Will North

This is well written but the pace flags at places - always a risk with police procedurals. The characters saved the book but a fair amount of telling not showing the vulnerabilities of the characters decreased the good effect of interesting characters. The supernatural added interest without being intrusive.

Just exactly the perfect book for total escape. And when was the last time I heard the name Fiona---Fi--wonderful. I enjoyed the cooking descriptions and plan to almost immediately try the dicing/slicing maneuvers described. Of course you almost know exactly where the story is going but the trip along the way is one I was delighted to read.

This novel strikes a dissonant chord in the ideal harmony of marriage enduring 'in sickness and in health' and the realities of physical attraction and emotional needs. An American man, Alec Hudson, travels to Wales, where as executor of the will of his late ex-wife, Gwynne Davis, scatters her ashes atop Cadair Idris, which mountain peak she had proudly climbed and considered her spiritual home. While walking in Wales, he encounters Fiona Edwards, proprietress of a bed and breakfast, while show more also caring for her invalid husband, David, on their Tan y Gadair Farm, which lies in the shadow of Cadair Idris. Weaving a fabric of heartaches, tragedies, families, and duties, Alec and Fiona fall in love, yet manage to deal with all its perplexities, including loyalty, fidelity, the passions, without losing balance or perspective. Parallel to this is another, more awkward 'young' love triangle involving Fiona's daughter, Meaghan, her boyfriend, Gerald, and Owen, the foreman of Fiona's farm/bed and breakfast. Alec's nearness to Fiona is countered by the palpable estrangement he feels while at church amongst the people of Dolgellau and at Tan y Gadair Farm -- Fiona's world not Alec's. This is a rendering of one meaning of 'home', similar to Homer's Odyssey, an epic version of the long voyage home and a longing return to hearth and harmony. Our sense of 'home' is the heart's longing for the familiar always in contrast to the intelligence's seeking adventure and the unfamiliar. show less

My review of this book is posted on my blog:
http://redladysreadingroom-redlady.blogspot.com/2008/09/book-review-long-walk-ho...

It was the beautiful cover art that drew me to this book. The charm of the bold red door with the green boots resting on the doorstep were very inviting. I have a thing for beautiful, bold doors that are charmingly decorated with flowers and statues and other personal decor. When I was in Europe I noticed this trend or custom and on my walks and tours was drawn to show more these homes. I assume that this door represents the Bed and Breakfast cottage that the main character Fiona runs and operates in Wales. There is also a lovely black and white photo inside that shows a cottage that looks homey and lovely and makes one want to find a place like this to visit. For me, this novel was charming and homey and a novel about love that can blossom at any time in your life, even when it is unexpected. Alec comes to Wales to scatter the ashes of his ex-wife and best friend. He meets Fiona, who is unhappily married, when he stops along his walk across England, to find a room at her Bed and Breakfast. The story reflects life in Wales and the charm of the village where Fiona lives and the sheep farm that is also part of their property. The story goes full circle where Fiona and Alex must figure out where their love can go and if it is meant to be. For me, this was an enjoyable and relaxing read. I loved reading about life in Wales, the village and small country feel of shopping at stores that are not chains and being part of a community that cares about each other. For most people the saying is true that you can't judge a book by it's cover but in this case with The Long Walk Home, you can judge a book by it's cover and will be happy that you did! My only suggestion would be to avoid reading the Prologue until the end, it is only 2 pages but it does give away much of the ending of the story. I would wait until you finish the book to read it. show less