Now if I had a book of the week. This would be it. Magnificent.
This is a dual timeline and Point of view book that is beautifully written.
It shows how times have changed and the complexities of human emotions and actions.
Oh and I like books with cycling in them.
The story spans England just before the second world war starts to the modern day. Beautifully researched again – and effortlessly woven into the story.
A relationship that lasted throughout that time – from young love through to a care home.
This showed the implications of keeping your relationship hidden from family members – stopped in old age by the reactions of people in the 1930s and 40s. You will be sent to separate care homes and split up.
It also shows the perils of putting the younger generation in charge of the family trust fund without ensuring that there are mechanisms to allow you to live how you want to.
There were so many complex issues dealt with in this story – was she xenophobic as she would not tolerate the Japanese after her brother died due to the treatment he received at their hands in Singapore?
And her lesbian great niece, who they had brought up from a teenager, had a Japanese girlfriend.

And the epilogue – this time I was pleased it ended with a wedding rather than a funeral. 90 somethings getting married after 70 odd years together – I think I may have something in my eye!