About the book
When troubled artist Rachel Kelly dies she leaves behind an extraordinary body of work – but for her family there is a legacy of secrets and painful revelations. Rachel exerts a power that outlives her. To her children she is both curse and blessing, as they cope with the inheritance of her passions – and demons. Only their father’s gift of stillness can withstand Rachel’s destructive influence and the suspicion that they all came a poor second to her art. Piecing together the clues of her life – as artist, lover, mother, wife and patient – takes the reader from Cornwall to Canada across a span of forty years. What emerges is a tender story of enduring love, and a portrait of a family coping with the sometimes too dazzling brilliance of a genius.
Reviewed by New Forest/Waterside U3A Reading Group:
In addition to being an excellent read it is a great source for group discussion on a wide range of personal behaviour and relationships. Patrick Gale gets empathetically under the skin of a cast of characters so seemingly diverse one is tempted to doubt that they could survive each other, but leaves the reader with a sense of understanding and acceptance of their lives. This is a book not to be missed.
Star rating: ****
Review by Fareham WEA evening:
Well liked by almost all the group. Interesting structure with multiple viewpoints and unexpected twist at the end.
Star rating: ***
Review by Fareham WEA evening:
Well liked by almost all the group. Interesting structure with multiple viewpoints and unexpected twist at the end.
Star rating: ***
Review by Bookworm Bunch Ringwood:
good insight into Quaker religion and what it’s like living with someone who has bipolar. Generally enjoyed by group.
Star rating: ***+
Review by Book Buddies Reading group
Excellent descriptive passages. A variety of opinions on how convincing the storyline was. Exhibition notes – an interesting method of introducing each chapter but there were different views as to its effectiveness.
Rating: ***
Review by Enjoying Books Group
We all enjoyed this beautifully constructed novel. Interesting characters – insightful- and led to an interesting discussion.
Star rating: ***+
Review by Sheet WI
A bit like a jigsaw puzzle with different pieces to fit together. Interesting characterisation.