Are the Kings really the Windsors?...
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I started this book thinking it was going to be the 'beach read' as described on the cover- you know, the sort of book where you read while listening to your i-pod and staining the pages with sun creamy fingers. How wrong I was. From the second chapter I was totally gripped by the complexity of the life stories and the unfolding of the history of post-war Britain in all its gritty and glorious detail. What intrigued me more as the story unravelled was the uncanny parallel between the 'King' family of Kingshaven and a certain Royal family. Subtle, carefully researched and absorbing I loved this book as it kept me guessing which character was which member of the Royal family.
This book is more than 'chic-lit';it would appeal to those wanting a bit more from a holiday book and kept me turning pages in anticipation of the shocks, emotions, landmark events and inevitable romantic complications which pepper real life and the book. I found myself humming songs from the 60s, reminiscing and thoroughly enjoying a good, well-written read. I can't wait for the 2nd part of the Trilogy to find out if I've guessed correctly who 'Diana' is going to be...
This would make a great TV drama or film!
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Its a saga...
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I've just read this and sort of enjoyed it for what it was (a SAGA), although was expecting a bit more given the quotes on the cover from the Times and the Sunday Times, both extolling it as a brillant 'beach read' - naive me??... maybe I expect more on my hols... (and I have to confess here that I love a bit of GOOD chick-lit every now and then).
It's definitely not a literary read, but it's ok as generic saga, and I mean generic, I would definitely not look back at it as a re-readable novel, but might look forward, if I had nothing better to do, and a few quid to spare, to read the next one, perhaps from a charity shop...
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An excellent read
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This is a wonderful novel. The lives of the characters are so skillfully observed and interlinked that I cried and laughed through the patchwork of their tragedies and celebrations. I so much want to know what happens to these families. I can't wait to read the next novel, The Things We Do for Love, when it comes out next year.
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not bad
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I enjoyed this but certainly wouldn't rave about it. Flawed heroes which I like as realistic. The story was quite good too but overall, I've read much more enjoyable and gripping novels.
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captivating
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This book had me entranced from start to finish. True the characters are flawed but how much more entertaining did this make the book. As the story unravels from the 1950s older readers are enveloped by so many memories. The characters are real and sympathetic, their stories touching. My only problem is that just as I was getting involved in one story theme the writer switched to another. I did feel the latter part of the book was a bit rushed and would have liked more detail. Still I eagerly look forward to the next story in this series.
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