Synopsis (from amazon)
Cousins Abby and Juliet were born into one big, close family. But when Juliet’s parents divorce, it tears the family apart and sends the girls in very different directions.
Juliet grows up too quickly, forced to be responsible for her younger sisters as well as an alcoholic, single mother. Abby grows up a pampered, sheltered only child.
As women, they try to mend the rift and come to terms with the way their shared history connects them, in spite of the years apart.
Told in alternating narrative, A Long Thaw explores how the two women are shaped by the traumas and triumphs of childhood. It’s a story about the power of secrets and the unbreakable bonds of family.
Review I read Katie O’Rourke’s previous novel ‘Monsoon Season’ a couple of years ago, I don’t remember much about it, except that I enjoyed it, but I think I preferred this one. The two characters were very different, Abby maybe a little too settled, Juliet not settled enough. They really did something for each other, in a way it was a coming of age novel, for both of them. I think as a character I liked Abby best, or at least I identified with her the most, she’s quite similar to me, Abby. Juliet was a little blind. I think she wanted things to be a certain way now she had left her home, and she denied evidence that suggested things weren’t better, or how she wanted them to be. Whilst I identified more with Abby I did find Juliet’s story more interesting, and I was more eager to read her chapters. At one point I did think that maybe things were feeling a bit artificial (and I can’t say what without spoilers) but it was an easy event to accept, and it was something which became a moment which had to happen. 3.5/5 Buy it:Kindle (£3.59) Other Reviews: Have you reviewed this book? Leave me a comment with a link and I will add it here