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The Christmas Party is a delicious, page-turning story of romance, family and secrets, by the Sunday Times bestselling author Karen Swan.When Declan Lorne, the last remaining knight in Ireland, dies suddenly, an ancient title passes with him. But his estate on Ireland’s rugged south-west coast is left to his three daughters. The two eldest, Ottie and Pip, inherit in line with expectations, but to everyone’s surprise – and dismay – it is the errant baby of the family, Willow, who gets the castle.Why her? Something unknown – something terrible - made her turn her back on her family three years earlier, escaping to Dublin and vowing never to return. So when Willow quickly announces she is selling up, her revenge seems sweet and the once-close sisters are pushed to breaking in desperation, Pip risks everything to secure her own future, and Ottie makes a decision that will ruin lives. It’s each woman for herself.Before moving in, Connor Shaye, the prospective new owner, negotiates throwing a lavish party at the castle just days before Christmas – his hello, their goodbye. But as their secrets begin to catch up with them, Ottie, Willow and Pip are forced to ask themselves which is stepping into the future, or letting go of the past?
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First published October 31, 2019
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About the author
Karen Swan
63 books2,412 followersKaren Swan began her career in fashion journalism before giving it all up to raise her three children and a puppy, and to pursue her ambition of becoming a writer. She lives in the forest in Sussex, writing her books in a treehouse overlooking the Downs. Her books include Christmas at Tiffany's, Summer at Tiffany's, The Perfect Present, Christmas in the Snow, The Summer Without You, The Paris Secret, and Christmas Under the Stars.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 504 reviews
December 22, 2023
Immensely disappointed. I love Karen Swan's books so when I decided to read this, I admit my expectations were too high but this turned out to be her weakest book I have read to date.
I don't want to waste anymore of my time thinking about this book tbh. It was simply boring, which sucked cause the first chapter was so good. The three sisters blend in with each other than that their unique personalities do not stand out at all. To say that this is a Christmas book would be misleading, it's just set in December and has one chapter (that too last one) which involves a Christmas party; other than that it's quite a boring and depressing read.
I don't want to waste anymore of my time thinking about this book tbh. It was simply boring, which sucked cause the first chapter was so good. The three sisters blend in with each other than that their unique personalities do not stand out at all. To say that this is a Christmas book would be misleading, it's just set in December and has one chapter (that too last one) which involves a Christmas party; other than that it's quite a boring and depressing read.
November 5, 2019
This is a charming story of three sisters - Pip, Ottie and Willow, daughters of Declan Lorne of Lorne Castle, Kilmally, Ireland and his wife Serena. Declan’s lineage is an ancient one of over 700 years but the castle and its estate is in financial straits like so many other large estates. The book starts really well with a 30th wedding anniversary celebration party that larger than life Declan has thrown for his friends and family while Willow is being a rock chick at a U2 concert in Crowe Park, Dublin. That really resonates with me being a rock chick/U2 fan as well!!! This well written story follows the three sisters from 26 November to Christmas Day 2019 as a series of events unfold.
I really enjoyed this story. The characters are so likeable with one exception and you can easily picture the three sisters as well as other characters. Pip is feisty and loves horses, Ottie has secrets and loves art while Willow has to wrestle with the family’s impecunity. I love the atmospheric Irish setting, I could hear the lovely Irish lilt in their voices which charms you and some of the repartee was smart, sassy and funny. The castle and the surrounding area is a great backdrop and the party that is held there makes you want to put your glad rags on! There’s a bit of everything in this novel from humour to sadness, fear and tension and love. The idea of living a ‘red dress life’ is fabulous. Although the ending is predictable it in no way spoils the enjoyment, in fact, it feels in keeping with the season of goodwill.
Overall, a fun, easy seasonal read which I really enjoyed.
I really enjoyed this story. The characters are so likeable with one exception and you can easily picture the three sisters as well as other characters. Pip is feisty and loves horses, Ottie has secrets and loves art while Willow has to wrestle with the family’s impecunity. I love the atmospheric Irish setting, I could hear the lovely Irish lilt in their voices which charms you and some of the repartee was smart, sassy and funny. The castle and the surrounding area is a great backdrop and the party that is held there makes you want to put your glad rags on! There’s a bit of everything in this novel from humour to sadness, fear and tension and love. The idea of living a ‘red dress life’ is fabulous. Although the ending is predictable it in no way spoils the enjoyment, in fact, it feels in keeping with the season of goodwill.
Overall, a fun, easy seasonal read which I really enjoyed.
November 10, 2019
The Christmas Party set in south-west Ireland tells the story of the Lorne family living in the 700 year old Lorne Castle. Declan Lorne, the last living knight in Ireland, his wife Serena and their three grown daughters Ottie, Pip and Willow may be the end of the Lorne legacy. With no male heir and an ever mounting amount of costly repairs required on the ageing castle it looks like Lorne Castle will need to be sold.
The Christmas Party is a story of family, heritage and the massive financial burden of keeping an ageing castle intact. Swan also highlights the guilt felt when a century old family legacy can no longer be upheld.
This is a character driven novel told through the eyes of the three strong but very different Lorne sisters. Ottie loved Lorne Castle and spent her days helping her father run the estate. She also held a secret that caused her to become withdrawn. Pip is stubborn, a tom-boy and nuts about her horses but a long held grudge could cost her her life. Willow, the youngest Lorne, had fled to Dublin three years earlier with a devastating secret of her own.
Now all back together after their father’s sudden death the girls must work out their differences, trust each other, and decide how to move forward.
Each year I eagerly look forward to Karen Swan’s new Christmas title and The Christmas Party didn’t disappoint.
The story was totally engrossing with just the right amount of mystery running through the plot. The three Lorne sisters were strong women but they each made mistakes in life and had feelings of failure they needed to overcome.
Karen Swan has written another unforgettable novel with enough tension, mystery, romance and heart-break to keep you turning the pages.
This is one book that needs to be on your Christmas list.
*I received a copy from the publisher
The Christmas Party is a story of family, heritage and the massive financial burden of keeping an ageing castle intact. Swan also highlights the guilt felt when a century old family legacy can no longer be upheld.
This is a character driven novel told through the eyes of the three strong but very different Lorne sisters. Ottie loved Lorne Castle and spent her days helping her father run the estate. She also held a secret that caused her to become withdrawn. Pip is stubborn, a tom-boy and nuts about her horses but a long held grudge could cost her her life. Willow, the youngest Lorne, had fled to Dublin three years earlier with a devastating secret of her own.
Now all back together after their father’s sudden death the girls must work out their differences, trust each other, and decide how to move forward.
Each year I eagerly look forward to Karen Swan’s new Christmas title and The Christmas Party didn’t disappoint.
The story was totally engrossing with just the right amount of mystery running through the plot. The three Lorne sisters were strong women but they each made mistakes in life and had feelings of failure they needed to overcome.
Karen Swan has written another unforgettable novel with enough tension, mystery, romance and heart-break to keep you turning the pages.
This is one book that needs to be on your Christmas list.
*I received a copy from the publisher
November 14, 2019
When Willow received the call from her eldest sister Ottie to say their father was dying, she immediately raced from Dublin to the castle that her family owned. She drove through the night, desperate to see her father before it was too late. The shock and devastation felt by the three sisters, Ottie, Pip and Willow was matched by the grief their Mam was feeling. The further shock after the funeral was over for a much-loved Declan Lorne, the 29th knight of Ireland, was felt all over again when the will was read. What more could happen to the grief-stricken family?
Willow hadn’t been home for three years – now the castle was hers to do as she wanted. The castle was over 700 years old and falling into disrepair. They didn’t have the money to do the repairs needed – the only thing Willow could do was sell it. Pip and Ottie were set up with their inheritances; Willow needed to get rid of their old home, the home that had been the sisters since birth, that had been in her family for seven hundred years, and go back to Dublin where she belonged. But was it that simple? The secret that had torn Willow from her family’s arms was still hovering beneath the surface; her Mam had secrets; Ottie had secrets. Would life ever be the same again?
Would the elaborate Christmas party held in the castle be the end for the Lorne family – or the beginning?
The Christmas Party by Karen Swan is set in a fictitious village in Ireland with one of the many castles as inspiration. The cover is stunning – as I moved toward the end of the story, I understood the meaning behind it. A great plot with excellent characters, The Christmas Party is one I highly recommend.
With thanks to Pan Macmillan AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Willow hadn’t been home for three years – now the castle was hers to do as she wanted. The castle was over 700 years old and falling into disrepair. They didn’t have the money to do the repairs needed – the only thing Willow could do was sell it. Pip and Ottie were set up with their inheritances; Willow needed to get rid of their old home, the home that had been the sisters since birth, that had been in her family for seven hundred years, and go back to Dublin where she belonged. But was it that simple? The secret that had torn Willow from her family’s arms was still hovering beneath the surface; her Mam had secrets; Ottie had secrets. Would life ever be the same again?
Would the elaborate Christmas party held in the castle be the end for the Lorne family – or the beginning?
The Christmas Party by Karen Swan is set in a fictitious village in Ireland with one of the many castles as inspiration. The cover is stunning – as I moved toward the end of the story, I understood the meaning behind it. A great plot with excellent characters, The Christmas Party is one I highly recommend.
With thanks to Pan Macmillan AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
December 25, 2022
Patinka man Karen Swan knygos, jos lengvos, bet išlaiko įtampą iki galo. Graži istorija ir labai tinkama jaukiems žiemos vakarams su arbatos puodeliu . 😉
October 23, 2019
Beguiling, quaint, and heartwarmingly festive!
The Christmas Party is an alluring, heartfelt story that sweeps you away to the beautiful, rugged coastline of southwest Ireland in winter and immerses you into the lives of the Lorne family as they endure a great loss, accept the things they cannot change, confront the past, repair strained relationships, take chances, and embrace the future.
The prose is evocative and well turned. The characters are distressed, vulnerable, genuine, and troubled. And the story is an engaging tale about life, loss, love, grief, familial drama, community, friendship, forgiveness, nostalgia, duty, and romance.
Overall, The Christmas Party is another lovely, absorbing, magical treat by Swan that reminds us to always live life to the fullest and surround ourselves with those we love.
Thank you to Publishers Group Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Christmas Party is an alluring, heartfelt story that sweeps you away to the beautiful, rugged coastline of southwest Ireland in winter and immerses you into the lives of the Lorne family as they endure a great loss, accept the things they cannot change, confront the past, repair strained relationships, take chances, and embrace the future.
The prose is evocative and well turned. The characters are distressed, vulnerable, genuine, and troubled. And the story is an engaging tale about life, loss, love, grief, familial drama, community, friendship, forgiveness, nostalgia, duty, and romance.
Overall, The Christmas Party is another lovely, absorbing, magical treat by Swan that reminds us to always live life to the fullest and surround ourselves with those we love.
Thank you to Publishers Group Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 22, 2022
Po paskutinio Airijos tituluoto riterio mirties, visas turtas atitenka trims jo dukterims – Otei, Pipai ir Vilou. Įspūdingiausia jo dalį, pilį, paveldi jauniausioji Vilou, trejus metus nemačiusi savo šeimos. Vilou, dideliam motinos ir seserų nusivylimui, ryžtasi parduoti Lornų pilį, nenorėdama turėti nieko bendro su praeitimi. Potencialus pirkėjas Konoras Šėjus, prieš parduodant pilį, įtikina joje surengti prašmatnų vakarėlį, kurio metu daugybę metų saugotos šeimos paslaptys iškyla į paviršių...
Karen Swan – bene žymiausia ir populiariausia Kalėdinių knygų rašytoja, kurios romanai (ne tik apie Kalėdas) išversti į daugelį pasaulio kalbų ir yra pamėgti plačios skaitytojų auditorijos. Vis dėlto nestinga ir nuomonių, kad autorės Kalėdų tema rašomos knygos neatitinka šventinių standartų – siužetuose yra nagrinėjamos žmonių gyvenimo ir tarpusavio santykių problemos, o Kalėdinės eglutės, blizgančios girliandos bei margaspalvės lemputės atsiduria tik antrame, o gal net trečiame plane, kuriant romano aplinkos foną. Su pastarosiomis nuomonėmis neįmanoma nesutikti, kadangi jos visiškai teisingos, o „Kalėdų vakarėlis“ nėra viso to išimtis – prabangus Kalėdinis pasibuvimas ir šventinė atmosfera Lorno pilyje yra tik įvadas į šiek tiek rimtesnius ir analizės pareikalaujančius epizodus, skatinančius susimąstyti: gal išties gruodžio mėnesis yra toks ypatingas, kad įvyksta tikrų tikriausi stebuklai?
Kad ir kaip norėtume tikėti, stebuklai patys, savaime, vargu, ar įvyksta – jų realizavime svarbi rolė atitenka žmonėms, galintiems ir net turintiems juos kurti. Lygiai taip pat yra ir su santykiais, šiame kūrinyje atsiduriantiems dėmesio centre, kuriems Kalėdų laikotarpiu buvo paliktos dvi galimybės: galutinai nutrūkti arba išsklaidyti susikaupusią nuoskaudą ir žvelgti tik į priekį. Patyrus išdavystę ar likus įskaudintam, dažnai sunku prisiminti tokio pobūdžio įvykius, tuo labiau į juos atsigręžti, grįžti į tą vietą, kur buvo sudaužyta širdis. Tačiau juk iš tiesų tai – geriausios gyvenimiškos patirtys, padedančios suprasti ne tik kitus, bet ir save patį. Mano nuomone, Vilou suvokė tai tik istorijos pabaigoje, bet būtent savęs pažinimo kelionė, esanti kūrinio siužete, jai ir atvėrė akis, kurios viską matė ir interpretavo anksčiau ne taip, kaip derėjo.
Knygos anotacija tarsi byloja, kad daugiausia dėmesio bus skiriama jaunėlei Vilou ir jos sprendimui po kelerių metų sugrįžti į tėviškę, o vėliau – parduoti Lorno pilį, taip pat galimiems sunkumams, ieškant pirkėjo, tačiau iš tiesų ir kitos dvi seserys nėra paliekamos kūrinio paraštėse, jų istorijos – lyg trūkstamos dėlionės dalys, padedančios suprasti – kas, kur ir kodėl. Seserys viena nuo kitos skiriasi ne tik fiziologiniu amžiumi, bet ir charakteriu, gyvenimo būdu, įsitikinimais, o tai, žinoma, sukuria terpę nesutarimams, ginčams ar net ryšio nepalaikymui – visai taip, kaip ir realiame gyvenime. Otė – menininkė, dirbanti slidinėjimo trasose ir naiviai tikinti, kad vyras, kurį moteris besąlygiškai myli, vieną dieną pagaliau išdrįs žengti ryžtingą žingsnį. Bet tarsi Kalėdinis stebuklas jos gyvenime pasirodęs nepažįstamasis atverčia kortas, kurios paskatina moterį susimąstyti – ar jos viltys pagrįstos? Pipa – tikra nutrūktgalvė, dievinanti žirgus, bet nepajėgianti atvirai pripažinti savo jausmų, bėganti nuo pastarųjų. Bet galbūt likimo užuominos apie gyvenimo trapumą pakeis jos mąstymą? Na, o Vilou – šeimoje jaučiasi „balta varna“, tikrąją to žodžio prasme, ir negali atleisti mamai už poelgį, padarytą prieš kelis dešimtmečius. Bet gal Kalėdos ir jautrus laiškas padės suprasti, kad stereotipus mes dažnai susigalvojame ir mintyse susikuriame patys?
Kūrinyje aptartos temos vertos dėmesio, kadangi į panašių dilemų verpetus gali patekti bet kuris iš mūsų. Galbūt todėl nebestebina, kad idėjų istorijai K. Swan sėmėsi iš tikrų žmonių, jų patirčių. Net ir paskutinis tituluotas Airijos riteris nėra tik fantazijos vaisius. Anaiptol nėra taip, kad knyga neturi trūkumų ar su logika prasilenkiančių epizodų. Momentais skaitant susidarė įspūdis, kad kai kurios vietos pernelyg ištemptos, pasakojami pertekliniai ir nereikalingi, kūriniui nieko naujo nepriduodantys, dalykai. Kita vertus, galbūt tuo siekta sukurti jaukesnę atmosferą, įsigilinti į švenčių esmę, į kurią skubėjimas tikrai nėra įskaitomas? Tai antroji knyga, skaityta iš gausaus būrio, kurį yra parašiusi K. Swan. Prieš kelerius metus perskaitytas kūrinys „Kalėdų šviesos“ man tikrai paliko mažesnį įspūdį nei „Kalėdų vakarėlis“. Nors temos, kurios aptartos pirmojoje, ne ką mažiau svarbios nūdienoje, tačiau istorijos išplėtojamas ir siužetas artimesnis man pačiai buvo šioje. Nesigailiu autorei suteikusi dar vieną šansą ir net džiaugiuosi, kad ne viena jos knyga guli mano lentynoje. Noriu tikėti, kad mano nauja šventinio laikotarpio tradicija bus kasmet perskaityti K. Swan knygą. Kadangi kiekvienais metais autorė parašo po naują, o leidykla „Tyto Alba“ taip pat reguliariai jas leidžia – skaitinių tikrai nepritrūks.
„Kalėdų vakarėlis“ – jauki, šviesi ir tyra istorija apie vienos šeimos moterų santykius, išdavystes ir viską nugalinčią meilę, kuriai nesvarbus nei amžius, nei pobūdis, nei kraujo ryšys. Viltingas pasakojimas apie kartų santykius įprasmina tikrąją Kalėdų reikšmę, kuri anaiptol ne gausus vaišių stalas ar dovanos po eglute – tai ryšys, vertybės ir jausmai, širdį sušildantys poelgiai, o galiausiai – atleidimas tiems, kurie įskaudino, bet nuoširdžiai gailisi. Istorijoje išryškinamos šeimos aktualijų temos, susijusios ne tik su vaikų skaičiumi, bet ir jų lytimi, atskleidžia, kaip kartais troškimas pratęsti giminę ir nesąmoningas pastarojo akcentavimas, galintis sugriauti atžalų gyvenimus, išardyti šeimos vienybę, moko dėkoti ir džiaugtis tuo, ką turi. Pasakojimas apima daugybę skirtingų jausmų, kuriuos patiria žmogus, pavyzdžiui, menkavertiškumą, pažeminimą, išdavystę, meilę, sielvartą, savigraužą ir daugelį kitų, kurie įgyja kitokią prasmę prieš Kalėdas. Knygoje netrūksta ir labai jautrių akimirkų, kurios savaime skatina šventinį periodą suprasti kaip tą laiką, kai turime ir galime savo artimiesiems skirti kuo daugiau dėmesio ir meilės, nes niekada nežinai, ar tai ne paskutinis kartas.
Rekomenduoju skaitytojams, ieškantiems Kalėdinėje knygoje ne blizgučių, žėručių ar šventinių giesmių, bet šeimyninės dramos, nepalankaus likimo ir stropaus bandymo pasipriešinti aplinkybėms. Jeigu mėgstate knygas, kuriose tame pačiame skyriuje persipina kelių asmenų gyvenimai, vėliau pamažu „sulimpantys“ į bendrą visumą, tikiu, kad „Kalėdų vakarėlis“ jums patiks. Rekomenduoju dievinantiems istorijas, kuriose svarbiausia šilti jausmai, tarpusavio santykiai, o negana to – paslaptys, anksčiau ar vėliau iškylančios į dienos šviesą ir neretai apverčiančios gyvenimą aukštyn kojomis, bet pamažu ir sustatančiomis jį į vietas. Jeigu ieškote jaukios knygos, kuri maloniai skaitytųsi šiuo šventiniu periodu, kai, regis, nesinori negatyvių ar skaudžių istorijų, kai širdis tarsi savaime krypsta prie tų, kuriose nestokojama pozityvo ir nepaliaujamo tikėjimo, kad viskas bus gerai, rekomenduoju.
4/5⭐
Karen Swan – bene žymiausia ir populiariausia Kalėdinių knygų rašytoja, kurios romanai (ne tik apie Kalėdas) išversti į daugelį pasaulio kalbų ir yra pamėgti plačios skaitytojų auditorijos. Vis dėlto nestinga ir nuomonių, kad autorės Kalėdų tema rašomos knygos neatitinka šventinių standartų – siužetuose yra nagrinėjamos žmonių gyvenimo ir tarpusavio santykių problemos, o Kalėdinės eglutės, blizgančios girliandos bei margaspalvės lemputės atsiduria tik antrame, o gal net trečiame plane, kuriant romano aplinkos foną. Su pastarosiomis nuomonėmis neįmanoma nesutikti, kadangi jos visiškai teisingos, o „Kalėdų vakarėlis“ nėra viso to išimtis – prabangus Kalėdinis pasibuvimas ir šventinė atmosfera Lorno pilyje yra tik įvadas į šiek tiek rimtesnius ir analizės pareikalaujančius epizodus, skatinančius susimąstyti: gal išties gruodžio mėnesis yra toks ypatingas, kad įvyksta tikrų tikriausi stebuklai?
Kad ir kaip norėtume tikėti, stebuklai patys, savaime, vargu, ar įvyksta – jų realizavime svarbi rolė atitenka žmonėms, galintiems ir net turintiems juos kurti. Lygiai taip pat yra ir su santykiais, šiame kūrinyje atsiduriantiems dėmesio centre, kuriems Kalėdų laikotarpiu buvo paliktos dvi galimybės: galutinai nutrūkti arba išsklaidyti susikaupusią nuoskaudą ir žvelgti tik į priekį. Patyrus išdavystę ar likus įskaudintam, dažnai sunku prisiminti tokio pobūdžio įvykius, tuo labiau į juos atsigręžti, grįžti į tą vietą, kur buvo sudaužyta širdis. Tačiau juk iš tiesų tai – geriausios gyvenimiškos patirtys, padedančios suprasti ne tik kitus, bet ir save patį. Mano nuomone, Vilou suvokė tai tik istorijos pabaigoje, bet būtent savęs pažinimo kelionė, esanti kūrinio siužete, jai ir atvėrė akis, kurios viską matė ir interpretavo anksčiau ne taip, kaip derėjo.
Knygos anotacija tarsi byloja, kad daugiausia dėmesio bus skiriama jaunėlei Vilou ir jos sprendimui po kelerių metų sugrįžti į tėviškę, o vėliau – parduoti Lorno pilį, taip pat galimiems sunkumams, ieškant pirkėjo, tačiau iš tiesų ir kitos dvi seserys nėra paliekamos kūrinio paraštėse, jų istorijos – lyg trūkstamos dėlionės dalys, padedančios suprasti – kas, kur ir kodėl. Seserys viena nuo kitos skiriasi ne tik fiziologiniu amžiumi, bet ir charakteriu, gyvenimo būdu, įsitikinimais, o tai, žinoma, sukuria terpę nesutarimams, ginčams ar net ryšio nepalaikymui – visai taip, kaip ir realiame gyvenime. Otė – menininkė, dirbanti slidinėjimo trasose ir naiviai tikinti, kad vyras, kurį moteris besąlygiškai myli, vieną dieną pagaliau išdrįs žengti ryžtingą žingsnį. Bet tarsi Kalėdinis stebuklas jos gyvenime pasirodęs nepažįstamasis atverčia kortas, kurios paskatina moterį susimąstyti – ar jos viltys pagrįstos? Pipa – tikra nutrūktgalvė, dievinanti žirgus, bet nepajėgianti atvirai pripažinti savo jausmų, bėganti nuo pastarųjų. Bet galbūt likimo užuominos apie gyvenimo trapumą pakeis jos mąstymą? Na, o Vilou – šeimoje jaučiasi „balta varna“, tikrąją to žodžio prasme, ir negali atleisti mamai už poelgį, padarytą prieš kelis dešimtmečius. Bet gal Kalėdos ir jautrus laiškas padės suprasti, kad stereotipus mes dažnai susigalvojame ir mintyse susikuriame patys?
Kūrinyje aptartos temos vertos dėmesio, kadangi į panašių dilemų verpetus gali patekti bet kuris iš mūsų. Galbūt todėl nebestebina, kad idėjų istorijai K. Swan sėmėsi iš tikrų žmonių, jų patirčių. Net ir paskutinis tituluotas Airijos riteris nėra tik fantazijos vaisius. Anaiptol nėra taip, kad knyga neturi trūkumų ar su logika prasilenkiančių epizodų. Momentais skaitant susidarė įspūdis, kad kai kurios vietos pernelyg ištemptos, pasakojami pertekliniai ir nereikalingi, kūriniui nieko naujo nepriduodantys, dalykai. Kita vertus, galbūt tuo siekta sukurti jaukesnę atmosferą, įsigilinti į švenčių esmę, į kurią skubėjimas tikrai nėra įskaitomas? Tai antroji knyga, skaityta iš gausaus būrio, kurį yra parašiusi K. Swan. Prieš kelerius metus perskaitytas kūrinys „Kalėdų šviesos“ man tikrai paliko mažesnį įspūdį nei „Kalėdų vakarėlis“. Nors temos, kurios aptartos pirmojoje, ne ką mažiau svarbios nūdienoje, tačiau istorijos išplėtojamas ir siužetas artimesnis man pačiai buvo šioje. Nesigailiu autorei suteikusi dar vieną šansą ir net džiaugiuosi, kad ne viena jos knyga guli mano lentynoje. Noriu tikėti, kad mano nauja šventinio laikotarpio tradicija bus kasmet perskaityti K. Swan knygą. Kadangi kiekvienais metais autorė parašo po naują, o leidykla „Tyto Alba“ taip pat reguliariai jas leidžia – skaitinių tikrai nepritrūks.
„Kalėdų vakarėlis“ – jauki, šviesi ir tyra istorija apie vienos šeimos moterų santykius, išdavystes ir viską nugalinčią meilę, kuriai nesvarbus nei amžius, nei pobūdis, nei kraujo ryšys. Viltingas pasakojimas apie kartų santykius įprasmina tikrąją Kalėdų reikšmę, kuri anaiptol ne gausus vaišių stalas ar dovanos po eglute – tai ryšys, vertybės ir jausmai, širdį sušildantys poelgiai, o galiausiai – atleidimas tiems, kurie įskaudino, bet nuoširdžiai gailisi. Istorijoje išryškinamos šeimos aktualijų temos, susijusios ne tik su vaikų skaičiumi, bet ir jų lytimi, atskleidžia, kaip kartais troškimas pratęsti giminę ir nesąmoningas pastarojo akcentavimas, galintis sugriauti atžalų gyvenimus, išardyti šeimos vienybę, moko dėkoti ir džiaugtis tuo, ką turi. Pasakojimas apima daugybę skirtingų jausmų, kuriuos patiria žmogus, pavyzdžiui, menkavertiškumą, pažeminimą, išdavystę, meilę, sielvartą, savigraužą ir daugelį kitų, kurie įgyja kitokią prasmę prieš Kalėdas. Knygoje netrūksta ir labai jautrių akimirkų, kurios savaime skatina šventinį periodą suprasti kaip tą laiką, kai turime ir galime savo artimiesiems skirti kuo daugiau dėmesio ir meilės, nes niekada nežinai, ar tai ne paskutinis kartas.
Rekomenduoju skaitytojams, ieškantiems Kalėdinėje knygoje ne blizgučių, žėručių ar šventinių giesmių, bet šeimyninės dramos, nepalankaus likimo ir stropaus bandymo pasipriešinti aplinkybėms. Jeigu mėgstate knygas, kuriose tame pačiame skyriuje persipina kelių asmenų gyvenimai, vėliau pamažu „sulimpantys“ į bendrą visumą, tikiu, kad „Kalėdų vakarėlis“ jums patiks. Rekomenduoju dievinantiems istorijas, kuriose svarbiausia šilti jausmai, tarpusavio santykiai, o negana to – paslaptys, anksčiau ar vėliau iškylančios į dienos šviesą ir neretai apverčiančios gyvenimą aukštyn kojomis, bet pamažu ir sustatančiomis jį į vietas. Jeigu ieškote jaukios knygos, kuri maloniai skaitytųsi šiuo šventiniu periodu, kai, regis, nesinori negatyvių ar skaudžių istorijų, kai širdis tarsi savaime krypsta prie tų, kuriose nestokojama pozityvo ir nepaliaujamo tikėjimo, kad viskas bus gerai, rekomenduoju.
4/5⭐
April 6, 2024
Karen rašo dviejų tipų knygas – arba jos susijusios su kelionėmis, arba su kalėdomis. Tai čia ir iš pavadinimo gali susiprasti, kad bus pastaroji. Tik neslėpsiu, per visas šeimos negandas, dramas ir nesikalbėjimus tos Kalėdos čia buvo užgožtos. Nepaisant to, Swan puikiai sugeba priversti skaitytoją pamėgti veikėjus ir tiesig trokšti sužinoti, kaip jiems pasibaigs, nors kažkur giliai pasąmonėje visi suprantame kad visų laukia laiminga pabaiga.
Prieš pat Kalėdas miršta Lornų pilies savininkas ir paskutinis Airijos riteris, trių dukterų tėvas Deklanas. Paaiškėjus palikimo detalėms seserys lieka suglumusios, žmona nieko nebesupranta, o tėvo mirties įneštas chaosas dar labiau įsisiautėja. Paaiškėja, kad pilis palikta būtent jauniausiai ir kuris laikas nuo šeimos atsiskyrusiai seseriai Vilou. Kitos seserys ir žmona jaučiasi išduotos, nesupranta, kodėl taip įvyko. Tačiau tai dar nėra blogiausia – pilis skendi skolose, jai reikalingas remontas ir kuo skubesnė pagalba. Vilou netrunka rasti pirkėją, tačiau prieš parduodant pilį turi būti surengtas Kalėdų vakarėlis…
Pati turiu sesę. Labai ją myliu, bet kartais viena kitai ir nagučius parodom ir pasibaram, nes būna feng šui nesueina, kartais nuotaikos ne tos ar mėnulio fazė nepadeda bendrauti. Todėl puikiai suprantu pagrindines veikėjas.
Keturios moterys, keturios labai pasimetusios moterys labai įtemptu metu, kai tėvas, vyras, gyvenimo meilė ir autoritetas jas palieka. Velniškai sunkus laikas. O kur dar visokie gražūs vyrai, sukantys apie vieną ar kitą sparną. Kaip susikaupti? Kaip rimtai spręsti palikimo reikalus, kai kažkas vietoj parašų dėliojimo bučiuoja? Arba kaip pradėti verslą, kai vietoj rimtų sprendimų priėmimo vidury žiemos puoli į ledinį ežerą? Man patiko tai, kad visos trys buvo velnių priėdusios. Kitu atveju būčiau tik pečiais pagūžčiojus, kad eilinė meilė seilė, o dabar tas seserų užsispyrimas ir stūmė viską į priekį.
Smagus romanas. Vietomis gal kiek per daug ištęstas, bet negalėjau nesižavėti seserimis ir tuo, kad nors ir belenkaip skirtingos, vis tiek sugebėjo viena kitą palaikyti ir mylėti. Gal ir ne stipriausias Karen Swan darbas, tačiau labai tinka šventiniam laikotarpiui. Ir ne tik. Skaityčiau šią knygą bet kada, nes Kalėdos čia buvo tik blankus fonas seserų santykių peripetijoms.
Leidyklos dovana.
Susitikime instagrame!
www.instagram.com/gretabrigita.lt
Prieš pat Kalėdas miršta Lornų pilies savininkas ir paskutinis Airijos riteris, trių dukterų tėvas Deklanas. Paaiškėjus palikimo detalėms seserys lieka suglumusios, žmona nieko nebesupranta, o tėvo mirties įneštas chaosas dar labiau įsisiautėja. Paaiškėja, kad pilis palikta būtent jauniausiai ir kuris laikas nuo šeimos atsiskyrusiai seseriai Vilou. Kitos seserys ir žmona jaučiasi išduotos, nesupranta, kodėl taip įvyko. Tačiau tai dar nėra blogiausia – pilis skendi skolose, jai reikalingas remontas ir kuo skubesnė pagalba. Vilou netrunka rasti pirkėją, tačiau prieš parduodant pilį turi būti surengtas Kalėdų vakarėlis…
Pati turiu sesę. Labai ją myliu, bet kartais viena kitai ir nagučius parodom ir pasibaram, nes būna feng šui nesueina, kartais nuotaikos ne tos ar mėnulio fazė nepadeda bendrauti. Todėl puikiai suprantu pagrindines veikėjas.
Keturios moterys, keturios labai pasimetusios moterys labai įtemptu metu, kai tėvas, vyras, gyvenimo meilė ir autoritetas jas palieka. Velniškai sunkus laikas. O kur dar visokie gražūs vyrai, sukantys apie vieną ar kitą sparną. Kaip susikaupti? Kaip rimtai spręsti palikimo reikalus, kai kažkas vietoj parašų dėliojimo bučiuoja? Arba kaip pradėti verslą, kai vietoj rimtų sprendimų priėmimo vidury žiemos puoli į ledinį ežerą? Man patiko tai, kad visos trys buvo velnių priėdusios. Kitu atveju būčiau tik pečiais pagūžčiojus, kad eilinė meilė seilė, o dabar tas seserų užsispyrimas ir stūmė viską į priekį.
Smagus romanas. Vietomis gal kiek per daug ištęstas, bet negalėjau nesižavėti seserimis ir tuo, kad nors ir belenkaip skirtingos, vis tiek sugebėjo viena kitą palaikyti ir mylėti. Gal ir ne stipriausias Karen Swan darbas, tačiau labai tinka šventiniam laikotarpiui. Ir ne tik. Skaityčiau šią knygą bet kada, nes Kalėdos čia buvo tik blankus fonas seserų santykių peripetijoms.
Leidyklos dovana.
Susitikime instagrame!
www.instagram.com/gretabrigita.lt
November 27, 2019
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
‘The last knight of Ireland may be dead. But his legacy was his love.’
The Sunday Times bestselling author of sixteen novels, Karen Swan, has released her annual festive holiday themed novel, The Christmas Party. A story of the bonds of family, sibling relations, loss, long held secrets, the past and the future, The Christmas Party is an engaging new novel from the queen of holiday fiction.
The Christmas Party begins on a sad note, the last knight of Ireland passes away, leaving his family, his title and estate behind. Following this shock loss, the Lorne family contends with succession rights, inheritance distribution and changed responsibilities. When the last in line to inherit the Lorne family title is issued with the estate, it comes as quite the shock. The three Lorne sisters must face up to new challenges and past hurts if they are to move on with their lives. When an opportunity arises to send off their beloved family castle with the ultimate Christmas party celebration, the Lornes cannot resist. But in the lead up to this massive celebration, long held secrets and the past rises to the surface, causing plenty of tension. The Lorne family are confronted with a difficult bind, they must say goodbye to the past, in order to embrace the future.
The Christmas period just wouldn’t be the same without a new Karen Swan festive themed release. True to tradition, Karen Swan has released The Christmas Party, just in time for the 2019 yuletide period. For those who are looking for the perfect holiday read to be enjoyed over the extended Christmas break, look no further than The Christmas Party – or any of Karen Swan’s backlist titles, such as Christmas at Tiffany’s, The Christmas Lights and The Christmas Secret.
Swan takes her readers to the green hills of Ireland for her latest holiday sojourn. We meet the Lorne family, who have recently suffered from the shock loss of the patriarch of their family, who is also the last knight of Ireland. As the family works through their grief in different ways, each must confront personal challenges and overcome setbacks in their lives. The most difficult of all being the destruction of their family estate and inheritance rights of the remaining Lorne offspring. This causes surprise, shocks, revenge, despair, burden, guilt and division within the family fold. There is a rich interplay between the characters as this situation unfolds.
The Christmas Party is heavily focused on the characters of the story, their revelations and the fallout from the death of the head of the Lorne family. How the death of this family head changes each member of the Lorne clan is explored within The Christmas Party. The accompanying dialogue is engaging and rich in sentiment. The plot focus was personal, full of heart, dramatic moments, mystery and a touch of romance. At its core, I feel The Christmas Party presents an intimate portrait of a family placed under the stress of the loss of a much loved family member. It is an emotional family drama.
The Christmas Party is a pensive and thoughtful novel. Karen Swan’s latest considers the strain and burden placed on those left behind when a beloved family member passes away. It provides plenty to consider in terms of family ties, accepting responsibility, burying the past, forgiveness, redemption and embracing the future. I liked elements of The Christmas Party, but it isn’t one of my favourite books by Swan. However, I would send this one in the way of women’s fiction, or contemporary romance fans.
*I wish to thank Pan Macmillan for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
‘The last knight of Ireland may be dead. But his legacy was his love.’
The Sunday Times bestselling author of sixteen novels, Karen Swan, has released her annual festive holiday themed novel, The Christmas Party. A story of the bonds of family, sibling relations, loss, long held secrets, the past and the future, The Christmas Party is an engaging new novel from the queen of holiday fiction.
The Christmas Party begins on a sad note, the last knight of Ireland passes away, leaving his family, his title and estate behind. Following this shock loss, the Lorne family contends with succession rights, inheritance distribution and changed responsibilities. When the last in line to inherit the Lorne family title is issued with the estate, it comes as quite the shock. The three Lorne sisters must face up to new challenges and past hurts if they are to move on with their lives. When an opportunity arises to send off their beloved family castle with the ultimate Christmas party celebration, the Lornes cannot resist. But in the lead up to this massive celebration, long held secrets and the past rises to the surface, causing plenty of tension. The Lorne family are confronted with a difficult bind, they must say goodbye to the past, in order to embrace the future.
The Christmas period just wouldn’t be the same without a new Karen Swan festive themed release. True to tradition, Karen Swan has released The Christmas Party, just in time for the 2019 yuletide period. For those who are looking for the perfect holiday read to be enjoyed over the extended Christmas break, look no further than The Christmas Party – or any of Karen Swan’s backlist titles, such as Christmas at Tiffany’s, The Christmas Lights and The Christmas Secret.
Swan takes her readers to the green hills of Ireland for her latest holiday sojourn. We meet the Lorne family, who have recently suffered from the shock loss of the patriarch of their family, who is also the last knight of Ireland. As the family works through their grief in different ways, each must confront personal challenges and overcome setbacks in their lives. The most difficult of all being the destruction of their family estate and inheritance rights of the remaining Lorne offspring. This causes surprise, shocks, revenge, despair, burden, guilt and division within the family fold. There is a rich interplay between the characters as this situation unfolds.
The Christmas Party is heavily focused on the characters of the story, their revelations and the fallout from the death of the head of the Lorne family. How the death of this family head changes each member of the Lorne clan is explored within The Christmas Party. The accompanying dialogue is engaging and rich in sentiment. The plot focus was personal, full of heart, dramatic moments, mystery and a touch of romance. At its core, I feel The Christmas Party presents an intimate portrait of a family placed under the stress of the loss of a much loved family member. It is an emotional family drama.
The Christmas Party is a pensive and thoughtful novel. Karen Swan’s latest considers the strain and burden placed on those left behind when a beloved family member passes away. It provides plenty to consider in terms of family ties, accepting responsibility, burying the past, forgiveness, redemption and embracing the future. I liked elements of The Christmas Party, but it isn’t one of my favourite books by Swan. However, I would send this one in the way of women’s fiction, or contemporary romance fans.
*I wish to thank Pan Macmillan for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
January 4, 2023
Knygos pradžia sunkiai skaitėsi.
Tikrai buvo kilusi mintis jog nepavyks perskaityti. Bet po to vis dėlto įsitraukiau.
Knygoje tikrai nemažai veiksmo. Patiko visos trys seserys, visos tokios skirtingos.
Gal kai kurios vietos buvo išplėstos. Ir įvykius buvo lengva atspėti. Bet vis dėlto patiko 🙂
Tikrai buvo kilusi mintis jog nepavyks perskaityti. Bet po to vis dėlto įsitraukiau.
Knygoje tikrai nemažai veiksmo. Patiko visos trys seserys, visos tokios skirtingos.
Gal kai kurios vietos buvo išplėstos. Ir įvykius buvo lengva atspėti. Bet vis dėlto patiko 🙂
January 26, 2022
Kynga skaitosi labai greitai 😁💥 Man kaip lėtai skaitytojai perskaityti tokią knygą per 3 dienas neįtikėtina 😁 Romanas lengvas ir labai nuspėjamas. Viskas įvyko apie ką galvojau 😁 būtų nustebinę, jeigu kažko visgi nebūtų įvykę. Patiko. Bandysiu skaityti kitas Swan knygas.
October 31, 2019
What a great Christmas romance by Karen Swan. I really enjoyed the story behind the family. Lots of audible gasps, several laugh out loud moments and yes a few tears too.
A lovely lovely Christmas story, perfect for the lead up to Christmas with a reminder of what is important in life❤
A lovely lovely Christmas story, perfect for the lead up to Christmas with a reminder of what is important in life❤
October 25, 2019
The Christmas Party by Karen Swan is another decadent treat from an author who consistently delivers the sweeping family chronicles that we have come to expect. This is a story of family, long buried secrets, and the redemptive and healing powers of forgiveness, all wrapped up in a cozy package.
The last knight of Ireland has died unexpectedly, leaving his ancestral home, Lorne Castle, to the stewardship of his three daughters. Having lived their entire lives believing that they have failed their father by not being born the male heirs required to continue the lineage of the knighthood, Ottie, Pip, and Willow have struggled to find their own identities, and to reconcile their feelings about the ancestral home. When the bulk of the estate is left to youngest daughter Willow, a trove of family secrets is revealed, and Willow, along with her sisters, must make some difficult decisions about the future, and find a way to honour their father's legacy.
As per usual, Ms Swan has delivered an emotive and involving story of love and family, although I do feel that the Christmas theme was somewhat lacking. The epilogue, however, did succeed in capturing all of the warmth and sentimentality of the holidays.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for this ARC.
The last knight of Ireland has died unexpectedly, leaving his ancestral home, Lorne Castle, to the stewardship of his three daughters. Having lived their entire lives believing that they have failed their father by not being born the male heirs required to continue the lineage of the knighthood, Ottie, Pip, and Willow have struggled to find their own identities, and to reconcile their feelings about the ancestral home. When the bulk of the estate is left to youngest daughter Willow, a trove of family secrets is revealed, and Willow, along with her sisters, must make some difficult decisions about the future, and find a way to honour their father's legacy.
As per usual, Ms Swan has delivered an emotive and involving story of love and family, although I do feel that the Christmas theme was somewhat lacking. The epilogue, however, did succeed in capturing all of the warmth and sentimentality of the holidays.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for this ARC.
December 18, 2020
This book wasn't overly festive if anyone just wanted a book that happened to be set in the run up to Christmas (which occurs at the very end). A tale of 3 sisters I was only really interested in Ottie's story but it was an okay read overall.
January 6, 2024
Ši puiki istorija nukelia į nepaprastą Lornų šeimos pilį Airijoje. Po staigios ligos, netikėtai miršta paskutinysis Airijos riteris - Deklanas Lornas. Visas jo turtas atitenka jo trims dukterims - Otei, Pipai ir Vilou. Pati įspūdingiausia turto dalis - Lornų pilis atitenka jaunėlei Vilou, kuri prieš trejus metus sužinojusi skaudžią šeimos paslaptį paliko tėvų namus ir nusprendė daugiau į pilį nebegrįžti. Šis pažadas sulaužiamas ir mergina grįžti į pilį. Vilou ne tik susiduria su šeimos paslaptimis ir praeities nuoskaudomis, bet ir su seserų pykčiu bei pagieža. Jaukus, šiltas romanas kaip tik tinkantis šiuo laikotarpiu, šaltos žiemos vakarais. Tai ne tik apie šeimą, seseris, jų gyvenimo istorijas ir skaudžias gyvenimo pamokas, tarpusavio santykius, bet ir kas svarbiausia ir ko trūko šioms skirtingoms, bet taip kartu panašioms seserims - apie šeimos vienybę, susitaikymą ir viena kitos palaikymą.
January 8, 2020
I enjoyed this book Karen never lets you down and her characters are brilliant and the plot has many twists and turns that make you want to keep reading. It's full of families and hidden secrets and learning to forgive and move forward and also some romance thrown in a great read.
The Loren family live in the castle in Ireland and the father is the last male left to inherit it but what will happen when he passes away. There are three girls in the family and he oldest one thinks she will get it but to everyone's surprise it's the baby of the family who left the castle years ago that inherits it and everyone wonders why it's her. Willow soon says she wants to sell it and her two sisters aren't happy at all and feel pushed out. Pip tries to secure her future at a risk and Ottie makes a decision that will ruin lives. A prospective new buyer wants to throw a very lavish party just before Christmas which will be time for the sisters to say goodbye but they are forced to face up to many secrets and learn if they need to step into the furtive or leg go of the past which will they do.
The Loren family live in the castle in Ireland and the father is the last male left to inherit it but what will happen when he passes away. There are three girls in the family and he oldest one thinks she will get it but to everyone's surprise it's the baby of the family who left the castle years ago that inherits it and everyone wonders why it's her. Willow soon says she wants to sell it and her two sisters aren't happy at all and feel pushed out. Pip tries to secure her future at a risk and Ottie makes a decision that will ruin lives. A prospective new buyer wants to throw a very lavish party just before Christmas which will be time for the sisters to say goodbye but they are forced to face up to many secrets and learn if they need to step into the furtive or leg go of the past which will they do.
December 31, 2019
This was a struggle for me. I found the story long and not captivating. When I don't remember much of the story and the characters, I consider that not an impressive story.
I really wanted to enjoy it not enough Christmas story line, Wished for more.
Thanks to Netgalley, Pan Mac Millan and Karen Swan for this early e-arc in exchange of an honest review,
I really wanted to enjoy it not enough Christmas story line, Wished for more.
Thanks to Netgalley, Pan Mac Millan and Karen Swan for this early e-arc in exchange of an honest review,
January 16, 2021
Alles draait om perspectief
Via Hebban mag ik meedoen met de Hebbanbuzz over het nieuwste boek van Karen Swan, 'de Ierse erfenis'. Een mooie paperback uitvoering van 480 pagina's uitgegeven door Xander Uitgevers. Op de cover zien we een donkerharige vrouw met in de achtergrond een ruige kustlijn. Het ontwerp is van grafisch ontwerpbureau Studio Sander Patelski uit Amsterdam. Sander maakte ook de omslagen voor Karen's eerdere boek 'een Noorse winternacht', de serie over het weesmeisje van Anne Jacobs en 'Dood de Koning' van Sandrone Dazieri.
De vertaling is van Ireen Niessen van INvertaling. Ze vertaalt al ruim 20 jaar van het Engels naar het Nederlands. Van fictie tot non-fictie, boeken over kunst en kookboeken. Ze vertaalde ook 'een Noorse winternacht', 'Het Italiaanse meisje' van Lucinda Riley en 'Achter gesloten deuren' van B.A. Paris.
In het verhaal maken we kennis met de leden van de familie Lorne: zussen Ottie (oudste dochter), Pip (middelste) en Willow (jongste), hun vader Declan en hun moeder Serena. Het landgoed Lorne met het familiekasteel is het podium van deze roman. Vader overlijdt plotseling en bij het voorlezen van zijn testament blijken de dingen anders verdeeld te worden dan dat iedereen dacht en had aangenomen. Willow erft het kasteel, terwijl iedereen dacht Serena het zou erven of Ottie. Dit zet een aantal zaken in gang die lang geleden begraven zijn en iedereen heeft zo zijn eigen redenen om bepaalde dingen te verzwijgen.
De schrijfster zet een prachtige sfeer neer met de beschrijving van een mooi stukje Ierland: een kasteel dat al eeuwen in de familie is, de ruige kusten, de vergezichten. En een verscheurd gezin waar ze al te lang niet meer echt met elkaar praten en iedereen geheimen heeft. Ottie, de oudste en meest verantwoordelijke, die samen met vader op het landgoed werkte en een camping heeft. Pip, de middelste, wild, onstuimig en vaak te vinden in de stallen en bij haar paarden. Als laatste Willow, de jongste, die 3 jaar eerder wegvluchtte van huis naar Dublin.
Het verhaal wisselt steeds van perspectief, dus je leest ieder hoofdstuk vanuit een zus. Zo leer je hun karakters en beweegredenen steeds beter kennen. Iedere lezer zal zich wel kunnen herkennen in één van de drie. Dat is een sterk punt van de schrijfster. Geen platte karakters, maar mensen van vlees en bloed met al hun emoties en (on)zekerheden. Langzaam krijgen we steeds meer puzzelstukjes en kunnen we ons een beeld vormen van alle gebeurtenissen. Waarom is Willow van huis gevlucht? Wat wil Ottie verbergen en mag absoluut niemand weten? En waarom is Pip zo onbesuisd en laat bijna niemand toe?
Uiteindelijk komt alles mooi samen en heeft de schrijfster een prachtige familieroman geschreven tegen de achtergrond van het ruige Ierland. Alles draait hier om perspectief. Weten we wel alles of missen we net dat stukje informatie, zodat we een verkeerd beeld krijgen? En nemen we besluiten op basis van die verkeerde aannames? Hoe drijft het families uiteen? En hoe kom je dan weer nader tot elkaar?
Via Hebban mag ik meedoen met de Hebbanbuzz over het nieuwste boek van Karen Swan, 'de Ierse erfenis'. Een mooie paperback uitvoering van 480 pagina's uitgegeven door Xander Uitgevers. Op de cover zien we een donkerharige vrouw met in de achtergrond een ruige kustlijn. Het ontwerp is van grafisch ontwerpbureau Studio Sander Patelski uit Amsterdam. Sander maakte ook de omslagen voor Karen's eerdere boek 'een Noorse winternacht', de serie over het weesmeisje van Anne Jacobs en 'Dood de Koning' van Sandrone Dazieri.
De vertaling is van Ireen Niessen van INvertaling. Ze vertaalt al ruim 20 jaar van het Engels naar het Nederlands. Van fictie tot non-fictie, boeken over kunst en kookboeken. Ze vertaalde ook 'een Noorse winternacht', 'Het Italiaanse meisje' van Lucinda Riley en 'Achter gesloten deuren' van B.A. Paris.
In het verhaal maken we kennis met de leden van de familie Lorne: zussen Ottie (oudste dochter), Pip (middelste) en Willow (jongste), hun vader Declan en hun moeder Serena. Het landgoed Lorne met het familiekasteel is het podium van deze roman. Vader overlijdt plotseling en bij het voorlezen van zijn testament blijken de dingen anders verdeeld te worden dan dat iedereen dacht en had aangenomen. Willow erft het kasteel, terwijl iedereen dacht Serena het zou erven of Ottie. Dit zet een aantal zaken in gang die lang geleden begraven zijn en iedereen heeft zo zijn eigen redenen om bepaalde dingen te verzwijgen.
De schrijfster zet een prachtige sfeer neer met de beschrijving van een mooi stukje Ierland: een kasteel dat al eeuwen in de familie is, de ruige kusten, de vergezichten. En een verscheurd gezin waar ze al te lang niet meer echt met elkaar praten en iedereen geheimen heeft. Ottie, de oudste en meest verantwoordelijke, die samen met vader op het landgoed werkte en een camping heeft. Pip, de middelste, wild, onstuimig en vaak te vinden in de stallen en bij haar paarden. Als laatste Willow, de jongste, die 3 jaar eerder wegvluchtte van huis naar Dublin.
Het verhaal wisselt steeds van perspectief, dus je leest ieder hoofdstuk vanuit een zus. Zo leer je hun karakters en beweegredenen steeds beter kennen. Iedere lezer zal zich wel kunnen herkennen in één van de drie. Dat is een sterk punt van de schrijfster. Geen platte karakters, maar mensen van vlees en bloed met al hun emoties en (on)zekerheden. Langzaam krijgen we steeds meer puzzelstukjes en kunnen we ons een beeld vormen van alle gebeurtenissen. Waarom is Willow van huis gevlucht? Wat wil Ottie verbergen en mag absoluut niemand weten? En waarom is Pip zo onbesuisd en laat bijna niemand toe?
Uiteindelijk komt alles mooi samen en heeft de schrijfster een prachtige familieroman geschreven tegen de achtergrond van het ruige Ierland. Alles draait hier om perspectief. Weten we wel alles of missen we net dat stukje informatie, zodat we een verkeerd beeld krijgen? En nemen we besluiten op basis van die verkeerde aannames? Hoe drijft het families uiteen? En hoe kom je dan weer nader tot elkaar?
November 22, 2019
Within just the first third of this book there are near death experiences, death itself, a broken family, an unexpected set of results from a will reading, and clearly all members of the hiding secrets but at that stage you have no idea just what they are.
To say just that first perhaps third of the story is eventful would be an understatement and doesn't even scratch the surface of everything that happens in this book, and the story of the Lorne sisters, who are no longer as close as they once were.
I did find this a bit tricky to get into, only because I was trying to get all the characters straight in my mind, but then suddenly around that 30% mark or so, everything just clicked in my mind. and I was utterly hooked and couldn't get enough of this story.
There isn't really a quiet or dull moment in this incredibly tightly written and plotted story, everything seems to move the story along, and although its all takes place over a relatively short space of time,
I loved the three sister's completely distinct and different personalities, Pip, the horse mad one, Ottie who runs a camping site and has a secret that will upset many people when it comes out, and Willow who had been living in Dublin away from the family a hadn't been home for a few years until a critical phone call drags her back to the family home.
Karen Swan is fabulous at writing Christmas books and this is probably me second favourite of them, to only Christmas Under the Stars. An utterly brilliant book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.
Thank you to Pan and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
To say just that first perhaps third of the story is eventful would be an understatement and doesn't even scratch the surface of everything that happens in this book, and the story of the Lorne sisters, who are no longer as close as they once were.
I did find this a bit tricky to get into, only because I was trying to get all the characters straight in my mind, but then suddenly around that 30% mark or so, everything just clicked in my mind. and I was utterly hooked and couldn't get enough of this story.
There isn't really a quiet or dull moment in this incredibly tightly written and plotted story, everything seems to move the story along, and although its all takes place over a relatively short space of time,
I loved the three sister's completely distinct and different personalities, Pip, the horse mad one, Ottie who runs a camping site and has a secret that will upset many people when it comes out, and Willow who had been living in Dublin away from the family a hadn't been home for a few years until a critical phone call drags her back to the family home.
Karen Swan is fabulous at writing Christmas books and this is probably me second favourite of them, to only Christmas Under the Stars. An utterly brilliant book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.
Thank you to Pan and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
December 15, 2019
As a long time fan of Karen Swan I was very much looking forward to her latest book The Christmas Party but I'm sorry to say this just didn't work for me. It's not bad and I suspect there may be an element of it being me rather than the story but I struggled to get into it and just never seemed to connect with it.
Swan's writing is as wonderful as always and it's an intriguing premise, a family at war over an inheritance, the uncovering of secrets and long term resentments. Unfortunately however I couldn't quite find a character I was invested in (or if I'm honest, that I liked). The story is told from the point of view of three sisters, Ottie, Pip and Willow, the daughters of the last knight in Ireland. When their father dies, his title dies with him but in a shocking twist he leaves the castle and most of the estate to youngest daughter Willow, something none of them are happy about. Willow has been estranged from the family for a couple of years and doesn't want to be pulled back. The others are unhappy that they were passed over. Matters are made worse when they find the estate is in financial dire straits and Willow has to make some tough choices.
If I did have some sympathy for a character in this story it would be Willow. She doesn't ask to be landed with the responsibility of a failing estate, or to have to put her life in Dublin on hold but she steps up and does what she thinks is best with no support from the rest of her family. It does feel at times like she's rushing things and that she's being a little vindictive towards her parents but as the truth is revealed about events from the past it all becomes a little more understandable.
Ottie and Pip I found much more difficult to like. Ottie as the oldest sister seems to feel the biggest slight about not inheriting more and is probably the coldest towards Willow, barely speaking to her let alone helping her. Ottie is also having an affair with a married man, something I really struggle with no matter how it starts. I found it incredibly frustrating to read her obsessing over someone who was very clearly not as invested in the relationship as she is. She also comes across as quite spiteful and nasty at times.
Pip, I also struggled with. Stubborn, reckless and speaks her mind she comes across as very self centered, nasty and rude a lot of the time. She takes stupid risks and is so fiercely independent that she's rude and abusive to those who are trying to help her.
With characters I found it hard to like I was probably always going to have problems enjoying this story and I certainly found it difficult to get into in the first half. I also found myself becoming frustrated with the whole family secret thing. I'm afraid the constant references to it and hints about what it could be were more annoying rather than intriguing and I just wanted it to be revealed so we could get on with the other elements of the book.
When these truths are revealed the story does pick up pace and I became much more engaged with it. Certain characters even started to grow on me.
One thing I did love about this story was the setting on the rugged South West Coast of Ireland and I thought the author did a wonderful job of making you feel like you were there. I also really loved the idea of this grand old castle that's fallen into disrepair. There's also a little bit of romance in there which was definitely a highlight. I just wish the author had put more focus on that side of the story and less on the family secrets.
Overall therefore this was an okay read for me. I may have struggled to get into it but it certainly picked up towards the end and while it did frustrate me in places there were things to love about it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an advance copy. This in no way influenced my review.
Swan's writing is as wonderful as always and it's an intriguing premise, a family at war over an inheritance, the uncovering of secrets and long term resentments. Unfortunately however I couldn't quite find a character I was invested in (or if I'm honest, that I liked). The story is told from the point of view of three sisters, Ottie, Pip and Willow, the daughters of the last knight in Ireland. When their father dies, his title dies with him but in a shocking twist he leaves the castle and most of the estate to youngest daughter Willow, something none of them are happy about. Willow has been estranged from the family for a couple of years and doesn't want to be pulled back. The others are unhappy that they were passed over. Matters are made worse when they find the estate is in financial dire straits and Willow has to make some tough choices.
If I did have some sympathy for a character in this story it would be Willow. She doesn't ask to be landed with the responsibility of a failing estate, or to have to put her life in Dublin on hold but she steps up and does what she thinks is best with no support from the rest of her family. It does feel at times like she's rushing things and that she's being a little vindictive towards her parents but as the truth is revealed about events from the past it all becomes a little more understandable.
Ottie and Pip I found much more difficult to like. Ottie as the oldest sister seems to feel the biggest slight about not inheriting more and is probably the coldest towards Willow, barely speaking to her let alone helping her. Ottie is also having an affair with a married man, something I really struggle with no matter how it starts. I found it incredibly frustrating to read her obsessing over someone who was very clearly not as invested in the relationship as she is. She also comes across as quite spiteful and nasty at times.
Pip, I also struggled with. Stubborn, reckless and speaks her mind she comes across as very self centered, nasty and rude a lot of the time. She takes stupid risks and is so fiercely independent that she's rude and abusive to those who are trying to help her.
With characters I found it hard to like I was probably always going to have problems enjoying this story and I certainly found it difficult to get into in the first half. I also found myself becoming frustrated with the whole family secret thing. I'm afraid the constant references to it and hints about what it could be were more annoying rather than intriguing and I just wanted it to be revealed so we could get on with the other elements of the book.
When these truths are revealed the story does pick up pace and I became much more engaged with it. Certain characters even started to grow on me.
One thing I did love about this story was the setting on the rugged South West Coast of Ireland and I thought the author did a wonderful job of making you feel like you were there. I also really loved the idea of this grand old castle that's fallen into disrepair. There's also a little bit of romance in there which was definitely a highlight. I just wish the author had put more focus on that side of the story and less on the family secrets.
Overall therefore this was an okay read for me. I may have struggled to get into it but it certainly picked up towards the end and while it did frustrate me in places there were things to love about it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an advance copy. This in no way influenced my review.
December 4, 2019
This was a lovely story with a great setting.
October 30, 2019
I loved EVERY WORD of this book.
My favourite of Karen Swan’s so far, which is saying something as I am a Superfan.
Three very different sisters. An Irish castle. Secrets, twists and heartbreak, and oodles of delicious, festive romance.
Unputdownable perfection.
My favourite of Karen Swan’s so far, which is saying something as I am a Superfan.
Three very different sisters. An Irish castle. Secrets, twists and heartbreak, and oodles of delicious, festive romance.
Unputdownable perfection.
December 30, 2019
Great Christmas read! Loved it. The Christmas Party was a great, fun read over the festive season filled with love, warmth and some humour but also touching on some aspects of grief and affairs. Secrets which unfold.
Setting is just perfect. A castle in Ireland in need of renovations. There's snow, parties, mulled wine, Christmas trees, red dresses, gifts under the tree and everything Christmas you could ask for.
The cover artwork is amazing as with all Karen Swan Christmas novels.
Setting is just perfect. A castle in Ireland in need of renovations. There's snow, parties, mulled wine, Christmas trees, red dresses, gifts under the tree and everything Christmas you could ask for.
The cover artwork is amazing as with all Karen Swan Christmas novels.
September 30, 2020
3.5
Ich habe schon einige der sogenannten Weihnachtsbücher von Karen Swan gelesen, auch wenn sie für mich meist nur wenig mit Weihnachten zu tun haben, verbergen sich doch oftmals ein paar schöne Geschichten dahinter.
Ich habe ein wenig gebraucht, um in die Geschichte reinzukommen und mich mit den Charakteren anzufreunden. Zu Beginn waren alle drei Schwestern mir ein wenig fremd und ich bin nicht richtig mit ihnen warm geworden. Nach und nach war ich aber immer mehr gefesselt von ihren Geschichten und wollte wissen wie es mit ihnen weitergeht.
Das Setting mit der Burg und der irischen Küste hat mir sehr gut gefallen und es wurde eine tolle Atmosphäre erzeugt. Die weihnachtliche Stimmung kam jedoch kaum auf, da es eigentlich nur ein zeitliches Setting ist und Weihnachten an sich keine große Rolle spielt. Winterlich wurde die Stimmung aber gut eingefangen.
An sich ist der Schreibstil der Autorin sehr flüssig zu lesen, aber diesmal sind mir ein paar Sachen negativ aufgefallen. Wenn die drei Schwestern über ihre Mutter in der indirekten Rede reden, wurde ganz oft "die/der Mutter" beschrieben. Dies fand ich total distanziert und unpersönlich, was zwar teilweise zum Verhältnis zu der Mutter passt, aber ich konnte keinen roten Faden erkennen wann und warum das so ist. Es wird auch nicht immer so formuliert, ganz oft ist es auch "ihre Mutter" oder ihr Name, Serena. Dies hat mich wirklich extrem gestört und irritiert.
Insgesamt ist das Buch ein unterhaltsames Familiendrama, welches jedoch nur einen groben weihnachtlichen Rahmen hat und für mich dadurch kein Weihnachtsroman ist.
Ich habe schon einige der sogenannten Weihnachtsbücher von Karen Swan gelesen, auch wenn sie für mich meist nur wenig mit Weihnachten zu tun haben, verbergen sich doch oftmals ein paar schöne Geschichten dahinter.
Ich habe ein wenig gebraucht, um in die Geschichte reinzukommen und mich mit den Charakteren anzufreunden. Zu Beginn waren alle drei Schwestern mir ein wenig fremd und ich bin nicht richtig mit ihnen warm geworden. Nach und nach war ich aber immer mehr gefesselt von ihren Geschichten und wollte wissen wie es mit ihnen weitergeht.
Das Setting mit der Burg und der irischen Küste hat mir sehr gut gefallen und es wurde eine tolle Atmosphäre erzeugt. Die weihnachtliche Stimmung kam jedoch kaum auf, da es eigentlich nur ein zeitliches Setting ist und Weihnachten an sich keine große Rolle spielt. Winterlich wurde die Stimmung aber gut eingefangen.
An sich ist der Schreibstil der Autorin sehr flüssig zu lesen, aber diesmal sind mir ein paar Sachen negativ aufgefallen. Wenn die drei Schwestern über ihre Mutter in der indirekten Rede reden, wurde ganz oft "die/der Mutter" beschrieben. Dies fand ich total distanziert und unpersönlich, was zwar teilweise zum Verhältnis zu der Mutter passt, aber ich konnte keinen roten Faden erkennen wann und warum das so ist. Es wird auch nicht immer so formuliert, ganz oft ist es auch "ihre Mutter" oder ihr Name, Serena. Dies hat mich wirklich extrem gestört und irritiert.
Insgesamt ist das Buch ein unterhaltsames Familiendrama, welches jedoch nur einen groben weihnachtlichen Rahmen hat und für mich dadurch kein Weihnachtsroman ist.
December 1, 2020
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Recensione a cura di Luceliu
Eccomi ancora una volta ospite del Blog Tre gatte tra i libri, questa è la volta di un romanzo edito Newton Compton, vi parlo di “ Una festa da sogno”di Karen Swan.
È la storia di tre sorelle, Ottie, Philippa e Willow diversissime tra loro e ognuna con un segreto che custodiscono e che le porta a non vivevere la loro vita spensieratamente.
La più piccola del trio, Willow, ha ereditato il Castello di Lorne, il suo unico obbiettivo è di venderlo più presto che può, nonostante il parere contrari delle sorelle e della madre.
Connor Shyne, intenzionato a comprare il castello decide di dare una festa di addio, e chissà che questa decisione non risolvi i molti problemi e segreti e riporti la pace tra le tre sorelle……..
Mi fermo qui, vi lascio vivere le emozioni che proverete leggendo questa bellissima storia.
Non conoscevo questa autrice, ma devo dire che mi ha colpito favorevolmente, uno stile diretto e molto descrittivo, una costruzione attenta e dettagliata dei personaggi, ho solo trovato leggermente lento l’inizio, ma andando avanti con la lettura si entra nel vivo della storia e ci si incuriosisce sempre di più.
Consigliato!!!!
Recensione a cura di Luceliu
Eccomi ancora una volta ospite del Blog Tre gatte tra i libri, questa è la volta di un romanzo edito Newton Compton, vi parlo di “ Una festa da sogno”di Karen Swan.
È la storia di tre sorelle, Ottie, Philippa e Willow diversissime tra loro e ognuna con un segreto che custodiscono e che le porta a non vivevere la loro vita spensieratamente.
La più piccola del trio, Willow, ha ereditato il Castello di Lorne, il suo unico obbiettivo è di venderlo più presto che può, nonostante il parere contrari delle sorelle e della madre.
Connor Shyne, intenzionato a comprare il castello decide di dare una festa di addio, e chissà che questa decisione non risolvi i molti problemi e segreti e riporti la pace tra le tre sorelle……..
Mi fermo qui, vi lascio vivere le emozioni che proverete leggendo questa bellissima storia.
Non conoscevo questa autrice, ma devo dire che mi ha colpito favorevolmente, uno stile diretto e molto descrittivo, una costruzione attenta e dettagliata dei personaggi, ho solo trovato leggermente lento l’inizio, ma andando avanti con la lettura si entra nel vivo della storia e ci si incuriosisce sempre di più.
Consigliato!!!!
December 25, 2020
This is probably 250 pages too long. I feel a little catfished by the blurb and premise, but it's evident in the first couple of chapters that what you're promised is not what you're getting, instead it's a predictable family drama with very obvious "twist and turns"
October 14, 2019
Karen does it once again with wonderful feel good book. Full of massive amounts of Christmas spirit, sparkle joy and magic. It’s a really lovely book. Full of drama and romance.
December 9, 2019
Another fantastic festive read from Karen Swan.
December 26, 2019
Not a Christmas book and very predictable.
1.5/5
1.5/5
December 23, 2019
I received a free digital copy of this book from the publishers/author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Sisters Willow, Pip and Ottie reunite a few months before Christmas when their father, the last knight of Ireland, dies suddenly. The girls end up being shocked when youngest daughter Willow is left in control of their father's failing estate and given the tough decision to sell the land or not. Each woman deals with their grief and new happenings in their life, as Christmas gets closer and a prospective new owner decides to throw a Christmas party in their childhood home.
First off, this isn't really a Christmas book so if you haven't got to this book yet and think you need to wait till festive season again, you don't have to - the cover and title make it seem like this is just a seasonal read but the story and the majority of it takes place in the months leading up to Christmas and Christmas isn't really a big deal in the story at all.
This is probably one of my favourite books from Karen Swan I've read so far - I think the story was written really well, and each character was given enough time so I didn't feel like one character was left behind. It took me a while to warm up to the sisters - I wouldn't say they are the most likeable characters I've ever read. Ottie is in a relationship with a married man, Pip is honestly just really weirdly rude to a really nice guy over a stupid slight from when they were teenagers and Willow is juts difficult.
But I did, by the end, end up liking each of the characters and admiring different things in each. There's nothing surprising in this book, you can pretty much predict everything that's going to happen if you read enough contemporary but I didn't mind that. I like knowing what will happen and just seeing how we'll get there.
Sisters Willow, Pip and Ottie reunite a few months before Christmas when their father, the last knight of Ireland, dies suddenly. The girls end up being shocked when youngest daughter Willow is left in control of their father's failing estate and given the tough decision to sell the land or not. Each woman deals with their grief and new happenings in their life, as Christmas gets closer and a prospective new owner decides to throw a Christmas party in their childhood home.
First off, this isn't really a Christmas book so if you haven't got to this book yet and think you need to wait till festive season again, you don't have to - the cover and title make it seem like this is just a seasonal read but the story and the majority of it takes place in the months leading up to Christmas and Christmas isn't really a big deal in the story at all.
This is probably one of my favourite books from Karen Swan I've read so far - I think the story was written really well, and each character was given enough time so I didn't feel like one character was left behind. It took me a while to warm up to the sisters - I wouldn't say they are the most likeable characters I've ever read. Ottie is in a relationship with a married man, Pip is honestly just really weirdly rude to a really nice guy over a stupid slight from when they were teenagers and Willow is juts difficult.
But I did, by the end, end up liking each of the characters and admiring different things in each. There's nothing surprising in this book, you can pretty much predict everything that's going to happen if you read enough contemporary but I didn't mind that. I like knowing what will happen and just seeing how we'll get there.
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