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Un attimo, un mattino
È un lunedì mattina come tanti, sul treno che porta i pendolari da Brighton a Londra. Nei vagoni, visi assonnati, preoccupati, speranzosi. Qualcuno finisce di truccarsi, qualcuno legge, c’è chi chiacchiera e chi ascolta musica dall’iPod pensando alla giornata che lo aspetta. Per Karen e suo marito è una giornata felice: stanno andando a firmare per il mutuo della nuova casa, che accoglierà loro e i due figli. Lou, dal sedile accanto, li osserva e la loro evidente complicità la mette di buon umore, anche se prova un pizzico di invidia per quell’amore sereno e totale che a lei sembra negato. Anna, invece, qualche carrozza più in là, sogna di acquistare la giacca di cui ha visto la foto sulla rivista che sta sfogliando, e piega l’angolo della pagina per ricordarsene.
È tutto normale, è tutto tranquillo... ma poi qualcosa, di colpo, rimescola le carte della vita e quel mattino come tanti diventa il punto di svolta, l’inizio di una settimana drammatica. Legate da una tragica casualità, le tre donne affronteranno insieme i giorni seguenti e troveranno nella loro amicizia la forza per superare il dolore. Insieme scopriranno che, se davvero basta un attimo perché tutto vada in frantumi, la vita non si ferma e ci chiede di tenere il passo...
È tutto normale, è tutto tranquillo... ma poi qualcosa, di colpo, rimescola le carte della vita e quel mattino come tanti diventa il punto di svolta, l’inizio di una settimana drammatica. Legate da una tragica casualità, le tre donne affronteranno insieme i giorni seguenti e troveranno nella loro amicizia la forza per superare il dolore. Insieme scopriranno che, se davvero basta un attimo perché tutto vada in frantumi, la vita non si ferma e ci chiede di tenere il passo...
414 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
233 people are currently reading
3655 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Rayner
24 books277 followers"Reading a Sarah Rayner book is like having a no-holds-barred chat with a close friend..."
Sarah Rayner writes both fiction and non-fiction and has sold over 750,000 books worldwide. She is the author of six novels - including 'Searching for Mr. Yesterday', published in February 2023. Her novel, the international bestseller, 'One Moment, One Morning' has two follow-ups, 'The Two Week Wait' and 'Another Night, Another Day', which feature the same Brighton-based characters.
She is also the author/publisher of the 'Making Friends' series of non-fiction self-help books. 'Making Friends with Anxiety: a warm, supportive little book to help ease worry and panic', 'Making Friends with the Menopause' and 'Making Peace with Depression' were published in 2022 by Thread, the non-fiction imprint of Bookouture. They were fully revised and edited for republication.
In 2021, Sarah published 'No More Tigers', her mother's childhood memoir, through her independent imprint, Creative Pumpkin Publishing. Mary Rayner grew up in Burma and when she was eight years old, in 1942, Mary and her family fled from Burma to India on foot to escape the invading Japanese. Mary Rayner is now 89, and is the author/illustrator of the 'Pig Books'. Sarah has written both a Foreword and Afterword for the memoir which is available on Amazon.
To find out more about Sarah or get in touch, please visit her website, www.sarah-rayner.com - it always makes her day to hear to hear from her readers. She is also on Facebook, Instagram and TicToc (search for Creative Pumpkin) and regularly posts about her life in Brighton, England, where she lives with her husband, Tom.
Sarah Rayner writes both fiction and non-fiction and has sold over 750,000 books worldwide. She is the author of six novels - including 'Searching for Mr. Yesterday', published in February 2023. Her novel, the international bestseller, 'One Moment, One Morning' has two follow-ups, 'The Two Week Wait' and 'Another Night, Another Day', which feature the same Brighton-based characters.
She is also the author/publisher of the 'Making Friends' series of non-fiction self-help books. 'Making Friends with Anxiety: a warm, supportive little book to help ease worry and panic', 'Making Friends with the Menopause' and 'Making Peace with Depression' were published in 2022 by Thread, the non-fiction imprint of Bookouture. They were fully revised and edited for republication.
In 2021, Sarah published 'No More Tigers', her mother's childhood memoir, through her independent imprint, Creative Pumpkin Publishing. Mary Rayner grew up in Burma and when she was eight years old, in 1942, Mary and her family fled from Burma to India on foot to escape the invading Japanese. Mary Rayner is now 89, and is the author/illustrator of the 'Pig Books'. Sarah has written both a Foreword and Afterword for the memoir which is available on Amazon.
To find out more about Sarah or get in touch, please visit her website, www.sarah-rayner.com - it always makes her day to hear to hear from her readers. She is also on Facebook, Instagram and TicToc (search for Creative Pumpkin) and regularly posts about her life in Brighton, England, where she lives with her husband, Tom.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 865 reviews
March 10, 2023
An understated yet strangely compelling story about loss and change. Three women's lives are changed when one moment, one morning on the London-Brighton train death rears its ugly head. A 7 out of 12, Three Star journey
2013 read
2013 read
July 17, 2013
One day in the future, when I'm old and grey and looking back on all of the books I've read in my lifetime, the good ones and the bad... this one probably won't be on the list at all.
It's not that it's terrible or a complete waste of time, it's simply not memorable in any way.
The basic summary is this: one average morning on a commuter train, a fairly young man unexpectedly dies. The story follows three women who are touched by the death, who then go about making some changes in their lives that they'd been meaning to get around to, anyway.
I mean, you can see it's supposed to be about the transformation that the death worked on the three women, but frankly, the changes weren't that significant. I could imagine that an article they read in a paper or a word at the right time from a friend would have been as much of a catalyst as the death was.
It's also supposed to show how the death brings the three women closer together, but two of them are already best friends. They meet the third in a slightly forced way.
Now, the book isn't all bad. It does a decent job in creating believable characters, even if it didn't quite manage to make me care much about them. It also portrayed a fairly believable reaction to an unexpected death of a loved one.
But the blurbs on the book describe it as a "thriller" and a "page-turner," and although the pages do turn fairly nicely (mostly because the subject matter doesn't require much introspection), there's absolutely nothing thrilling about it. I don't think there's a single moment of suspense in the whole book.
Overall, I give it a resounding "meh."
It's not that it's terrible or a complete waste of time, it's simply not memorable in any way.
The basic summary is this: one average morning on a commuter train, a fairly young man unexpectedly dies. The story follows three women who are touched by the death, who then go about making some changes in their lives that they'd been meaning to get around to, anyway.
I mean, you can see it's supposed to be about the transformation that the death worked on the three women, but frankly, the changes weren't that significant. I could imagine that an article they read in a paper or a word at the right time from a friend would have been as much of a catalyst as the death was.
It's also supposed to show how the death brings the three women closer together, but two of them are already best friends. They meet the third in a slightly forced way.
Now, the book isn't all bad. It does a decent job in creating believable characters, even if it didn't quite manage to make me care much about them. It also portrayed a fairly believable reaction to an unexpected death of a loved one.
But the blurbs on the book describe it as a "thriller" and a "page-turner," and although the pages do turn fairly nicely (mostly because the subject matter doesn't require much introspection), there's absolutely nothing thrilling about it. I don't think there's a single moment of suspense in the whole book.
Overall, I give it a resounding "meh."
July 30, 2011
I was instantly gripped by this book even though looking back not a huge amount happened after the initial dramatic event. It is more a chronicle of the aftermath of a tragedy and how all the people affected by it pull together and move on. Some scenes were particularly moving and nearly brought a tear to my eye but I think that overall the book was a positive one and showed that there is light at the end of every dark tunnel, no matter how bad things seem at the start.
July 8, 2015
Svakog jutra u 7:44 kreće vlak iz Brightona za London. Putnici se zabavljaju uobičajenim stvarima: neki se šminkaju, neki prelistavaju časopise a neki slušaju dobru glazbu. Ali toga dana ništa nije uobičajeno, pogotovo za Karen. U jednom trenu smiješi se svom suprugu, a u drugom postaje svjedokom njegove borbe za život.
Autorica s lakoćom pripovijeda o normalnim životnim stvarima, koje nas svih okupiraju i s kojima se manje-više pokušavamo nositi, kako znamo i umijemo. Ali priča nije banalna, dapače, napisana je s puno topline i daje nam toliko prostora da, dok čitamo, razmišljamo o odnosu sa svojim partnerima, djeci, roditeljima, prijateljima. Neminovno nam se nameće zaključak: tko smo, koliko sebe dajemo drugima i što smo spremni poduzeti kako ne bismo uzimali život zdravo za gotovo.
Ovo je priča o jednom lijepom prijateljstvu, žrtvovanju za najdraže osobe, s konačnom spoznajom da je život kratak i dragocjen i da ga moramo proživjeti punim plućima, ne dozvolivši da samo prođe kraj nas. Jer možda u jednom trenu, jednog jutra, to više nećemo moći.
Autorica s lakoćom pripovijeda o normalnim životnim stvarima, koje nas svih okupiraju i s kojima se manje-više pokušavamo nositi, kako znamo i umijemo. Ali priča nije banalna, dapače, napisana je s puno topline i daje nam toliko prostora da, dok čitamo, razmišljamo o odnosu sa svojim partnerima, djeci, roditeljima, prijateljima. Neminovno nam se nameće zaključak: tko smo, koliko sebe dajemo drugima i što smo spremni poduzeti kako ne bismo uzimali život zdravo za gotovo.
Ovo je priča o jednom lijepom prijateljstvu, žrtvovanju za najdraže osobe, s konačnom spoznajom da je život kratak i dragocjen i da ga moramo proživjeti punim plućima, ne dozvolivši da samo prođe kraj nas. Jer možda u jednom trenu, jednog jutra, to više nećemo moći.
August 11, 2011
I picked up this book on a shopping spree at Amazon simply because I liked the cover, well okay, not entirely the truth. A quick read of the description and I was sold. I liked the idea of that one defining moment that changes the lives of the ones witnessing it. But apart from that quick glance at the description, I didn't really know what to expect.
But by the end of page two I was caught in the drama, that one defining moment. It all happened so fast that I felt my head spinning. I didn't see it coming at all but that's just the thing. That one moment came out of the blue not only for me but also for the three women the book follows. By starting the book like this it me, the reader, in a similar state of shock and confusion as the women. I felt their pain. My eyes burned with their tears over the loss of a person I didn't know.
Although the book begins with the death of a loved one it is in many ways a wonderful life affirming story about these three women and how that death makes them rethink their lives. Some forced, some inspired by the sudden reminder of how easy a life is lost.
I truly enjoyed every page of this book and despite that I know some of the more graphic scenes (which are few) will be a bit too much for some it is a book I would gladly recommend.
But by the end of page two I was caught in the drama, that one defining moment. It all happened so fast that I felt my head spinning. I didn't see it coming at all but that's just the thing. That one moment came out of the blue not only for me but also for the three women the book follows. By starting the book like this it me, the reader, in a similar state of shock and confusion as the women. I felt their pain. My eyes burned with their tears over the loss of a person I didn't know.
Although the book begins with the death of a loved one it is in many ways a wonderful life affirming story about these three women and how that death makes them rethink their lives. Some forced, some inspired by the sudden reminder of how easy a life is lost.
I truly enjoyed every page of this book and despite that I know some of the more graphic scenes (which are few) will be a bit too much for some it is a book I would gladly recommend.
February 26, 2012
The fact that at one moment lives can be shattered and turned around is something that we all experience at one point in our lives. Karen, Anna and Lou, the main characters of this book are brought together by this one incident. How this incident affects their lives and their friendship is the focus of the book. The characters are likeable and real and you want to get to know them. Although the story takes place in London, it is something that can happen anywhere. The author keeps you interested in the main character's lives and make you want to read to find out what happens to them. A great first-read.
November 6, 2012
The review on the cover of the book said, "You'll laugh. You'll cry..." I don't who laughed at this book, but whoever it was has a very sick sense of humor. Now, cry I did, for about the first 4 nights of reading it. I blubbered myself to sleep each night, and then after that went into a mind-numbing depression while plowing through page after page of nit-picky detail. I'm going to save my savvy literary critique for another book. This one made me want to throw out the Prozac and shout "Yippee!" when it ended. And, just to add, I'm pretty sure my husband hates the book because I have forced fish oils down his throat and made a dreaded doctor's appointment so he can schedule a stress test.
March 11, 2019
“That's the tragedy of falling in love; it brings with it the potential for loss.”
A gripping book which brought to me a couple of revelations about myself and my life, One Moment One Morning was nothing short of an amazing breezy read! The story starts off with the ill fortune that befalls on Karen, one of the lead protagonists, and moves to give us all a detailed account of how a sudden death can affect the near and dear.
And more than the wonderful account of all the female protagonists and their lives, what moved me most was the wonderful nature of female friendships and how they can push over and grow a person. This book was a scintillating ode to all the female friendships and the author has very much highlighted the same in her dedications.
All the talk about relationships between partners and between a child and her parents just holds up a mirror for the readers to look into and assess ourselves against their circumstances. While Karen and Simon did have an intimate, close relationship, the way she berates herself for not taking her of him and pushing to take his health more seriously does make us question our own selves. Are we talking care of ourselves enough? Are we taking care of the people we love? And more than just being concerned, the book throws light on the subtle things which gets ignored and which, over a period of time, causes a catastrophe in our lives.
And the subject of homosexuality was well presented. This being the first book I read which had those subjects in it, I did like the way how the book didn't shy away from discussing the many painful facts about being a homosexual. When the secret becomes too much bear and she finally comes to her family about it, the subtle transformation that takes place in Lou's mother was so beautifully written.
Overall, I really loved the book for what it presented - female relationships and the process of healing which allows humans to be at peace with life and move on with it! A lovely book and I would recommend it to anyone who's looking to read a good book dealing with the topics of love, loss, grief and healing.
August 27, 2015
It was an ordinary Monday morning on the 7:44 commuter train to London. Passengers were engaged in a variety of activities. A young woman named Lou, a people watcher, observes the intricate details of one young woman applying her makeup, while she notices that another is leafing through a glossy magazine. One couple, seemingly having a nice conversation, catches Lou's eye: they seem nice and compatible.
The train has pulled into the station; it is raining hard outside.
And then, suddenly, the man across the aisle has vomited unexpectedly, and after saying "I'm sorry," he clutches his chest and his head falls to the table.
Pandemonium ensues; and, while some try to call for help, others simply stare.
Within minutes, it is apparent that the man has died...and everything about that morning is no longer ordinary.
One Moment, One Morning: A Novel is the story of how, in a brief spot of time, everything changes. We follow the characters from the train, see how some of their lives intertwine, and before the ending, others will have connected.
Lou, a counsellor for troubled youth (and the people-watcher on the train) has been keeping a secret from her mother. Anna, a well put-together young woman has a troubled home life. And Karen, the wife of the now deceased man, Simon, is stunned by events and will be struggling as she tries to deal with the aftermath. Her two small children, Luke and Molly, will have to learn about the death of their father and deal with that loss.
I liked the characters and how the author showed us what their lives looked like, before and after. Little flashbacks reveal much about each of them, and I felt sad for Karen, as she recalled happier times and realizes that her dreams are now gone.
New friendships develop, however, and a support network surrounds each of the characters. A memorable story from an author I enjoy. 4.5 stars.
The train has pulled into the station; it is raining hard outside.
And then, suddenly, the man across the aisle has vomited unexpectedly, and after saying "I'm sorry," he clutches his chest and his head falls to the table.
Pandemonium ensues; and, while some try to call for help, others simply stare.
Within minutes, it is apparent that the man has died...and everything about that morning is no longer ordinary.
One Moment, One Morning: A Novel is the story of how, in a brief spot of time, everything changes. We follow the characters from the train, see how some of their lives intertwine, and before the ending, others will have connected.
Lou, a counsellor for troubled youth (and the people-watcher on the train) has been keeping a secret from her mother. Anna, a well put-together young woman has a troubled home life. And Karen, the wife of the now deceased man, Simon, is stunned by events and will be struggling as she tries to deal with the aftermath. Her two small children, Luke and Molly, will have to learn about the death of their father and deal with that loss.
I liked the characters and how the author showed us what their lives looked like, before and after. Little flashbacks reveal much about each of them, and I felt sad for Karen, as she recalled happier times and realizes that her dreams are now gone.
New friendships develop, however, and a support network surrounds each of the characters. A memorable story from an author I enjoy. 4.5 stars.
October 30, 2012
I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads contest and am rather glad I did.
I would not have normally picked up a book like this to read and by winning it, I was able to read a book that was quite good. I would have normally passed it by.
It starts with a train trip that has a life changing happening unfold during it. It affects 3 women greatly. One the wife of the person that passes away, the other her friend who was in another train car on the same train, and the third the woman sitting across from the couple. All three women have their lives changed dramatically by the death and it brings them together as friends.
The book's story unfolds over a week and it shows how the women deal with and take the feelings they get from the sudden death. One deals with it directly being the wife with two small children. The other as a friend who is in an abusive relationship. The third as a stranger who gets to know the two women and is struggling with who to come out to as a gay woman in her family and workmates.
The writing style kept me drawn into the book. It is from a British author so there are what Americans call "Britishisms" in word choices and phrases. I actually enjoyed that about the book but I am sure it would annoy an few people so be aware.The characters were well fleshed out and likable which is always a good thing in a book. The book does go forward and backward in time with little warning but the reader quickly gets used to this and there are breaks in paragraphs when this happens though the switch in story to when Simon is alive is a huge clue we are reading about before the train ride.
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to readers who like to read about the relationships between women, their families, and their friends. It is not sappy in the slightest and it feels very real in how it deals with personal lose.
I would not have normally picked up a book like this to read and by winning it, I was able to read a book that was quite good. I would have normally passed it by.
It starts with a train trip that has a life changing happening unfold during it. It affects 3 women greatly. One the wife of the person that passes away, the other her friend who was in another train car on the same train, and the third the woman sitting across from the couple. All three women have their lives changed dramatically by the death and it brings them together as friends.
The book's story unfolds over a week and it shows how the women deal with and take the feelings they get from the sudden death. One deals with it directly being the wife with two small children. The other as a friend who is in an abusive relationship. The third as a stranger who gets to know the two women and is struggling with who to come out to as a gay woman in her family and workmates.
The writing style kept me drawn into the book. It is from a British author so there are what Americans call "Britishisms" in word choices and phrases. I actually enjoyed that about the book but I am sure it would annoy an few people so be aware.The characters were well fleshed out and likable which is always a good thing in a book. The book does go forward and backward in time with little warning but the reader quickly gets used to this and there are breaks in paragraphs when this happens though the switch in story to when Simon is alive is a huge clue we are reading about before the train ride.
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to readers who like to read about the relationships between women, their families, and their friends. It is not sappy in the slightest and it feels very real in how it deals with personal lose.
December 5, 2010
I thought the book was wonderful. At first, I was put off by the present-tense form of storytelling. Then I got pulled into the story itself.
One death: Simon's--unexpected. And three women's lives will never be the same. Karen, Simon's wife, has to cope with losing the man of her heart, and explaining this terrible event to their two very young children.
Anna, in a difficult relationship with a troubled man, comes to face the unvarnished truth of that relationship...and help her dear friend at the same time. And Anna discovers, she, too, is experiencing a crisis.
Lou--gay, intelligent, observant, compassionate--finds her own life changing as she interacts with the other two women. In doing so, in helping them cope with this tragedy, her own life is suddenly sharply in focus--and she, too, is changed.
The book is very simple, but it doesn't need ornamentation. It highlights and illustrates clearly how a life--and a death--can change others as they experience it, first-hand. it tells me, better than any other story I can name, how we are NOT islands, and how we affect each other...often for good.
ONE MOMENT, ONE MORNING has the same feel as the movie "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE. Told with the heart, the writer, Sarah Rayner, has crystallized a facet of human experience, and. in doing so, has shown me how fragile life is, how precious each moment is with those we love.
It's a lesson I know well: my parents both have passed away. Life is short, and its gifts must be accepted with joy, thankfulness, and with a determination that each moment must count.
One death: Simon's--unexpected. And three women's lives will never be the same. Karen, Simon's wife, has to cope with losing the man of her heart, and explaining this terrible event to their two very young children.
Anna, in a difficult relationship with a troubled man, comes to face the unvarnished truth of that relationship...and help her dear friend at the same time. And Anna discovers, she, too, is experiencing a crisis.
Lou--gay, intelligent, observant, compassionate--finds her own life changing as she interacts with the other two women. In doing so, in helping them cope with this tragedy, her own life is suddenly sharply in focus--and she, too, is changed.
The book is very simple, but it doesn't need ornamentation. It highlights and illustrates clearly how a life--and a death--can change others as they experience it, first-hand. it tells me, better than any other story I can name, how we are NOT islands, and how we affect each other...often for good.
ONE MOMENT, ONE MORNING has the same feel as the movie "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE. Told with the heart, the writer, Sarah Rayner, has crystallized a facet of human experience, and. in doing so, has shown me how fragile life is, how precious each moment is with those we love.
It's a lesson I know well: my parents both have passed away. Life is short, and its gifts must be accepted with joy, thankfulness, and with a determination that each moment must count.
May 14, 2016
Сара Райнер «Один момент, одно утро».
«Нужно быть благодарной за маленькое счастье».
Одно утро, один поезд. Три женщины. Одно несчастье сводит вместе этих женщин.
Хочется порекомендовать эту книгу каждому, но предупредить – книга не легкое чтиво. Когда смотришь на обложку ожидаешь очередной любовный роман, но на самом деле получишь сильную драму, которая перевернет все внутри. Трем женщинам придется столкнуться с последствиями смерти, осознать свое одиночество, свою ценность в этом мире. Мне очень понравились первые две героини – женщина, непосредственная участница трагедии и ее подруга. Очень сильные личности. Одна, еще не осознав горе, вынуждена двигаться дальше ради двоих детей, вторая пытается разобраться со своей личной жизнью. Обеим тяжело, обе страдают, но сквозь боль и слезы идут вперед. А вот третья героиня вызывала у меня стойкое неприятие. Ее тема в книги – осознания одиночества. Но вот мне не приятно было читать то как она оценивала и выбирала себе партнера, очень уж у нее потребительское отношение к другому человеку. И плюс, героиня нетрадиционной ориентации, и очередное перемусоливание того, как ей тяжело сказать близким и коллегам о своей сексуальной ориентации уже откровенно раздражает. Уж в продвинутой Европе это уже не проблема, так зачем разводить такую драму? Мне было ее совершенно не жаль.
Вторая книга вторая «Другой день, другая ночь», как я понимаю, является неким продолжением этой части. Обязательно возьмусь за нее в ближайшее время.
«Нужно быть благодарной за маленькое счастье».
Одно утро, один поезд. Три женщины. Одно несчастье сводит вместе этих женщин.
Хочется порекомендовать эту книгу каждому, но предупредить – книга не легкое чтиво. Когда смотришь на обложку ожидаешь очередной любовный роман, но на самом деле получишь сильную драму, которая перевернет все внутри. Трем женщинам придется столкнуться с последствиями смерти, осознать свое одиночество, свою ценность в этом мире. Мне очень понравились первые две героини – женщина, непосредственная участница трагедии и ее подруга. Очень сильные личности. Одна, еще не осознав горе, вынуждена двигаться дальше ради двоих детей, вторая пытается разобраться со своей личной жизнью. Обеим тяжело, обе страдают, но сквозь боль и слезы идут вперед. А вот третья героиня вызывала у меня стойкое неприятие. Ее тема в книги – осознания одиночества. Но вот мне не приятно было читать то как она оценивала и выбирала себе партнера, очень уж у нее потребительское отношение к другому человеку. И плюс, героиня нетрадиционной ориентации, и очередное перемусоливание того, как ей тяжело сказать близким и коллегам о своей сексуальной ориентации уже откровенно раздражает. Уж в продвинутой Европе это уже не проблема, так зачем разводить такую драму? Мне было ее совершенно не жаль.
Вторая книга вторая «Другой день, другая ночь», как я понимаю, является неким продолжением этой части. Обязательно возьмусь за нее в ближайшее время.
October 12, 2015
One Moment, One Morning was book of the month in my book group. It was written by Sarah Rayner, a British author. Rayner was born in London in 1963 and grew up in Richmond, Surrey. The author now lives in Brighton, England. She worked as an advertising copywriter before writing fiction full-time. This is the first book by Sarah Rayner that I have read and is not one that I would have chosen had the book group not picked it.
Having said that, I did enjoy the book. The original premis is clever. Three women who do not know each other are on the 07:44 train from Brighton to London one morning. Abruptly, everything changes: a man has a heart attack, and cannot be resuscitated; the train is stopped, an ambulance called and it affects all of their lives. The very essence of the chaos theory.
One of the women, Lou witnesses the man’s final moments. Another of the women, Anna shares a cab with Lou when they realise the train is going nowhere fast. Anna is the best friend of Karen, the woman whose husband has died.
One Moment, One Morning is a stunning novel about love and loss, about family. It tells the story of the week following that fateful train journey. It is a story of trust, friendship and support. It is a stark reminder that, one moment is all it takes. It also reminds the reader that somehow, and even in dark hours, life can and does go on.
Having said that, I did enjoy the book. The original premis is clever. Three women who do not know each other are on the 07:44 train from Brighton to London one morning. Abruptly, everything changes: a man has a heart attack, and cannot be resuscitated; the train is stopped, an ambulance called and it affects all of their lives. The very essence of the chaos theory.
One of the women, Lou witnesses the man’s final moments. Another of the women, Anna shares a cab with Lou when they realise the train is going nowhere fast. Anna is the best friend of Karen, the woman whose husband has died.
One Moment, One Morning is a stunning novel about love and loss, about family. It tells the story of the week following that fateful train journey. It is a story of trust, friendship and support. It is a stark reminder that, one moment is all it takes. It also reminds the reader that somehow, and even in dark hours, life can and does go on.
March 15, 2016
This was an enjoyable light read. You don't have to concentrate too hard to read this one, just the thing after a couple of heavier reads. The 7.44 train from Brighton to London, an ordinary journey until a man has a heart attack. In the aftermath the story follows 3 women on the train that day and how that One Moment changed things for them all. There is a sequel to this called the Two Week Wait and I liked this one enough to read it.
January 3, 2016
Een indringend verhaal over liefde en verlies, geheimen en leugens, acceptatie en trouw - maar vooral over de inspirerende kracht van vrouwenvriendschap. Aanrader!!
August 29, 2016
Present tense - my bete noir. If she used it for this book only, it was appropriate. My guess is though she writes in present tense.
However - it dealt well with the issues for the most part and described well how some people feel when hit by bereavement - the sense of dislocation.
The scenes dealing with an alcoholic were realistic to the point of distressing for me.
However - it dealt well with the issues for the most part and described well how some people feel when hit by bereavement - the sense of dislocation.
The scenes dealing with an alcoholic were realistic to the point of distressing for me.
June 12, 2010
Bad book. Poorly written. Trite approach to massive topics (sudden death of husband; being gay; parental relationships - etc). And yet - I couldn't stop reading it. My recommendation is don't start. Not worth the time.
July 11, 2020
This book by Rayner was even better than the other one. This author has a unique ability to describe situations, conversations and inner thoughts with the spoken word. The story centers around a sudden death of a passenger on an early morning commuter train to London. One of the witnesses to the death is Lou, a perceptive younger adult with a heart of gold and who has worked with the homeless and with adults with addiction, either alcohol or drugs. As the story progresses, we see how one death has an effect on not just immediate family, but also on friends. It’s like dropping a tiny pebble in a pond. The ripple in the surrounding water might create tiny eddies in four or more circles of water.
March 11, 2013
Sarah Rayner is an author I have only recently come across and this is the first book I have read of hers. Impressed by this début novel I have already sourced a copy of her latest published last year 'The Two Week Wait'. The subject matter of this story is a sad one but the author carries it off with out becoming unduly sentimental and with good characterisations. The main themes of the novel are death, grief, alcoholism and sexuality, cleverly dealt with this made for a pleasurable read. I also enjoyed the fact that the novel is set in Brighton, a city I am fond of and I felt the atmosphere of the place was expressed well in this novel.
Following the lives of three female protagonists over a period of just one week; starting with a terrible tragedy that links them together. Karen Finnegan is on an early morning train from Brighton to London, with her husband when tragedy strikes. So for Karen a period of learning to cope with a very different life to the one she is used to begins. The other two women are her best friend Anna who in supporting Karen realises that her own personal life is very unsatisfactory and that she needs to make some changes. Lou the third young women gains a whole new point of view on life through a chance encounter with Anna and via her getting to know Karen and being in a position to help both these grieving women. The descriptions of this period in these young womens lives are very plausible and at times quite moving.
If you can cope with a novel that tugs at your heart strings then this is definitely worth reading.
http://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogspo...
Following the lives of three female protagonists over a period of just one week; starting with a terrible tragedy that links them together. Karen Finnegan is on an early morning train from Brighton to London, with her husband when tragedy strikes. So for Karen a period of learning to cope with a very different life to the one she is used to begins. The other two women are her best friend Anna who in supporting Karen realises that her own personal life is very unsatisfactory and that she needs to make some changes. Lou the third young women gains a whole new point of view on life through a chance encounter with Anna and via her getting to know Karen and being in a position to help both these grieving women. The descriptions of this period in these young womens lives are very plausible and at times quite moving.
If you can cope with a novel that tugs at your heart strings then this is definitely worth reading.
http://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogspo...
February 24, 2012
I was so lucky to win this novel, "One Moment, One Morning" by Sarah Rayner.I found myself totally involved in the drama from page one.This novel follows a week in the lives of three passengers aboard the 07:44 from Brighton to London, and therein lies much of its charm – it’s about something that could happen to any of us.
Three women, Lou, Anna and Karen, witness the death of one of their fellow commuters, and this deceptively simple tale follows their lives for a week following that incident. It is a subtle exploration of love and loss, family ties and friendship. The narrative drive comes from the emotions of the characters – Karen, the man’s wife, who has suddenly lost her beloved husband, Anna, her friend, who is forced to question her own relationship, and Lou, a stranger. All three are brought together by this shared experience.
I found it intimate and thoughtful and above all believable, and which made a refreshing change. It made me laugh, and because some of the scenes with Karen and her small children are especially moving, also and had me reaching for a tissue on more than one occasion. Ultimately, it’s about self-actualisation: learning to be true to who you really are. The Brighton setting is well-drawn too, so for anyone seeking a contemporary novel about rounded and very likeable characters, I suggest putting this warm, witty story on your reading list.
Three women, Lou, Anna and Karen, witness the death of one of their fellow commuters, and this deceptively simple tale follows their lives for a week following that incident. It is a subtle exploration of love and loss, family ties and friendship. The narrative drive comes from the emotions of the characters – Karen, the man’s wife, who has suddenly lost her beloved husband, Anna, her friend, who is forced to question her own relationship, and Lou, a stranger. All three are brought together by this shared experience.
I found it intimate and thoughtful and above all believable, and which made a refreshing change. It made me laugh, and because some of the scenes with Karen and her small children are especially moving, also and had me reaching for a tissue on more than one occasion. Ultimately, it’s about self-actualisation: learning to be true to who you really are. The Brighton setting is well-drawn too, so for anyone seeking a contemporary novel about rounded and very likeable characters, I suggest putting this warm, witty story on your reading list.
October 16, 2022
This is the first book I have read by this author and will definitely look for more.
A sad but very compelling story about Karen and Anna who lose their partners in very different ways.
I think I cried a couple of times so tissues needed.
A sad but very compelling story about Karen and Anna who lose their partners in very different ways.
I think I cried a couple of times so tissues needed.
May 27, 2017
Very likable and relatable group of women. Loved the way the bonded and supported each other despite such different lives and under trying circumstances.
July 24, 2017
Not what I usually read. But a lovely book about the lives of 3 women.. just dealing what life brings..
warning.. it will make you cry
warning.. it will make you cry
December 19, 2011
One Moment One Morning
Author: Sarah Rayner
Reviewed by Fran Lewis
Observations can often be startling when what you see changes the course many lives. Starting her day in the usual manner, Lou enters one of the carriage cars of a train, sits down and begins taking note of those around her. One girl is trying to perfect her look using every makeup too she brought with her. Another couple sitting directly opposite from her and trying to be discreet in his actions, the husband using a slight gesture of affection when stroking his wife’s hand is quite touching. A third seems to her primary focus on a magazine filled with articles about fashion, gossip and tons of glossy pictures. Each person preoccupied with his/her own private thoughts when they are brought out of their own personal reverie when the unthinkable happens- a man collapses- falls over and a chain of events so fragile, so realistic and heartbreaking following reminding everyone that things can change in a flick of a second or as the title so aptly states: One Moment One Morning.
Anna is still transfixed on the articles and pictures in the magazine when they guard makes startling announcing stating that one passenger needs medical assistance in Carriage E. As several people run by her in a hurried state Anna wonders what caused the fuss and broke the usual silence and calm of her morning compute. The train is halted and that annoys her since she does not want to be late for work. Stopped before her scheduled departure stop she verbalizes to no one in particular that perhaps they should remove the person and let the train go in its way. Learning the reason behind the delay she rebukes herself for her inconsiderate thoughts but is still primarily concerned with getting to work on time.
Let’s return to Lou who is our narrator of events and whose observations will help the reader get a better inside view of the events at hand. Witnessing the event Lou observes the two nurses trying to resuscitate the man in question. Watching the events unfold, hoping to bring him back to life, time stops for many of these people and unfortunately the end result is tragic.
The guard rather than comprehend the events demands that everyone leave the carriage and the train. Passengers disembark to a dark sky filled with rain and quite cold. Buses are not available making transportation difficult. Some decide to go home but Anna cannot. A taxi pulls up and the driver offers to take her for a fee wherever she wants to go. Joining her on her journey will be our narrator Lou who agrees to share the fare with Anna and now our story truly begins as a result of a sad tragedy on a morning train ride.
Anna and Lou connect as they share a ride in a cab. Then, something happens and the connection becomes even deeper. Receiving a phone call from her best friend Karen brings a new perspective to her own urgency to get to work learning that Karen’s husband Simon was the man who died on the train. Forgetting her meeting, finding her way back to stay with her friend Anna proves that she is more than must superficial. But, Lou feels something else when she is with Anna and that relationship has yet to develop.
Anna is concerned about Karen and is going to the hospital to be with her and give her some support. As the reader learns more about the situation we get inside the inner thoughts and character traits of Lou who is dealing with her sexuality and feelings of rejection from friends. Anna who wants to be there for Karen and Karen who has not dealt with the grief, hardship and heartache of losing a spouse and having to tell her young children. Added to that the hospital still needs to investigate the death, perform an autopsy and release the body. Karen at this point still on Day One or Monday of the tragedy seems to be walking through life in a fog and not really focused on anything. Anna is trying to help yet she too can’t seem to come to terms with Simon’s death. Lou on the other hand succumbs to her mother’s wishes and whims as she agrees to help out with an Aunt and Uncle’s visit to with her mother instead of standing up for herself and saying no.
The author through the narrator reveals the inner thoughts of Lou as she recalls the day’s events as well as Anna’s inner feelings as she guides Karen to collect her children and tell them about their father. Young children have a different perception of life and death is often not a true reality to them. Neither child really comprehends that Simon is not coming nor can Karen carry out many of her daily routines. With the help of his parents his final arrangements are handled as the author has Karen remembering some touching moments from the past with Simon. Getting to know the characters better as author Sarah Raynor flashes back in time before Simon’s death, to Lou and her inner conflict with dealing with her preference for a partner and Anna who needs to decide whether Steve is right and permanent.
The characters begin to blend together as the author flashes from Anna to Karen then to Lou and back again. Karen deals with the funeral arrangement, saying goodbye with her children, Anna and her mother in law to Simon and then Lou deals with her mother, her demands, and questions from those she counsels about her private life and finally breaking plans because her mother demanded her help. Each character lost in her own private thoughts, world and insecurities. The story takes place within one week from start to finish as Simon dies on the train and the end result after all is said and done still remains to be seen.
The story reverts back and forth between Karen dealing with her grief, remembering wonderful times with Simon, dealing with her children and their lack of understanding that their father is gone and trying to coordinate her life. Anna and Steve seem to be drifting apart and his drinking interferes with their relationship yet he comes through when Karen needs him to help prepare the food after the funeral. Lou is torn between her anger with her mother, relenting to her demands, hoping to meet another woman and coping with her own demons and past. Next train that Lou takes is to meet Sofia and her friend Vic. Will it work out or will someone else interfere?
The final two days. Relationships come out of nowhere and sometimes are cemented when least expected. Lou begins a new relationship, Anna is rethinking hers with Steve and Karen now has to face her final moments with Simon. As Lou becomes part of the group joining Anna for support at the funeral but a sudden outburst following the service at Karen’s reveals more than Anna can stand. Steve is an alcoholic dependent on her but this time has gone too far.
Anna comes to a startling decision while Lou finds herself dealing with her family. Karen must face her life without Simon and the ending will definitely bring tears to your eyes, sadness in her heart as two young children must face life without a dad, one young woman makes a drastic change in her life, and one single moment in time changed the world for so many. Truths told, honesty, family ties revealed and some things finally made crystal clear as Lou comes to terms with her mothers feelings toward her, Anna makes a decision about her relationship with Steve and Karen finds some meaning in life.
Characters that you can embrace and vividly described. A plot that is realistic and honestly delivered. Events described by the narrator as they happen. A plot that envelops the reader from start to finish.
Life is precious and you never know what will happen and when your time will come. Things can change: One moment in time. Friendship, loyalty, understanding, kindness and three women so different, so divergent and yet so alike needing each other for friendship and more. The 7:44 train will always hold a special meaning for them. To think one morning commute would change so many lives. Simon would have been so proud of Karen, his children, Anna and would have loved Lou. Great read with so many important issues brought to light. Karen blames herself but should not. Doctors that tried but failed in her own mind. Anna who thought maybe it should have been Steve and Lou who was just there. One Moment One Morning: Outstanding Novel by author Sarah Rayner.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
Author: Sarah Rayner
Reviewed by Fran Lewis
Observations can often be startling when what you see changes the course many lives. Starting her day in the usual manner, Lou enters one of the carriage cars of a train, sits down and begins taking note of those around her. One girl is trying to perfect her look using every makeup too she brought with her. Another couple sitting directly opposite from her and trying to be discreet in his actions, the husband using a slight gesture of affection when stroking his wife’s hand is quite touching. A third seems to her primary focus on a magazine filled with articles about fashion, gossip and tons of glossy pictures. Each person preoccupied with his/her own private thoughts when they are brought out of their own personal reverie when the unthinkable happens- a man collapses- falls over and a chain of events so fragile, so realistic and heartbreaking following reminding everyone that things can change in a flick of a second or as the title so aptly states: One Moment One Morning.
Anna is still transfixed on the articles and pictures in the magazine when they guard makes startling announcing stating that one passenger needs medical assistance in Carriage E. As several people run by her in a hurried state Anna wonders what caused the fuss and broke the usual silence and calm of her morning compute. The train is halted and that annoys her since she does not want to be late for work. Stopped before her scheduled departure stop she verbalizes to no one in particular that perhaps they should remove the person and let the train go in its way. Learning the reason behind the delay she rebukes herself for her inconsiderate thoughts but is still primarily concerned with getting to work on time.
Let’s return to Lou who is our narrator of events and whose observations will help the reader get a better inside view of the events at hand. Witnessing the event Lou observes the two nurses trying to resuscitate the man in question. Watching the events unfold, hoping to bring him back to life, time stops for many of these people and unfortunately the end result is tragic.
The guard rather than comprehend the events demands that everyone leave the carriage and the train. Passengers disembark to a dark sky filled with rain and quite cold. Buses are not available making transportation difficult. Some decide to go home but Anna cannot. A taxi pulls up and the driver offers to take her for a fee wherever she wants to go. Joining her on her journey will be our narrator Lou who agrees to share the fare with Anna and now our story truly begins as a result of a sad tragedy on a morning train ride.
Anna and Lou connect as they share a ride in a cab. Then, something happens and the connection becomes even deeper. Receiving a phone call from her best friend Karen brings a new perspective to her own urgency to get to work learning that Karen’s husband Simon was the man who died on the train. Forgetting her meeting, finding her way back to stay with her friend Anna proves that she is more than must superficial. But, Lou feels something else when she is with Anna and that relationship has yet to develop.
Anna is concerned about Karen and is going to the hospital to be with her and give her some support. As the reader learns more about the situation we get inside the inner thoughts and character traits of Lou who is dealing with her sexuality and feelings of rejection from friends. Anna who wants to be there for Karen and Karen who has not dealt with the grief, hardship and heartache of losing a spouse and having to tell her young children. Added to that the hospital still needs to investigate the death, perform an autopsy and release the body. Karen at this point still on Day One or Monday of the tragedy seems to be walking through life in a fog and not really focused on anything. Anna is trying to help yet she too can’t seem to come to terms with Simon’s death. Lou on the other hand succumbs to her mother’s wishes and whims as she agrees to help out with an Aunt and Uncle’s visit to with her mother instead of standing up for herself and saying no.
The author through the narrator reveals the inner thoughts of Lou as she recalls the day’s events as well as Anna’s inner feelings as she guides Karen to collect her children and tell them about their father. Young children have a different perception of life and death is often not a true reality to them. Neither child really comprehends that Simon is not coming nor can Karen carry out many of her daily routines. With the help of his parents his final arrangements are handled as the author has Karen remembering some touching moments from the past with Simon. Getting to know the characters better as author Sarah Raynor flashes back in time before Simon’s death, to Lou and her inner conflict with dealing with her preference for a partner and Anna who needs to decide whether Steve is right and permanent.
The characters begin to blend together as the author flashes from Anna to Karen then to Lou and back again. Karen deals with the funeral arrangement, saying goodbye with her children, Anna and her mother in law to Simon and then Lou deals with her mother, her demands, and questions from those she counsels about her private life and finally breaking plans because her mother demanded her help. Each character lost in her own private thoughts, world and insecurities. The story takes place within one week from start to finish as Simon dies on the train and the end result after all is said and done still remains to be seen.
The story reverts back and forth between Karen dealing with her grief, remembering wonderful times with Simon, dealing with her children and their lack of understanding that their father is gone and trying to coordinate her life. Anna and Steve seem to be drifting apart and his drinking interferes with their relationship yet he comes through when Karen needs him to help prepare the food after the funeral. Lou is torn between her anger with her mother, relenting to her demands, hoping to meet another woman and coping with her own demons and past. Next train that Lou takes is to meet Sofia and her friend Vic. Will it work out or will someone else interfere?
The final two days. Relationships come out of nowhere and sometimes are cemented when least expected. Lou begins a new relationship, Anna is rethinking hers with Steve and Karen now has to face her final moments with Simon. As Lou becomes part of the group joining Anna for support at the funeral but a sudden outburst following the service at Karen’s reveals more than Anna can stand. Steve is an alcoholic dependent on her but this time has gone too far.
Anna comes to a startling decision while Lou finds herself dealing with her family. Karen must face her life without Simon and the ending will definitely bring tears to your eyes, sadness in her heart as two young children must face life without a dad, one young woman makes a drastic change in her life, and one single moment in time changed the world for so many. Truths told, honesty, family ties revealed and some things finally made crystal clear as Lou comes to terms with her mothers feelings toward her, Anna makes a decision about her relationship with Steve and Karen finds some meaning in life.
Characters that you can embrace and vividly described. A plot that is realistic and honestly delivered. Events described by the narrator as they happen. A plot that envelops the reader from start to finish.
Life is precious and you never know what will happen and when your time will come. Things can change: One moment in time. Friendship, loyalty, understanding, kindness and three women so different, so divergent and yet so alike needing each other for friendship and more. The 7:44 train will always hold a special meaning for them. To think one morning commute would change so many lives. Simon would have been so proud of Karen, his children, Anna and would have loved Lou. Great read with so many important issues brought to light. Karen blames herself but should not. Doctors that tried but failed in her own mind. Anna who thought maybe it should have been Steve and Lou who was just there. One Moment One Morning: Outstanding Novel by author Sarah Rayner.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
September 12, 2017
Bazen dünya sadece bir dakikada değişir ama her şeye rağmen hayat devam eder.
2,5/5🌟🌟
Konusuyla, kapağıyla ve ismiyle bile ufaktan beklentiye girdiğim bir kitaptı. Özellikle konusunda farklı hayatların bir noktada birbirlerine bağlanacağını okuyunca iyice heveslenmiştim. Hatta en son bu tarz okuduğum Dut Ağacı Sokağı'ndaki Çayevi'ni anımsayarak merakla kitaba başladım ve çok geçmeden güzel bir hayal kırıklığına uğradım. Dört yüz küsüre yakın kadar kalınlıkta bir kitap ve ciddi söylüyorum benim kitap boyunca sevdiğim tek şey Karen'ın eşiyle geçmişte yaşadıklarına değinildiği sayfalar ve zor günleri aşmaya çalışırken çocuklarıyla arasındaki ilişkiydi. Bunun haricinde ne Lou'yu okurken keyif aldım ne de Anna'yı okurken. Bana sorarsanız hem duygusal anlamda, hem de samimiyet ve sıcak bir dokunuş olarak üçlünün bir araya gelmesi ve konu gidişatı kesinlikle daha güzel yansıtabilirdi. Yazarın genel anlamda oldukça sıradan bir kalemi vardı. Anlayacağınız bu kadar merak ettiğime, heyecanlandığıma değmedi. Bu türde çok fazla okuduğum için oldukça seçici oluyorum. Belki siz benden daha çok beğenebilirsiniz. Keyifli okumalar..
2,5/5🌟🌟
Konusuyla, kapağıyla ve ismiyle bile ufaktan beklentiye girdiğim bir kitaptı. Özellikle konusunda farklı hayatların bir noktada birbirlerine bağlanacağını okuyunca iyice heveslenmiştim. Hatta en son bu tarz okuduğum Dut Ağacı Sokağı'ndaki Çayevi'ni anımsayarak merakla kitaba başladım ve çok geçmeden güzel bir hayal kırıklığına uğradım. Dört yüz küsüre yakın kadar kalınlıkta bir kitap ve ciddi söylüyorum benim kitap boyunca sevdiğim tek şey Karen'ın eşiyle geçmişte yaşadıklarına değinildiği sayfalar ve zor günleri aşmaya çalışırken çocuklarıyla arasındaki ilişkiydi. Bunun haricinde ne Lou'yu okurken keyif aldım ne de Anna'yı okurken. Bana sorarsanız hem duygusal anlamda, hem de samimiyet ve sıcak bir dokunuş olarak üçlünün bir araya gelmesi ve konu gidişatı kesinlikle daha güzel yansıtabilirdi. Yazarın genel anlamda oldukça sıradan bir kalemi vardı. Anlayacağınız bu kadar merak ettiğime, heyecanlandığıma değmedi. Bu türde çok fazla okuduğum için oldukça seçici oluyorum. Belki siz benden daha çok beğenebilirsiniz. Keyifli okumalar..
November 8, 2023
An easy read couldn't put it down
May 30, 2014
I got this book on audiobook after being sent a review copy of this authors latest book and wanted a bit of background from this author before I began her latest offering. Wow how have I never read anything by this author before? I loved this book and felt compelled to sit in my car after arriving home just so I could listen to the end of a chapter or disc of this book. I fell in love with the fast paced storyline, the characters with hidden depths and the lovely writing in this truly different novel.
Although this book begins with a dealt hand deals with grief, hidden secrets and a certain amount of questionable life choices, it really is a heart warming story! As I have already mentioned, this book is extremely fast paced, meaning that you will find yourself compelled to keep tuning it's pages to find out what is going to happen next to each of these characters. It begins with a train journey and then a death and then spirals out from there. The three woman in particular who surround the death in the beginning of the book all have their own issues and problems in their own lives and yet are brought together in this situation and form a strong friendship, tested to its limits by each of their own life situations.
I really genuinely loved all three of the women in this novel, something which I don't often say. They may have made some mistakes I their lives but the strength they exhibit in this book is truly admirable. I really liked lou, it has to be said. She is level headed and strong, she knows what to do in emergency situations and she selflessly helps Anna and Karen cope with their grief. Ann really comes into her own after the death of Kren's husband. She has a lot going on in her own life, her storyline in particular was extremely well written and made me feel very uncomfortable at times, but these desperate times cause her to question the choices she has made, and make some changes in her own life, all for the better, and all of which I championed. Karen is a pillar of strength for all. Coping with her children and her life when her husband has suddenly died is a massive thing and yet she does so with decency and decorum and still has the time for her friendship with Anna.
The storyline is extremely well written and I loved the Brighton setting, I could cuter myself there! I loved the ending as well, it was everything I wanted and more. As I've mentioned, some of the parts of the book were hard to deal with and I shed a few tears, but overall this was uplifting and left me feeling satisfied after a very good read. I can't wait to read the next one now!
Although this book begins with a dealt hand deals with grief, hidden secrets and a certain amount of questionable life choices, it really is a heart warming story! As I have already mentioned, this book is extremely fast paced, meaning that you will find yourself compelled to keep tuning it's pages to find out what is going to happen next to each of these characters. It begins with a train journey and then a death and then spirals out from there. The three woman in particular who surround the death in the beginning of the book all have their own issues and problems in their own lives and yet are brought together in this situation and form a strong friendship, tested to its limits by each of their own life situations.
I really genuinely loved all three of the women in this novel, something which I don't often say. They may have made some mistakes I their lives but the strength they exhibit in this book is truly admirable. I really liked lou, it has to be said. She is level headed and strong, she knows what to do in emergency situations and she selflessly helps Anna and Karen cope with their grief. Ann really comes into her own after the death of Kren's husband. She has a lot going on in her own life, her storyline in particular was extremely well written and made me feel very uncomfortable at times, but these desperate times cause her to question the choices she has made, and make some changes in her own life, all for the better, and all of which I championed. Karen is a pillar of strength for all. Coping with her children and her life when her husband has suddenly died is a massive thing and yet she does so with decency and decorum and still has the time for her friendship with Anna.
The storyline is extremely well written and I loved the Brighton setting, I could cuter myself there! I loved the ending as well, it was everything I wanted and more. As I've mentioned, some of the parts of the book were hard to deal with and I shed a few tears, but overall this was uplifting and left me feeling satisfied after a very good read. I can't wait to read the next one now!
September 18, 2011
If you're looking for deep, thoughtful literature, look elsewhere. "One Moment, One Morning", for all its serious issues (bereavement, alcoholism, lesbianism) is a light, almost gentle book. The publisher's comparisons to Kate Atkinson are not unreasonable, but Rayner's writing has nothing like the same depth.
Nonetheless, her characters are likeable and her novel is very readable. I rattled through all 400 pages in just over two days, partly because the book is well structured, the prose is clear and simple and the characters likeable and well-drawn. But I started to lose sympathy as the overwhelming niceness of the three main characters started to become cloying. There is very little conflict and few dilemmas, except in the case of Ann's alcoholic boyfriend, and the prominent presence of a love-starved lesbian character failed to create any tension or danger.
What we are left with is a life-affirming tale of women supporting each other through tough times, overcoming tribulations through their inherent goodness and emotional generosity. That will appeal to a lot of readers - I'm guessing women more than men - but I like my literature with a little more grit. However, taken on its own, relatively unchallenging terms, it's worth three stars.
Nonetheless, her characters are likeable and her novel is very readable. I rattled through all 400 pages in just over two days, partly because the book is well structured, the prose is clear and simple and the characters likeable and well-drawn. But I started to lose sympathy as the overwhelming niceness of the three main characters started to become cloying. There is very little conflict and few dilemmas, except in the case of Ann's alcoholic boyfriend, and the prominent presence of a love-starved lesbian character failed to create any tension or danger.
What we are left with is a life-affirming tale of women supporting each other through tough times, overcoming tribulations through their inherent goodness and emotional generosity. That will appeal to a lot of readers - I'm guessing women more than men - but I like my literature with a little more grit. However, taken on its own, relatively unchallenging terms, it's worth three stars.
January 29, 2012
The last of my most recent stash of "airport" books - and that's a good thing! It was touted as "A masterfully written novel about the healing power of friendship, this is the story of three women whose lives become inextricably linked after a life-changing event during their morning commute into London." If only this had been an accurate description of the book! The author effectively explores the emotions surrounding the sudden and premature death of a husband and father. One of the subplots works - the friend who leaves her live-in boyfriend because his reaction to the death reveals his true character. The other subplot is totally disconnected - the stranger who is a gay (lesbian) student counselor who uses her observation of the death as the catharsis to come out to her widowed mother (despite her late father's admonition not to do so under any circumstances) and she begins a romantic relationship during the one week timeline of the story. DId I also mention the book was written in British English - whilst, etc. THe book is frustrating because the good parts get buried by the not so good ones - such a bummer!
April 17, 2012
Author Sarah Rayner has that marvelous ability to bring characters to life, to see into the human heart and share her vision with readers, and to catch readers with a story that they can't put down.
Like many great books, the plot of One Moment, One Morning sounds a bit simple when boiled down to explain "what is it about?" The story follows three people: Karen, her best friend Anne, and social worker Lou, on the commuter train from Brighton to London. Karen's husband, also on the train, has a heart attack and dies during the morning commute. The book is about the three women (plus Karen's now fatherless children and assorted others) as they live through the reverberations of loss.
So that's what it's about. Eh. But what it's really about is the fact that we have one life. That's it. So we need to grab it and live it well. It's really about the fact that stories tell the truth better than anything else. It's really about the blessing of a well-told story.
Recommended.
Thanks to Goodreads' First Reads program for this book.
Like many great books, the plot of One Moment, One Morning sounds a bit simple when boiled down to explain "what is it about?" The story follows three people: Karen, her best friend Anne, and social worker Lou, on the commuter train from Brighton to London. Karen's husband, also on the train, has a heart attack and dies during the morning commute. The book is about the three women (plus Karen's now fatherless children and assorted others) as they live through the reverberations of loss.
So that's what it's about. Eh. But what it's really about is the fact that we have one life. That's it. So we need to grab it and live it well. It's really about the fact that stories tell the truth better than anything else. It's really about the blessing of a well-told story.
Recommended.
Thanks to Goodreads' First Reads program for this book.
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