The Return

Review Summary: A huge disappointment

Review:

Much too long and boring.
Too much discription and very little action.
I will not be reading any more of her books.

Review Summary: Dont always trust reviewers .....

Review:

I read and loved the Island and when I saw she had released a new book was eager to get hold of a copy, but reading the reviews on here was a bit put off.
I got hold of a paperback version (hate hardbacks) at the airport and read this on honeymoon, no probably not as good as the Island but it's still a very interesting & captivating story. I read it in a couple of days and found myself picking it up whenever I could - which for someone who frequently starts & gives up on books, is recommendation in itself.
The Spanish Civil War is a subject I knew nothing about apart from the name Franco, and had no idea of the horrors the spanish people went through. The authors description of the flamenco dancing was brilliant and found myself totally absorbed & rooting for the characters.
Everyone is perfectly entitled to their opinion but for anyone else like me who is a little put off my some of the more negative reviews, give it ago it's not a masterpiece but it's a good book :-)

Review Summary: Not quite as good as 'The Island'

Review:

'The Island' was an amazing story - I expected the same from 'The Return' and was quite disappointed. The book is boring in places, with long descriptions about the Spanish civil war - too much information. The story itself is moving though, and I agree with other readers, the link to the present is a little absurd, there was no need for it, and I couldn't feel the emotion or connection in it anyway. Overall, I enjoyed most of it.

Review Summary: Two stars for the story of Flamenco culture.

Review:

Otherwise a complete waste of paper. I agree with the other reviewers that the modern day story is completely tacked on and clumsy, the "twist" is painfully obvious.

'The Return' is being marketed as a pure beach read but in my book that doesn't mean that it is acceptable for the author of such a novel to write so lazily and self indulgently. The idea of a family torn apart by the civil war and spanish politics is intriguing and i was sorely disappointed.

Review Summary: Only a cut above Mills and Boon

Review:

Like many others writing here, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed 'The Island' and incredibly disappointed by this offering.

I wasn't expecting great literature, but much of the writing is only a slight cut above Mills and Boon - the portrayal of the modern day heroine Sonia's marriage is very much of that genre. And the plot is so implausible, even down to the small details - I mean, the ever so thoughtful and sensitive Sonia goes on holiday with her best friend since childhood, and only remembers late during the day that it's her friend's birthday!!

It is interesting to learn some of the facts about the Spanish Civil War, for example that the great nationalist and fascist Franco used Arab troops to launch it. But there's actually something distasteful about using the details of such a tragic national episode as a vehicle for sentimental tosh like this. I only bought it as a beach book, but it ended up in a bin on the beach.