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A review by floraltiger
Once Upon a Time in England by Helen Walsh
3.0
Well-written, gut-wrenching, infuriating.
I can only agree with the other reviews in that this is a very slow story and a very sad story. So much could be resolved through conversation alone. The first 150 pages were difficult to focus on, there is no real plot or progression in the story, the reader simply gets to know the characters more deeply.
The book is divided into three parts and the story jumps ahead a few years in between them. I felt like I was deprived of the real story by it being interrupted and continued at the most interesting and pivotal moments.
The characters were well-rounded but the only emotion conjured up by all of them was pity. I pitied Sheila for not understanding her children and not being able to live her truth. I pitied Robbie for not choosing not to follow his dream and then not succeeding in what he gave it up for. I pitied Vincent for being targeted and for seeking to drown his sorrows. I pitied Ellie for her naïveté.
This book made me feel sad but there is a poetic peacefulness that made me carry on reading.
I am relieved to have finished this book but I am glad I did.
I can only agree with the other reviews in that this is a very slow story and a very sad story. So much could be resolved through conversation alone. The first 150 pages were difficult to focus on, there is no real plot or progression in the story, the reader simply gets to know the characters more deeply.
The book is divided into three parts and the story jumps ahead a few years in between them. I felt like I was deprived of the real story by it being interrupted and continued at the most interesting and pivotal moments.
The characters were well-rounded but the only emotion conjured up by all of them was pity. I pitied Sheila for not understanding her children and not being able to live her truth. I pitied Robbie for not choosing not to follow his dream and then not succeeding in what he gave it up for. I pitied Vincent for being targeted and for seeking to drown his sorrows. I pitied Ellie for her naïveté.
This book made me feel sad but there is a poetic peacefulness that made me carry on reading.
I am relieved to have finished this book but I am glad I did.