Makeover

by Barbara Lorna Hudson

Makeover by Barbara Lorna Hudson is a sharply observed and hard-hitting work of women’s fiction that explores the twists and turns of life and relationships as it follows the fortunes of Lucille, twice divorced and twice the victim of abusive marriage, and Oxford don Walter, still mourning the death of his wife.

In their own very different worlds, they both know that they have to move on and grasp new opportunities, but neither is prepared for the severe lessons they have yet to learn.

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 22, 2019

Reviews

[Peter Tickler · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing story centring round two people looking for love again. Set in a realistic Oxford, it tackles intriguing themes of town and gown, academic snobbery, abuse against women and the importance of kindness

[Penny Grubb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makeover is women's fiction dealing with some difficult topics including abuse and addiction. The characters are cleverly drawn. They match and they clash. Tables get turned in very subtle ways. The book left me with vivid mental images of Lucille and Walter and also of parts of Oxford beyond the traditional old college context. It was an intriguing read. Light without being lightweight. I recommend it.

[Stuart Aken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful, and based on personal knowledge of the areas covered in her writing, the author explores themes of academic snobbery, domestic abuse, insecurity, and the search for love in an uncertain world.
Having experience in both social care and academia, Barbara brings reality and honesty to this tale of the search for love after loss. There is a core of courage running through the book as well as humour, understanding, compassion, and a bit of sex.
The characters are very real people, friends you’ve met, people you know, but also some who inhabit a world most never enter. I found I could empathise with most. The addict is so well observed and drawn, I even found some connection with him, though such addiction is something outside my experience. I always need characters with whom I can feel the emotions described, I need to care about them. And this book certainly provides that essential connection.
All the way through I was hoping life would change, even improve for those trying to find their way through sometimes complex and often demanding situations. The denouement did not disappoint me.

[Wendy Greenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Town and gown Oxford, which as a resident, I know only too well! This thoughtful and well crafted novel demonstrates perfectly the superficial assumptions and snobbery amongst groupings of gowned academics living in a parallel universe alongside "regular" life.
Whilst the novel may be seen as stereotyping Oxford life, it also challenges and demonstrates our potential for change and transformation. Once we start to see the main characters scratched surfaces, Lucille/Mary the "shop girl" and Walter, the bereaved academic come to life and face their demons in very different ways. Domestic violence haunts the pages showing many of the causes rather than just telling how it plays out.
I remain unsure how to categorise the story which avoids fitting naturally into any box. There lies it's strength, it is neither stock romance, personal growth nor slice of life, just popular fiction or what should be very popular fiction! Page turning and deliciously descriptive!