A review by greensalbet
This Must Be the Place by Maggie O'Farrell
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Maggie O'Farrell is the exquisite author of Hamnet and The Marriage Portrait (Both New York Times bestsellers) and the memoir: I Am, I Am, I Am. Prior to these three books, O'Farrell published nine additional novels, many of which have recently been reprinted.
This Must be the Place is the story of Claudette and Daniel, the children from their first marriages: Ari, Niall, and Phoebe; and the children they conceive: Phoebe and Calvin. Chapters are told from alternating points of view as their story is revealed.
Claudette is introduced to the world of film through a temp job with the London Film Society. After two weeks, she's offered a permanent admin assistant position where she meets Swedish director Timou Lindstrom who is fascinated by her looks and personality. Timou leads Claudette into the acting pworld while taking her on as a partner. As Claudette's fame and popularity grow, her anonymity and privacy recede. She carefully plots an escape from the world of film and disappears, in mid-shooting, to a cottage in northern Ireland with son, Ari.
Linguist Daniel Sullivan, recently divorced from his first wife, is in Ireland for a conference when he discovers Ari and Claudette stalled by a flat tire. After noticing Ari struggles with a stutter, Daniel offers vocalization tips for his ailment. Claudette is taken with Ari's instant attachment to Daniel and knows she needs more help for her son. She invites Daniel to visit. This is where their love story begins.
The rest of the book is a journey through time getting to know the backstories of Claudette and Daniel, while watching them tumble in present time, making choices that threaten the security of their bond and the privacy Claudette has worked hard to cultivate for herself and her children.
This Must be the Place is the story of Claudette and Daniel, the children from their first marriages: Ari, Niall, and Phoebe; and the children they conceive: Phoebe and Calvin. Chapters are told from alternating points of view as their story is revealed.
Claudette is introduced to the world of film through a temp job with the London Film Society. After two weeks, she's offered a permanent admin assistant position where she meets Swedish director Timou Lindstrom who is fascinated by her looks and personality. Timou leads Claudette into the acting pworld while taking her on as a partner. As Claudette's fame and popularity grow, her anonymity and privacy recede. She carefully plots an escape from the world of film and disappears, in mid-shooting, to a cottage in northern Ireland with son, Ari.
Linguist Daniel Sullivan, recently divorced from his first wife, is in Ireland for a conference when he discovers Ari and Claudette stalled by a flat tire. After noticing Ari struggles with a stutter, Daniel offers vocalization tips for his ailment. Claudette is taken with Ari's instant attachment to Daniel and knows she needs more help for her son. She invites Daniel to visit. This is where their love story begins.
The rest of the book is a journey through time getting to know the backstories of Claudette and Daniel, while watching them tumble in present time, making choices that threaten the security of their bond and the privacy Claudette has worked hard to cultivate for herself and her children.