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Her Last Promise
A beautiful, page-turning and heartwrenching story of how hope can blossom in the ruins of tragedy and of the redeeming power of love. From No. 1 bestselling author of The Letter Kathryn Hughes.
Tara Richards was just a girl when she lost her mother. Years later when Tara receives a letter from a London solicitor its contents shake her to the core. Someone has left her a key to a safe deposit box. In the box lies an object that will change everything Tara thought she knew and lead her on a journey to deepest Spain in search of the answers that have haunted her for forty years.
Violet Skye regrets her decision to travel abroad leaving her young daughter behind. As the sun dips below the mountains, she reminds herself she is doing this for their future. Tonight, 4th June 1978, will be the start of a new life for them. This night will indeed change Violet's destiny, in the most unexpected of ways...
Tara Richards was just a girl when she lost her mother. Years later when Tara receives a letter from a London solicitor its contents shake her to the core. Someone has left her a key to a safe deposit box. In the box lies an object that will change everything Tara thought she knew and lead her on a journey to deepest Spain in search of the answers that have haunted her for forty years.
Violet Skye regrets her decision to travel abroad leaving her young daughter behind. As the sun dips below the mountains, she reminds herself she is doing this for their future. Tonight, 4th June 1978, will be the start of a new life for them. This night will indeed change Violet's destiny, in the most unexpected of ways...
393 pages, ebook
First published May 31, 2019
3929 people are currently reading
2627 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Hughes
28 books796 followersKathryn Hughes was born in Altrincham, near Manchester. After completing a secretarial course, Kathryn met her husband and they married in Canada. For twenty-nine years they ran a business together, raised two children and travelled when they could to places such as India, Singapore, South Africa and New Zealand. Kathryn and her family now make their home in a village near Manchester. The Letter, Kathryn's first novel, was an international bestseller, and her second The Secret has been highly acclaimed. Kathryn is now at work on her third novel, The Key.~ Headline Publishing
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 390 reviews
May 2, 2019
Violet is a single parent and leaves her fourteen year old daughter with their landlord and goes on holiday with her boyfriend. Neither of them come back home.
Her daughter Tara is sent to live with her grandmother and has never got over the disappearance of her mother.
Many years later Tara receives a letter that gives her some insight of what happened to her mother but the letter is over thirty years old.
I really enjoyed this book especially the nostalgic 1970's descriptions.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Her daughter Tara is sent to live with her grandmother and has never got over the disappearance of her mother.
Many years later Tara receives a letter that gives her some insight of what happened to her mother but the letter is over thirty years old.
I really enjoyed this book especially the nostalgic 1970's descriptions.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 21, 2019
Loved almost everything about it - except for one major disappointment.
I just feel the ending was rushed. The story itself was so rich and layered with excellent character development and an amazing buildup.
But the end...sigh.
I know as readers we can use our imagination to envision how things turned out. But I'd rather not.
I wanted to see storylines wrapped up & how relationships continued to evolve. I didn't get any of that.
Instead, after spending time caring about how things turned out, everything was left in a way that was way too vague for me.
A beautiful, sad and touching story with so many wonderful elements.
But lousy ending.
3.5 stars for a book that otherwise would have easily been a 5-star rating for me.
I just feel the ending was rushed. The story itself was so rich and layered with excellent character development and an amazing buildup.
But the end...sigh.
I know as readers we can use our imagination to envision how things turned out. But I'd rather not.
I wanted to see storylines wrapped up & how relationships continued to evolve. I didn't get any of that.
Instead, after spending time caring about how things turned out, everything was left in a way that was way too vague for me.
A beautiful, sad and touching story with so many wonderful elements.
But lousy ending.
3.5 stars for a book that otherwise would have easily been a 5-star rating for me.
February 21, 2020
RECENSIONE QUI: https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/...
Kathryn Hughes torna in Italia con un nuovo romanzo intenso, incentrato sui legami familiari, sui segreti, sui sacrifici, sulla perdita e sull'abbandono. Se all'inizio avrete difficoltà a connettere tutto, mano a mano che procederete con la lettura capirete la connessione tra le storie narrate nei diversi archi temporali. Fin dalla prima pagina ci si sente avvolti dall'atmosfera del romanzo che pian piano, tassello dopo tassello, passando dal presente al passato, ci fa scoprire tre storie di tre donne che hanno conosciuto la perdita e l’abbandono e che con la loro forza, coraggio e fragilità sono andate avanti con la loro vita. È la storia di una madre che ha protetto sua figlia dal male del mondo, che ha fatto sacrifici per crescerla e per non farle mancare nulla e che l’ha amata sempre, in ogni istante. L’autrice nei suoi romanzi fa emergere sempre figure femminili nelle quali possiamo immedesimarci, ritrovarci nelle loro esperienze e che affrontano le lezioni e la dura realtà della vita: non possiamo fuggire o cancellare tutto ciò che ci accade, ma anzi dobbiamo affrontare prove sempre più difficili, ferite mai rimarginate e costruire sulla base di indizi la verità a lungo tempo celata e cercata. È sorprendente il modo in cui l’autrice riesce ad intrecciare presente e passato, a creare una lieve sfumatura di giallo, a presentarci diverse verità e a disseminare lungo il romanzo una serie di personaggi secondari che entrano nelle vite di ogni protagonista. Si avverte però la mancanza di una profondità e di una caratterizzazione completa dei personaggi che sicuramente avrebbe portato il romanzo ad un livello superiore. Questa è una lettura affascinante di nuovi inizi e vecchi segreti, di legami familiari ed emozioni, scritta dalla penna di un’autrice magistrale che intreccia più punti di vista in un unico meraviglioso insieme e due linee temporali che passano da Londra a Manchester fino in Spagna. Legami forti nonostante il trascorrere del tempo, ferite, ma soprattutto amore materno che è più forte del tempo e di qualsiasi altro sentimento sono gli ingredienti di questa storia intensa e commovente.
CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/
Kathryn Hughes torna in Italia con un nuovo romanzo intenso, incentrato sui legami familiari, sui segreti, sui sacrifici, sulla perdita e sull'abbandono. Se all'inizio avrete difficoltà a connettere tutto, mano a mano che procederete con la lettura capirete la connessione tra le storie narrate nei diversi archi temporali. Fin dalla prima pagina ci si sente avvolti dall'atmosfera del romanzo che pian piano, tassello dopo tassello, passando dal presente al passato, ci fa scoprire tre storie di tre donne che hanno conosciuto la perdita e l’abbandono e che con la loro forza, coraggio e fragilità sono andate avanti con la loro vita. È la storia di una madre che ha protetto sua figlia dal male del mondo, che ha fatto sacrifici per crescerla e per non farle mancare nulla e che l’ha amata sempre, in ogni istante. L’autrice nei suoi romanzi fa emergere sempre figure femminili nelle quali possiamo immedesimarci, ritrovarci nelle loro esperienze e che affrontano le lezioni e la dura realtà della vita: non possiamo fuggire o cancellare tutto ciò che ci accade, ma anzi dobbiamo affrontare prove sempre più difficili, ferite mai rimarginate e costruire sulla base di indizi la verità a lungo tempo celata e cercata. È sorprendente il modo in cui l’autrice riesce ad intrecciare presente e passato, a creare una lieve sfumatura di giallo, a presentarci diverse verità e a disseminare lungo il romanzo una serie di personaggi secondari che entrano nelle vite di ogni protagonista. Si avverte però la mancanza di una profondità e di una caratterizzazione completa dei personaggi che sicuramente avrebbe portato il romanzo ad un livello superiore. Questa è una lettura affascinante di nuovi inizi e vecchi segreti, di legami familiari ed emozioni, scritta dalla penna di un’autrice magistrale che intreccia più punti di vista in un unico meraviglioso insieme e due linee temporali che passano da Londra a Manchester fino in Spagna. Legami forti nonostante il trascorrere del tempo, ferite, ma soprattutto amore materno che è più forte del tempo e di qualsiasi altro sentimento sono gli ingredienti di questa storia intensa e commovente.
CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/
November 10, 2021
Su šia autore jau teko susipažinti, esu perskaučiusi porą jos knygų, kurios man paliko tikrai labai neblogą įspūdį. Dažnu atveju jos knygos suvirpinančios širdį bei gyvenimiškos. Deja, bet ši istorija manęs nepalietė taip, kaip tikėjausi..
Šioje istorijoje Tara Ričards niekaip negali pamiršti to meto, kuomet dar būdama paauglė neteko mamos.. Prabėgus daugeliui metų, ji sulaukia advokato laiško iš Londono. Kažkas paliko jai raktą nuo seifo.. Po truputį stsiskleidžia paslapties šydas ir Tara nusprendžia, jog dabar pats metas vykti į Ispaniją bei išsaiškinti, kas nutiko prieš beveik keturiasdešimt metų.. Jos širdis sako, kad motina yra vis dar gyva. Tik ar tai tiesa?
Labai melodramatiška istorija, kurioje man pristigo ryškesnių veikėjų paveikslų, ar didesnio jų jausmų analizavimo. Deja, bet ši istorija manęs labai smarkiai nesužavėjo. Man ji pasirodė perspausta bei labai paviršutiniška. Tačiau visai prasta ši istorija tikrai nebuvo, autorė palietė gana jautrią temą, apie kurią kalbėti tikrai reikia. Neprailgo ir laikas skaitant šią knygą, tad manau, jog ši knyga kaip laisvalaikio skaitinys tikrai puikus, bet nieko daugiau.
Šioje istorijoje Tara Ričards niekaip negali pamiršti to meto, kuomet dar būdama paauglė neteko mamos.. Prabėgus daugeliui metų, ji sulaukia advokato laiško iš Londono. Kažkas paliko jai raktą nuo seifo.. Po truputį stsiskleidžia paslapties šydas ir Tara nusprendžia, jog dabar pats metas vykti į Ispaniją bei išsaiškinti, kas nutiko prieš beveik keturiasdešimt metų.. Jos širdis sako, kad motina yra vis dar gyva. Tik ar tai tiesa?
Labai melodramatiška istorija, kurioje man pristigo ryškesnių veikėjų paveikslų, ar didesnio jų jausmų analizavimo. Deja, bet ši istorija manęs labai smarkiai nesužavėjo. Man ji pasirodė perspausta bei labai paviršutiniška. Tačiau visai prasta ši istorija tikrai nebuvo, autorė palietė gana jautrią temą, apie kurią kalbėti tikrai reikia. Neprailgo ir laikas skaitant šią knygą, tad manau, jog ši knyga kaip laisvalaikio skaitinys tikrai puikus, bet nieko daugiau.
July 27, 2019
Her Last Promise by Kathryn Hughes – wow, there are some books that you never want to end, and this is one such book. Her Last Promise is a contemporary novel that also travels back to 1978. It is a book about a search – a search for a love that never died and never gave up hope.
The characters created by Kathryn Hughes were a marvellous mix. For me, I ‘lived’ through the novel as the character of Tara – I ‘loved’ where she loved, I ‘lost’ where she lost and I ‘searched’ with her. The character of Tara lodged in my heart and soul. I really connected with her. Now the novel is ended I feel like a part of me dwells forever in the book.
Kathryn Hughes truly is a masterful storyteller. She has woven a tale from several points of view into one wonderful whole. She both entertained me and toyed with my emotions. I really feel like I have been through the wringer.
Kathryn Hughes created situations that I cared deeply about. In my mind’s eye I could ‘see’ young Mateo and I feel in love with that small boy. I also loved the caring elderly gent Alf with his huge heart of gold.
There were difficult topics such as the abuse of a child. My heart just broke as those who were supposed to love abused and emotionally blackmailed.
There were friendships to be treasured. Though the years passed, the tie remained as old friends picked up where they left off.
Her Last Promise was my first book by Kathryn Hughes but it will not be my last. I will be hunting out more, more, more by her as she really is a marvellous author… but don’t take my word for it, pick up Her Last Promise today.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
The characters created by Kathryn Hughes were a marvellous mix. For me, I ‘lived’ through the novel as the character of Tara – I ‘loved’ where she loved, I ‘lost’ where she lost and I ‘searched’ with her. The character of Tara lodged in my heart and soul. I really connected with her. Now the novel is ended I feel like a part of me dwells forever in the book.
Kathryn Hughes truly is a masterful storyteller. She has woven a tale from several points of view into one wonderful whole. She both entertained me and toyed with my emotions. I really feel like I have been through the wringer.
Kathryn Hughes created situations that I cared deeply about. In my mind’s eye I could ‘see’ young Mateo and I feel in love with that small boy. I also loved the caring elderly gent Alf with his huge heart of gold.
There were difficult topics such as the abuse of a child. My heart just broke as those who were supposed to love abused and emotionally blackmailed.
There were friendships to be treasured. Though the years passed, the tie remained as old friends picked up where they left off.
Her Last Promise was my first book by Kathryn Hughes but it will not be my last. I will be hunting out more, more, more by her as she really is a marvellous author… but don’t take my word for it, pick up Her Last Promise today.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
January 31, 2021
Istorija patiko. Skaitėsi lengvai, bet buvo gal šiek tiek nuobodu ir neišbaigta.
October 29, 2021
Violet Dobbs is a single mum and night club singer, doing the best she can for herself and her fourteen-year-old daughter Tara, so when the opportunity to make huge life changes for them both comes up she grabs it with both hands. That is the last night Tara saw her.
The story is told in two timelines. The first takes place in 1978. The second shoots forward 40 years, where we find Tara, separated and single, her life thrown into emotional disarray with the receipt of a mysterious letter and safety deposit box key. As the separate stories unfold and gradually weave together, Tara uncovers long-hidden secrets and must face a new reality that forever changes both her past and her future.
The story is told in two timelines. The first takes place in 1978. The second shoots forward 40 years, where we find Tara, separated and single, her life thrown into emotional disarray with the receipt of a mysterious letter and safety deposit box key. As the separate stories unfold and gradually weave together, Tara uncovers long-hidden secrets and must face a new reality that forever changes both her past and her future.
August 24, 2019
Novel set in NORTH WEST ENGLAND and SEGOVIA
3.5*
“..in the heart of Spain lies a secret….”
The novel opens with a couple of time periods – 1978 and 2018/19, and the threads of several stories. In the present, Tara is coming to terms with the end of her marriage to Ralph (who has long since sired a couple of children with his secretary). She receives a formal letter to say that she is to claim the key to a box, and she discovers that the content of this box is an utter surprise to her. Her quest for understanding forms the basis of the novel.
Back in the day, Larry and Martin are two brothers who have fought over girlfriend Carol and ultimately she ends up with the latter. Theirs is clearly a situation, taut with tension.
Back in 1978 Violet “Skye” Dobbs is struggling to make ends meet and has to take her young daughter Tara (yes, the very same Tara mentioned earlier) to all kinds of variety and singing performances which are her only means of income. Violet has absolutely no practical support and a mean landlord to contend with. However, the above-mentioned Larry (who remember is still pining for Carol and that means trouble, obviously) soon finds himself courting Violet. You can just see this is not going to end well – he is the man with avocado bathroom and probably a stack of Duran Duran records, living in a large house, all set to impress. But is he really who he seems to be?
In Spain, again back in ’78, in fictional San Sedeza, (Segovia, Castilla y Leon, based on the real village of Pedraza), a small family has acquired a new horse, Diablo – a devil in name and in nature. The two young sons Mateo and in particular Leo, train the horse with love and care. Gabriela, and her horse Armonia soon catch Leo’s eye…
Gradually, as the story unfolds, the reader gets to understand how each narrative interconnects – their presentation, however, could at times feel a little disorganised and it did take a while for the storyline to sort itself out and settle into a rhythm. There are further extraneous characters down the line – an ex flame, a monk, a poorly Nan – who slide into the narrative to help move the story along.
Overall Her Last Promise is an undemanding read (a relaxing read by the pool as it were, and indeed that is where I read it, in Spain!), written in easy prose. The dialogue was perhaps peppered with too many “Erm”s (which sometimes felt reminiscent of cartoon strip dialogue – giving the story immediacy, making it catchy but you can just tell that the author is capable of so much more). For me fundamentally I would have liked to see more depth and characterisation which would have taken the novel to the next level. For me, again, there were too many implausible situations which are clearly essential for the story to progress – would a monastery, populated purely by men, really take an injured woman into their care? They couldn’t have an errant woman in their midst, surely they would bundle her off to a convent to be cared for by women? I don’t know…. This situation is of course however imperative to the narrative and cliffhangers are plenty to keep the storyline taut.
This was an interesting story. An Epilogue adds the final pieces to the mystery.
I chose this novel to take with me on a trip to Spain – seduced by the cover – only to discover that much of it is set in the North West of England! Never mind, whilst I was sitting in the sun I thought how lucky I was to be away from rather dreary weather! The parts set in Spain were delightful! At the end of the book the author does share some photos from a cycling trip in 2017 that inspired the setting for the novel, that the Hermitage of San Frutos was the inspiration for the Monasterio de Justina. Here around the year 680 Saint Frutos did penance with his brother and sister, Valentin and Engracia….
3.5*
“..in the heart of Spain lies a secret….”
The novel opens with a couple of time periods – 1978 and 2018/19, and the threads of several stories. In the present, Tara is coming to terms with the end of her marriage to Ralph (who has long since sired a couple of children with his secretary). She receives a formal letter to say that she is to claim the key to a box, and she discovers that the content of this box is an utter surprise to her. Her quest for understanding forms the basis of the novel.
Back in the day, Larry and Martin are two brothers who have fought over girlfriend Carol and ultimately she ends up with the latter. Theirs is clearly a situation, taut with tension.
Back in 1978 Violet “Skye” Dobbs is struggling to make ends meet and has to take her young daughter Tara (yes, the very same Tara mentioned earlier) to all kinds of variety and singing performances which are her only means of income. Violet has absolutely no practical support and a mean landlord to contend with. However, the above-mentioned Larry (who remember is still pining for Carol and that means trouble, obviously) soon finds himself courting Violet. You can just see this is not going to end well – he is the man with avocado bathroom and probably a stack of Duran Duran records, living in a large house, all set to impress. But is he really who he seems to be?
In Spain, again back in ’78, in fictional San Sedeza, (Segovia, Castilla y Leon, based on the real village of Pedraza), a small family has acquired a new horse, Diablo – a devil in name and in nature. The two young sons Mateo and in particular Leo, train the horse with love and care. Gabriela, and her horse Armonia soon catch Leo’s eye…
Gradually, as the story unfolds, the reader gets to understand how each narrative interconnects – their presentation, however, could at times feel a little disorganised and it did take a while for the storyline to sort itself out and settle into a rhythm. There are further extraneous characters down the line – an ex flame, a monk, a poorly Nan – who slide into the narrative to help move the story along.
Overall Her Last Promise is an undemanding read (a relaxing read by the pool as it were, and indeed that is where I read it, in Spain!), written in easy prose. The dialogue was perhaps peppered with too many “Erm”s (which sometimes felt reminiscent of cartoon strip dialogue – giving the story immediacy, making it catchy but you can just tell that the author is capable of so much more). For me fundamentally I would have liked to see more depth and characterisation which would have taken the novel to the next level. For me, again, there were too many implausible situations which are clearly essential for the story to progress – would a monastery, populated purely by men, really take an injured woman into their care? They couldn’t have an errant woman in their midst, surely they would bundle her off to a convent to be cared for by women? I don’t know…. This situation is of course however imperative to the narrative and cliffhangers are plenty to keep the storyline taut.
This was an interesting story. An Epilogue adds the final pieces to the mystery.
I chose this novel to take with me on a trip to Spain – seduced by the cover – only to discover that much of it is set in the North West of England! Never mind, whilst I was sitting in the sun I thought how lucky I was to be away from rather dreary weather! The parts set in Spain were delightful! At the end of the book the author does share some photos from a cycling trip in 2017 that inspired the setting for the novel, that the Hermitage of San Frutos was the inspiration for the Monasterio de Justina. Here around the year 680 Saint Frutos did penance with his brother and sister, Valentin and Engracia….
July 19, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
Tara was everything to her mum but she lost her mum when she was young. Now many years later her world is about to change completely when she receives a key for a safe deposit box.
Really need to read more from this author. This was a brilliant read that I’ll certainly be recommending. Once I started reading I was hesitant when I needed to put it down, and then all I did was think about it until I was back reading it.
Tara was everything to her mum but she lost her mum when she was young. Now many years later her world is about to change completely when she receives a key for a safe deposit box.
Really need to read more from this author. This was a brilliant read that I’ll certainly be recommending. Once I started reading I was hesitant when I needed to put it down, and then all I did was think about it until I was back reading it.
August 21, 2019
Visit the locations in the novel
if it’s a heartbreaking mystery you’re after then this is it! Imagine never knowing what happened to your mother or where she is now. Then you receive a key and letter explaining some of what you have always wondered. Next, you have to take a trip to Spain to find out the real and whole truth.
Prepare for some emotional upheaval with this read!
F you haven’t read a Kathryn Hughes novel up until now, you are in for a treat. Even if you have read one, you are in for a bigger treat than normal with this novel set in Spain.
The central crux of the novel is a woman searching for her mother. They were close and lived together before she disappeared and years later, Tara wonders what caused her mother to simply vanish. Why hasn’t she been in touch? Why has no-one found her? Then she receives a letter which could answer all of those deep burning questions and more…
This was a fascinating read for me. New beginnings, old secrets and more were mixed to perfection. Stories about families are always complex and this one more so than most. The relationship between mother and daughter is warm and inviting, her loss is devastating and the very idea that she may now be found….unthinkable. This is a story with heart and soul and with two timelines and voices which work well. Locations flit from London and Manchester and of course Spain.
The story flowed back and forth with a great buildup about Tara’s mum career as a singer. The story thread about the Amethyst Club was really interesting and evoked another time and place very well. So why should mum Violet then go missing? Imagine then having to go and live with your grandmother, and then receiving a letter from someone in Spain who says they have answers….
Talk about heartbreaking and heartrending! The writing here is full of compassion and empathy and draws you in from the start.
I did hope to find out more about Tara and Violet at the end as the ending felt vague compared to what the story had been built up to until then. It didn’t spoil what was a lovely and interesting story though. Plenty of time for reliving the lovely writing and scene setting and imagining it into your own conclusion though.
A final note – that cover is gorgeous!
August 29, 2019
Honestly, I was pretty disappointed by this book - I think it just fell flat.
Based on the cover summary, I thought I'd enjoy the book more than I did. The concept of the story was there, but the book itself felt paced incorrectly and could have used some writing improvements. I find that it can be hit or miss when books constantly shift point of view characters - it can add a depth to the story, hearing from other point of views, or it can be a crutch for the storytelling, and in this book, it was the latter. The first few chapters were filled with mysterious cliffhangers that wouldn't be resolved because we shifted to another point of view. To me, those early chapters felt incomplete, not truly chapters as much as ways to fragment the story for suspense. On top of that, I didn't think that the different PoV characters had unique enough viewpoints/voices. All of them felt the same - they thought the same and spoke the same, besides a couple of slang words tossed in based on their region. The characters as a whole felt relatively one-note - just a few personality points that could be summed up as "good" or "bad" with no real meaning behind it. I felt no conviction in any of the characters which made it too hard to care about any of their fates. I wish I had gotten more of the character depth - Tara could have truly had a heartbreaking story, but I found myself just thinking of her as a petulant teenager, even as a middle-aged woman.
It wasn't a terrible read, but a disappointing one. Had potential, but was let down by the writing.
Based on the cover summary, I thought I'd enjoy the book more than I did. The concept of the story was there, but the book itself felt paced incorrectly and could have used some writing improvements. I find that it can be hit or miss when books constantly shift point of view characters - it can add a depth to the story, hearing from other point of views, or it can be a crutch for the storytelling, and in this book, it was the latter. The first few chapters were filled with mysterious cliffhangers that wouldn't be resolved because we shifted to another point of view. To me, those early chapters felt incomplete, not truly chapters as much as ways to fragment the story for suspense. On top of that, I didn't think that the different PoV characters had unique enough viewpoints/voices. All of them felt the same - they thought the same and spoke the same, besides a couple of slang words tossed in based on their region. The characters as a whole felt relatively one-note - just a few personality points that could be summed up as "good" or "bad" with no real meaning behind it. I felt no conviction in any of the characters which made it too hard to care about any of their fates. I wish I had gotten more of the character depth - Tara could have truly had a heartbreaking story, but I found myself just thinking of her as a petulant teenager, even as a middle-aged woman.
It wasn't a terrible read, but a disappointing one. Had potential, but was let down by the writing.
August 7, 2019
This really was a good read! The story fluctuated seamlessly between the present day and 1978. I enjoyed the 70’s trip down memory lane! The characters were engaging and there were a few surprises along the way. Tara hadn’t had an easy life and now she had the chance to find out what had happened to her mother. At times this was an emotional read and I had tears in my eyes. I will look out for more books by this author. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 27, 2019
I have read all of Kathryn Hughes books. This one was a bit different, but I just loved it. I loved all the characters especially Violet. I loved the Spanish twist. I can’t wait for Kathryn’s next book!
June 21, 2019
Another unputdownable novel from Kathryn Hughes, spanning two countries and evoking the feeling of satisfaction every time I finished reading one of her novel. Again, can’t wait for her next one....
September 23, 2019
This is the third book I’ve read by this author and my least favourite as the plot was so far-fetched.
January 24, 2024
Violeta išvyksta atostogų, ir po jų nebegrįšta. Tara lieka be motinos, ir apsigyvena su senele. Praėjus beveik 40 metų, Tara gauna raktą, kuriuo gali atrakinti paslaptis, ir sužinoti įvykius, apie kuriuos nesustojo galvoti niekada. Knygos prasžioje buvo šiek tiek painoka, daug pasakojimų, apie vis skirtingus veikėjus. Įpusėjus siužetui, vis galvojau kur dingo veikėjai kurie buvo paminėti knygos pradžioje, atrodė kad jau kaip ir bereikalingai paminėti. Pabaigoje aišku, viskas sukrenta į vietas, bet vis gi vistiek norėjosi daugiau pasakojimo iš praeities. Taip pat, buvo įdomu sužinoti kaip baigėsi Lario gyvenimas, siužete nemažai figuriavo. Nors veikėjų likimai pakankamai sunkus, norėjosi daugiau apie juos sužinoti.
September 4, 2021
Užkabino nuo pat pradžių ir nepaleido iki paskutinio puslapio ❤️
September 29, 2021
Knyga, kurią skaičiau grįždama po atostogų ir ji puikiai atitiko mano tuometinę nuotaiką: po atostogų nesinorėjo apsikrauti sudėtingais skaitiniais, tad Kathryn Hughes knyga buvo tai ko reikėjo – lengvai skaitoma, sudominusi klaidžiais istorijų vingiais ir spalvingais veikėjais.
Įdomu tai, kad ant viršelio gražiai išraityta, jog ši rašytoja atpažįstama kaip knygos “Laiškas” autorė, o aš kaip tik šios vienintelės jos knygos ir neturiu (bent iš to kas išversta į lietuvių kalbą). 🙂
Tiesa su autore jau esu pažįstama ir man ji patinka. Skaityčiau jos knygą “Raktas”, kuri mane tikrai labai palietė ir sužavėjo. Būtent ši knyga paskatino atkreipti dėmesį į tai ką ir kaip rašo ši moteris. O rašyti ji moka – istorijos pagaunančios susidomėjimą, gražiai parašytas kūrinys leidžia mėgautis pačiu skaitymu, o ir autorė savo darbuose paliečia gan rimtas temas. Šįkart negaliu atskleisti kokią temą gvildena autorė, nes taip sugadinčiau skaitymo malonumą, tiems kas dar jos neskaitė…tad tyliu 😉
Jau minėjau, kad prieš tai skaityta knyga mane sužavėjo, deja, to paties negaliu pasakyti apie šią. Ši pasirodė daug silpnesnė, istorija labiau panašėjo į melodramą, o ir tas drugelis, turėjęs įnešti kažkokios magijos (taip jis ne tik dalis viršelio, jis yra ir istorijoje), pasirodė labai banalus. Nemėgstu dramų, kai meilė liejasi per kraštus, kai prarandamos atmintys ir panašūs dalykėliai (gal vaikystėje ta Santa Barbara padarė savo :D) , o šioje istorijoje tikrai buvo visko!
Negaliu sakyti, kad viskas knygoje nepatiko. Tikrai ne! Patiko veikėjai – tikrai labai spalvingi. Patiko kokią opią temą paliečia autorė (tik apie tai sužinosite kūrinio pabaigoje). Žinoma, autorės rašymo stilius puikus!
Tad kaip matote yra pliusų, yra ir minusų. Man po atostogų, tokios lengvos norėjosi, tad pataikiau paimti laiku. Tad siūlau ir Jums ją imti, kai norėsis tiesiog lengvo, gražiai parašyto kūrinio 😉
Aj, tiesa, o jei įdomu apie ką knygos turinys, tai daug neatskleisiu. Pasakysiu tik, kad pagrindinė veikėja yra Tara Ričards, kuri būdama paauglė keistomis aplinkybėmis netenka mamos. Po keturiasdešimties metų, ją pasiekia keistas laiškas, laukęs jos visus tuos ilgus metus. Kas jame ir ar tai padės įminti mįslę dėl mamos dingimo? Su šiuo klausimu Jus ir palieku. 🙂 Jei norėsite sužinoti, teks skaityti knygą 😉
Įdomu tai, kad ant viršelio gražiai išraityta, jog ši rašytoja atpažįstama kaip knygos “Laiškas” autorė, o aš kaip tik šios vienintelės jos knygos ir neturiu (bent iš to kas išversta į lietuvių kalbą). 🙂
Tiesa su autore jau esu pažįstama ir man ji patinka. Skaityčiau jos knygą “Raktas”, kuri mane tikrai labai palietė ir sužavėjo. Būtent ši knyga paskatino atkreipti dėmesį į tai ką ir kaip rašo ši moteris. O rašyti ji moka – istorijos pagaunančios susidomėjimą, gražiai parašytas kūrinys leidžia mėgautis pačiu skaitymu, o ir autorė savo darbuose paliečia gan rimtas temas. Šįkart negaliu atskleisti kokią temą gvildena autorė, nes taip sugadinčiau skaitymo malonumą, tiems kas dar jos neskaitė…tad tyliu 😉
Jau minėjau, kad prieš tai skaityta knyga mane sužavėjo, deja, to paties negaliu pasakyti apie šią. Ši pasirodė daug silpnesnė, istorija labiau panašėjo į melodramą, o ir tas drugelis, turėjęs įnešti kažkokios magijos (taip jis ne tik dalis viršelio, jis yra ir istorijoje), pasirodė labai banalus. Nemėgstu dramų, kai meilė liejasi per kraštus, kai prarandamos atmintys ir panašūs dalykėliai (gal vaikystėje ta Santa Barbara padarė savo :D) , o šioje istorijoje tikrai buvo visko!
Negaliu sakyti, kad viskas knygoje nepatiko. Tikrai ne! Patiko veikėjai – tikrai labai spalvingi. Patiko kokią opią temą paliečia autorė (tik apie tai sužinosite kūrinio pabaigoje). Žinoma, autorės rašymo stilius puikus!
Tad kaip matote yra pliusų, yra ir minusų. Man po atostogų, tokios lengvos norėjosi, tad pataikiau paimti laiku. Tad siūlau ir Jums ją imti, kai norėsis tiesiog lengvo, gražiai parašyto kūrinio 😉
Aj, tiesa, o jei įdomu apie ką knygos turinys, tai daug neatskleisiu. Pasakysiu tik, kad pagrindinė veikėja yra Tara Ričards, kuri būdama paauglė keistomis aplinkybėmis netenka mamos. Po keturiasdešimties metų, ją pasiekia keistas laiškas, laukęs jos visus tuos ilgus metus. Kas jame ir ar tai padės įminti mįslę dėl mamos dingimo? Su šiuo klausimu Jus ir palieku. 🙂 Jei norėsite sužinoti, teks skaityti knygą 😉
October 3, 2025
Eins og allar bækur eftir Kathryn þá eru þær einstaklega vel skrifaðar og kveikja áhuga frá fyrstu blaðsíðu. Mér fannst ég hinsvegar ekki hafa fengið eins mikla closure og ég bjóst við og sit uppi með nokkrar spurningar. 3.8*
January 7, 2023
Lengvai skaitomas pramoginio žanro romanas, prigalvota daug visokių istorijos sluoksnių, bet po kelių metų jo nebeprisiminsiu.
Read
June 20, 2019I adored this book from the first to the last page. The choices we make a ripple and change other peoples lives too but for Tara Richards, it was more like a tsunami that ripped apart the life she had always known.
Violet Dobbs is a single mum and night club singer, doing the best she can for herself and her fourteen-year-old daughter Tara, so when the opportunity to make huge life changes for them both comes up she grabs it with both hands. That is the last night Tara saw her, now almost forty years later a letter and a mysterious key to a safety box will open up those lost years.
This isn’t just a visual read, I can still hear the music and Violet singing, see her wardrobe and feel the love that she has for Tara. Tara was her world. Violet was a bit of a dreamer though often aiming pretty high for a new life for them both.
I adored so many of the characters, Tara of course but also Alf their landlord. What a lovely man he is. Besides the story of Tara taking place over two times lines, one being in the 1970s which brought the era to life with perfection and present day, there are two separate stories taking place too. One in Spain the other in the UK, revolving around two sets of brothers. The background to the brothers is worlds apart, each one moulding the men that they would become. I knew that somewhere in the future I would meet them again.
This is quite an epic read that I didn’t want to come to an end and impossible not to become part of this book emotionally. Beautifully written, it will stay with me for a very long time.
Violet Dobbs is a single mum and night club singer, doing the best she can for herself and her fourteen-year-old daughter Tara, so when the opportunity to make huge life changes for them both comes up she grabs it with both hands. That is the last night Tara saw her, now almost forty years later a letter and a mysterious key to a safety box will open up those lost years.
This isn’t just a visual read, I can still hear the music and Violet singing, see her wardrobe and feel the love that she has for Tara. Tara was her world. Violet was a bit of a dreamer though often aiming pretty high for a new life for them both.
I adored so many of the characters, Tara of course but also Alf their landlord. What a lovely man he is. Besides the story of Tara taking place over two times lines, one being in the 1970s which brought the era to life with perfection and present day, there are two separate stories taking place too. One in Spain the other in the UK, revolving around two sets of brothers. The background to the brothers is worlds apart, each one moulding the men that they would become. I knew that somewhere in the future I would meet them again.
This is quite an epic read that I didn’t want to come to an end and impossible not to become part of this book emotionally. Beautifully written, it will stay with me for a very long time.
August 5, 2021
Ma anche no? Concordo con chi ha scritto più sotto che quarta di copertina e trama avrebbero anche le carte in regola per pregustare una bella storia avvincente, senonchè...
- la scrittura è sciatta e trabocca di luoghi comuni e immagini che definire abusate è fare all'autrice un complimento: quante "lame di luce mattutine" disegnano "riquadri di luce oblunghi sul pavimento"? Mille, e no, non è Orietta Berti, è mancanza di originalità e piattume cerebrale.
- Tara, la tormentata protagonista alla ricerca della madre smarrita in quel della Spagna è più sfigata di David Copperfiel ed emana la vivacità di un canguro morto, per cui è quasi impossibile non dico immedesimarsi ma provare anche solo una punta umana di empatia. A me ci è mancato poco scatenasse l'orticaria.
- il finale è frettoloso e arraffazzonato, quando invece poteva essere l'occasione per un colpo di coda finale. Ma forse, a ben pensarci, anche no.
Bilancio? Tre/quattro giorni di lettura sprecati su un libercolo verboso e approssimativo. Due stelle e non una perché mi ha conciliato allegramente il sonno, e questo per un'insonne è un plus imbattibile.
- la scrittura è sciatta e trabocca di luoghi comuni e immagini che definire abusate è fare all'autrice un complimento: quante "lame di luce mattutine" disegnano "riquadri di luce oblunghi sul pavimento"? Mille, e no, non è Orietta Berti, è mancanza di originalità e piattume cerebrale.
- Tara, la tormentata protagonista alla ricerca della madre smarrita in quel della Spagna è più sfigata di David Copperfiel ed emana la vivacità di un canguro morto, per cui è quasi impossibile non dico immedesimarsi ma provare anche solo una punta umana di empatia. A me ci è mancato poco scatenasse l'orticaria.
- il finale è frettoloso e arraffazzonato, quando invece poteva essere l'occasione per un colpo di coda finale. Ma forse, a ben pensarci, anche no.
Bilancio? Tre/quattro giorni di lettura sprecati su un libercolo verboso e approssimativo. Due stelle e non una perché mi ha conciliato allegramente il sonno, e questo per un'insonne è un plus imbattibile.
June 9, 2019
Another winner from Kathryn
I've read all of Kathryn's books so when I saw that she'd written a new book i pre ordered it straight away. I devoured this wonderful book. It's written in Kathryn's unique style with wonderful characters who you really care about. This story is told in the present and the past and all the characters and their stories connect and come together as the story unfolds. This isn't a negative but I would have liked more about Tara and Violet at the end and felt it could have had possibly another two or three chapters maybe that's what the author intended for the reader to reach their own conclusions as to what happened next. Please read this wonderful book and I sincerely hope that Kathryn will write another. This book is well worthy of 5* from me.
I've read all of Kathryn's books so when I saw that she'd written a new book i pre ordered it straight away. I devoured this wonderful book. It's written in Kathryn's unique style with wonderful characters who you really care about. This story is told in the present and the past and all the characters and their stories connect and come together as the story unfolds. This isn't a negative but I would have liked more about Tara and Violet at the end and felt it could have had possibly another two or three chapters maybe that's what the author intended for the reader to reach their own conclusions as to what happened next. Please read this wonderful book and I sincerely hope that Kathryn will write another. This book is well worthy of 5* from me.
July 4, 2019
What I like about Kathryn Hughes books is the variety of characters that bring her stories together.
This story tells of the lives of Violet Skye a nightclub singer and single parent and her daughter Tara. It goes between 1978 and the present day 2018-19. The locations are vastly different too from Northern England to Spain as it goes back and forth between characters and countries.
Tara's mother gets a job at a better nightclub and things are looking up for her and her daughter until Violet gets involved with a man called Larry Valentine. Tara never liked him from the start. One day her mother goes away with Larry on holiday and she's never heard from again.
The story is mostly told from Tara's perspective with other parts told by a young man in Spain. It's a story with heartbreak, happiness and resolutions and at it's heart a secret. Really enjoyed this.
This story tells of the lives of Violet Skye a nightclub singer and single parent and her daughter Tara. It goes between 1978 and the present day 2018-19. The locations are vastly different too from Northern England to Spain as it goes back and forth between characters and countries.
Tara's mother gets a job at a better nightclub and things are looking up for her and her daughter until Violet gets involved with a man called Larry Valentine. Tara never liked him from the start. One day her mother goes away with Larry on holiday and she's never heard from again.
The story is mostly told from Tara's perspective with other parts told by a young man in Spain. It's a story with heartbreak, happiness and resolutions and at it's heart a secret. Really enjoyed this.
June 14, 2019
Tara
This is an interesting story about a mother and daughter and their 14 years together before the mother goes on holiday, is in an accident, and suffers amnesia. 37 years later the daughter is given a letter and the necklace she had given her mother and starts to look for her. This is a search for her and she finally is found but the mother doesn’t recognize her. There is a back story about Tara’s marriage and Leo’s (her mother’s husband) background. It all ties together nicely. The characters are well defined and believable. This is the second novel I have read by this author. I will definitely read any additional novels she writes.
This is an interesting story about a mother and daughter and their 14 years together before the mother goes on holiday, is in an accident, and suffers amnesia. 37 years later the daughter is given a letter and the necklace she had given her mother and starts to look for her. This is a search for her and she finally is found but the mother doesn’t recognize her. There is a back story about Tara’s marriage and Leo’s (her mother’s husband) background. It all ties together nicely. The characters are well defined and believable. This is the second novel I have read by this author. I will definitely read any additional novels she writes.
September 24, 2019
Violet is a single mother who enjoys a close relationship with her daughter Tara. When Tara is 14 Violet leaves on a whirlwind trip to the continent with her new found love, a sugar daddy kind of guy who seems a little too slick to Tara, who seems more mature than her mother. That is the last Tara sees or hears of her mother until almost 40 years later she receives a letter from an attorney in London. This leads to her being given a key to a safety deposit box and there she finds evidence that will lead her to learn what happened to her mother.
This was a good book, the ending seemed a little rushed to me but all in all, a good read.
This was a good book, the ending seemed a little rushed to me but all in all, a good read.
February 15, 2020
http://www.esmeraldaviaggielibri.it/r...
L’ultimo regalo di Kathryn Hughes, romanzo di narrativa edito Nord Edizioni e pubblicato il 7 Febbraio.
Non avevo ancora letto niente di questa autrice e ora mi sto domandando per quale motivo nella mia libreria ho un suo romanzo a prendere polvere. Cosa temevo? Che tutti ne parlassero bene e invece io ne sarei rimasta delusa? Perché, se il risultato è lo stesso di questa sua ultima pubblicazione, allora non devo indugiare ulteriormente e dare a questa bravissima autrice un’altra possibilità di farmi rimanere affascinata dalla sua scrittura.
Ad oggi, posso solo ringraziare la mia amica Lorella per aver insistito, come al suo solito, quando crede fortemente in un autore, a leggere L’ultimo regalo, dandomi così l’opportunità di parlarvene.
Il compito però, sarà in realtà più arduo del previsto, perché Kathryn Hughes è un’autrice che non si risparmia nel tessere le sue trame, le articola così bene, in modo così approfondito che poi a parlarne si rischia solo di rovinare un romanzo che, credetemi, fino alla fine, riuscirà a tenere altissima l’attenzione.
Durante la lettura mi sono chiesta spesse volte: “ma dove vorrà arrivare l’autrice?” oppure “ma questi personaggi adesso cosa c’entrano?” Ebbene, non fate il mio stesso errore, non mettete in dubbio questa scrittrice che, sapientemente, unirà tutti i pezzi di un puzzle intricato, regalandovi una storia che vale ogni pagina letta.
Ogni tassello, ogni scelta, ogni personaggio troveranno la giusta collocazione, e alla fine ne uscirà una trama che si dipana poco alla volta, con maestria e sapienza, eleganza e curiosità. Senza dare nulla per scontato, senza anticipare gli eventi, tenendo alta la curiosità del lettore pagina dopo pagina.
L’ultimo regalo parla dall’amore tra una madre e una figlia, quel legame unico e indissolubile che a volte diamo un po’ per scontato ma che è talmente speciale da superare qualsiasi barriera.
Tara e Violet ne hanno viste tante in vita loro, eppure nulla è mai riuscito a scalfire quel rapporto fatto di rispetto, fiducia e presenza, nonostante le mille difficoltà. Una madre senza lavoro fisso con una passione per il canto, ma talmente bella e talentuosa da riuscire a farsi ingaggiare in uno dei teatri più in voga del momento in Inghilterra. Ed è durante una delle sue esibizioni che conosce l’affascinante Larry Valentine, l’uomo che le ruberà il cuore.
Larry entra all’improvviso nella sua vita, premuroso, bello e ricco, sembra poter realizzare ogni suo desiderio più grande, e quello a cui Violet aspira altro non è che poter donare a sua figlia Tara il futuro che merita, lontana dalle brutture della vita, dagli sfratti improvvisi o le muffe sui muri e soprattutto darle in qualche modo l’idea di famiglia che non ha potuto regalarle quando è nata. Lei le ha fatto sia da padre che da madre e nel suo piccolo, ha cercato di non farle mancare nulla, Tara forse non può vantare una casa grande, un padre presente, vestiti all’ultima moda e amiche disposte ad accettare la sua condizione di povertà, ma sicuramente non le è mai mancato l’affetto di sua madre, e non le importa di certo, dover dividere il letto dell’unica camera che avevano trovato in affitto, sopra ad un negozio di ferramenta. Sua mamma è sempre stato il suo faro, la sua guida. Divertente, spiritosa, con lei poteva parlare di ogni cosa e non l’avrebbe mai giudicata.
Ma da quando Larry entra nelle loro vite, complice anche la gelosia, Tara inizia ad avercela con sua madre, pensando che Violet inizi a preferire la vita accanto a quell’uomo piuttosto che con lei. Come può spiegarle che avrebbe preferito vivere in uno sgabuzzino ma solo insieme a lei che in una villa e doverla dividere con un uomo che a lei non va a genio?
Ecco perché decide di non partire con loro per le vacanze. Tara si sente di troppo, sa di non piacere a Larry e d’altronde il sentimento è reciproco. Purtroppo, però, da quella vacanza tra Francia e Spagna, sua madre non farà ritorno.
Passano 40 anni, Tara si è convinta che Violet sia morta, perché se fosse stata viva sarebbe sicuramente tornata da lei, non l’avrebbe lasciata per nulla al mondo. Eppure le numerose ricerche non hanno mai portato a nulla, se non ad un logorante dolore che pare non avere fine. Tutto sembra tornare a galla quando Tara viene contattata da uno studio legale di Londra che deve consegnarle la chiave di una cassetta di sicurezza e una lettera scritta 37 anni prima. La cassetta contiene una collanina con un medaglione, all’interno del quale c’è una foto di Tara a 15 anni. Quel medaglione era stato l’ultimo regalo che lei aveva fatto a sua madre e che Violet aveva con sé durante il suo viaggio con Larry.
Chi è la persona che le ha fatto recapitare quella collana? Avrà notizie di sua madre? E se Violet fosse ancora viva?
Per Tara non c’è altra possibilità che tentare nuovamente di scoprire cosa è accaduto a sua madre e ricominciare a sperare che forse, dopo tutto, sia ancora viva e possa spiegarle perché l’ha lasciata.
Un viaggio difficile che ci trascinerà in continui flash back che ci faranno conoscere meglio Tara, sua madre Violet, tutte le persone che hanno fatto parte della loro vita. Un viaggio difficile che porterà Tara a mettere tutto il suo passato in discussione, a ricordare i momenti belli ma anche quelli che l’hanno fatta soffrire. Spieremo il bellissimo rapporto madre e figlia, come si sono fatte forza insieme, come spesso i loro ruoli si sono invertiti e quanto potente può essere questo amore. Un sentimento così forte da superare qualsiasi barriera, da rimaner vivo anche dopo 40 anni di assenze e silenzi, un legame che nessun dubbio ha mai potuto spezzare e così potente da spingere una figlia ormai rassegnata a cercare la verità e recuperare in qualche modo tutti quegli anni rubati.
Una storia forte, potente ed emozionante, un inno all’amore più puro e reale di sempre, quello tra madre e figlia, un esempio di coraggio, fiducia e determinazione. Un intreccio ricco, elaborato, fatto di segreti, speranza, destini che si incontrano e con un epilogo che vi stupirà.
L’ultimo regalo di Kathryn Hughes, romanzo di narrativa edito Nord Edizioni e pubblicato il 7 Febbraio.
Non avevo ancora letto niente di questa autrice e ora mi sto domandando per quale motivo nella mia libreria ho un suo romanzo a prendere polvere. Cosa temevo? Che tutti ne parlassero bene e invece io ne sarei rimasta delusa? Perché, se il risultato è lo stesso di questa sua ultima pubblicazione, allora non devo indugiare ulteriormente e dare a questa bravissima autrice un’altra possibilità di farmi rimanere affascinata dalla sua scrittura.
Ad oggi, posso solo ringraziare la mia amica Lorella per aver insistito, come al suo solito, quando crede fortemente in un autore, a leggere L’ultimo regalo, dandomi così l’opportunità di parlarvene.
Il compito però, sarà in realtà più arduo del previsto, perché Kathryn Hughes è un’autrice che non si risparmia nel tessere le sue trame, le articola così bene, in modo così approfondito che poi a parlarne si rischia solo di rovinare un romanzo che, credetemi, fino alla fine, riuscirà a tenere altissima l’attenzione.
Durante la lettura mi sono chiesta spesse volte: “ma dove vorrà arrivare l’autrice?” oppure “ma questi personaggi adesso cosa c’entrano?” Ebbene, non fate il mio stesso errore, non mettete in dubbio questa scrittrice che, sapientemente, unirà tutti i pezzi di un puzzle intricato, regalandovi una storia che vale ogni pagina letta.
Ogni tassello, ogni scelta, ogni personaggio troveranno la giusta collocazione, e alla fine ne uscirà una trama che si dipana poco alla volta, con maestria e sapienza, eleganza e curiosità. Senza dare nulla per scontato, senza anticipare gli eventi, tenendo alta la curiosità del lettore pagina dopo pagina.
L’ultimo regalo parla dall’amore tra una madre e una figlia, quel legame unico e indissolubile che a volte diamo un po’ per scontato ma che è talmente speciale da superare qualsiasi barriera.
Tara e Violet ne hanno viste tante in vita loro, eppure nulla è mai riuscito a scalfire quel rapporto fatto di rispetto, fiducia e presenza, nonostante le mille difficoltà. Una madre senza lavoro fisso con una passione per il canto, ma talmente bella e talentuosa da riuscire a farsi ingaggiare in uno dei teatri più in voga del momento in Inghilterra. Ed è durante una delle sue esibizioni che conosce l’affascinante Larry Valentine, l’uomo che le ruberà il cuore.
Larry entra all’improvviso nella sua vita, premuroso, bello e ricco, sembra poter realizzare ogni suo desiderio più grande, e quello a cui Violet aspira altro non è che poter donare a sua figlia Tara il futuro che merita, lontana dalle brutture della vita, dagli sfratti improvvisi o le muffe sui muri e soprattutto darle in qualche modo l’idea di famiglia che non ha potuto regalarle quando è nata. Lei le ha fatto sia da padre che da madre e nel suo piccolo, ha cercato di non farle mancare nulla, Tara forse non può vantare una casa grande, un padre presente, vestiti all’ultima moda e amiche disposte ad accettare la sua condizione di povertà, ma sicuramente non le è mai mancato l’affetto di sua madre, e non le importa di certo, dover dividere il letto dell’unica camera che avevano trovato in affitto, sopra ad un negozio di ferramenta. Sua mamma è sempre stato il suo faro, la sua guida. Divertente, spiritosa, con lei poteva parlare di ogni cosa e non l’avrebbe mai giudicata.
Ma da quando Larry entra nelle loro vite, complice anche la gelosia, Tara inizia ad avercela con sua madre, pensando che Violet inizi a preferire la vita accanto a quell’uomo piuttosto che con lei. Come può spiegarle che avrebbe preferito vivere in uno sgabuzzino ma solo insieme a lei che in una villa e doverla dividere con un uomo che a lei non va a genio?
Ecco perché decide di non partire con loro per le vacanze. Tara si sente di troppo, sa di non piacere a Larry e d’altronde il sentimento è reciproco. Purtroppo, però, da quella vacanza tra Francia e Spagna, sua madre non farà ritorno.
Passano 40 anni, Tara si è convinta che Violet sia morta, perché se fosse stata viva sarebbe sicuramente tornata da lei, non l’avrebbe lasciata per nulla al mondo. Eppure le numerose ricerche non hanno mai portato a nulla, se non ad un logorante dolore che pare non avere fine. Tutto sembra tornare a galla quando Tara viene contattata da uno studio legale di Londra che deve consegnarle la chiave di una cassetta di sicurezza e una lettera scritta 37 anni prima. La cassetta contiene una collanina con un medaglione, all’interno del quale c’è una foto di Tara a 15 anni. Quel medaglione era stato l’ultimo regalo che lei aveva fatto a sua madre e che Violet aveva con sé durante il suo viaggio con Larry.
Chi è la persona che le ha fatto recapitare quella collana? Avrà notizie di sua madre? E se Violet fosse ancora viva?
Per Tara non c’è altra possibilità che tentare nuovamente di scoprire cosa è accaduto a sua madre e ricominciare a sperare che forse, dopo tutto, sia ancora viva e possa spiegarle perché l’ha lasciata.
Un viaggio difficile che ci trascinerà in continui flash back che ci faranno conoscere meglio Tara, sua madre Violet, tutte le persone che hanno fatto parte della loro vita. Un viaggio difficile che porterà Tara a mettere tutto il suo passato in discussione, a ricordare i momenti belli ma anche quelli che l’hanno fatta soffrire. Spieremo il bellissimo rapporto madre e figlia, come si sono fatte forza insieme, come spesso i loro ruoli si sono invertiti e quanto potente può essere questo amore. Un sentimento così forte da superare qualsiasi barriera, da rimaner vivo anche dopo 40 anni di assenze e silenzi, un legame che nessun dubbio ha mai potuto spezzare e così potente da spingere una figlia ormai rassegnata a cercare la verità e recuperare in qualche modo tutti quegli anni rubati.
Una storia forte, potente ed emozionante, un inno all’amore più puro e reale di sempre, quello tra madre e figlia, un esempio di coraggio, fiducia e determinazione. Un intreccio ricco, elaborato, fatto di segreti, speranza, destini che si incontrano e con un epilogo che vi stupirà.
August 8, 2020
Un romanzo carino, senza grandi pretese e con una conclusione abbastanza ovvia. I personaggi sono un po'tutti poco caratterizzati ma senza dubbio migliori, anche se simili, del precedente romanzo della stessa autrice (The Key).
È stato un buon compagno in queste giornate afose.
È stato un buon compagno in queste giornate afose.
March 21, 2020
Great story, enjoyed everyone of Kathryn Hughes books this is no exception. Recommended.
December 26, 2020
Beautiful story
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