Held

 by Anne Michaels

This is a book told in fragments over the course of a century, beginning in the first world war when John, a soldier loses his leg in an explosion. From then on we are given fragments of stories as he and his descendants are shown to us fleetingly before we move forward -or back-to the next episode.

The writing is beautiful at times-the author comes from poetry, but I enjoy a book with more plot than this. 

If asked whether I enjoyed this book I would probably respond, "Maybe". 6/10

Enlightenment

 by Sarah Perry

I found this an unusual book and as such really enjoyed it.

Thomas is a reporter on the Essex Chronicle, homosexual and a member of a local baptist church. He is a close friend of Grace, thirty years his junior and daughter of the church pastor. 

Reluctantly, Thomas gets drawn to astronomy while Grace is drawn to a young man. The story unfolds over the next twenty years as they each pursue their passion. The characters are beautifully drawn and will stay with me for a while. 8.5/10

This Strange Eventful History

 by Claire Messud

A family sage covering much of the twentieth century and much of the globe in its reach, as we move from Algeria to the States to Australia to Greece, Lebanon and France among others. 

However, it is the story of one family in which nothing remarkable happens and yet the writing is such that I was drawn in to these lives and shared their pain-there seemed more pain than happiness. I loved the writing but less so the story. Was it that strange? Was it that eventful?  7/10

The Safe Keep

 by Yael van der Wouden

The first Dutch author to make the longlist. The story revolves around a house and Isobel who has lived in it since a child. The book is set in the early sixties but refers back to 20 years earlier when the family acquired the house. Isobel is very closed and possessive now that she lives alone. Her parents are dead and her brothers have left. Then one day her brother turns up with his new girlfriend Eva and leaves her to stay for a month. Isobel's life is about to change forever! Suspenseful, erotic tension and an ending I found surprising make this a really enjoyable book. 8/10