Mary Sheepshanks

A brilliant flute player becomes ill, and goes to work, temporarily, in a boys' school. It's primarily a character-based book, and although there are one or two caricatures, the main characters are sympathetically drawn and believable.

The book was nicely paced and enjoyable although the first time I read this, I thought one of the characters got rather a raw deal. On re-reading seventeen years later, I had more sympathy for others of the cast, although the last chapter is quite show more poignant.

Definitely recommended to anyone who likes women's fiction.

Full review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2019/10/facing-music-by-mary-sheepshanks.ht... show less

A very enjoyable novel featuring a four-generation family. The grandmother Kate is the main protagonist. There are some excellent, believable characters and a clear, gentle plot with many interesting sub-plots.

I first read it in 2001 and had totally forgotten the story when I re-read it eighteen years later. So there were some surprises that I didn't see coming - and they worked very well.

Great writing, good pace, some light humour and some very moving scenes. Almost impossible to put down. show more

This book works as a kind of sequel to 'A Price for Everything', with some of the characters from that appearing as minor ones in this novel.

Highly recommended to anyone who likes women's fiction.

Full review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2019/12/picking-up-pieces-by-mary-sheepshan... show less

Isobel and Giles live in a huge house in Scotland, which is partly converted to an arts/drama centre. Several other family members and friends live there, or arrive during the novel.

Realistic and three-dimensional characters, on the whole, with a particularly likeable and sympathetic boy on the autistic spectrum. There are a few caricatured - and mostly amusing - neighbours, and the villain of the piece isn't entirely believable. But I loved this book, perhaps all the more on re-reading show more eighteen years after first acquiring it.

Excellent! Highly recommended to anyone who likes thoughtful women's fiction.

Full review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2020/01/off-balance-by-mary-sheepshanks.htm... show less

This is a pleasant, character-based novel. It mainly revolves around an upper-middle class family who want to save their ancestral home, but don't have the funds to do so. Archie and Sonia are experiencing conflict as they can't agree on the way forward.

While far removed from everyday life, the principles and dilemmas of family life, and priorities, are relevant to most of us. The writing is good, and I very much liked Birdie, Archie and Sonia's third child, a very sensitive and thoughtful show more little girl.

There are a few caricatures, and a somewhat over-pious and enthusiastic vicar who is seen as either tiresome or a figure of fun. But on the whole, I thought the book very enjoyable.

Latest review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2019/09/a-price-for-everything-by-mary-shee... show less