Amazon US $2.55 $11.99
Amazon CA $16.06
Romance / Family Drama
1914 - 18
Corsica
It is
delightful when one of the main characters is a place, not a person, when the
scenery is described in as much detail and as vividly as the lead protagonist
and the plot.
In the present
day, Rachel Swift goes to Corsica, the place where her mother was born, with
the intention of researching her family history. She finds some letters, which
are anonymous but passionate and written to ‘Maria’. Gradually she uncovers the
desperate love between the couple, the mountains they must climb to be together
and the heartbreak they must endure.
Maria becomes a
nurse when war breaks out – but more than this I am not saying, because it will
spoil the story.
The House at Zaronza is an
emotional, absorbing and powerful read, a story of betrayal, misunderstanding
and a love story, all wrapped in the tragedy that these can, so often bring,
especially when war is the main background.
The story is of
the island during these turbulent years, and of the people – local inhabitants,
invaders and who had to live, die, and survive.
This is a debut
novel, and although written with passion and skill it could perhaps, as with
all new authors, have benefitted from an additional structural edit, for the pace
ebbs and flows a little, especially at the beginning. But do persevere – even if
only for the delight of the descriptive scenery. Vanessa Couchman has a huge
potential talent, and will be an author to watch, I think.
© Mary Chapple
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Thank you for this lovely review, Mary. I was delighted to read your comments.
ReplyDeleteI'll pass your message on Vanessa. Mary did say to me that she wanted to lay claim to reviewing your next book as she very much enjoyed your writing.
DeleteThank you so much, Helen. It's very good of Mary to say that - and I hope to give her the opportunity soon!
Delete#DDRevs looks forward to receiving it! :-)
Delete