Spring Music

by Elvi Rhodes

Naomi had been contentedly and, she thought, happily married for nearly all of her adult life when her husband Edward explained kindly to her one day that he had fallen in love with a twenty-six year old and wanted a divorce. She had to leave the comfortable home she had shared with Edward and their three children, now all grown-up, and move into a small flat in the middle of Bath. The dramatic change in her lifestyle threatened to overwhelm her. But gradually Naomi began to appreciate the changes, and even to enjoy them. For the first time in her life she could do what she liked, and make her own friends. If these included men friends - well, why not? Unfortunately her children could think of many reasons why not, and Naomi began a battle to establish her own independence, and to persuade her family that she had moved into the springtime of a whole new life. In this warm and inspiring new novel, Elvi Rhodes' wonderful storytelling skills are used to explore a dilemma faced by many women today.

Genres: Fiction

457 pages, Paperback

First published August 19, 1999

Reviews

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started out reminiscent of Rosamunde Pilcher's novels but unfortunately ended up being a bit trite. Middle-age women, left by her husband of many years for his younger mistress, divorces and makes a new life for herself. However her grown children, throw obstacles in her path due to selfishness, arrogance or just plain cluelessness. It does end on a positive note though overall fell sort of flat for me, a little better than simply "okay" but not one I'd recommend either.
2.5 stars

[Bookworman · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Nice story, sort of “The Shell Seekers” lite. Glad I read it.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Competent and older.

Older in two ways. The protagonist is a divorcee of age 47 and the book was written in 1998. Only yesterday it seems but terribly different from today - none of the characters have mobile phones! She works in a thriving bookstore! And she thinks she's too old to have more children but today she'd probably be running off for IVF except that her kids are a bit disappointing. Could have been set in 1958 without much revision..how quickly the world has changed.

[Norma Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent

Loved this booked, well written and reflects how life and opinions suffer between sexes. Looking forward to reading more from Elvi.

[Angela Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice change from Crime novels. Although a romance it is also the story of one woman's break away from the ties of family and her concentration on her own life. I think this novel is very true to life and whether written from experience or not it certainly portrays family feelings clearly and truthfully as shown by the main character, her new partner and children.

[Amanda Carver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the mother's honesty of her feelings towards her children in this book. was a little disappointed with the ending, but on the whole, I enjoyed it. It's a bit dated now, no mobile phones, etc. Great read!

[Carolyn S Main · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable

I fount this book very enjoyable.
I liked all but one of the characters and I loved hating him’
Good story

[Sandy Aragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved and respected Naomi's journey

Interesting and moving story of Naomi's trials and tribulations with her new divorcee status and her family's problems and idiosyncrasies.

[Kathie D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazon e book the son reminded me of The Shell Seekers

[Ann Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ultimately disappointing. The characters are all painted in such broad brush strokes that there is little room for nuance or growth and the plot is equally simplistic and cliched. I liked the setting. I generally liked the protagonist. But so much more could have been done with both.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot since it takes place in Bath, England and in an area of the city I have actually stayed in. I love Bath and haven't read any contemporary novels taking place there. The story is interesting also, although it has its not-to-believable parts! I liked it anyway, and will probably read more of this author since I just like English settings.

[Maureen Vincent-Northam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naomi is in her mid forties, recently divorced and building a life for herself with a new home, job and love interest - not always with the approval of her three grown-up children. At times this is a moving story but there are comic touches too, particularly those concerning her eldest daughter's obsession with her baby son. A very enjoyable read.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

an ok book..alls well that ends well for a 43 year old divorced english woman

[Monami Debnath · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about how Naomi lost everything all of a sudden and then rediscovered herself. How she picked herself up after getting divorced, moved to different city, got herself employed and rebuild her entire life is essentially the story of this book by Elvi Rhodes. In this whole process Naomi not only rediscovers her relationship with herself but also with her children, all of whom she finds have grown up and changed a lot since she knew them. How will she settle in this new life? Will she be comfortable with living alone? Will she find any friends or go into seclusion?
The writing style is very lucid and lyrical and flows on easily to narrate this beautiful story. The characters are so well written that they can be pictured easily. Overall a very pleasant read.