perculiarpenny's review
5.0
This review is also posted on my blog So Many eBooks, So Little Time
Joseph Scott has just left prison after serving three years for manslaughter. He killed his wife Zoe in front of their three children. During the time that Joseph was imprisoned his children have grieved for their mother, and managed to move on with their lives. They are now being brought up by Hannah and Freddie, Zoe’s parents. Now he is out all he wants is to rebuild a relationship with Scarlett, Theo and Ben and become a proper father to them, but his mother in law Hannah is determined not to allow this.
The story is told from the points of view of Scarlett, Hannah and Joseph and each one felt very real to me; Scarlett’s fear, Hannah’s anger and Joseph’s desperation. Through their eyes we see the effect that seeing their mother’s death has had on the children. It has also had a major effect on Zoe’s parents and how they feel about their grandchildren. This book speaks very frankly about mental illness and it is done well. The themes of love, loss and redemption are also all present in this book.
I have said before about Charity Norman’s books that she brings the characters and their world to life, and it is very true of this book. York, where a large amount of the book is set, is really brought to life and it is very easy to imagine exactly where things are happening. This was a fantastic read!
Joseph Scott has just left prison after serving three years for manslaughter. He killed his wife Zoe in front of their three children. During the time that Joseph was imprisoned his children have grieved for their mother, and managed to move on with their lives. They are now being brought up by Hannah and Freddie, Zoe’s parents. Now he is out all he wants is to rebuild a relationship with Scarlett, Theo and Ben and become a proper father to them, but his mother in law Hannah is determined not to allow this.
The story is told from the points of view of Scarlett, Hannah and Joseph and each one felt very real to me; Scarlett’s fear, Hannah’s anger and Joseph’s desperation. Through their eyes we see the effect that seeing their mother’s death has had on the children. It has also had a major effect on Zoe’s parents and how they feel about their grandchildren. This book speaks very frankly about mental illness and it is done well. The themes of love, loss and redemption are also all present in this book.
I have said before about Charity Norman’s books that she brings the characters and their world to life, and it is very true of this book. York, where a large amount of the book is set, is really brought to life and it is very easy to imagine exactly where things are happening. This was a fantastic read!
melkirkman's review
4.0
This book was an amazing portrayal of real life rather than exaggerated fiction. There were no heroes and no villians in this book, just real people and a real life story. I loved it.
The story being told by the different parties really opens your eyes to each side of the story and the struggles that each character faces.
I would definitely recommend this book!
The story being told by the different parties really opens your eyes to each side of the story and the struggles that each character faces.
I would definitely recommend this book!
bs_little_library's review
5.0
Absolutely worth the three-or-so-year wait to read it. Amazingly, it lived up to all my expectations and hopes (and I rarely say that about books I have wanted to read for so long). The ending was a little...... nicer than I expected and I predicted the ending but just in a sligtly different way. Definitely recommend 👍
falmouthjen's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
marryallthepeople's review
4.0
It was refreshing to read a book in the vein of Jodi Picoult/Diane Chamblerlain by a NZ author and this book lived up to the hype. The basis for this was an unusual family situation but was written in a way where you have sympathy for all characters in a way which wouldn't play out in real life.
This was recommended to me by my mother-in-law who loved this book. Me, less so. I would give it a strong 3.5-4 star rating and I shed a tear in the second to last chapter but that was it. Also I expect under NZ law that it would play out differently.
SO, nice arm chair read that I read very fast and in three sittings. Will be reading her other books. GO KIWI AUTHOURS!!!
This was recommended to me by my mother-in-law who loved this book. Me, less so. I would give it a strong 3.5-4 star rating and I shed a tear in the second to last chapter but that was it. Also I expect under NZ law that it would play out differently.
SO, nice arm chair read that I read very fast and in three sittings. Will be reading her other books. GO KIWI AUTHOURS!!!
shadowteabooks's review
5.0
The emotions run high in this book! But I loved every minute of it! The ups, downs and in between’s and in the end I almost required tissues!
I’m glad everything worked out for the Wilde kids in the end! Such a great story!
I’m glad everything worked out for the Wilde kids in the end! Such a great story!
busyreading's review
5.0
The Son-In-Law is a brilliantly written book.
This story had me hooked from page one.
Joseph has been released from prison after serving three years of a six year sentence for the manslaughter of his wife Zoe.
He now hopes to have a relationship with his children Scarlet,Theo and Ben.
For the past three years the children's grandparents Frederick and Hannah have been caring for them.
Of course the children,Frederick and Hannah want nothing to do with Joseph.
This then starts a series of court cases which put a huge strain on everyone especially Frederick.
Frederick's health starts to decline which then puts even more pressure on everyone.
I LOVED this story from the first page right through to the last page.
I found this book to be a very emotional read and I would HIGHLY recommend it.
This story had me hooked from page one.
Joseph has been released from prison after serving three years of a six year sentence for the manslaughter of his wife Zoe.
He now hopes to have a relationship with his children Scarlet,Theo and Ben.
For the past three years the children's grandparents Frederick and Hannah have been caring for them.
Of course the children,Frederick and Hannah want nothing to do with Joseph.
This then starts a series of court cases which put a huge strain on everyone especially Frederick.
Frederick's health starts to decline which then puts even more pressure on everyone.
I LOVED this story from the first page right through to the last page.
I found this book to be a very emotional read and I would HIGHLY recommend it.
shelleyrae's review
5.0
In the heat of the moment, Joseph Scott lashes out at his wife, Zoe, and unwittingly destroys everything he loves. Three years later Joseph is released from prison and his first priority is to re-establish contact with his children, thirteen year old Scarlett, ten year old Theo and four year old Ben. The children have been in the care of their maternal grandparents, Hannah and Frederick, who blame Joseph for their daughters death and fight to deny him access. Compelling and thought provoking, The Son-In-Law is a moving story of forgiveness and redemption.
The Son-In-Law is told from the alternating perspectives of Joseph, Hannah and Scarlett, unveiling a tale of tragedy and domestic drama. Zoe's death left her family reeling and three years on they are still struggling to come to terms with her absence. With remarkable insight and compassion, Norman explores the intense emotions of her protagonists- Hannah's righteous bitterness and anger, Scarlett's vulnerability and confusion and Joseph's sadness and fierce love for his children. My support was constantly shifting as the author revealed the complexities of the issues involved in decided what was best for the children. On balance, it was the children who engendered most of my sympathy, caught as they were between the adults whose good intentions were compromised by their own desires.
The only way for this shattered family to heal is to find forgiveness from one another but it is a journey fraught with hurt, anger and confusion. Their conflicts seem irreconcilable but slowly Norman's characters edge towards an understanding of each other and their needs. Norman challenges the reader to negotiate this emotional and moral minefield and our notions of what is best, and what is right.
Beautifully written, The Son-In-Law is a harrowing and powerful story. I was utterly engrossed by the realistic characters, their precarious relationships and the heartwrenching circumstances of this family tragedy, and I think you will be too.
sarahrobins11's review
4.0
3.5 stars
This book wasn’t what I expected it to be. But I did really enjoy it. Story that you feel could be a real life story. Loss and emotions and broken families and illness. Well written and completely sucks you in. I even sobbed at the end.
This book wasn’t what I expected it to be. But I did really enjoy it. Story that you feel could be a real life story. Loss and emotions and broken families and illness. Well written and completely sucks you in. I even sobbed at the end.