Kate Long (1) (1964–)

I picked this up expecting a light, fluffy, humorous little read, perfect for a day off in the sunshine. Well, it wasn't quite as fluffy as I'd thought. In fact, this book covers everything from teen pregnancy to adoption to child neglect to dementia.

Charlotte has discovered, to her horror, that her less-than-idyllic dalliance with arrogant Paul has left her pregnant at seventeen. Thank heavens for oddball Daniel, her new best friend and confidante, who just might prove to be the haven of show more sanity she needs. Charlotte's mum Karen is left reeling when she finds out she's adopted - will her enquiries bring her a fairytale reunion, and can she cope with Charlotte's revelation on top of everything else? And as for Nan, poor senile Nan with her colostomy bag and her penchant for toasting letters - well, she just wants everyone to be happy...

With all this going on, it's fortunate that the characters are so endearing, and that Long has managed to create an absorbing story that never loses its lightness of touch and sense of humour. The narrative switches between Charlotte's rapidly maturing voice, Karen's rather self-absorbed musings, and Nan' wistful recollections of her own past, bringing together these three women, three ages, three personalities, into one winding family history. There were amusing moments tempered by moments where the tears were prickling the backs of my eyes; unhappy moments contrasted with moments of hope and happiness.

Ultimately this is a story about family, about relationships, about a shared history, and about pulling together to get through everything life throws at you. I wasn't completely blown away, but I'm glad I read it and I'm sure I'll enjoy the other two of Long's books that are still waiting on my shelves! show less

I was uncertain about this one to start with, but it was an enjoyable holiday read. Though I tend to be uncomfortable when characters take unnecessary risks by telling lies, I was unexpectedly able to sympathize with Kat as she struggles with being overweight, bulimic, unpopular, unfashionable, and possibly lesbian, and negotiates relationships with a dead father, an absent mother, the unpleasant grandmother who brought her up, and her (the grandmother's) odorous boyfriend. When a boy turns show more up claiming to be a cousin, Kat is simultaneously repelled and fascinated; and the local librarians turn out to be more than simply lenders of books. MB 1-ix-2018 show less

Beautifully nuanced, I really enjoyed this coming of age tale. Freya has a lot to cope with and her ups and downs are explored lightheartedly and with a great deal of skill. However I did find it a little slow to begin with and it took me a while to really get into it.

I picked it up at work thinking it would be a light chick-lit read, with maybe a little bit of attitude, but it turned into something a good bit better.

Three generations of women, Nan, her daughter Karen, and granddaughter Charlotte share a tiny little home in a tiny little village in northern England. Their stories alternate. Nan, pushing 80, is a bit addled and spends most of her time in the past. Karen, in her early thirties, is angry at the world and at herself for losing her future by show more having had Charlotte as a teenager. Karen has also discovered that she is adopted and hoping to find her "real" mother, someone she imagines living a wonderful, suburban fantasy of the life she's never had. Charlotte, a very good student, is completely alienated from her mother, a situation that is only exacerbated when Charlotte discovers that she, too, is expecting a baby at the exact wrong time in life.

The novel is funny and irreverent--except when it is not--and then it is poignant and haunting. A quick absorbing read, excellent for gaining a little perspective. show less