About this title: Lily and Marcus become roommates and then lovers, living in Marcus's posh loft--a place that seems haunted with the absence of Marcus's ex-roommate Sinead, a woman Marcus refuses to discuss. Lily knows she needs to know the truth--and when she finds out, quite unexpectedly, what really happened between Marcus and Sinead, it changes everything.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Headline Review
Date published: 2003
ISBN-13:9780747268178ISBN:0747268177
Description: Good. EX-LIBRARY COPY. May contain log sheet and 'Withdrawn' stamp. A good reading copy which may have some limited wear. Orders are dispatched daily from the UK, supported by complete customer service. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Review
Date published: 2003
ISBN-13:9780755305407ISBN:075530540X
Description: Very Good. Fiction. When Lily moves into Marcus's flat and plunges headlong into a relationship, she must contend not merely with the disapproval of flatmate Aidan, but w ith a more intangible, hostile presence. Could it be that Sinead, Marcus's ex, is trying to communicate with her? When Lily begins to ‘see' Sinead, fi rst about the flat, and then on the streets of London, she must question no t merely her sanity, but whether the man she loves is someone she can, or i ndeed ought, to live with ... read more
Binding: PAPERBACK
Publisher: Headline Book Publishing
Date published: 2003
ISBN-13:9780747268178ISBN:0747268177
Description: Fair. Paperback, larger format, a good reading copy. Your book will be securely packed and promptly dispatched from our UK warehouse. read more
Binding: PAPERBACK
Publisher: Headline Book Publishing
Date published: 2003
ISBN-13:9780747268178ISBN:0747268177
Description: Fair. Paperback, larger format, a good reading copy. Your book will be securely packed and promptly dispatched from our UK warehouse. read more
Binding: PAPERBACK
Publisher: Headline Book Publishing
Date published: 2003
ISBN-13:9780747268178ISBN:0747268177
Description: Fair. Paperback, larger format, a good reading copy. Your book will be securely packed and promptly dispatched from our UK warehouse. read more
Binding: PAPERBACK
Publisher: Headline Book Publishing
Date published: 2003
ISBN-13:9780747268178ISBN:0747268177
Description: Fair. Paperback, larger format, a good reading copy. Your book will be securely packed and promptly dispatched from our UK warehouse. read more
Binding: PAPERBACK
Publisher: Headline Book Publishing
Date published: 2003
ISBN-13:9780747268178ISBN:0747268177
Description: Fair. Paperback, larger format, a good reading copy. Your book will be securely packed and promptly dispatched from our UK warehouse. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Headline Review
Date published: 2003
ISBN-13:9780747268178ISBN:0747268177
Description: Very Good. Fadeing to page ends and rubbing to edges. Next working day dispatch from the UK. Please contact us with any queries. read more
Description: Good. A clean and tidy book. Very neat pages. Cover has light wear small crease with fraying corner. Reading creases to spine. Paperback published by Headline. Excellent copy to read. UK seller. Can post internationally. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Headline Review
Date published: 2003
ISBN-13:9780755305407ISBN:075530540X
Description: Good. Bumping to edges, internally clean This book is in good all round condition which means that it will show signs of wear and having been read. Any questions please e-mail, only too happy to help. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. We aim to ship within one working day. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Headline Review
Date published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780747271116ISBN:0747271119
Description: Good. EXCELLENT value for money and ready for dispatch. Delivery usually within 3/5 days. Our reputation is built on our Speedy Delivery Service and our Customer Service Team. read more
"I liked this book. It was a little different than I'm used to, but I did enjoy reading it.
However, there was one section that was a little confusing. Suddenly, after reading from one main character's pov (third person, present tense) the book suddenly switches to first person/past tense, then to third person present tense. It took me a little while to realize that the book has actually switched to another character's voice (the first person); in fact, at first I had to check the "Part 2" heading, see if there was a name or year mentioned. Nothing, just part 2. Not only does this section switch over to another character (who was previously only alluded to before), but sections are going back and forth in time, though they are both still set in the past. So one section, sometimes just a few pages long, is first person, past tense in the past; then you are suddenly reading in the third person present tense a few years into the future of this same person, back and forth, back and forth. I found this a little confusing and couldn't figure out why the author did this. Actually, I do see why, (comparison of phases of a relationship) but it's a little hard to follow at first. Basically there are two stories of Sinead's past, which are divided up into smaller bits and shown in alternating strips. There wasn't any headings warning you of what was to come, just this back and forth bit.
Other than that, this book was a page turner. The beginning main character, Lily, falls rather quickly into a relationship with a man who has lost his girlfriend Sinaed. She rents a room in his flat, and they quickly fall into a relationship. He (Marcus) has another roommate, Aidan, who seems a little hostile and disapproving. Lily begins experiencing events that appear to be hauntings. This section was a little suspenseful. Everything is not as it seems though. Lily becomes rather obsessed with finding out more about Sinead. Lily's inner stalker comes out, and Marcus also begins to show some odd behavior. You get some glimpses of Aidan's life also, quick little asides that just seem to make him more mysterious-until, of course, later.
Then the strange section begins with back and forths from Sinead's point of view, from way past-first-person-past-tense, to recent(?)-past-third-person-present-tense-though-still-Sinead. This goes on for awhile, back and forth. This section, though interesting was difficult to read; it was hard for me to keep the events straight in my head.
I still found the book interesting; interesting enough to think about reading other works by Maggie O'Farrell. She did exercise my brain a bit with her writing style. Her characters are not perfect human beings, which I liked- how many of us are completely wonderful people after all? Her characters do stupid, and sometimes cruel things-just like real people do. All in all, a good book."
"Lily is haunted by her boyfriend's previous lover....
I have to confess that I didn't enjoy this a much as I've enjoyed other Maggie O'Farrell books like 'After You'd Gone'. I found the main character Lily to be somewhat vaucous and felt it was unconvincing that Marcus her intelligent architecht boyfriend would have been attracted to her. As Sinead, Marcus's ex girlfriend came more into the picture the tale did pick up somewhat but not enought to redeem what was a rather silly novel.
For me it didn't do much to enhance a tradition of strong female characters in novels."
"The book was a good read to start but seemed to dwindle in story and style as it came to a close. The 3rd section lacked in flow as far as the characters' two stories being told at the same time. It read like O'Farrell had taken two separate novels and smashed them together without much thought. The ending was quite abrupt and seemed rather unfinished.
All in all I would say the book mediocre...rather disappointing after such a strong start."
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