susan_e's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
skigirl1689's review against another edition
2.0
The writing was beautiful, but I found myself constantly wondering where the plot was going, and the ending completely confused me. Was what happened to one of the characters an accident or something else? And I did not understand how this all played into Ani's story of her grief.
eclectictales's review against another edition
3.0
I was provided an ARC of this book by the publishers in exchange for an honest review. This review in its entirety (including a spoiler note not included below) was originally posted at eclectictales.com: http://www.eclectictales.com/blog/2016/04/29/review-the-railwaymans-wife/
The Railwayman’s Wife was an interesting read with a narrative that captures much of the nuances, pauses, and stops that happen in life–those fleeting moments as it were. The setting is perfect for the story, its quiet and beauty contasting with the inner turmoils of the characters. The book is very much character-driven, so if you’re looking for a particular event or arc guiding the narrative, there isn’t really one beyond the characters’ various personal journeys and their interactions. It’s also an interesting look at loss of varying types–of a loved one, of their old life, of themselves–and how they cope in the aftermath. I really felt for Ani and Isabelle, whom we meet first in the novel, especially as we’ve caught glimpses at the beginning of the novel and throughout as to how happy they were.
Unfortunately in the same vein I never quite warmed to the characters to truly empathise with them. They were interesting in their own right with what they faced, but I don’t know if it’s the writing or just the nature of the way their stories were presented that just left me a little detached to their stories on the whole, which is unfortunate because it would’ve packed a far more emotional punch if I were more invested in their characters. I did however find it interesting that while Mac’s death more or less jump-starts the novel, he did feel like a fourth character in the principal characters list as we do see glimpses of who he was and what his life was like before and after he met Ani leading up to his death. The loss of his life is also in keeping with the themes of this novel.
The Railwayman’s Wife was overall an interesting novel in the themes it tackles. I don’t think it was quite the fit with me as the characters weren’t terribly memorable but the setting and the writing had its moments. It had its lulls. Nonetheless I’m glad to have read it. Readers who like historical fiction novels set in Australia and are characte-driven may want to check out this title.
The Railwayman’s Wife was an interesting read with a narrative that captures much of the nuances, pauses, and stops that happen in life–those fleeting moments as it were. The setting is perfect for the story, its quiet and beauty contasting with the inner turmoils of the characters. The book is very much character-driven, so if you’re looking for a particular event or arc guiding the narrative, there isn’t really one beyond the characters’ various personal journeys and their interactions. It’s also an interesting look at loss of varying types–of a loved one, of their old life, of themselves–and how they cope in the aftermath. I really felt for Ani and Isabelle, whom we meet first in the novel, especially as we’ve caught glimpses at the beginning of the novel and throughout as to how happy they were.
Unfortunately in the same vein I never quite warmed to the characters to truly empathise with them. They were interesting in their own right with what they faced, but I don’t know if it’s the writing or just the nature of the way their stories were presented that just left me a little detached to their stories on the whole, which is unfortunate because it would’ve packed a far more emotional punch if I were more invested in their characters. I did however find it interesting that while Mac’s death more or less jump-starts the novel, he did feel like a fourth character in the principal characters list as we do see glimpses of who he was and what his life was like before and after he met Ani leading up to his death. The loss of his life is also in keeping with the themes of this novel.
The Railwayman’s Wife was overall an interesting novel in the themes it tackles. I don’t think it was quite the fit with me as the characters weren’t terribly memorable but the setting and the writing had its moments. It had its lulls. Nonetheless I’m glad to have read it. Readers who like historical fiction novels set in Australia and are characte-driven may want to check out this title.
mmeggann's review against another edition
2.0
Despite hearing many great things about this book, I for some reason kept putting off getting to it. Upon picking it up, I was immediately drawn into the story, it's beautiful writing, and the deep emotion that it contains. But the more I continued to read, the more those things started to big things down.
The Railwayman's Wife is the story of Ani and Mac, Isabelle, Roy, Frank, and the small railway town that shapes their lives. Some families have been greatly affected by the war, others in different but equally tragic ways. But everyone must learn that love AND loss shape who we are.
Unfortunately, I could just never get into it. I was either tired of the lavish descriptions or simply bored with the story. I hate when I catch myself checking the percentage I am through the book rather than experiencing it. About the time I thought the pace was picking up, it was over.
What did I think?: Personally, this one wasn't for me. That doesn't mean it's bad or that it couldn't be someone else's favorite book in the world, but for me it didn't live up to what I had hoped.
Who should read it?: If historical fiction that is filled with descriptions and a slower paced painting of the picture, you'll probably enjoy this one.
The Railwayman's Wife is the story of Ani and Mac, Isabelle, Roy, Frank, and the small railway town that shapes their lives. Some families have been greatly affected by the war, others in different but equally tragic ways. But everyone must learn that love AND loss shape who we are.
Unfortunately, I could just never get into it. I was either tired of the lavish descriptions or simply bored with the story. I hate when I catch myself checking the percentage I am through the book rather than experiencing it. About the time I thought the pace was picking up, it was over.
What did I think?: Personally, this one wasn't for me. That doesn't mean it's bad or that it couldn't be someone else's favorite book in the world, but for me it didn't live up to what I had hoped.
Who should read it?: If historical fiction that is filled with descriptions and a slower paced painting of the picture, you'll probably enjoy this one.
diskin40's review against another edition
2.0
While I normally love descriptive writing this was almost too much - I found myself having to go back and re-read many pages. I won this book through a GoodReads Giveaway and believe it was under the historical fiction genre but I would not classify it as such. Did not like the ending; felt like my view of the main character throughout the book was wrong based on her behavior at the end.
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
‘She had never appreciated before the lovely anonymity of the unremarkable life.’
It’s 1948, and in Thirroul, south of Sydney in coastal New South Wales, Annika (Ani) Lachlan lives with her husband Mackenzie (Mac) and their daughter Isabel. When Mac, a railway man, is killed in a tragic work-related accident, Ani needs to forge a new life for herself and Isabel. She is offered a job at the Railway Institute Library, and this enables her to reconnect with other members of the community. Suffering takes many forms. Ani has lost her husband, while Dr Frank Draper feels terribly guilty about the fact that his medical assistance could not save concentration camp survivors who died on their first day of freedom and Roy McKinnon, a poet, has lost hope and his ability to write. Each of them, suffering their own form of loss, is struggling with life.
‘It’s hard enough accommodating death as the thing that interrupts a story you care about, let alone the shudder of realising that there must have been more stories beyond all the ones you’d ever actually heard.’
Thirroul is where DH Lawrence wrote ‘Kangaroo’ in 1922, and the book continues to be popular at the Railway Library. As Ani becomes more comfortable in her role as librarian, she tries to help others (including Roy McKinnon and Frank Draper) to find books that may interest, inspire and help them.
‘You can find anything in a story if you look hard enough.’
This is a bittersweet story. There may be happy endings for some of the characters, but not for all. Ani learns that all lives have different dimensions: she knew Mac well, but not completely. Her daughter, her neighbours and Mac’s workmates add to her knowledge. Ani learns, too, that life progresses. Mac’s death, and the death of so many during World War II, changes (but not concludes) the lives of those still living. There are choices to be made.
‘But it comes, this memory, and just as quickly goes: she’s making a new story here, not reliving an old one.’
I became swept up in this story, and while the ending was not the happy ending I initially hoped for, it fits the story. Life is rarely neat, without some loose ends. I’m wondering, now, how life continued on for Ani.
Note: I accepted an advance reading copy of this novel for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
It’s 1948, and in Thirroul, south of Sydney in coastal New South Wales, Annika (Ani) Lachlan lives with her husband Mackenzie (Mac) and their daughter Isabel. When Mac, a railway man, is killed in a tragic work-related accident, Ani needs to forge a new life for herself and Isabel. She is offered a job at the Railway Institute Library, and this enables her to reconnect with other members of the community. Suffering takes many forms. Ani has lost her husband, while Dr Frank Draper feels terribly guilty about the fact that his medical assistance could not save concentration camp survivors who died on their first day of freedom and Roy McKinnon, a poet, has lost hope and his ability to write. Each of them, suffering their own form of loss, is struggling with life.
‘It’s hard enough accommodating death as the thing that interrupts a story you care about, let alone the shudder of realising that there must have been more stories beyond all the ones you’d ever actually heard.’
Thirroul is where DH Lawrence wrote ‘Kangaroo’ in 1922, and the book continues to be popular at the Railway Library. As Ani becomes more comfortable in her role as librarian, she tries to help others (including Roy McKinnon and Frank Draper) to find books that may interest, inspire and help them.
‘You can find anything in a story if you look hard enough.’
This is a bittersweet story. There may be happy endings for some of the characters, but not for all. Ani learns that all lives have different dimensions: she knew Mac well, but not completely. Her daughter, her neighbours and Mac’s workmates add to her knowledge. Ani learns, too, that life progresses. Mac’s death, and the death of so many during World War II, changes (but not concludes) the lives of those still living. There are choices to be made.
‘But it comes, this memory, and just as quickly goes: she’s making a new story here, not reliving an old one.’
I became swept up in this story, and while the ending was not the happy ending I initially hoped for, it fits the story. Life is rarely neat, without some loose ends. I’m wondering, now, how life continued on for Ani.
Note: I accepted an advance reading copy of this novel for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
shelleyrae's review against another edition
3.0
For over a week I have been trying to write a review of the Railwayman’s Wife but can’t seem to get past a few random notes and half formed sentences. Not even to re-articulate the plot except for a few basics. There is no reason for this to be so difficult, I liked The Railwayman’s Wife well enough, it’s a character driven novel, set post WW2 in a small coastal village in southern New South Wales, exploring the pain of grief and loss. A wife, Annika, loses a much loved husband to a tragic accident and a returned soldier, Roy, struggles to overcome his wartime experiences, both are hoping for light, love and peace to return to their lives and both fear that it will never eventuate.
Not being able to articulate my thoughts about The Railwayman’s Wife has played havoc with my schedule, I can’t seem to move on to writing the next review, so here are those notes and half formed sentences for you to make of what you will.
The prose is lovely and the imagery beautifully expressed, definitely the strength of the novel
The story unfolds at a measured pace, there is little in the way of overt action with the drama internalised by the characters.
Annika’s grief is realistic as it evolves through time
Isabelle’s [Ani and Mack's daughter] precociousness is sweet rather than irritating. She has character in her own right.
Annika’s perspective of her relationship with Roy is ambiguous
I thought Frank’s character to be distracting, I am unsure of his role in the story.
I found the ending rather bleak, without the sense of hope I expected
Overall, it’s a melancholy novel, mired in tragedy and emotional distress, but redeemed by occasional glimpses of beauty and love.
selket16's review against another edition
4.0
Three people; a recent widow, a poet who can't write anymore and a doctor who's lost his social skills; become friends over the course of a year at the end of the 1940s as they all begin to heal from their pasts. Mixed in are scenes from the past, Annika, the widow's, dead husband always in the mix, ever present in her life.
This is a heartwarming tale of getting on with your life after war. Roy, the poet, and Frank, the doctor, are trying to find themselves while dealing with the guilt of surviving after all the death they saw in the war (WWII).
I don't describe it well, but it's a wonderful story, and, unfortunately, a timeless story. There will always be broken people returning from war and there will always be people having to deal with senseless and unexpected deaths that shouldn't have happened. Annika's husband didn't die in the war, the war had been over for years now. He died in a train accident; he just went to work one day and didn't come back.
This is a heartwarming tale of getting on with your life after war. Roy, the poet, and Frank, the doctor, are trying to find themselves while dealing with the guilt of surviving after all the death they saw in the war (WWII).
I don't describe it well, but it's a wonderful story, and, unfortunately, a timeless story. There will always be broken people returning from war and there will always be people having to deal with senseless and unexpected deaths that shouldn't have happened. Annika's husband didn't die in the war, the war had been over for years now. He died in a train accident; he just went to work one day and didn't come back.
soulkissed2003's review against another edition
4.0
Shortly after World War II, Ani Lachlan's husband, Mac, is killed in a railway accident at work. His death leaves her with their young daughter to raise, and upends her life completely. She soon has to take a job at the local library to make ends meet. She gets to know Roy McKinnon, a local poet who has lost his voice, and Dr. Frank Draper, who saw so much death in the war that he feels helpless.
This novel is a finely written piece on grief, and how we somehow go on living after a hard loss, even when it feels hollow sometimes. It is a sad and heavy story, yet there are glimmers of hope now and again. The pace and tone of the book match up well with what a grieving person would be going through. It also gives a beautiful and vivid description of the shoreline in southeastern Australia, in the coastal town where Ani lives.
I enjoyed the book, and I think the serious subject matter was handled with masterful skill. If you have lost someone precious recently, this might be too close to home for you. My main criticism would be that the book relies heavily on the characters' personal thoughts. There is a lot of rumination going on, which is not necessarily emotionally healthy. I would have preferred a little more dialogue and interaction between the people in the story. But it is a worthy read, and if you're ready to step away from lighter fare for a time, this truly is excellent writing and storytelling.
This book will be released in April, 2016. I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This novel is a finely written piece on grief, and how we somehow go on living after a hard loss, even when it feels hollow sometimes. It is a sad and heavy story, yet there are glimmers of hope now and again. The pace and tone of the book match up well with what a grieving person would be going through. It also gives a beautiful and vivid description of the shoreline in southeastern Australia, in the coastal town where Ani lives.
I enjoyed the book, and I think the serious subject matter was handled with masterful skill. If you have lost someone precious recently, this might be too close to home for you. My main criticism would be that the book relies heavily on the characters' personal thoughts. There is a lot of rumination going on, which is not necessarily emotionally healthy. I would have preferred a little more dialogue and interaction between the people in the story. But it is a worthy read, and if you're ready to step away from lighter fare for a time, this truly is excellent writing and storytelling.
This book will be released in April, 2016. I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.