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The Cornish House

by Liz Fenwick (Goodreads Author)

3.73 of 5 stars 3.73 · rating details · 94 ratings · 28 reviews

A sweeping, romantic debut set in Cornwall, reminiscent of Rosamunde Pilcher.

When artist Maddie inherits a house in Cornwall shortly after the death of her husband, she hopes it will be the fresh start she and her step-daughter Hannah desperately need.
Trevenen is beautiful but neglected, a rambling house steeped in history. Maddie is enchanted by it and determined to lear...more

Paperback, 360 pages

Published May 24th 2012 by Orion Books (first published May 1st 2012)

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Stjerner over Cornwall
by Liz Fenwick (Goodreads Author)

Release date: Apr 01, 2013

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Sporene etter fortiden ventet bare på å bli oppdaget ...Få måneder etter at hun mistet mannen…more

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Cornwall

23rd out of 54 books — 31 voters

The Prisoner of Heaven by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Autumn/Winter Reads 2012

12th out of 27 books — 32 voters

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Jan 15, 2013 Maaike rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Ik heb het boek in één ruk uitgelezen.
Het is een goed boek over verdriet, verlies en liefde.
Het verdergaan na het verlies van een man en vader is heel moeilijk en dit verdriet wordt goed en aangrijpend in het boek beschreven. Ook de bijbehorende keuzes met betrekking tot nieuwe liefde worden goed uitgewerkt. Ik vind het heel goed dat niet alleen Maddie, maar ook Hannahs verdriet, gedachten en moeilijkheden duidelijk worden vanuit haar oogpunt. De personages in het boek zijn duidelijk bepaalde ty...more

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Dec 04, 2012 Encruzilhadas Literárias rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: quinta-essência, catarina

Comentário:
Gosto de livros com mistérios! Adoro livros com histórias em duas linhas tempo, como acho que já referi, gosto da maneira como os escritores conseguem interligar ambas as linhas tempo fazendo com que estas quase se toquem sem efectivamente se tocarem. É preciso um certo cuidado para conseguir que tudo fique na proporção certa.
Eu e este livro não nos entendemos muito bem. Houve algo que faltou para mim, nem sei bem o quê ao certo, creio que foi o grande potencial que ficou por explora...more
Comentário:
Gosto de livros com mistérios! Adoro livros com histórias em duas linhas tempo, como acho que já referi, gosto da maneira como os escritores conseguem interligar ambas as linhas tempo fazendo com que estas quase se toquem sem efectivamente se tocarem. É preciso um certo cuidado para conseguir que tudo fique na proporção certa.
Eu e este livro não nos entendemos muito bem. Houve algo que faltou para mim, nem sei bem o quê ao certo, creio que foi o grande potencial que ficou por explorar. A casa, Tervenen, tinha tantos quartos e tantas possibilidades que creio que a acção escolhida por Fenwick, apesar de ter sido original, ficou um pouco aquém do impacto que podia ter causado.
Isso aliado a um pára e arranca que me lembrou o IC19 em hora de ponta, tornou a leitura do livro muito mais complicada. O enredo podia ter sido melhor explorado embora as personagens tenham, na sua maioria, uma vida muito própria e realista que segura a história.
Mesmo assim, a personagem de Hannah foi a mais mal trabalhada na minha opinião. Apesar de ter as suas manias de adolescente, chega a ser um pouco confuso, pois tanto está a insultar a madrasta como na linha seguinte já está preocupada com a mesma. Para mim foi bastante confuso, apesar de perceber que a autora quis mostrar que Hannah estava magoada com toda a situação, deu-lhe uma pseudo-raiva que tanto está instalada como adormecida que confunde o leitor. Se Hannah fosse uma jovem de doze anos, se ela fosse mais nova do que aquilo que na realidade é, talvez fosse compreensível pois podíamos dizer que era pequena e não sabia bem o que sentir. Contudo, Hannah é mais velha e a certa altura os seus ataques de raiva apenas acabaram por me irritar e levar Maddie a um desespero profundo.
Depois de Hannah, outra das coisas que mais me aborreceu no livro, foi a sensação que algo estava prestes a acontecer para logo a seguir termos o tapete puxado debaixo dos pés e, infelizmente, foi algo que aconteceu mais que uma vez. O leitor tem a sensação que subitamente algo fabuloso e completamente inesperado vai acontecer apenas para algo se por na frente e a história dar dois passos para trás, como se Fenwick quisesse transmitir realismo para o livro a toda a força.
Na vida real nada é linear, as pessoas levam o seu tempo a juntarem, levam o seu tempo a recuperar e levam o seu tempo a viver e a tomar decisões. Um livro, contudo, deve ser mais rápido, especialmente se não tiver sequelas, há várias maneiras de fazer o tempo passar, que não são de todo desconhecidas de Fenwick, e que ajudam a manter a acção interessante. Creio que um uso melhor das mesmas poderia ter encurtado o livro sem se perder partes da história.
Gostaria também de dizer que o que nos mantém interessados, apesar do passo lento da história, é a escrita da autora. É uma escrita leve e fluída que nos faz abrir os olhos admirados ao ver que já lemos vinte páginas sem nos apercebermos. Deixo aqui um aviso para quem gosta de ler devagar, tenham cuidado que a escrita de Fenwick engana! Terão muita dificuldade em ler este livro devagarinho.
Foi uma leitura agradável mas devo confessar que já li melhor, assim sendo dou-lhe um dois e meio, em grande parte pela escrita tão agradável da autora e não tanto pelo enredo.(less)

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Sep 09, 2012 Claudia rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Iniciei a leitura deste livro ontem e terminei-o hoje, isto deverá começar por dizer algo certo? Pela primeira vez em muitos anos, estou de férias e não me dá para ler policiais, têm sido romances atrás de romances, e todos eles bonitos... mas este... quem o tiver na estante por favor, leia os primeiros 2 capítulos...
A escrita é muito bem conseguida, no entanto a autora passa de uma cena para a outra deixando-nos num constante suspense, género os intervalos da TVI. Quando digo que passa de uma c...more

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Aug 10, 2012 Inês rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: lido-em-2012, favorites

Em primeiro lugar, parabéns á Quinta Essência por esta maravilhosa capa que condiz perfeitamente com a história que o livro conta.

Maddie que acaba de perder o marido, John, parte para a Cornualha com a enteada, Hannah. Herdou lá uma mansão da sua tia-avó (como veio a descobrir), está em mais condições e Maddie não possui o dinheiro suficiente para a restaurar e como se não bastasse Hannah não gosta dela e trata-a como se ela fosse invisivel e uma bruxa. A casa tem muitos segredos, incluindo um e...more

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Jul 17, 2012 Paula pccst rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Após uma grande perda, a morte do seu marido, Maddie decide deixar Londres e ir viver para a Cornualha com a sua enteada Hannah, para uma casa de nome Trevenen que acabou de herdar. Um novo começo estaria assim reservado para ambas, no entanto, estavam longe de imaginar a reviravolta que as suas vidas iriam sofrer.
Longe estava eu também de imaginar as emoções que iria sentir ao ler este livro: umas vezes alegria e divertimento, pelas peripécias que algumas personagens provocam, como a Tamsin; ou...more

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Jun 29, 2012 Mandy Baggot rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Cornish House is a novel about widower Maddie and her teenage step-daughter Hannah trying to make sense of their lives, having been thrown together after the death of Hannah's father John. Leaving London, they move to Cornwall where Maddie has inherited a beautiful yet very run-down house.

This is a story about relationships, how they change and grow, how the past shapes the present and makes an imprint on the future. Maddie and Hannah both must try to move on from John's death but neither o...more

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Sep 15, 2012 Carla Soares rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When I started reading this book I though it might be similar to Jojo Moye's Night Music, which also involves a widow with children and an old house.

It is very different, though, and not centered around the house and its problems at all. It offers a charming background (I'd love to see it!) but the story is mostly about parenthood and the relationships - or lack of them - between parents and children. It is also about recovering from pain and starting fresh.

I read it very quickly once I got enou...more

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Jul 12, 2012 Rula Bilbeisi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Reading this novel reminded me continuously of Daniel Steel's books, or maybe it was like watching long hours of a dramatic soap opera, where you keep watching in spite of easily guessing how the end will turn out.

I loved the Cornish house, and enjoyed its details, especially those that can actually reveal the secrets of the past. A past which when fully discovered can only help those concerned to move forward.

However, the following events were very predictable and held no mystery. Everything tu...more

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Apr 19, 2012 Julie Cohen rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'll confess myself slightly biased as Liz is a good friend of mine, and I read part of this book in manuscript form before it was published.

But then again, I'm not biased. I don't like books just because they're written by friends of mine. A good book, in my opinion, has to grab me and hold me with both hands and not let me go. Liz's book isn't my normal sort of read—it's not a storyline or a cover that normally appeals to me in a bookshop. But I'm glad I picked it up, because as soon as I step...more

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Feb 10, 2013 Anneleen rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: romantisch, nederlandse-versie, teleurstellend, voorspelbaar

Pff, volgens mij weer een voorbeeld van een schrijfster die niet goed weet welke ideeën ze moet gebruiken, en dus uiteindelijk ze maar allemaal gebruikt. Ook hetgeen wat eigenlijk helemaal niks met het verhaal heeft te maken maar kom. Of ideeën die wel met het verhaal te maken hebben, maar er eerder zijn bijgeplakt om het een beetje "dramatischer" te maken.
Ik heb mij doorheen het hele boek geïrriteerd aan de vorm van schrijven (dat kan natuurlijk ook wel aan de vertaling liggen), aan de relatie...more

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May 20, 2012 Christina rated it 5 of 5 stars

'The Cornish House' is an absolutely engrossing tale of love and grief, set in the magnificent landscape of Cornwall, which is beautifully portrayed. When a widow and her step-daughter try to start a new life as far from London as they can go, they don't expect their new house to play such a huge part in their lives. But it has a way of drawing out their secrets while slowly revealing its own. The process is painful, but ultimately healing, and the power of love and forgiveness proves that every...more

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Aug 18, 2012 Sharon Goodwin rated it 5 of 5 stars

The reader first meets Maddie and step-daughter Hannah when they’re almost at the end of their journey to reach Trevenen. They’ve been on the road from London since 2pm and have now been travelling for 8 hours. The car breaks down on a deserted country road. It’s Friday and a Bank Holiday weekend. Leaving Hannah asleep, Maddie goes off and eventually finds a home with a light on. The homeowner opens the door in a dishevelled state and after phoning the rescue service, walks Maddie back to the ca...more The reader first meets Maddie and step-daughter Hannah when they’re almost at the end of their journey to reach Trevenen. They’ve been on the road from London since 2pm and have now been travelling for 8 hours. The car breaks down on a deserted country road. It’s Friday and a Bank Holiday weekend. Leaving Hannah asleep, Maddie goes off and eventually finds a home with a light on. The homeowner opens the door in a dishevelled state and after phoning the rescue service, walks Maddie back to the car. This is the first time that Mark Triggs rescues Maddie … Watching Maddie and Hannah interact, the reader knows there is a great deal of tension between them.

Narrated in the third person and switching between Maddie and Hannah’s point of view, the reader gets to experience how each of them handle their grief over John and settle into a small community. The tension between them is very real and affects them on many levels. There are some real heart-breaking scenes that we witness. At the end of each narration, the reader is left with either intrigue (and so questions that need answering!) or unresolved tension. This is a real page turner.

Hannah connects with her peers easily. Release from the tensions with Maddie comes from time spent with Old Tom. Retired school teacher, courteous and ‘old-fashioned’ he can say things to her that no-one else can. Old Tom is a key figure in many ways. One of my favourite scenes is with Hannah working the wood with him. I loved the way the author showed the connection between the wood and Hannah. It reminded me of the days when I used to go to work with my father in the holidays! Being a cabinet maker and French Polisher, I always thought my father had an almost mystical connection with the wood … the author explains this beautifully.

Decisions that were made when John was alive affect Maddie on a very deep level and so she is also carrying burdens from this time into the present time. Those decisions are hinted at so that we know there is also something else underlying Maddie’s grief although we don’t know what that is for sure for a long time. I made a tentative guess … I say tentative because I couldn’t work out the reason so thought I wasn’t correct. When we know the reason it makes perfect sense on a logical/practical level. It also links into the history of Trevenen.

There are two male leads … Mark Triggs who has emotional baggage from his past and has quite a reputation. His friendship with Maddie deepens which is enchanting to watch. To the reader it feels real and not contrived. The easiness they have with each and the intimacy pulls you in and I have to say affects your own emotions! The other lead is ‘The Viking’, Gunnar who is in the area researching. Both bring her trauma – unintentionally. I have to admit to falling in love with Mark myself. Who wouldn’t want a man who is always there in times of need and causes that type of chemical reaction : )

When Maddie enters Trevenen for the first time “The disturbance caused dust to swirl and a sigh seemed to emerge from the walls.” I loved the visuals this created.

The family history connection is woven through the story. If you read my reviews you will know how much I enjoy these threads. Maddie enters Trevenen knowing nothing and alongside our characters we find out a little at a time and so the truth builds. This is another page turner.

I felt the author captured a small community with its social dynamics really well. I feel as if I have been a part of it! I’ve felt doubt, pain and love. I’ve sat in the church and felt tears on my cheeks. I’ve felt anger and frustration at the world. Colours have caught my eye that I wanted to paint and I’ve eaten meals in the pub enjoying Tamsin’s banter.

The Cornish House is a stunning debut.

I would like to thank the author for choosing me to win a signed copy on Facebook. I am so glad she did! This is one of my favourite books this year.(less)

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Sep 14, 2012 Maha rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-group-expat-women-dubai

This is a "they lived happily ever after" book. It's an OK book but I felt that it wasn't a novel but rather one of these soap operas where very little happens everyday and if you missed one episode or two you didn't miss much. The story was very slow until three quarters of the book then things started to happen. The characters weren't very convincing and the plot wasn't that interesting. I disciplined myself to finish the book because we are discussing it at a book club meeting. Maybe it's not...more

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May 16, 2013 Sue rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'm a sucker for anything set in Cornwall and the description of the old house, village life and scenery were excellent. The story about a widow who inherits the old house and her bolshie teenage stepdaughter was fairly predictable and there was, for me, only one surprising moment(won't spoil it). Pleasant enough read. Would read her second novel.

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Aug 20, 2012 Gail rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have just finished reading the Cornish House on Kindle, and absolutely loved it! Just my sort of book! More importantly, can't wait for Liz Fenwick's next book. When can we expect Book 2?
It's great to find a new author, and I'm sure I am going to enjoy liz's books. Very similar to those of Marcia Willett and Santa Monte Fiore, two of my favourites.

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Jul 16, 2012 Catarina rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: parcerias-encruzilhadas, what-was-i-thinking

2,5 stars

Quem gosta de livros realistas provavelmente dará uma pontuação mais alta. Eu continuo na ideia de que faltou algo, só nas últimas 40 páginas é que as coisas começaram a mexer-se...

Opinião em breve no blog!

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Apr 22, 2013 Barbara Benefield rated it 5 of 5 stars

Apparently a first novel. I loved it and am looking forward eagerly to her next.

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Sep 22, 2012 Patricia Archer rated it 3 of 5 stars

Interesting book about relationships. I believe it is a believeable and inspiring story.

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Sep 19, 2012 Caroline Morrice rated it 4 of 5 stars

A predictable light hearted read

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Jul 23, 2012 Lesley rated it 3 of 5 stars

an easy read book, love cornwall

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Sep 18, 2012 DubaiReader rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, kindle, to-review, ew-pm-bk-grp

Review to follow,

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May 28, 2012 Talli Roland rated it 5 of 5 stars

Liz Fenwick's debut novel grabbed my attention from the opening paragraph and kept me turning the pages all the way through. From stroppy teen Hannah to the grieving Maddie, Fenwick created a cast of characters who drew me in and made me care about their lives. I even fell a little bit in love with the house at the centre of it all, and now I'm craving a trip to Cornwall. An atmospheric read, this novel transported me to another place. And for me, it really doesn't get much better than that.

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Dec 18, 2012 Francine added it

A bit slow to begin with but eventually it was a good read! Finished the book in a Cornish cottage in Porthpean. Browsing the bookstores in Cornwall I think you can find many authors who write the same way as Liz Fenwick, it's all about solving your past difficulties in this wonderful county. It was nice to read about nice places in the area and the friendliness of the Cornish.

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Oct 01, 2012 Andree rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was more of a woman-lit book than I expected but I especially enjoyed that it was set near where I live, and made for a very pleasant holiday read.

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Oct 26, 2012 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

I applaud Liz Fenwick's skill in transporting me to Cornwall - her love for the county is obvious and her descriptions are written with care. I especially loved the portrayal of the hero - he is easy to like and immensely lovable.
Nicely done.

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Sep 06, 2012 Landslide rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, fiction, romance, received-for-review

Opinião no meu blog

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May 17, 2013 LindyLouMac rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have just finished Liz Fenwick's début novel, what a lovely read.

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May 03, 2013 Asia Kiyani rated it 3 of 5 stars

An easy summer read. Romantic depiction of Cornish life!

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Oct 20, 2012 Raquel Leite rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: meus

Opinião em breve :)

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May 18, 2013 Hayley Godwin marked it as to-read

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About Liz Fenwick

I was born in Massachusetts and after nine international moves I now live in Dubai with my husband and two mad cats. I made my first trip to Cornwall in 1989, bought my home there seven years later and, although I live in Dubai, my heart is forever in Cornwall, creating new stories.

My debut novel THE CORNISH HOUSE will be published by Orion in May 2012 and Dutch and German editions are being prepa...more

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