A review by emjayae149
Amenable Women by Mavis Cheek
3.0
Did I enjoy AMENABLE WOMEN? Overall, yes. The writing was engaging and the pacing, while sedate, suited the characters' (Flora and Anna) story.
I particularly enjoyed dipping into the life of Anna of Cleves and learning about her from her own perspective. The author uses this wonderful technique of having Anna, and some of her contemporaries living in the picture frames that house their likeness. When in public view, they hear all that is said about them. When alone, they come alive and talk.
My frustration with this story lies with Flora and the choices she makes. 340-odd pages later, and I felt Flora had only convinced herself she had moved on and made peace with her life. The book refers to this a couple of times as displaying dignity. To me, there is no dignity in self-delusion.
And there's my conundrum: how to reconcile myself to a sympathetic character who I feel did not live up to potential. I do not regret reading this book but I am unsure if I would recommend it.
I particularly enjoyed dipping into the life of Anna of Cleves and learning about her from her own perspective. The author uses this wonderful technique of having Anna, and some of her contemporaries living in the picture frames that house their likeness. When in public view, they hear all that is said about them. When alone, they come alive and talk.
My frustration with this story lies with Flora and the choices she makes. 340-odd pages later, and I felt Flora had only convinced herself she had moved on and made peace with her life. The book refers to this a couple of times as displaying dignity. To me, there is no dignity in self-delusion.
And there's my conundrum: how to reconcile myself to a sympathetic character who I feel did not live up to potential. I do not regret reading this book but I am unsure if I would recommend it.