One Moment, One Morning

Anyone who’s ever sat people-watching on the train may well identify with the opening of this novel, which follows a week in the lives of three passengers aboard the 07:44 from Brighton to London, and therein lies much of its charm – it’s about something that could happen to any of us.

Three women, Lou, Anna and Karen, witness the death of one of their fellow commuters, and this deceptively simple tale follows their lives for a week following that incident. It’s not packed with murders or magic, instead it is a subtle exploration of love and loss.

The narrative drive comes from the emotions of the characters – Karen, the man’s wife, who has suddenly lost her beloved husband, Anna, her friend, who is forced to question her show more own relationship, and Lou, a stranger. All three are brought together by this shared experience. The reviews below suggest ‘not enough happens’ in this novel, and if it’s twists and turns and surprises that make you jump you’re after in a plot, this won’t appeal to you.

It’s not a thriller; it’s more for fans of Patrick Gale or Maggie O’Farrell, I’d say, and I found it intimate and thoughtful and above all believable, and which made a refreshing change. It made me laugh, and because some of the scenes with Karen and her small children are especially moving, also and had me reaching for a tissue on more than one occasion. Ultimately, it’s about self-actualisation: learning to be true to who you really are. The Brighton setting is well-drawn too, so for anyone seeking a contemporary novel about rounded and very likeable characters, I suggest putting this warmly realised novel on your reading list. show less

liked it due to good character development - wanted to see what happened in their lives. I wish the line on the cover about "you will laugh, you will cry" was true... don't remember laughing! It was sad, really sad, yet draws you in..just not a happy beach read, which I sometimes need!

One of the most striking things about this novel was its clarity: the calm, focussed way it was written. Like walking into a minimally furnished room and admiring it because of its clean uncluttered lines.

There is a concentration on feelings, and a determination to delve into harrowing events and tease out the individual atoms that make up human misery. Taking two young children to see their newly dead father in a funeral home. There can’t be too many books with an event like that so high on the billing. It was like a woman’s Sunday supplement crossed with Take a Break magazine, but all the time saved from being trashy by the elegance of the writing, and of course the safety of fiction. Individual details were beautifully drawn, show more from the irritated and bemused
commuters of the opening chapter, to the scene with Lou and her terminally ill father, to the homeless guy and his cottage cheese sandwiches.

Occasionally the slow moving timeline and focus on minute detail became a bit grating: as where a lengthy internal monologue justifying a particular act is subsequently churned out all over again, as the character explains their thought process to a friend. Likewise, we are treated to such depth of conversation that it is not sufficient to hear a visitor being offered red or white wine, we have to hear which one they choose, as well as a follow up question about whether Sauvignon is acceptable. But these were small irritations. I enjoyed this book, and furthermore it’s the first novel I’ve ever read featuring a proper childminder, my own job until a few weeks ago. Top marks for that definitely. show less

(Written originally for my book blog at www.michelleamanda.co.uk)

Entertaining read. I enjoyed the book; it had depth and character that other female-orientated modern fiction books don't always have.

It's a touching story about the lives and growing friendships of three women in the aftermath of personal tragedy. There are characters and situations that are given mention, but aren't really expanded upon. While it serves a purpose to show you the women's lives beyond the tragedy and each other, you do feel that some of the background is cut short. So much so that some characters and situations seem almost irrelevant because they have been mentioned, but not developed as part of the novel. The flashbacks of the past and the sudden change show more to the future at the end give the book a disjointed feel.

However, it was still a heartwarming read. I especially like the thoughtful account of how these women's lives become connected throughout the book, and of how their friendships and selves are shown to develop. Because of this, I do believe this book is one I'd be happy to read again in the future. show less

This was a very good read. Sarah really brings her characters to life. 3 women with totally different lives come together over one terrible moment. They find friendship through loss. I can't wait to read more of Sarah's work.
I highly recommend this book.

Disclosure: I received this book through the Goodreads First Reads program.

When this book was listed on Goodreads First Reads giveways I dismissed it. While I don't mind reading chick-lit and contemporary literature, I tend to only select them for long distance travel or when highly recommended by someone who knows my tastes. However, after a long day of packing books, I decided to really read the descriptions of the books on offer, and One Moment, One Morning sounded nothing like what I expected it to be. In fact, I found the concept so intriguing that it was the first book that I found myself hoping that I would be one the chosen winners. Fortunately, I was one of the selected to give it a go.

Ms. Rayner crafted such a beautifully show more written story of women struggling with identity, self-worth, guilt and perceived failures who are able to find comfort with friends and camaraderie among strangers. The death of one man serves to force three women into finding strength and inner-peace, while continuing to cope with the everyday. I make this sound a pleasant ride; it is not. The are moments of great discomfort as the reader is caught in the emotions portrayed. Not many books make me cry, but this one did, and not just the once. These are not super-human women who carry on as though nothing happens.

Forever intertwined, these three women must continue to cope with their families and friends despite how they feel. Hung-over, depressed or suffering the deepest of grief, they tackle the days as best they can regardless of the obstacle course of tears, hysteria or frustrations.

If you're looking for a book that feels personal, with people who have mortal and friends who go about their day in a relatively structured, yet eventful way, this could very be one for you. If you're looking for high-speed chases, sexy immortal beings or a guilty butler, you won't find it in this book, but I still suggest you hold in your hands before completely dismissing it. The characters may not be super-human, but the book is quite powerful show less

I enjoyed the characters in this as the three key individuals were quite different and approached the same situation with some clear views influenced by their previous experiences which was reflected really well. Interestingly "not a lot happened along the way" and the conclusion therefore did not have a sudden clarity and closure that I enjoy but that I feel is a personal style thing. There was no big sudden twist of ending which was good and it did tie up some loose ends but I guess the point of the story for me was an exploration of reaction rather than a journey to a conclusion.