Amy Wingate's Journal

by Willa Marsh (Pseudonym), Marcia Willett

Originally published in 1996 under pen name Willa Marsh.

’A fascinating study of character’ - Publishing News

When Amy consults her doctor about her increasing mood swings, she is advised to keep a diary as an outlet for her bursts of irritation. In the process, her life obligingly becomes eventful enough to provide some interesting reading.

But it is the tantalising allusions to her past – so at odds with her appearance as the stereotyped retired schoolmistress – that intrigue, delight, and eventually reveal a woman of surprising qualities.

Praise for Marcia Willett:
‘Poignantly told’ – Evening Herald

Willa Marsh was born in Somerset and lives in a Georgian parsonage in Devon with her husband and two Newfoundlands. As Marcia Willett, she also writes well-reviewed novels published by Headline.

Genres: Fiction, Diary, Audiobook, Womens Fiction

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Pseudonym of Marcia Willett.

Four books were written under this pseudonym: Amy Wingate's Journal, Facing The Music, The Quick and the Dead & Sisters Under The Skin.

Reviews

[Emy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5/5

[Carolien · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not know what to expect from this one, but once I started it I was hooked. Amy Wingate is advised by her doctor to keep a diary to manage her emotions. Simultaneously there is an incident where she injures a young man and as he recovers, she starts thinking about her past. Absolutely wonderful with a very unexpected twist in the tale. Beautifully written, highly recommend.

[Katie Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, originally published in the pen name of Willa Marsh, has strong elements of Willett's other writing but with less of a sense of place, we don't even find out the name of Amy's seaside town never mind it's location. It is written in the 1st person as Amy Wingate revisits her past memories which she has kept pushed down. Pushing is a theme of this book, she makes the new friend who unlocks her memories when she pushes him from a bridge and it is a push which is the biggest secret she holds. That was the only secret in the book I didn't see coming, Rob and Simon's relationship was very similar to a plotline in another Willett book, but it didn't spoil my enjoyment. It struck me at the end that the moments of anger Amy succumbs to and the pushes she gives to Gary and Hugh are perhaps symptomatic of her powerlessness. Throughout the book she is at the whim of men - forced to leave numerous homes because of them and keeping her attractiveness hidden due to an early exploitative relationship. Lashing out in this way is the only real response open to her and it brings about her downfall and resurrection. Although to begin her new life she still has to ask a man for contacts. Perhaps that's just the way of the world!

[Ieva · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unexpected treat.

I picked this book from the Kindle unlimited offerings thinking it would be a lightweight, romantic story about an older woman's past. I did not expect it to be so original and engrossing. It is beautifully written and the somewhat unlikely twists and turns in the plot feel believable. The protagonist is an unsentimental woman so the story isn't gushingly sweet and her behaviour is not all what one would expect from a middle-aged schoolteacher. Great stuff!

[Pauline Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down

Marcia Willett has such an insight in to people and what makes them tick. I don't know how she knows. I've read loads of her books, this one is a bit different but I really couldn't put it down. The characters are so real and the story so intriguing, I was late for work one morning because I decided to indulge myself and just read one chapter which of course turned in to several as I got so absorbed. The next thing I knew I was running late and had to charge around to get ready. I will look for more by her as Willa Marsh.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful exploration of character

While the use of her journal is cathartic for Amy, the reader finds Amy herself within her journal entries - her story, her joys and fears, and her hopes amid the experiences of her self-contained life. Amy’s character is portrayed with a deft and sensitive brush. A quiet, gentle read that is, nonetheless, extremely powerful, not only for its insights into Amy, but also for its insights into love, friendship, different types of loneliness and the vagaries of human nature.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually download novels in 'diary entry' format, neither do I enjoy novels in first person pov. But this was simply lovely. I was on the edge of my seat from the 50% mark, wondering whether I dare read on , or was it all going to end in some ghastly forced 'twist' or even worse, no real ending at all.

I am relieved to say the ending was uplifting and made me smile.

Lovely, thoughtful writing.

[Susan Lovell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book could also be called Amy Wingate's Journey because that is what it is. A wonderful story about one woman's journey from the past into the future. On the way Amy learns some lessons about herself and tolerance, forgiveness and friendship. Loved this book.

[Brenda Neale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put this down

Another excellent read by Marcia Willett, I loved all of the characters , especially Amy and Gary, so different from her other books but equally engrossing, would highly recommend .

[Rachel Axford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the vast vocabulary in this book. I loved Amy and her no non sense attitude and I loved her relationship with Gary. Such a nice story and it was extremely well read by Phyllida Nash (audio book)

[Cali Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unexpected but delightful book. I found it very compelling and quite unlike anything I’d read before. Amy’s journal is part diary, part therapy and her unique take on the world is unusual and interesting

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent

[Fi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Struggled to get in to this so didn't finish it. May try reading again another time.

[Kathy Spann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very surprised at the details Amy divulged in her journal.

[SHERIDAN E SMITH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this as an audio book

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fairly light, enjoyable read. I enjoy novels that are written in the form of journals, especially when the journalist is a retired teacher and writes so eloquently. My fifty or so journals that I’ve started and kept at for varying amounts of time, certainly weren’t written so interestingly. Likely because my life wasn’t near as interesting as that of Amy. I really did enjoy this format, being in the present but keeping the reader informed as to the happenings of the past which, of course, colored the present. I liked that there was a certain amount of humor in it, yet subtle and believable. Really a pretty good read, and effective escapism for the time we’re living in.

[LireauxWC · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ce que j’ai aimé : Ça se lit assez vite, je crois l’avoir lu en à peu près deux jours. Encore une fois, ça n’est pas mon genre littéraire favori, mais j’ai été assez agréablement surprise. Et puis, sous ses airs guindés, Amy, c’est une meuf trash comme on les aime au village!

Ce que je n’ai pas aimé : Ca avait pourtant bien commencé, c’est si rare ce type de personnages. Mais c’est de la chick-lit, donc forcément, à un moment donné ça dégouline de la guimauve. C’est bien dommage!"

http://wc.pressepuree.fr/le-journal-s...

[Kristyh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh so twee story of middle aged spinster who could magically manipulate the behaviour of others to her own ends. Caricatures not characters. I didn't like it.

[Valerie]

Really enjoyed it.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unexpected find on BorrowBox. Amusing with a couple of twists. Beautifully narrated

[Barbara Bacon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy and comforting, with some plot twists and secrets revealed.. just what I love about Willa Marsh 🥰

[Bonnye Reed]

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