The Brighton to London line. The 07:44 train. Carriages packed with commuters.
A woman applies her make-up. Another occupies her time observing...
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Aug 01, 2011
Juliana
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I was instantly gripped by this book even though looking back not a huge amount happened after the initial dramatic event. It is more a chronicle of the aftermath of a tragedy and how all the people affected by it pull together and move on. Some scenes were particularly moving and nearly brought a tear to my eye but I think that overall the book was a positive one and showed that there is light at the end of every dark tunnel, no matter how bad things seem at the start.
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Feb 16, 2012
KLMG
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Jan 29, 2012
Lynn
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The last of my most recent stash of "airport" books - and that's a good thing! It was touted as "A masterfully written novel about the healing power of friendship, this is the story of three women whose lives become inextricably linked after a life-changing event during their morning commute into London." If only this had been an accurate description of the book! The author effectively explores the emotions surrounding the sudden and premature death of a husband and father
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Dec 19, 2011
Fran
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One Moment One Morning
Author: Sarah Rayner
Reviewed by Fran Lewis
Observations can often be startling when what you see changes the course many lives. Starting her day in the usual manner, Lou enters one of the carriage cars of a train, sits down and begins taking note of those around her. One girl is trying to perfect her look using every makeup too she brought with her. Another couple sitting directly opposite from her and trying to be discreet in his actions, the husban More...
Author: Sarah Rayner
Reviewed by Fran Lewis
Observations can often be startling when what you see changes the course many lives. Starting her day in the usual manner, Lou enters one of the carriage cars of a train, sits down and begins taking note of those around her. One girl is trying to perfect her look using every makeup too she brought with her. Another couple sitting directly opposite from her and trying to be discreet in his actions, the husban More...
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Sep 18, 2011
Patrick
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If you're looking for deep, thoughtful literature, look elsewhere. "One Moment, One Morning", for all its serious issues (bereavement, alcoholism, lesbianism) is a light, almost gentle book. The publisher's comparisons to Kate Atkinson are not unreasonable, but Rayner's writing has nothing like the same depth.
Nonetheless, her characters are likeable and her novel is very readable. I rattled through all 400 pages in just over two days, partly because the book is well structure More...
Nonetheless, her characters are likeable and her novel is very readable. I rattled through all 400 pages in just over two days, partly because the book is well structure More...
Aug 11, 2011
Jeanet
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I picked up this book on a shopping spree at Amazon simply because I liked the cover, well okay, not entirely the truth. A quick read of the description and I was sold. I liked the idea of that one defining moment that changes the lives of the ones witnessing it. But apart from that quick glance at the description, I didn't really know what to expect.
But by the end of page two I was caught in the drama, that one defining moment. It all happened so fast that I felt my head spinning. I More...
But by the end of page two I was caught in the drama, that one defining moment. It all happened so fast that I felt my head spinning. I More...
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Dec 05, 2010
Tina
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I thought the book was wonderful. At first, I was put off by the present-tense form of storytelling. Then I got pulled into the story itself.
One death: Simon's--unexpected. And three women's lives will never be the same. Karen, Simon's wife, has to cope with losing the man of her heart, and explaining this terrible event to their two very young children.
Anna, in a difficult relationship with a troubled man, comes to face the unvarnished truth of that relationship...and h More...
One death: Simon's--unexpected. And three women's lives will never be the same. Karen, Simon's wife, has to cope with losing the man of her heart, and explaining this terrible event to their two very young children.
Anna, in a difficult relationship with a troubled man, comes to face the unvarnished truth of that relationship...and h More...
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Oct 29, 2010
Juliet
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Anyone who’s ever sat people-watching on the train will identify with the opening of this novel, which follows a week in the lives of three passengers aboard the 07:44 from Brighton to London, and therein lies much of its charm – it’s about something that could happen to any of us.
Three women, Lou, Anna and Karen, witness the death of one of their fellow commuters, and this deceptively simple tale follows their lives for a week following that incident. It’s not packed with murders o More...
Three women, Lou, Anna and Karen, witness the death of one of their fellow commuters, and this deceptively simple tale follows their lives for a week following that incident. It’s not packed with murders o More...
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Jul 17, 2011
Sunflower
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I didn't like that one at first - it got a lot better in the end though
It's about Simon (Karen's husband) who suddenly dies on a train and this death all of a sudden changes everything for Karen, her best friend Anna and Lou. Lou was there when Simon died and shared a taxi with Anna after that, that's how the three of them get to know each other.
Karen has children to look after and then there's this massive loss... she'll never see her husband again and her children, aged 5 and 3, More...
It's about Simon (Karen's husband) who suddenly dies on a train and this death all of a sudden changes everything for Karen, her best friend Anna and Lou. Lou was there when Simon died and shared a taxi with Anna after that, that's how the three of them get to know each other.
Karen has children to look after and then there's this massive loss... she'll never see her husband again and her children, aged 5 and 3, More...
Sep 01, 2010
Tania
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One Moment One Morning explores the relationship between three women who witness a tragedy on the morning train from Brighton to London and how it affects their lives.
Karen is the wife of a man who suddenly goes from laughing with her to collapsing from a heart attack. Lou is the women who is sitting opposite on the train and witnesses the whole painful moment. Anna is Karen's best friend and god mother to her children and is in the train a few carriages away and shares a taxi wi More...
Karen is the wife of a man who suddenly goes from laughing with her to collapsing from a heart attack. Lou is the women who is sitting opposite on the train and witnesses the whole painful moment. Anna is Karen's best friend and god mother to her children and is in the train a few carriages away and shares a taxi wi More...
Feb 23, 2011
Sangeeta
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An absolute little jewel of a book - I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and I would happily recommend to friends.
It's all about how a single moment can forever transform our lives - unexpectedly, dramatically. It's an intimate view of grief, which brings with it the power to break you or shape you into a stronger human being. And for those of us who've dealt with the unexpected death of a loved one, the superb writing catapults us back to that moment of imploding grief.
T More...
It's all about how a single moment can forever transform our lives - unexpectedly, dramatically. It's an intimate view of grief, which brings with it the power to break you or shape you into a stronger human being. And for those of us who've dealt with the unexpected death of a loved one, the superb writing catapults us back to that moment of imploding grief.
T More...
Feb 11, 2012
Jessica
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One Moment, One Morning follows 3 women who are directly and indirectly affected by the sudden death of a man on the morning commuter train to London. Karen and Simon are on the train together to go sign the papers on their new house when he suddenly collapses of a massive heart attack. Lou just happens to be sitting beside them and tries to find help when Simon collapses. After the train is stopped and everyone gets off to be redirected Lou ends up sharing a cab with Anna who was also on the
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Feb 21, 2012
Susan
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One Moment, One Morning links the stories of three women affected by a tragic death on a commuter train. Each woman is at a pivotal moment in life: Anna struggling with an abusive alcoholic boyfriend, Lou trying to placate her a domineering mother, & Karen dealing with her husband's sudden death. The growing friendship between these three women allows each of them confront their issues. If anything, this novel will make you realize that life can turn on a dime. My heart went out to Karen as she
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Aug 11, 2010
Shar
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I only picked up this book because it was on a BOGOF! There was only a small selection of choice and as I live close to Brighton so that sold it to me! Firstly, having just finished Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger - where I didn't give a damn about the characters - this was the complete reverse - I cared about each and everyone right from the start - be prepared that this book tugs at the heartstrings and I did feel quite low at points throughout the story - it left me with a touch of
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Feb 11, 2012
Sheri
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This is the story of three women and how the fatal heart attack of one of the wom
en's husbands changed their lives. The story begins in the morning commute of the Brighton-to-London line. I always enjoy reading about England, their different words for everything and the way we're all the same and different at the same time. The problems are pretty much universal.
Again, as is common in literature today, one of the characters is gay. That irritates me. One of the women has an al More...
en's husbands changed their lives. The story begins in the morning commute of the Brighton-to-London line. I always enjoy reading about England, their different words for everything and the way we're all the same and different at the same time. The problems are pretty much universal.
Again, as is common in literature today, one of the characters is gay. That irritates me. One of the women has an al More...
Feb 06, 2012
Meganm922
rated it:
I won this book via Goodreads First Reads.
This was a great story. When I opened it and started reading, I couldn't put it down. After the action packed events at the beginning, however, the story was very slow going.
Despite being detailed, I couldn't connect with the characters. There was plenty of thought and background information provided for each character, but I still didn't connect. The book switches between the three main characters in third person present tense narra More...
This was a great story. When I opened it and started reading, I couldn't put it down. After the action packed events at the beginning, however, the story was very slow going.
Despite being detailed, I couldn't connect with the characters. There was plenty of thought and background information provided for each character, but I still didn't connect. The book switches between the three main characters in third person present tense narra More...
Feb 13, 2012
Readnponder
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A man dies unexpectedly of a heart attack on the commuter train from Brighton to London. his wife, Karen, is sitting next to him. Lou is sitting across the aisle. Anna, Karen's best friend is in the next carriage.
The novel covers the events of this fateful Monday morning and the next seven days. Karen prepares for her husband's funeral and helping her two small children cope with his loss. Anna tries to support her friend while at the same time decide what to do about her live-in More...
The novel covers the events of this fateful Monday morning and the next seven days. Karen prepares for her husband's funeral and helping her two small children cope with his loss. Anna tries to support her friend while at the same time decide what to do about her live-in More...
Feb 18, 2012
Carol
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On the 7:44 commuter to London one morning, a man collapses. Lou, people watching from across the aisle and now unable to move, witnesses every detail - his wife calling "Simon, Simon", the confusion on the packed train, nurses found on board trying to revive the man and, after an emergency stop, the arrival of an ambulance, more medical personnel and equipment. When all passengers must disembark, left to find their way onward from the tiny station, a taxi appears. As Lou is opening
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Oct 21, 2011
Susanna
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Beautifully written, from the first page this book brings you right into the 'one moment' - a man having a heart attack, and all the feelings of fear, sadness and shock related to it. You feel you're right there with all the characters as they deal with the fall out from this one event. Really clever, in that it does the opposite of most blockbuster books (taking a real life event and turning into a really big metaphour with dinosaurs or spaceships), by taking the every day and reminding us how
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Jan 14, 2012
Cathleen
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I'm probably favorably disposed to any book that begins with someone people-watching on a morning commuter train, but this was much more absorbing than I expected. The characters are well-drawn, avoiding obvious types and demonstrating how we are all combinations of our strengths and insecurities. The story rises above the frequently-traveled ground of celebrating female friendship to resonate with how the best relationships both give and receive. Not perfect, but both perceptive and thought-
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Jan 21, 2010
Ipswichblade
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Finished this last night and I have to say it was excellent. Very well written and the 400 pages just flew by.
The premise is quite straightforward. It is the effect of the collapse of a man on the 07.44 train and how three women including the mans wife and a close friend cope with the following week. The story is split into time sections and this makes the book easy but enthralling to read. I won't spoil the plot but needless to say all the characters discover new strengths they didn't hav More...
The premise is quite straightforward. It is the effect of the collapse of a man on the 07.44 train and how three women including the mans wife and a close friend cope with the following week. The story is split into time sections and this makes the book easy but enthralling to read. I won't spoil the plot but needless to say all the characters discover new strengths they didn't hav More...
Feb 20, 2012
Joyce
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The fact that at one moment lives can be shattered and turned around is something that we all experience at one point in our lives. Karen, Anna and Lou, the main characters of this book are brought together by this one incident. How this incident affects their lives and their friendship is the focus of the book. The characters are likeable and real and you want to get to know them. Although the story takes place in London, it is something that can happen anywhere. The author keeps you intere
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May 07, 2011
Chris
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A very uncomplicated and easy to read novel. The first couple of chapters are excellent, then both the pace and plot deteriorate.
The whole concept of dealing with the sudden loss of a partner is thought provoking and moving. However this book lacks any substance, depth or imagination.
‘One Moment, One Morning’ follows three woman who are affected by the sudden death of a passenger on a train.
Like the plot, the writing style and descriptive prose start off b More...
The whole concept of dealing with the sudden loss of a partner is thought provoking and moving. However this book lacks any substance, depth or imagination.
‘One Moment, One Morning’ follows three woman who are affected by the sudden death of a passenger on a train.
Like the plot, the writing style and descriptive prose start off b More...
Mar 13, 2011
Katie
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I enjoyed the premise of this book, which was a snap shot into the lives of people who take a certain train in the morning from Brighton into Victoria. I thought the execution of it was pretty good too and the characters themselves were a really good snapshot of Brighton to London life. For me the characters were very believable and I could identify and empathise with them as they went through the weeks and the tragic, but realistic events that played out. The hopes, dreams, fears, and sadness'
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Feb 09, 2012
Kyle Wendy
rated it:
First of all, I would like to thank the publisher for selecting me in the Goodreads contest!
This book was the equivalent (to me) of a chick flick. Which I don't ever watch. Once you resign yourself to the fact that on every page there is going to be a character crying, or wishing her life wasn't so bad, or complaining about her mother, or sighing heavily, and then crying....well, I guess you could enjoy this book. The story, about a man's sudden death on a train and the 3 women's liv More...
This book was the equivalent (to me) of a chick flick. Which I don't ever watch. Once you resign yourself to the fact that on every page there is going to be a character crying, or wishing her life wasn't so bad, or complaining about her mother, or sighing heavily, and then crying....well, I guess you could enjoy this book. The story, about a man's sudden death on a train and the 3 women's liv More...
Jul 12, 2011
Sarah
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Three people are affected by the death of one man (Steve) on a train...Karen, his wife, who is with him must work out what to tell the children, does she let them view the body? Anna, Karen's best friend who is in an abusive relationship, is also on the train but in a different carriage so isn't aware of the cause of the disruptions to the train servive. Lou is sitting opposite Steve and Karen when it happens and when she gets off the train she shares the only available taxi with Anna and thus
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Feb 15, 2012
Pattie
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I could hardly believe that I won a copy of this book from "first-reads". As soon as the book arrived I was anxious to get started reading. I finished the book almost a week ago but could not post my review because of a family illness.
This is a wonderful book that will touch your heart, make you laugh, and bring to mind experiences many of us have had. Life is hard, no doubt about that. Three women are touched by the same tragedy on the morning commute to work and thus be More...
This is a wonderful book that will touch your heart, make you laugh, and bring to mind experiences many of us have had. Life is hard, no doubt about that. Three women are touched by the same tragedy on the morning commute to work and thus be More...
Feb 21, 2012
Linda
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One Moment, One Morning is the story of three women, one event, and how that one event intertwined and affected the lives of these women. The story is witty and warm. The characters are engaging and believable, in part due to the fact that something like this could happen to most anyone. The book seemed a little slow in the beginning, but past that I enjoyed reading it very much. It is a quick read....perfect for a rainy day or a long flight.
I received this book from a Goodreads drawin More...
I received this book from a Goodreads drawin More...
Feb 19, 2012
HKd
rated it:
A sweetly gentle book despite the fact that it deals with death, lesbianism, alcoholism. For the most part I liked Rayner's writing; clear, simple and straight forward although she prefers to tell rather than show which meant I always felt one step removed from the characters.
The plot was very predictable and the 3 women were almost cloyingly nice and kind which made it rather bland. The only real tension was between Anne and Steve but even then it was obvious where that was going.
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The plot was very predictable and the 3 women were almost cloyingly nice and kind which made it rather bland. The only real tension was between Anne and Steve but even then it was obvious where that was going.
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Jan 27, 2012
Chrissy♥Dev
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