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85th out of 98 books
—
13 voters
The Widow's Tale
by
Mick Jackson
A newly-widowed woman has done a runner. She just jumped in her car, abandoned her (very nice) house in north London and kept on driving until she reached the Norfolk coast. Now she's rented a tiny cottage and holed herself away there, if only to escape the ceaseless sympathy and insincere concern. She's not quite sure, but thinks she may be having a bit of a breakdown. Or...more
Paperback, 246 pages
Published
by Faber & Faber
(first published January 1st 2010)
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For a tale ostensibly about grieving, solitude and brushes with a breakdown, this is bizarrely enjoyable. The credit for this belongs to the voice of the narrator, a slightly caustic, eccentric woman in her early sixties. It's three months after the death of her husband John and she has surprised herself by fleeing on impulse to a lonely stretch of the coast, where she drinks heavily, goes on long walks and struggles both to sleep and to shut off her whirling brain. Her behaviour is erratic and...more
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I had expected it to be more sombre in tone, or a little depressing and so was pleasently surprised by the wit of our caustic, nameless widow.This strong no nonsense narrative voice made me sit up for the first twenty pages or so - as it was so not what I was expecting, yet our narrator emerges as as strong quirky character, who I found brilliantly realisitic and often very funny. Having lost her husband around 3 months earlier she is somewhat lost, drinking too...more
Now, I have first to tell you that I have a little problem with this book, and that problem is that we are to believe that it was written by a member of the male species. You see, the author is given as one Mick Jackson. Now, is that a bloke’s name or what? Absolutely it is. You can almost imagine good old Mick in a navy singlet, well-worn jeans, perhaps a bit of plumber’s action happening at the back, a growing bald spot on top, goodness there may even be a tattoo of a stripper called Rosie on...more
Jun 26, 2010
Teryl
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Teryl by:
Manhattan Book Club
Shelves:
fiction
I really liked the protaganist, would enjoy meeting her, however, she clearly does not enjoy people that much. She has such a dry humour, a light way of expressing really dark feelings and you feel for her in her pain. She is so human! Full of flaws, made many mistakes, not really done much that is constructive in her life, and still trying to find her way at 63.
Aug 09, 2011
Trish
added it
I enjoyed the description of the north Norfolk coast in this book. Unfortunately I had little sympathy for this widow, crazed by grief though she was. I don't think the male author had got this woman right. For a little example, I know no woman who is happy to drink in a pub alone, let alone have a pint of beer with a whiskey chaser.
The Widows Tale is about a 63 year old widow who leaves her house in London for a trip to Norfolk on impulse.
The whole book is like her journal, so I was a little disappointed that we never get to know her name, however, I liked her voice and felt like I was getting a sneaky peek at her private thoughts.
Very interesting concept.
The whole book is like her journal, so I was a little disappointed that we never get to know her name, however, I liked her voice and felt like I was getting a sneaky peek at her private thoughts.
Very interesting concept.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Funny and poignant. Authentic description of North Norfolk life. Stayed in my mind for long time.
This is not the book I read. Wrong author
The one I read was about a husband who lost his wife and then went on with life w/his daughters and a making of a preschool out of his barn on his property which one of his daughters worked at.
Can't remember the author offhand.
R Adams
The one I read was about a husband who lost his wife and then went on with life w/his daughters and a making of a preschool out of his barn on his property which one of his daughters worked at.
Can't remember the author offhand.
R Adams
For me, quite a change and a bit of light relief
I rather enjoyed the company of the widow. Winter on the N. Norfolk coast is accurately invoked - lonely and bitterly cold.
view all 3 comments
Liked her voice.
Nov 05, 2012
Cheryl in CC NV
marked it as new-investigate-later
not in CLAN
Written by a man this novel shows surprising insight into how a woman feels grieving and living with past mistakes.He writes with humour and sensitivity covering the first few months of widowhood. I'm sure many women could relate to the woman.whose name you never know, and do exactly as she did.
Jun 13, 2013
Jenn M
marked it as to-read
Apr 20, 2013
Janet
marked it as to-read
Apr 01, 2013
Motty Varghese
is currently reading it
Mar 24, 2013
Cam
marked it as wishlist-priority
Feb 23, 2013
Peggy
marked it as to-read
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