Alys, Always (edition 2012)

I found this extremely compelling. In fact I read it in one evening, well into the wee hours. It's a simple premise, which actually helps enormously with the plausibility, as you can really see every stage happening. The whole thing is carried off with SUCH aplomb and atmosphere that it's unputdownable. Very much looking forward to whatever Harriet Lane does next. ( )

I received a copy of Alys, Always through the GoodReads First Reads program. It was an interesting read, following the protagonist Frances Thorpe as she is drawn into the lives of the Kytes following the death of its matriarch, Alys Kyte. Harriet Lane's prose can be lyrical yet precise; I look forward to her future novels.

While the secondary characters came across as predictable, lacking in the amount of character development compared to other characters, the protagonist was by far the most interesting. I'm not quite sure what to think of Frances by the end of the novel or her motives but the feeling went from sympathy to unsettling for me. Overall, I recommend this novel for those who enjoy a contemporary novel, family drama or a story featuring a rather mysterious, curious main character that will leave you guessing to the end.

You could read my full review over at my blog (contains some major spoilers/highlighted in the text): http://www.caffeinatedlife.net/blog/2013/03/11/review-alys-always/ ( )

This book started off strongly. The accident scene and the interaction between Alys and Frances was dramatic and immediately caught my attention. From then onward it failed to live up to my expectations. I wanted more from Frances. I wanted empathy and compassion. I wanted to like her but found her to be not very likeable. It’s hard to get into a book fully when you dislike the main character.

Sometimes honest and deep friendships are formed over tragic circumstances. That was not the case here. Frances happened to be in the right place at the right time to take advantage of a family during their time of grieving. Originally she wanted to put the accident behind her and have nothing to do with the victim’s family. Only after learning the identity of the family did she agree to meet them. Once she realized who they were and what they could do for her she seized this opportunity and used it to her advantage.

I kept reading because I wanted to find out what would happen to the Kytes and to Frances, how long would her new found status as part of the literary elite of England last? Would the Kytes grow tired of her or see through her act? The book kept me interested but there was something lacking. There was no connection between reader and the characters. None of the characters made any impact. I found them bland.

The book was written well. The language was very descriptive but lacking in emotional dept. It was a good time filler book but I was not the right audience for this book. If you are into books about women willing to use people and seize opportunities to further their career and social status then you’ll enjoy this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Goodreads First Reads program. ( )

This book took me completely by surprise. I thought it was going to be some soppy love story from the cover but it ended up being slightly single white female and really quite good. Francis went from becoming a bland personality into some one quite complex and manipulative. There are glimpses that make you think you understand why she is the way she is, her mother is quite controlling but uninterested in her and there is one scene when she is at the beach and has a flash back of something unpleasant. A very unusual book! Great read! ( )

Fun mystery. Devious protagonist. ( )