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Jennifer Johnson
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ISBN | 978-075533054 | ||
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Ann
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Synopsis
A brilliant story of the secrets we keep. When journalist Caroline Wallace is asked to go to Dublin to meet Desmond Fitzmaurice, a literary giant of the thirties, she finds it hard to care about a writer whose star faded a very long time ago. And, although interviewing Desmond seems like a timely escape from the pressures of London, not to mention a startling marriage proposal, it's hard to believe this charming old man's past contains 'lots of sex and some violence' as he promises. But beneath the surface of Desmond's quiet life lies a story more mysterious than Caroline ever bargained for...
Review
When a London journalist is dispatched to Dublin to do a feature on an old and almost forgotten form literary giant, she anticipates an easy task despite the old gentleman's affirmation that his story contains "lots of sex and some violence". However once she arrives she if gradually drawn into his reminiscences and into his current life. How much can she believe, is she being manipulated, what is the true state of affairs ? At the end, when she breaks free of them all and returns to London, the reader has some clues but the adventure was in the journey not the conclusion.
This is a carefully structured, beautifully written, subtle examination of a complex tangle of memory and motive. The fact that it is set in Dublin is a frosting, the real charm is in the dialogue and acquaintance with the small cast of characters.
An enjoyable and thoughtful read.
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