'1956
It's Ellen Crosby's first day as a student nurse at Ambergate Hospital. When she meets a young woman admitted by her father, little does Ellen know that a choice she will make is to change both their lives for ever...
2006
Sarah is drawn to the now abandoned Ambergate. Whilst exploring the old corridors she discovers a suitcase belonging to a female patient who entered Ambergate fifty years earlier. The shocking contents, untouched for half a century, will lead Sarah to unravel a forgotten story of tragedy and lost love, and the chance to make an old wrong right...'
Being set in a lunatic asylum, I wondered if the story would be similar to The Ballroom which I read last year and though I enjoyed both books, they were both completely different.
The inspiration for this book came from the true story of the Willard Asylum in Willard, New York, where workers discovered hundreds of suitcases in the attic of an abandoned building. Many of them appeared untouched since their owners packed them decades earlier before entering the institution.
My reading mojo has been very hit and miss since my mum died at the end of March but I've been lucky to have read two great books back to back in this and The Ship of Brides, which I posted about last month, and these have definitely kick started my reading habit again.
I was hooked from the beginning and I can thoroughly recommend this book. Kathryn Hughes' fourth book has recently been published and is already downloaded on my Kindle.
I loved this one too, glad your reading mojo is returning.
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased I'm enjoying my hobbies once again.
DeleteNothing can beat Reading a good book, I will add this author to my reading list.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I've enjoy all three Kathryn Hughes books so far.
DeleteOh I like such books, which have different time periods. And happenings in each, intersect, as it were. :-)
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you have regained your reading Joy. Reading slumps can hit, even for no reason at all. And they are no fun. You can feel like you just can't find something, you _want_ to read. -sigh-
Recently, I began re-reading a series, I had loved. I figured, I knew I liked it before, so I'd _have_ to like it again! :-)
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I enjoy books with different time periods too, I seem to read quite a few like this. It definitely helps to find your reading mojo if you find a really good book to read, it's definitely helped me. I must admit that I rarely reread books, I could count the number I have reread on one hand.
DeleteI hope this is not against Blogging Etiquette, but.... I admit my eyes are older now. And bigger print, makes it much easier, for me to read blogs.
ReplyDeleteWould you consider asking your Dear Readers, if any would love bigger print, here? And if a number of them would, you could consider making your blog print, bigger.....
Please consider.
Thank you.
It's really quite simple to magnify the screen you're reading if you're having trouble reading the print rather than me changing the font. I've never had anyone else mention this.
DeleteLooks like an interesting book. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it if you decide to read it.
DeleteThis sounds like a really good read.xxx
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed it, I'm looking forward to reading Kathryn Hughes next book now.
DeleteIt's so good to settle down with a good book . . . Nothing gets done though!
ReplyDeleteI love to find a book so good that you don't want to do anything else, one comes along every so often and this is definitely one of those.
DeleteI just did a peruse of the Willard asylum backstory - how fascinating...and incredibly sad. I'm so glad that your reading picks of late have renewed your enthusiasm for reading.
ReplyDeleteI did the same thing after reading the book, it's such a sad backstory and makes for an interesting storyline in this book.
DeleteThis is on my amazon wishlist, I'm hoping someone will buy it for me for my birthday :) I listened to The Letter last year and really enjoyed it.
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I've enjoyed all three books but I've enjoyed this one the most so I'm sure you'll enjoy it too if you're lucky enough to receive it for your birthday.
DeleteIt's nice to see that you've read another really enjoyable book. Happy reading. xx
ReplyDeleteI've made some good book choices just recently, it's always good to be reading something really good.
DeleteRather like the sound of the book, unfortunately its quite expensive with post to get it here. Must admit I haven´t tried kindle yet, have to have a look next time I´m over. Thanks for the review xcx
ReplyDeleteI love the feel of a proper book in my hands but I do love my Kindle too, it's especially good when I'm unable to sleep as I can read without having to turn on the light and disturb Mick.
DeleteThanks for the recommendation and review Jo. I'm thinking this book will make a good discussion for the book club. I may pick this one as we often have psychological murders or an odd chick flick for the summer. I've found some discussion questions online too, so that's good Cx
ReplyDeleteI think it would be a great book club read, plenty of scope for discussion.
DeleteI too loved this one. She does write a good book.
ReplyDeleteI've been really impressed with all three Kathryn Hughes books that I've read, I can't wait to start the next one.
DeleteSo pleased that your reading mojo is returning.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds a good book, I must look out for it.
All the best Jan
A good book really helps to get back into reading. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
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