Well, we are recovered from more travel than we usually do and now I can read again. Yea! I started with the new Roddy Doyle book. Also went to vote early and made another slow cooker meal for Crocktober - click HERE for Thieves Stew..
From my fall reading list I have managed to fit in Roddy Doyle's latest book The Woman Behind the Door. Our main character is Paula Spencer and one I am familiar with. My introduction to Paula and her story was in the 90's with in The Woman Who Walked into Doors. She was a young 39 year old reminiscing about her childhood (which was good) and dealing with her marrige to an alcoholic, becoming one herself.
Then ten years later the book Paula Spencer was published. Continuing her story Paula is a widow, dealing with her new sobriety but also the PTSD of beatings and a horrible marriage.
This may well be Paula's final chapter (no pun intended) as we now see her as a sober 66 year old. I loved the language and how you could grasp the raw emotions in some scenes, especially between Paula and her daughter Nicola. Not a cozy, feel good novel but a powerful look at a life with broken dreams, surviving it all and the impact it made on her daughter growing up.
The only two complaints I have is the way the conversations were not written with quotes or the typical identifier on the speaker. It wasn't hard to keep up with but that's my preference. The other is the excessive detail in some scenes about the ordinary things like making tea, etc.
3.5 stars
Other books by Irish author Doyle which I have enjoyed are Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha and A Star Called Henry.
Sharing with Deb at Readerbuzz for Sunday Salon. and Joy's Book Blog for Britsh Isles Friday.
