About the book:
Fable Mitchell is born under a roof of stars in a Kentish plum orchard, and her early childhood is spent alone in a house called 'Starlight' where she lives with her mother Jasmine and Gangan the Wise Woman. However, her life is not destined to remain like a fairytale.
When she is ten, she is abducted by her estranged father Derek, now a vicar, and taken to live in his austere vicarage as Isbourne on the banks of the River Avon. Fable is unable to escape. When she is sixteen, she falls in love with Tobias Latimer but he dies in mysterious circumstances and Fable's happiness is once again snatched away from her.
She tries to rebuild her life and marries Tony Lucas because she thinks the omens are right. Fable soon realises he is abusive and controlling, but is trapped because she fears losing contact with her daughter. Nearing her 40th birthday, Fable hears Gangan the Wise Woman's voice telling her to 'be reading- magic happens'.
This is certainly true, but does Fable have the necessary courage to finally seize her chance of lasting happiness?
My review:
I really enjoyed the final third of this book. It was tense, emotionally and heart-felt. I found myself caught up in the character of Fable.
Unfortunately, it took rather longer than I would have like to get to this point. There were interesting events and some evocative passages, but flashbacks and descriptive passages seemed to slow down what was happening rather than adding to the feelings in places.
The overall feel of this book was like a fairytale, with some adult events. I'm sure it is a mix that will appeal to some, but it just wasn't for me.
Action Reader's Action: Make some magic happen in someone's life today. Create an happy surprise.
What does happiness mean to you?
