Persephone Books discussion

The spoiler thread.

I finished this book a few days ago and I really loved it! I was an older teen, young adult when this book was written. Anna letting Charlie move in and then getting pregnant definitely would have raised some eyebrows. That was just around the time when things were changing- that men and women lived together unmarried was still quite rare. I loved Anna- she really understood what she wanted. Her mother- in -law was a breath of fresh air, wasn’t she? Non judgmental and really caring. I would definitely read more by this author if any of her books were available.

I totally agree. I loved her mother in law, there were hints of a very interesting life in there. Most people around her seemed pretty accepting of her choices - good for them.

I thought that the thing that really tipped it into the 'romance' genre was the ending. I don't typically read out and out romances, but I did really enjoy this one.

Same, Tania, I don’t read romances either, but I really felt there was more to this one. I liked Anna’s self reflection - how she realizes her first marriage was not a love match. I liked that she never lost sight of her children. They were her priority. It was a perfect story- I’m glad it was such a happy ending. Nice to have one of those once in a while.

Antoinette wrote: ".I’m glad it was such a happy ending. Nice to have one of those once in a while."

Same, It wasn't the ending I had expected, but I was happy with it.

Just finished yesterday - I thought it was an enjoyable read! I agree, I liked the mother-in-law. What did everyone think about Charlie?
I have to confess that reading this book with a modern lens, I wasn't very impressed by him - especially the way he came back (drunk) to Anna at the end. It just seemed like she was doing a lot of emotional labor with him! But that was definitely the expectation of women at the time, so not unusual by any means.

I wouldn't want him. I agree that he wasn't a very stable character, and if I were to think too hard about it I wouldn't give much for their chances long term; but then, he was younger than her and perhaps settling down with a family will be just what he needs. I did think it was only really a happy ending within the confines of the novel.