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The House on Willow Street
Every picture-perfect village tells a story. . . .
The Irish seaside town of Avalon is a tourist’s dream of quaint shops and welcoming cafés. Avalon House, perched at the end of Willow Street, was in Tess Power’s family for generations. Now Tess ekes out a living from her antiques shop while the crumbling mansion awaits a new owner. Her marriage and business may be floundering, but her affection for Avalon is undimmed. The same can’t be said of her glamorous sister. Suki left without a backward glance and married into an American political dynasty. Only a muckraking biographer could send her slinking back to Ireland to escape a scandal.
Postmistress Danae watches from the sidelines, doling out gentle advice while locking away her own secrets. Then her unconventional niece Mara comes to stay and draws her lonely aunt back into the world. As autumn gives way to winter, the four women encounter old loves, embrace new friendships, and begin to look beyond the past to the possibilities just beginning to unfold.
The Irish seaside town of Avalon is a tourist’s dream of quaint shops and welcoming cafés. Avalon House, perched at the end of Willow Street, was in Tess Power’s family for generations. Now Tess ekes out a living from her antiques shop while the crumbling mansion awaits a new owner. Her marriage and business may be floundering, but her affection for Avalon is undimmed. The same can’t be said of her glamorous sister. Suki left without a backward glance and married into an American political dynasty. Only a muckraking biographer could send her slinking back to Ireland to escape a scandal.
Postmistress Danae watches from the sidelines, doling out gentle advice while locking away her own secrets. Then her unconventional niece Mara comes to stay and draws her lonely aunt back into the world. As autumn gives way to winter, the four women encounter old loves, embrace new friendships, and begin to look beyond the past to the possibilities just beginning to unfold.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
About the author
Cathy Kelly
92 books961 followersBorn in Belfast but raised in Dublin, Cathy initially worked for thirteen years as a newspaper journalist with a national Irish Sunday newspaper, where she worked in news, features, along with spending time as an agony aunt and the paper’s film critic. However, her overwhelming love was always fiction and she published her first international bestseller, Woman To Woman, in 1997. She did not become a full-time writer until she had written another two books (She’s The One and Never Too Late) and finally decided to leave the world of journalism in 2001, moving to HarperCollins Publishers at the same time.
Someone Like You and What She Wants followed in successive years. Her sixth novel, Just Between Us, was her first Sunday Times number one bestseller, while her eighth novel, Always and Forever, topped the UK bestseller lists in October 2005, displacing Dan Brown and J. K. Rowling. In 2007, Past Secrets in was also a number one paperback bestseller.
Lessons in Heartbreak was shortlisted for the Eason Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards in April 2009. In September 2009, Once in a Lifetime topped the UK bestseller lists for three weeks. In March 2011, Homecoming achieved the same feat. Her latest novel is It Started With Paris, published by Orion in 2014.
In Autumn 2011, Cathy headlined a search for a new writer on ITV’s The Alan Titchmarsh Show.
Cathy’s trademark is warm story-telling and she consistently tops the bestseller lists around the world with books which deal with themes ranging from relationships and marriage to depression and loss, but always with an uplifting message and strong female characters at the heart.
Cathy also has a passionate interest in children’s rights and is an ambassador for UNICEF Ireland. Her role for UNICEF is a Global Parent, which means raising funds and awareness for children orphaned by or living with HIV/AIDs.
She lives with her husband, John, their twin sons, Dylan and Murray, and their three dogs in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.
To contact Cathy email info@cathykelly.com
Someone Like You and What She Wants followed in successive years. Her sixth novel, Just Between Us, was her first Sunday Times number one bestseller, while her eighth novel, Always and Forever, topped the UK bestseller lists in October 2005, displacing Dan Brown and J. K. Rowling. In 2007, Past Secrets in was also a number one paperback bestseller.
Lessons in Heartbreak was shortlisted for the Eason Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards in April 2009. In September 2009, Once in a Lifetime topped the UK bestseller lists for three weeks. In March 2011, Homecoming achieved the same feat. Her latest novel is It Started With Paris, published by Orion in 2014.
In Autumn 2011, Cathy headlined a search for a new writer on ITV’s The Alan Titchmarsh Show.
Cathy’s trademark is warm story-telling and she consistently tops the bestseller lists around the world with books which deal with themes ranging from relationships and marriage to depression and loss, but always with an uplifting message and strong female characters at the heart.
Cathy also has a passionate interest in children’s rights and is an ambassador for UNICEF Ireland. Her role for UNICEF is a Global Parent, which means raising funds and awareness for children orphaned by or living with HIV/AIDs.
She lives with her husband, John, their twin sons, Dylan and Murray, and their three dogs in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.
To contact Cathy email info@cathykelly.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 296 reviews
March 9, 2013
The author does a nice job of setting the environment. I loved the town of Avalon and getting to know the people who live there.
But...I was somewhat disappointed with the overall experience. Part of this is the author's structure. She waits so long to make her reveals that I began to lose interest in the characters. For example, I liked the story of Tess and Cashel but the author waits until near the end of the book to let us know what kept them apart all these years. After all that time apart and all the misunderstanding that went on between them, I wanted to see them together for at least a little bit.
In addition, the plot points she wraps around the characters don't feel nearly as deep or emotional as the author makes them out to be. I understand that Danae is grappling with the guilt brought on by being a battered wife but the author doesn't delve deeply enough into Danae's emotional difficulties for us to become engrossed in her story. (When we learn about her broken marriage to the abusive Antonio, we do so through reading her diary entries and from Mara's point of view rather than seeing Danae's growth from the experiences that have paralyzed her for so long. This removes the reader from the woman's emotions.) Tess, likewise, seems apoplexic over her broken marriage. Why? Fifty percent of all marriages end in divorce; what is it about HER separation and divorce that moves us?
Meanwhile, I felt like Suki belonged in a completely different book! Her presence in the story was distracting.
Bottom line: nothing really pays off in this book. I wanted to like it more and I'm disappointed that I didn't.
But...I was somewhat disappointed with the overall experience. Part of this is the author's structure. She waits so long to make her reveals that I began to lose interest in the characters. For example, I liked the story of Tess and Cashel but the author waits until near the end of the book to let us know what kept them apart all these years. After all that time apart and all the misunderstanding that went on between them, I wanted to see them together for at least a little bit.
In addition, the plot points she wraps around the characters don't feel nearly as deep or emotional as the author makes them out to be. I understand that Danae is grappling with the guilt brought on by being a battered wife but the author doesn't delve deeply enough into Danae's emotional difficulties for us to become engrossed in her story. (When we learn about her broken marriage to the abusive Antonio, we do so through reading her diary entries and from Mara's point of view rather than seeing Danae's growth from the experiences that have paralyzed her for so long. This removes the reader from the woman's emotions.) Tess, likewise, seems apoplexic over her broken marriage. Why? Fifty percent of all marriages end in divorce; what is it about HER separation and divorce that moves us?
Meanwhile, I felt like Suki belonged in a completely different book! Her presence in the story was distracting.
Bottom line: nothing really pays off in this book. I wanted to like it more and I'm disappointed that I didn't.
August 12, 2013
(4.5 estrelas)
Entre as várias, muitas, autoras que já tive o prazer de ler publicadas pela Quinta Essência, Cathy Kelly é uma das que mais estimo pela forma sensível como trata a vida através das palavras. As suas histórias, particularmente direccionadas para um público feminino, envolvem o leitor de uma forma poderosa, de tal maneira que as suas personagens se transformam em velhas amigas de quem escutamos, atentamente, receios e segredos, repletos sorrisos e lágrimas, relatos que têm tanto de comum e, ainda assim, são tão íntimos que nos sentimos tocados pela partilha. É uma autora que me apraz, satisfaz, sempre e A Casa de Willow Street superou a alta fasquia que a acompanha.
Tal como já sucedeu em leituras anteriores desta autora, este texto apresenta quatro personagens principais femininas bastante distintas que, por algum laço afectivo, se unem e se encontram ao longo da narrativa, enquanto nos contam as suas vidas os seus dilemas, dificuldades e bonanças, até à descoberta do seu caminho.
Sendo um livro centrado nas suas personagens e nos temas que estas oferecem para reflexão, creio que vou divagar um pouco sobre as mesmas, pelo que peço desde já desculpa.
Mara, a mais jovem das protagonistas, viu, de forma inesperada, ser desfeito o seu sonho de casar com aquele que considerava um príncipe, e para recuperar resta-lhe, unicamente, fugir de tudo o que conhece e receber apoio ao abrigo da sua afável tia, Danee. Embora, logo início, Mara dê provas de uma personalidade arrojada, é fantástico assistir ao desenvolvimento desta personagem quando chega a Avalon, mostrando um lado atencioso e amigo que acaba por dar uma nova vida a esta localidade, onde poderá, eventualmente, encontrar o seu lugar.
Tess não tinha uma vida perfeita, mas tinha uma vida estável pela qual era verdadeiramente grata, com dois filhos abençoados e um companheiro que era acima de tudo seu amigo - numa relação só a amizade pode não ser suficiente. Quando uma decisão precipitada lhe tira repentinamente a paz, Tess terá de começar de novo mas, primeiro, terá de resolver-se com o seu passado se quiser voltar a ser feliz.
Suki, a personagem com quem criei menos ligação, é aquela que aborda uma temática mais recorrente nos romances contemporâneos. Excêntrica, lutadora e numa situação precária, ela é o retrato de alguém que deixou de ser famoso mas a quem sobrou todos os dramas associados ao destaque social… mais tarde só lhe restará voltar às origens e ter esperança de conseguir voltar a construir um novo caminho para as suas ambições.
Por fim Danee, ela foi a minha personagem favorita pela temática que lhe coube representar. Ela é todas as vozes que em sofrem em silêncio, é uma entre muitos em Avalon, dedicada ao seu trabalho mas excluída do mundo porque se recusa a seguir em frente. É a mais corajosa e a que menos se manifesta, porque quando o fizer, quando encarar a realidade perante aqueles que a aceitaram, a sua vida pode não voltar a ser a mesma.
Juntas, elas são parte de um todo a que o leitor poderá já ter tido acesso seu meio, são mais ainda, elas são uma mensagem de esperança, de luz, são prova de que a felicidade pode existir onde menos esperamos desde que se encontre paz interior.
Sei que já me alonguei - devido ao elevado número de protagonistas -, mas o facto é que estas mulheres são a alma de todo o enredo que explora, como muito poucos, as relações amorosas. Jovens ou maduras, passadas ou presentes, saudáveis ou destrutivas, existe espaço para todo o género de ligações e, consequentemente, os problemas ou dádivas que cada uma acarreta. Desta feita, a traição e a violência estão presentes, sendo a violência doméstica o tema que merece maior destaque ao longo do livro.
Quer se trate de um sofrimento colectivo ou de uma dor individual, Cathy excedeu-se na verdade e emocionou-me muito, tão cedo não esquecerei esta história..
Questões mais positivas são, também elas, alvo de exposição e, como tal, o leitor encontrará nestas páginas a amizade, a bondade, o valor da família e mensagens verdadeiramente reconfortantes para equilibrar os momentos mais nostálgicos.
Um livro para quem gosta de ver espelhadas vidas genuínas, onde o romance actual se cruza com mágoas e contentamentos passados para alumiar reencontros, oportunidades, futuros que podem curar os corações mais magoados.
Opinião completa em: http://historiasdeelphaba.blogspot.pt...
Entre as várias, muitas, autoras que já tive o prazer de ler publicadas pela Quinta Essência, Cathy Kelly é uma das que mais estimo pela forma sensível como trata a vida através das palavras. As suas histórias, particularmente direccionadas para um público feminino, envolvem o leitor de uma forma poderosa, de tal maneira que as suas personagens se transformam em velhas amigas de quem escutamos, atentamente, receios e segredos, repletos sorrisos e lágrimas, relatos que têm tanto de comum e, ainda assim, são tão íntimos que nos sentimos tocados pela partilha. É uma autora que me apraz, satisfaz, sempre e A Casa de Willow Street superou a alta fasquia que a acompanha.
Tal como já sucedeu em leituras anteriores desta autora, este texto apresenta quatro personagens principais femininas bastante distintas que, por algum laço afectivo, se unem e se encontram ao longo da narrativa, enquanto nos contam as suas vidas os seus dilemas, dificuldades e bonanças, até à descoberta do seu caminho.
Sendo um livro centrado nas suas personagens e nos temas que estas oferecem para reflexão, creio que vou divagar um pouco sobre as mesmas, pelo que peço desde já desculpa.
Mara, a mais jovem das protagonistas, viu, de forma inesperada, ser desfeito o seu sonho de casar com aquele que considerava um príncipe, e para recuperar resta-lhe, unicamente, fugir de tudo o que conhece e receber apoio ao abrigo da sua afável tia, Danee. Embora, logo início, Mara dê provas de uma personalidade arrojada, é fantástico assistir ao desenvolvimento desta personagem quando chega a Avalon, mostrando um lado atencioso e amigo que acaba por dar uma nova vida a esta localidade, onde poderá, eventualmente, encontrar o seu lugar.
Tess não tinha uma vida perfeita, mas tinha uma vida estável pela qual era verdadeiramente grata, com dois filhos abençoados e um companheiro que era acima de tudo seu amigo - numa relação só a amizade pode não ser suficiente. Quando uma decisão precipitada lhe tira repentinamente a paz, Tess terá de começar de novo mas, primeiro, terá de resolver-se com o seu passado se quiser voltar a ser feliz.
Suki, a personagem com quem criei menos ligação, é aquela que aborda uma temática mais recorrente nos romances contemporâneos. Excêntrica, lutadora e numa situação precária, ela é o retrato de alguém que deixou de ser famoso mas a quem sobrou todos os dramas associados ao destaque social… mais tarde só lhe restará voltar às origens e ter esperança de conseguir voltar a construir um novo caminho para as suas ambições.
Por fim Danee, ela foi a minha personagem favorita pela temática que lhe coube representar. Ela é todas as vozes que em sofrem em silêncio, é uma entre muitos em Avalon, dedicada ao seu trabalho mas excluída do mundo porque se recusa a seguir em frente. É a mais corajosa e a que menos se manifesta, porque quando o fizer, quando encarar a realidade perante aqueles que a aceitaram, a sua vida pode não voltar a ser a mesma.
Juntas, elas são parte de um todo a que o leitor poderá já ter tido acesso seu meio, são mais ainda, elas são uma mensagem de esperança, de luz, são prova de que a felicidade pode existir onde menos esperamos desde que se encontre paz interior.
Sei que já me alonguei - devido ao elevado número de protagonistas -, mas o facto é que estas mulheres são a alma de todo o enredo que explora, como muito poucos, as relações amorosas. Jovens ou maduras, passadas ou presentes, saudáveis ou destrutivas, existe espaço para todo o género de ligações e, consequentemente, os problemas ou dádivas que cada uma acarreta. Desta feita, a traição e a violência estão presentes, sendo a violência doméstica o tema que merece maior destaque ao longo do livro.
Quer se trate de um sofrimento colectivo ou de uma dor individual, Cathy excedeu-se na verdade e emocionou-me muito, tão cedo não esquecerei esta história..
Questões mais positivas são, também elas, alvo de exposição e, como tal, o leitor encontrará nestas páginas a amizade, a bondade, o valor da família e mensagens verdadeiramente reconfortantes para equilibrar os momentos mais nostálgicos.
Um livro para quem gosta de ver espelhadas vidas genuínas, onde o romance actual se cruza com mágoas e contentamentos passados para alumiar reencontros, oportunidades, futuros que podem curar os corações mais magoados.
Opinião completa em: http://historiasdeelphaba.blogspot.pt...
May 24, 2013
I did like this book although I was a little disappointed with it. I felt that much drama was created around two of the characters and I spent the whole book trying to guess or imagine what had happened between them years ago and when I finally found out (near the end of the book)I was disappointed, feeling that the whole lead up was just too dramatic for the outcome.
November 3, 2013
Thought I enjoyed the book, but the more I got into it, the less I liked it. It is the story of 4 women, connected by a small Irish village. The setting is good, the story unfolds maybe a bit to slowly, but I found that one of the main characters that was supposed to be the upbeat, young woman who makes friends easily and wants to take care of others was just a nosy girl who pushed and pushed. One of the main story lines ended just as the book did, and while the 'secret' was hinted at and danced around the whole book, the 'secret' that caused one breakup was just silly.
There are numerous places where the writing contradicts what was said even a paragraph, or sentence before. Some things got a bit confusing. Mostly the writing was pretty decent, but when one thing distracts from the story, the other little oddities just keep popping out.
There are numerous places where the writing contradicts what was said even a paragraph, or sentence before. Some things got a bit confusing. Mostly the writing was pretty decent, but when one thing distracts from the story, the other little oddities just keep popping out.
July 3, 2013
I would have given this book 4 stars if it wasn't for the "revelation" at the end what all the fuss was about between Tess and Cashell. A storm in a teacup. I am a bit disappointed Ms Kelly could not come up with a better reasons why these two would not talk to each other for 19 years. Apart from that this book is just another fluffy cozy read by the fire on a cold day.
July 24, 2013
http://oslivrosnossos.blogspot.pt/201...
Leia a crítica completa no Blog Os Livros Nossos :)
" O romance mostra-se escrito num tom que evidencia uma rara sensibilidade, o leitor entra na história como se esta desfilasse na realidade perante os seus olhos, as reviravoltas da vida, personagens realistas que podiam morar ao nosso lado, uma paisagem encantandora envolve o decurso da narrativa.
Ficamos embrenhados nas páginas, e vemos problemas reais retratados nas personagens como: a recessão económica e a falência eminente de tantas famílias e negócios; a bisbilhotice própria dos meios mais rurais; o perigo de perda de privacidade e a perseguição movida às celebridades [Suki é vítima desta tendência].
Sempre inerente aos obstáculos a ultrapassar, fica uma mensagem de que há coisas que é possível mudarmos para melhor nas nossas vidas, com um esforço sério e firme da vontade.
Doce, sensível, realista e capaz de tocar a nossa alma, é assim a escrita de Cathy Kelly.
Uma excelente leitura para estas férias de Verão. Recomendo!"
Leia a crítica completa no Blog Os Livros Nossos :)
" O romance mostra-se escrito num tom que evidencia uma rara sensibilidade, o leitor entra na história como se esta desfilasse na realidade perante os seus olhos, as reviravoltas da vida, personagens realistas que podiam morar ao nosso lado, uma paisagem encantandora envolve o decurso da narrativa.
Ficamos embrenhados nas páginas, e vemos problemas reais retratados nas personagens como: a recessão económica e a falência eminente de tantas famílias e negócios; a bisbilhotice própria dos meios mais rurais; o perigo de perda de privacidade e a perseguição movida às celebridades [Suki é vítima desta tendência].
Sempre inerente aos obstáculos a ultrapassar, fica uma mensagem de que há coisas que é possível mudarmos para melhor nas nossas vidas, com um esforço sério e firme da vontade.
Doce, sensível, realista e capaz de tocar a nossa alma, é assim a escrita de Cathy Kelly.
Uma excelente leitura para estas férias de Verão. Recomendo!"
March 13, 2012
Cathy Kelly never disappoints. It did take me a few chapters to get into the swing of this one and get to know the main characters, and then I nearly died when I read a chapter that was very very familiar and I started wondering ... have I read this before?
Then I realised it was only one chapter, and that it must have appeared in "Christmas Magic" which was short stories I read at Christmas time, phew.
Then I kept reading until I was finished, literally. I didn't put it down.
If you love Cathy Kelly, if you love a story that wraps you in a big quilt and serves up a warm milky drink, you'll love this book too. Just gorgeous :)Cathy Kelly
Then I realised it was only one chapter, and that it must have appeared in "Christmas Magic" which was short stories I read at Christmas time, phew.
Then I kept reading until I was finished, literally. I didn't put it down.
If you love Cathy Kelly, if you love a story that wraps you in a big quilt and serves up a warm milky drink, you'll love this book too. Just gorgeous :)Cathy Kelly
August 5, 2016
Μια πολύ γλυκιά ιστορία που εξελίσσεται στο Άβαλον και αναφέρεται στις ιστορίες τεσσάρων γυναικών.
February 22, 2021
This book ended up to be much more enjoyable than I anticipated from the first half. The characters are loveable and the secrets juicy!
December 23, 2016
Avalon, an Irish seaside town, has held many secrets in it's inhabitants: Tess Power has to battle with the knowledge that her ex-husband has found another woman and got her pregnant while trying to face her family's hidden past. Mara is heart over her womanizer of a boss who she thought was in love with her while trying to help her aunt Dannae to become more social while along the way learning about a well-buried secret. Suki, Tess Power's older sister, has to keep off a nosy writer who's writing a book about Suki's ex husband's family while along the way trying to find where she truly belongs. Along the way, we learn more about Cashel and how he tries to hold onto a grudge against Tess for something that happened years ago.
I go to Marian Edmunds for my writing tutoring in Murwillumbah and she had a signed copy of this exact book in her office which she let me borrow as a Christmas read. Cathy Kelly is a superb author who weaves six stories into a fluent narrative through one story.
I go to Marian Edmunds for my writing tutoring in Murwillumbah and she had a signed copy of this exact book in her office which she let me borrow as a Christmas read. Cathy Kelly is a superb author who weaves six stories into a fluent narrative through one story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2012
I enjoyed this book although the ending seemed a little abrupt. Look it isn't full of twists and turns and it is predictable. If you are looking for something light that isn't a strain on your brain then pick it up. I always enjoy Cathy Kelly's books simply because they are so light. They make a nice break in between heavier, meaty books. I would prefer her to write about one or two main characters and develop them a little more rathe than the usual four protagonists. I think Kelly could do even better if she were to try this. She isn't Marian Keyes however she is great for a simple, easy read.
March 31, 2012
I really enjoyed this book, as always Cathy Kelly doesn't disappoint readers. This book follows the lives of four very different women who's lives have taken different paths, they all have secrets that they want to leave in the past hidden away but they might have a lot more in common then they think!! Follow these womens journeys in an entertaining and gripping read x
Read
January 3, 2014I won't be rating this book and it has nothing to do with the book's content or the author. It was a library book and in such dreadful condition that I felt grimy after touching it and so decided to give up. A shame and I might see if I can get hold of another copy another time. But I can't bear to read this ragged copy.
June 19, 2021
Brimming with passion secrets and tragedy.. Book started lil slow but then picked up pace.. A kind of chick flick with lot drama and stories.. 🤓👻But one thing is sure every women needs her Cathy Kelly time 🌼✨
March 4, 2018
Predictable
September 17, 2020
A feel good story in the vein of my beloved Maeve Binchy. It doesn’t quite reach her heights, but I loved the story of Irish life and the island’s wonderful people. I need to go back there!
March 6, 2022
Opinião no blogue: https://alilianaraquel.pt/2022/02/a-c...
February 6, 2013
Two and a half stars, rounded up. Irish chick lit on the order of Maeve Binchy (though not up to her standards). Not a bad story, but totally predictable. The setting is Avalon, a coastal village in Ireland which sounds idyllic. The plot centers on four women: Tess and Suki, who are sisters who grew up in Avalon House, the large manor house that had been in the family for centuries; and Danae, the humble postmistress, and her lively niece Mara, who comes to stay with her. Of the four, Tess is the predominant character. Due to a lack of financial means, she and Suki had had to sell Avalon House at the death of their father. Suki, the beautiful wild child, departed for the States, and embarked on a tumultuous life among the rich and famous. Tess, separated from her husband, now struggles to make a living from her antique shop, while raising her two children. Her first love has returned to town now as a wealthy man, though both are embittered still at their parting. Danae, the quiet village postmistress, is hiding her tragic past living alone with her dog, chickens, and garden in the cottage at the top of Willow Street until Mara, recovering from a heartbreak of her own, comes to live with her. The not-so-subtle theme of forgiving or healing the past and learning to begin again living life joyfully runs through all the characters' stories. I didn't particularly care for the character of Suki. Not only was she not very likable, but she was totally over the top: married into a wealthy American political dynasty, then divorced and the girlfriend of a world renowned rock star, and along the way she'd authored a popular feminist book, when she was the least independent feminist you could imagine. I'm not sure why romance authors in particular like to have characters like this - who have little in common with their readers who, apparently, are supposed to find anything about celebrity lives fascinating. If that's what they want, there are plenty of celebrity gossip mags and 'entertainment' TV shows and a few ghost-written tell-all autobiographies that cater to that sort of thing. Sure, it's supposed to show that under it all they're people like us and money and fame doesn't buy happiness, blah, blah, blah. That kind of character doesn't belong in the sort of Irish village story I care to read, anyway. The poor village boy made good in the character of Cashel, who had been Tess's first love, was also over the top. Sure he could have been a successful businessman, but did he have to be a billionaire? Instead of the sympathetic romantic hero, he came across as rather insufferable - always saying he usually would have fired an employee for insubordination for merely expressing an opinion or not kowtowing to him. Yuck! An insecure alpha male to the extreme is not romantic. All of this exaggeration just made the story less believable and relatable and detracted from the more honest and real characters of Tess, Danae, and Mara.
September 12, 2012
This is the first Cathy Kelly book that I have read, despite my mothers bookshelves being full of her books! I am always up for reading something a little different to my usual YA tastes, and it's usually nice to read something less 'dark'. I picked up The House on Willow Street, just expecting a quick, simple read. I have to admit that I was very pleasantly surprised when I was faced with a whole lot more.
I was intimidated by the prologue of The House on Willow Street - in a few pages, over 10 different characters were mentioned and I thought that I was going to get crazily confused! Thankfully, when the main story began, despite the multitude of characters, the book was very easy to follow. We follow four main characters, Tess, Suki, Danae and Mara who all have some connection to Willow Street. All of the characters connect in some way, directly or indirectly and it's nice to see how everyone ties together in the community. Everyone was very distinct and despite the amount of characters, they all felt individual, strong and well developed. Willow Street truly felt like a real, thriving village.
As I've said, all of the characters were very well written - they so obviously have a history and we get to explore this history with them as the story progresses. All of the characters are interesting and different, but one stuck out in particular for me and that was the story of Danae. I will not mention what the revelation was, but a when we finally got to discover the big 'secret' of her past, I was taken back - it just felt as though it all made sense, though it was shocking. For me, this added a whole other element to the book - something that made it so much more mature, more serious and effective.
I really enjoyed each story and learning about each individual. Though a lot of the story is actually based around the Powers family and their old house, I was actually less interested in Suki than the rest of the characters - sometimes I found her sections a little long winded, but they weren't boring and didn't distract from the rest of the book. The relationships between all of the characters and their interactions were spectacular. Simply, everything about this book had a great sense of realism and it was so easy to connect with, come to relate to and love the characters.
Overall, I was shocked by this book, in the best possible way. This isn't just a piece of chick-lit, it is women's fiction with some very complex issues thrown in yet it is a feel good book in places. I am so glad that I finally got around to discovering this author and her talent... it's needless to say that this will not be the last book I read by this author. Strongly recommended.
I was intimidated by the prologue of The House on Willow Street - in a few pages, over 10 different characters were mentioned and I thought that I was going to get crazily confused! Thankfully, when the main story began, despite the multitude of characters, the book was very easy to follow. We follow four main characters, Tess, Suki, Danae and Mara who all have some connection to Willow Street. All of the characters connect in some way, directly or indirectly and it's nice to see how everyone ties together in the community. Everyone was very distinct and despite the amount of characters, they all felt individual, strong and well developed. Willow Street truly felt like a real, thriving village.
As I've said, all of the characters were very well written - they so obviously have a history and we get to explore this history with them as the story progresses. All of the characters are interesting and different, but one stuck out in particular for me and that was the story of Danae. I will not mention what the revelation was, but a when we finally got to discover the big 'secret' of her past, I was taken back - it just felt as though it all made sense, though it was shocking. For me, this added a whole other element to the book - something that made it so much more mature, more serious and effective.
I really enjoyed each story and learning about each individual. Though a lot of the story is actually based around the Powers family and their old house, I was actually less interested in Suki than the rest of the characters - sometimes I found her sections a little long winded, but they weren't boring and didn't distract from the rest of the book. The relationships between all of the characters and their interactions were spectacular. Simply, everything about this book had a great sense of realism and it was so easy to connect with, come to relate to and love the characters.
Overall, I was shocked by this book, in the best possible way. This isn't just a piece of chick-lit, it is women's fiction with some very complex issues thrown in yet it is a feel good book in places. I am so glad that I finally got around to discovering this author and her talent... it's needless to say that this will not be the last book I read by this author. Strongly recommended.
July 29, 2013
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“A Casa de Willow Street” foi a minha estreia com esta autora e as palavras faltam-me para descrever aquilo que este livro me transmitiu.
Cathy Kelly não é uma novidade no mercado literário português, na verdade os seus livros têm sido um sucesso e esta nova obra apenas vem confirmar aquilo que já tinha lido em vários blogues literários. A autora tem um estilo de escrita muito própria das autoras contemporâneas irlandesas e por isso, ao termos conhecimento do género a que pertence a obra e à nacionalidade da autora, temos também conhecimento daquilo que podemos esperar da história. Apesar disso, a percepção daquilo que se vai encontrar não é um ponto negativo! A Irlanda é um país muito rico e do qual se pode extrair inúmeras possibilidades de escrita. Quem já teve a possibilidade de visitar a “Ilha Esmeralda” sabe do que falo e consegue compreender as razões que tenho para o fazer. Dei por mim, muitas vezes, transportada no tempo e no espaço, numa altura em que visitei esse maravilhoso país e consegui visualizar todo o espaço da acção de uma forma quase perfeita, visto que a zona que visitei situa-se muito próxima de Arklow.
Toda a história encontra-se envolta numa teia de mistérios, que parecem ter origem no passado das personagens. Gostei muito da história de Danae e de Mara, principalmente pela modo com Mara foi mudando a vida da sua tia. Danea já tinha passado por tantas dificuldades ao longo da sua vida que foi um alívio imenso quando me apercebi as coisas boas que a autora tinha preparado para esta personagem. Mara acabou por seguir um caminho um pouco mais fácil, apesar do sofrimento pelo qual passou, mas a historia que mais me prendeu em todo o livro foi a de Tess e Cashel, apesar de ter achado que se tinham separado por motivos bastante infantis. De resto tenho apenas a dizer que não gostei tanto de Suki. A sua história passou quase despercebida e ela própria acabou por não me cativar, pois no meio de tanta informação, a sua história pareceu-me um pouco forçada e até escusada no meio do livro. Este tipo de livro acaba por se tornar bastante leve porque não se foca apenas em um ou duas personagens, fazendo com que o leitor se mantenha curioso acerca de todas as historias e ansioso por saber o que vai acontecer de seguida.
Em resumo, este é um livro fantástico, um romance perfeito para estas tardes quentes de verão. A não perder!
“A Casa de Willow Street” foi a minha estreia com esta autora e as palavras faltam-me para descrever aquilo que este livro me transmitiu.
Cathy Kelly não é uma novidade no mercado literário português, na verdade os seus livros têm sido um sucesso e esta nova obra apenas vem confirmar aquilo que já tinha lido em vários blogues literários. A autora tem um estilo de escrita muito própria das autoras contemporâneas irlandesas e por isso, ao termos conhecimento do género a que pertence a obra e à nacionalidade da autora, temos também conhecimento daquilo que podemos esperar da história. Apesar disso, a percepção daquilo que se vai encontrar não é um ponto negativo! A Irlanda é um país muito rico e do qual se pode extrair inúmeras possibilidades de escrita. Quem já teve a possibilidade de visitar a “Ilha Esmeralda” sabe do que falo e consegue compreender as razões que tenho para o fazer. Dei por mim, muitas vezes, transportada no tempo e no espaço, numa altura em que visitei esse maravilhoso país e consegui visualizar todo o espaço da acção de uma forma quase perfeita, visto que a zona que visitei situa-se muito próxima de Arklow.
Toda a história encontra-se envolta numa teia de mistérios, que parecem ter origem no passado das personagens. Gostei muito da história de Danae e de Mara, principalmente pela modo com Mara foi mudando a vida da sua tia. Danea já tinha passado por tantas dificuldades ao longo da sua vida que foi um alívio imenso quando me apercebi as coisas boas que a autora tinha preparado para esta personagem. Mara acabou por seguir um caminho um pouco mais fácil, apesar do sofrimento pelo qual passou, mas a historia que mais me prendeu em todo o livro foi a de Tess e Cashel, apesar de ter achado que se tinham separado por motivos bastante infantis. De resto tenho apenas a dizer que não gostei tanto de Suki. A sua história passou quase despercebida e ela própria acabou por não me cativar, pois no meio de tanta informação, a sua história pareceu-me um pouco forçada e até escusada no meio do livro. Este tipo de livro acaba por se tornar bastante leve porque não se foca apenas em um ou duas personagens, fazendo com que o leitor se mantenha curioso acerca de todas as historias e ansioso por saber o que vai acontecer de seguida.
Em resumo, este é um livro fantástico, um romance perfeito para estas tardes quentes de verão. A não perder!
September 15, 2013
Mara, Tess, Suki e Danae. 4 mulheres sofridas, todas elas com segredos no passado. Em comum têm as suas raízes a Avalon.
Tess e Suki, irmãs a viverem em continentes diferentes separaram-se porque Suki sempre se sentiu mal em Avalon e saiu de lá ara procurar o sucesso. O que aconteceu, mas que tambem a deixou pelas ruas da amargura. Tendo tido tudo, tendo sido casada com um "ricaço" perdeu tudo no divorcio. Agra vê-se a braços com uma situação que ameaça destruir-lhe a vida por completo.
Tess, depois de ter sofrido um desisto de amor em adolescente, casou com Kevin, de que. Tem 2 filhos. Mas ao fim de 17 anos de casamento este começa a mostrar sinais de desgaste e resolverem separar-se para ver se descobrem o que ainda sentem um pelo outro. O que Tess nao conta é que o ainda marido, se volte a apaixonar. Para complicar o amor da vida dela está de volta à vila que os viu nascer, mas o ódio com que se separaram ainda está presente. Serão capazes de o ultrapassar ao fim de tantos anos?
Danae, mulher dos correios, fugiu para Avalon ha muitos anos atras, mas ninguém conhece a verdadeira história dela e o porquê de ela se ter lá refugiado. Misteriosa, tímida, e recatada, nao é de muitas falas e muito menos de conviver para além do necessário. Até ao dia em que chega à vila agua sobrinha Mara, tambem ela a fugir de um desgosto amoroso.
Será Mara a fazer com que todas estas personagens enfrentem os seus medos, segredos e que os comecem a encarar.
Apesar de escrito de uma forma simples, achei que a autora repetiu por vezes situações que nao são exactamente necessárias, o que torna um pouco maçudo, principalmente no inicio quando estas personagens nos são apresentadas. Só a partir da pagina 150 é que consegui que a escrita e a história me prendessem de maneira a quer chegar ao fim o mais rápido possível para saber os segredos e os desfechos de personagens tao ricas.
Tess e Suki, irmãs a viverem em continentes diferentes separaram-se porque Suki sempre se sentiu mal em Avalon e saiu de lá ara procurar o sucesso. O que aconteceu, mas que tambem a deixou pelas ruas da amargura. Tendo tido tudo, tendo sido casada com um "ricaço" perdeu tudo no divorcio. Agra vê-se a braços com uma situação que ameaça destruir-lhe a vida por completo.
Tess, depois de ter sofrido um desisto de amor em adolescente, casou com Kevin, de que. Tem 2 filhos. Mas ao fim de 17 anos de casamento este começa a mostrar sinais de desgaste e resolverem separar-se para ver se descobrem o que ainda sentem um pelo outro. O que Tess nao conta é que o ainda marido, se volte a apaixonar. Para complicar o amor da vida dela está de volta à vila que os viu nascer, mas o ódio com que se separaram ainda está presente. Serão capazes de o ultrapassar ao fim de tantos anos?
Danae, mulher dos correios, fugiu para Avalon ha muitos anos atras, mas ninguém conhece a verdadeira história dela e o porquê de ela se ter lá refugiado. Misteriosa, tímida, e recatada, nao é de muitas falas e muito menos de conviver para além do necessário. Até ao dia em que chega à vila agua sobrinha Mara, tambem ela a fugir de um desgosto amoroso.
Será Mara a fazer com que todas estas personagens enfrentem os seus medos, segredos e que os comecem a encarar.
Apesar de escrito de uma forma simples, achei que a autora repetiu por vezes situações que nao são exactamente necessárias, o que torna um pouco maçudo, principalmente no inicio quando estas personagens nos são apresentadas. Só a partir da pagina 150 é que consegui que a escrita e a história me prendessem de maneira a quer chegar ao fim o mais rápido possível para saber os segredos e os desfechos de personagens tao ricas.
August 27, 2012
The House On Willow Street
by
Cathy Kelly
My " in a nutshell" summary...
This book is about the lives of Danae, Tess, Mara, Suki, and Cashel and their connection to the town that they are living in as well as the complicated lives that they all sem to be living.
My thoughts after reading this book...
Everyone is sort of finding themselves or learning how to live with the changes that are happening within their lives. Divorce, new relationships, past marriages, starting over...all of this is happening to these key players. There are secrets that need to be uncovered. There are lives that need to be adjusted. There are relationships and friendships that need to grow and blossom. There are tons of questions that need to be answered. This is one of those books where past histories play a role in the lives that everyone is living right now.
What I loved about this book...
Each character had something unique and special to reveal...whether it was a new relationship or handling a divorce or the end of a love connection. It was fasinating to read about the way they handled these issues both past and present. I loved discovering their growth. I loved the way they discovered their strengths. I loved the quaint town, the houses, and the everyday lives of e eryone involved. It wasn't all joyful...Danae's life with her husband was so very sad.
What I didn't love...
Hmmm...nothing really...I loved what went on in the town and what went on with all of the characters. I loved the chickens and Danae's love for animals...so sweet!
Final thoughts...
This book was lovely. I enjoyed reading it. It captured my heart and made me care for everyone involved.
by
Cathy Kelly
My " in a nutshell" summary...
This book is about the lives of Danae, Tess, Mara, Suki, and Cashel and their connection to the town that they are living in as well as the complicated lives that they all sem to be living.
My thoughts after reading this book...
Everyone is sort of finding themselves or learning how to live with the changes that are happening within their lives. Divorce, new relationships, past marriages, starting over...all of this is happening to these key players. There are secrets that need to be uncovered. There are lives that need to be adjusted. There are relationships and friendships that need to grow and blossom. There are tons of questions that need to be answered. This is one of those books where past histories play a role in the lives that everyone is living right now.
What I loved about this book...
Each character had something unique and special to reveal...whether it was a new relationship or handling a divorce or the end of a love connection. It was fasinating to read about the way they handled these issues both past and present. I loved discovering their growth. I loved the way they discovered their strengths. I loved the quaint town, the houses, and the everyday lives of e eryone involved. It wasn't all joyful...Danae's life with her husband was so very sad.
What I didn't love...
Hmmm...nothing really...I loved what went on in the town and what went on with all of the characters. I loved the chickens and Danae's love for animals...so sweet!
Final thoughts...
This book was lovely. I enjoyed reading it. It captured my heart and made me care for everyone involved.
April 13, 2013
I loved Homecoming by Kelly and knew I had to read more from her. I think I enjoyed The House on Willow Street even more. The plots are very similar...strong women characters, each going through a difficult time who will come together to create a wonderful story of love, friendship, determination, and strength. Add to that the setting of a delightful village in Ireland and you have a Kelly book.
The characters Kelly creates are people you know (by other names, of course), or people you want to meet. In The House on Willow Street I met Danae, the pleasant but private postmistress of Avalon. I met Tess, recently separated from her husband and struggling to keep her quirky antique business afloat to support her children. I met Suki, sister of Tess who left Avalon as a young girl to find a more exciting life and who is now running from a ruthless author of unauthorized biographies. And, finally, I met Mara; the young niece of Danae who is humiliated when her steady boyfriend of 2 years ups and marries a coworker. Each woman is suffering from heartache. Danae, Tess, and Suki all have secrets in their pasts. It is those secrets that bring the three of them together with the help of spunky Mara who returns to visit her aunt with the determination to heal not only her own heart but the hearts of the three women she becomes close to. I loved Mara!
I also love the way Kelly weaves the stories of her characters and brings them together so gradually that you feel as though these women were all friends to start with. I don't know how authors feel when they are compared to other authors, but I see so much of Maeve Binchy's talent for storytelling in Cathy Kelly that she has become another of my favorite authors who captures my heart with her words.
The characters Kelly creates are people you know (by other names, of course), or people you want to meet. In The House on Willow Street I met Danae, the pleasant but private postmistress of Avalon. I met Tess, recently separated from her husband and struggling to keep her quirky antique business afloat to support her children. I met Suki, sister of Tess who left Avalon as a young girl to find a more exciting life and who is now running from a ruthless author of unauthorized biographies. And, finally, I met Mara; the young niece of Danae who is humiliated when her steady boyfriend of 2 years ups and marries a coworker. Each woman is suffering from heartache. Danae, Tess, and Suki all have secrets in their pasts. It is those secrets that bring the three of them together with the help of spunky Mara who returns to visit her aunt with the determination to heal not only her own heart but the hearts of the three women she becomes close to. I loved Mara!
I also love the way Kelly weaves the stories of her characters and brings them together so gradually that you feel as though these women were all friends to start with. I don't know how authors feel when they are compared to other authors, but I see so much of Maeve Binchy's talent for storytelling in Cathy Kelly that she has become another of my favorite authors who captures my heart with her words.
February 13, 2013
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Once again Cathy Kelly allows the reader to immerse themselves in the charm of a quaint little Irish village while meeting unique and wonderful characters. The story takes us between four characters, Danae, Mara, Tess and Tess's sister, Sukki. They are various ages at various stages in their lives and I think all readers will find something to relate to in each character. Of course my favorite part of the book was the picture that Cathy Kelly painted of Avalon. The charming little village with the quaint little shops and the eclectic cast of characters really did nothing more than make me long for Ireland... *sigh*... maybe someday.
Bottom line, for fans of Irish literature, Cathy Kelly needs no introduction. You are already familiar with her ability to transport her readers to Ireland. The characters in The House on Willow Street are exactly what I have come to expect from the author, unique yet familiar. If you are looking for a good novel to read, keep Cathy Kelly in mind, you won't regret it, I promise!
Once again Cathy Kelly allows the reader to immerse themselves in the charm of a quaint little Irish village while meeting unique and wonderful characters. The story takes us between four characters, Danae, Mara, Tess and Tess's sister, Sukki. They are various ages at various stages in their lives and I think all readers will find something to relate to in each character. Of course my favorite part of the book was the picture that Cathy Kelly painted of Avalon. The charming little village with the quaint little shops and the eclectic cast of characters really did nothing more than make me long for Ireland... *sigh*... maybe someday.
Bottom line, for fans of Irish literature, Cathy Kelly needs no introduction. You are already familiar with her ability to transport her readers to Ireland. The characters in The House on Willow Street are exactly what I have come to expect from the author, unique yet familiar. If you are looking for a good novel to read, keep Cathy Kelly in mind, you won't regret it, I promise!
April 12, 2012
I love this author and was delighted she published another book. I did find it slow to start and felt the four characters could have been explored in more detail, at times I found it sketchy.
Danae's secret was heartbreaking and for me Tess and her made the book. All very realistic situations which made this a believable and enjoyable read.
The downfall was the rushed ending, it felt like it had just been tagged on at the end and would loved even a further few chapters telling the eventual tale. Yes most of it was predictable however it felt like a "coming home to a cuppa and a roaring fire" kind of read for me. Very satisfactory!!!
July 6, 2014
Set in Avalon, a seaside village in Ireland, this is the story of Tess, a recently separated wife and mother who owns an antique shop, her sister Suki, a transplanted American feminist writer, Danae, a private person who is the village post mistress, and Mara, Danae's niece who has come to Avalon to get over a broken heart.
As with other Kelly books, this one highlights the ups and downs of regular people. The ending is predictable but satisfying as the the women learn from their pasts to create better futures.
As with other Kelly books, this one highlights the ups and downs of regular people. The ending is predictable but satisfying as the the women learn from their pasts to create better futures.
January 24, 2013
Cathy Kelly is one of my favorite authors and I thoroughly enjoyed her latest novel. The setting is Avalon, a tiny village on the Irish coast and is about the lives of four women: Tess; her sister, Suki; Danae, and her niece, Mara. Cathy Kelly always writes about strong Irish women who conquer their fears and problems with grit and warmth. I feel good for having met these ladies and wish there were more stories like this.
February 28, 2017
3,5
Na verdade gostei mas o que mais me aborrece é que, e volto a repetir, já li esta história nos três livros anteriores da autora. Simplesmente muda o espaço e o nome das personagens. Queria ler algo diferente, algo que me surpreendesse pois já sei à partida o que esperar, sempre que pego nos livros desta autora. E eu gosto de ser surpreendida.
http://algodaodoceparaocerebro.blogsp...
Na verdade gostei mas o que mais me aborrece é que, e volto a repetir, já li esta história nos três livros anteriores da autora. Simplesmente muda o espaço e o nome das personagens. Queria ler algo diferente, algo que me surpreendesse pois já sei à partida o que esperar, sempre que pego nos livros desta autora. E eu gosto de ser surpreendida.
http://algodaodoceparaocerebro.blogsp...
March 19, 2012
It has been a while since i've read a Cathy Kelly book - I did enjoy this book although i would put it in the 'light read' category - very good for between those heavier books. But it is full of loveable characters who you can both laugh and cry with - it's like going out with a handful of girlfriends for a good gossip!
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