies. As Lydia leaves the family home in Malacca and heads north to Ipoh believing that her husband (who works for the British Administration) may have been posted there, we discover that Alec and the two girls – Emma, aged eleven, and Fleur, eight – have gone somewhere else entirely. Will Lydia ever see her daughters again?
The Separation is divided into two distinct storylines told in alternating chapters. In one we follow Lydia as she makes the discovery that her children are missing. As she embarks on her nightmarish journey through the dangerous Malayan jungle, she faces terrorist attacks, gunfire and overcrowded buses and trains, as well as the possibility that she has been betrayed and deceived. In the other thread of the story we join Emma as she and Fleur try to settle into their new lives while coming to terms with the loss of their mother. Things are not easy for Emma and she too is forced to go through some terrible ordeals, all the while clinging to the hope that her mother is still alive and one day they will be reunited.
I thought the structure of the novel worked well; I enjoyed reading both Lydia's chapters and Emma's and never felt that we were spending too much time on one character at the expense of the other. Lydia's story is more dramatic (and full of beautiful, exotic descriptions of Malaya) but of the two I think I preferred Emma's. That could just be due to the fact that I felt closer to Emma as she narrates in the first person while Lydia's chapters are written in the third person – or maybe it's because although I'm not a mother I am a daughter so it was easier for me to identify with Emma. I did like and sympathise with both main characters, though, and desperately wanted them to be together again. Of course, I'm not going to tell you whether that happens or not!
I have never read anything about the history of Malaya (as it was still known in the 1950s before becoming Malaysia) so that was another aspect of the book I found interesting. The story isn't weighed down with too much historical detail but by the time I'd finished the book I felt that I'd learned a little bit about The Emergency (the name given to the war) and what it was like to be a woman and a European living in Malaya during that period. I was interested to read that Dinah Jefferies was born in Malaya and lived there until the age of nine, which means she was able to draw on some of her own experiences and memories.
This was a very impressive first novel and I'm already looking forward to the second book from Dinah Jefferies, The Tea Planter's Wife, which is going to be set in Sri Lanka.
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