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Grandmothers
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Grandmothers is the story of three very different women and their relationship with the younger generation: fiercely independent Nan, who leads a secret life as an award-winning poet when she is not teaching her grandson Billy how to lie; glamorous Blanche, deprived of the company of her beloved granddaughter Kitty by her hostile daughter-in-law, who finds solace in rebell
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A light and enjoyable read. Three grandmothers, three children, their stories gradually draw together after some ups and downs. Set in modern day UK with plenty of modern day problems to explore. I liked it although the writing is sometimes almost breathless, given the multiple commas per line. At the same time it’s colourful and imaginative, so mustn’t grump too much.

Pretty mild story about three older women and the children in their lives. None of them actually examine why they’re annoying the shit out of their family members or take accountability for their manipulations - though this is exactly what my grandmother was like so fair play. I found that they all blurred into each other.

Grandmothers is a story about the unique bond and love between a grandmother and a grandchild. It is a theme that is touched on in fairy tales and mainstream stories but is often generic and falls into a trope and archetype - e.g. "fair god mother". Grandmothers delves deeper into the complex relationship between grandparent, parent and child.
It highlights the lack of rights a grandparent actually has when the parents decide to cut them off from seeing children. Blanche experiences this plight ...more
It highlights the lack of rights a grandparent actually has when the parents decide to cut them off from seeing children. Blanche experiences this plight ...more

Hmm mixed feelings about this book. There were some brilliant characters with potential that was never explored properly
Nan has her grandson Billy and they have the most conventional relationship even though the family is rather mixed up. Nan is the lynchpin of the story but the interesting part is her early lost love. She has an endearing character and her green coffin is wonderful.
Blanche does not have the contact she wants with her grandchildren blaming it all on her horrid daughter in law. ...more
Nan has her grandson Billy and they have the most conventional relationship even though the family is rather mixed up. Nan is the lynchpin of the story but the interesting part is her early lost love. She has an endearing character and her green coffin is wonderful.
Blanche does not have the contact she wants with her grandchildren blaming it all on her horrid daughter in law. ...more

"Grandmothers" describes the lives of three elderly women, it tells you about the love for their grandchildren and the insecurities and joys of three lives richly lived. It is also a book about friendships, connections found later in life and how these evolve. I like that the writer manages to make the grandmothers the centre of the narration, and that she does so in an unconventional way.
I just have a couple of issues with this novel: first, I found the way the three characters end up on each o ...more
I just have a couple of issues with this novel: first, I found the way the three characters end up on each o ...more

Three grandmothers. Three grandchildren. Three separate stories of their relationships which become entwined as the story progresses. I particularly loved the opening Chapter of Nan and her grandson Billy who spend time together shopping for Nan’s coffin. Some lovely insights of the role of grandparents in modern society.

I truly loved this book. I'm not a grandmother but not far off the age and there were loads in this story that I could really relate to, especially the character of Nan and her relationship with her son. I thought it was wonderfully written and do hope that the author will further Nan's, Blanche's and Mina's stories.
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A pleasant enough read, and the characters were interesting but not a lot in the way of depth. If you're looking for an easy and enjoyable read this does it however, the author may have lost an opportunity to break ground with society's relationship with our grandmothers and the importance they play within the family.
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A pleasant read. It was punchy in places, and had a lovely feminist thread running through it, but my issue was that it was just 'nice'. It didn't wow me; I don't think it dove deep enough into their characters and their motivations.
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