Great novel. I loved that the view point would change between all the children, parents, and one grandchild. It was a wonderful family story of what holds us together and pushes us apart. Highly recommend. ( )

This was an engaging book. It took me a bit to get into it, but once the story caught me, I found myself thinking about it and wanting to pick it up several times during the day. It was full of interesting characters, each with their own issues, and had a very satisfying ending. Albeit, perhaps a little too tidy, a little too fast. ( )

When the four McDonald children's mother leaves them on Christmas Eve 1967, she tells them that it's to get more Christmas lights. Instead, Rosemarie hops a plane to London and disappears for forty years, leaving her husband and children with the burning question: Why?

Over the years, the children become very adept at hiding the feelings of hurt they have at their mother's abandonment; remaining close into adulthood as they start their own families. Until old wounds are reopened by a chance encounter in the street forty years later. Now, with their beloved father suffering dementia, old secrets come to light as the children each deal with their mother's return in their own way.

I truly enjoyed this book. I found it interesting that it took place in Australia as I have never really read anything in the setting of Australia. There was a glossary of Australian terms and slang that was very helpful. I give this book an A+! ( )

Veitch's characters seem true-to-life: full of faults, and each person rigidly filling the roles they took on when their mother left yet not seeming stereotyped. Good portrayal of family dynamics: in-charge older sister, obsessively organized brother, laid back artist, baby sister. And then Veitch allows them to face their past, when their mother left, and grow beyond these roles. Set in Australia with a glossary of Aussie slang tucked in at the end. An excellent read. ( )

Kate Veitch writes a compelling novel that makes the reader examine the themes of abandonment and forgiveness. Without a Backward Glance is a well written novel with beautiful character development. The characters sneak up on the reader throughout the book and by the end you can't help but care about them. A quiet novel that examines the family dynamics and individual personalities of a family in crisis. ( )