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Hungry Ghosts
Sylvia longs for a baby. After two miscarriages and years of IVF treatment, she is obsessed with finding a cure for her infertility.
On the brink of a nervous breakdown, she abandons her hospital job and buys a derelict cottage on the Greek island of Crete. Here, in the clean air and sparkling sea of the Aegean, she sets about purifying her body, convinced that this will help her conceive.
But hypnotised by the heat and beauty of the island, Sylvia's desire for a baby is gradually eclipsed by a new obsession: to find out more about Martin, the troubled young expatriate builder she hires to help renovate the cottage.
Where does he vanish to each night? Why does he keep his mother's ashes in his red campervan? And why won't he talk about how she died?
Debbie Taylor has written a sensual, disturbing and beautifully-crafted novel: about desire and loss and the healing warmth of the Mediterranean sun.
On the brink of a nervous breakdown, she abandons her hospital job and buys a derelict cottage on the Greek island of Crete. Here, in the clean air and sparkling sea of the Aegean, she sets about purifying her body, convinced that this will help her conceive.
But hypnotised by the heat and beauty of the island, Sylvia's desire for a baby is gradually eclipsed by a new obsession: to find out more about Martin, the troubled young expatriate builder she hires to help renovate the cottage.
Where does he vanish to each night? Why does he keep his mother's ashes in his red campervan? And why won't he talk about how she died?
Debbie Taylor has written a sensual, disturbing and beautifully-crafted novel: about desire and loss and the healing warmth of the Mediterranean sun.
Paperback
Published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 14, 2007
This wasn't bad at all. It kept me engaged, and the descriptions gave me clear images of the surroundings. Kind of sinister in a strange sort of way that I wasn't entirely comfortable with. I couldn't really make up my mind about the characters. Definitely made me think.
September 4, 2012
A beautifully written book with well-fleshed out and believable characters- however, it has the ability in certain parts to get under one's skin and put the reader in the position of questioning themselves and the morals of society.
December 2, 2015
Really enjoyed this book - really interesting story though the subject matter took an uncomfortable and unexpected turn towards the climax. Definitely worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews