Author: Patricia Scanlan
ISBN: 978-1-47111-077-1
RRP: $24.99
Patricia Scanlan is the author of many Number One bestsellers and this one is sure to join them in that list. I was not familiar with the author or her work before picking up With All My Love and I must say that I’m glad we have had this introduction.
I laughed, I smiled, I cried and I choked back the tears. I was heart broken and I was awash with the warm and fuzzies. This is a book that I wish I could have hidden away from the world with for an afternoon; with a large, hot coffee and a packet of chips. I think I would have devoured it in an afternoon if I had a distractionless one.
Much of the story is told in flash-back and memories of Valerie as we learn of the events leading up to the cataclysmic, and quite possibly catastrophic, discovery of a letter in an old photo album. I did find that the timeline of the story jumped around quite a bit so I had to really immerse myself to be sure I would know exactly where I was.
With All My Love beautifully demonstrates many of the different issues that women face in their role as mother, and the way that things have changed for women through the generations.
I really love the way that Scanlan explores the cyclical nature of history and the effect it has on her characters, and the follow on effects that carry through the generations.
The book begins with Briony and her young daughter Katie adjusting to some fabulous new lifestyle changes that have been thrust upon them due to economic uncertainty. Briony has always been a working career mum so when she is made redundant with a four year old daughter it is cause for many mixed feelings. This enforced unemployment has granted her the blessing of time with her rapidly growing daughter, a blessing that is irreplaceable and priceless – even though it means giving lots of extra analysis to every shopping choice and the placement of every purchase on the priority list.
Briony and Katie are helping Valerie, Briony’s mum, settle in to her villa in Spain when Briony comes across an old letter addressed to her. A letter that is set to change everything, but will it tear the family further asunder or begin to repair some of the cracks…
At this point Valerie loses her battle with the memories of the past and we follow most of the events that brought us to this point through those memories. The timeline shifts from the present rift between Valerie and Briony to the events that brought them to this.
Valerie’s memories transport us back to the early 1980’s in Ireland where it was a very different time, more liberated than the generations preceding Valerie’s but still a far cry from the freedoms we enjoy today. We see a young couple struggle through many of the issues faced by young people still today, but these days they don’t face the added societal pressures that were present in the early 1980’s.
If we didn’t already know a little about how things turn out, there are stages throughout the book that make you think it will all work out and everyone will get their happily ever after. The traditional happily ever after is out of reach but that isn’t to say that these strong yet vulnerable women won’t make a happily ever after all of their own.
Scanlan explores the insecurities and hidden vulnerabilities of these three women beautifully, capturing the beauty in even their brashness. I could look at each woman objectively and come to my own conclusions about their culpability.
Perspective is a beautiful gift and it is often a gift bestowed only in hindsight, as Valerie discovers rather painfully. Every action has consequences and if you don’t consider those consequences when you make your decision it could haunt you for a very long time.
There were times I could not bring myself to agree with the actions of any of the main characters but I could still empathise with them and feel where they were coming from.
Another major aspect of this book is one that my mother would absolutely love, but that isn’t for everyone. Scanlan has not really utilised traditional religion in With All My Love but she certainly addresses a more spiritual side of life. It is not something that is omnipresent throughout the entire novel because much of the story takes place in flash-backs where Valerie and Jeff were together and happily in love even if things weren’t quite perfect.
There is great emphasis placed, in relevant sections, on the fact that we aren’t alone and that those we’ve loved and lost aren’t gone from us forever. They remain around us and we will know they are there if only we pay attention to the signs. I love this way of looking at things but I know that not everyone holds the same opinion.
Immerse yourself in Rockland’s and Dublin, get to know Valerie and Tessa as you follow their trail of heartache and spite all the while cheering them on to what you can’t help but hope will be a happy ending.
I recommend you go out and get yourself a copy of With All My Love, it has so much to offer. The story is an emotional roller coaster with a little bit of intrigue and a lot of heart, it speaks to the protective nature of every mother and those of us who have lost someone close that need a quiet reminder that they are always near.
I devour books, vampires and supernatural creatures are my genre of choice but over the past couple of years, I have broadened my horizons considerably. In a nutshell – I love to write! I love interacting with a diverse range of artists to bring you interviews. Perhaps we were perfect before – I LOVE WORDS!
An interactive novel, as I found part of me in some of the characters. I don’t know if I would have gone as far as some of them as it’s not in my nature, but I wish I could have at times. I found I could relate and it had me riveted from the start.
You have certainly inspired me to go searching for this novel and read it Michelle. It certainly sounds like a book that I would love.
I have to say Michelle, you certainly captured my attention with your last paragraph…..reaching for a tissue now as it struck a chord with me.
Thanks Mandy50,
I am thrilled to know my review has had that effect and if that paragraph struck a chord then i would definitely recommend this book.
🙂
I dont tend to get emotional reading books but for some reason I felt teary on a few occassions reading this book.
I did enjoy the story line but sometimes found myself re-reading sections to try and understand the point the author was trying to make.
Having said that it was an addictive read that provided me with much enjoyment.
Should you be looking for a story that will capture your imagination and make you feel something more than the average chick-lit book – then this is the book for you. x
Thank goodness that I received this book on the Friday of a long weekend! This is a great big sweeping and riveting story of three strong women and the choices they make and the consequences that follow. I loved the Valerie’s story from the 1980s (I was so there and it reminded me how far we have come!) as well as story and perspective of Tessa and most interestingly of Jeff, Lorcan and Terrence.
This is a great great book. Perfect way to relax on a weekend or any time. Highly recommended – I will definitely be reading more of Patricia Scanlans novels!
Gosh I have to say this is really THE best book I have read in quite a while. I so much related to the people in this book and some of the things that were said by the grandmother I remember being said to me as a child by my own Nan as in “when it thunders it’s just God moving his furniture around ” lol.
I absoloutely adored this book and can’t praise it enough, it will be a well kept favourite of mine for a very long time. Anyone thinking of reading this book will not be disappointed…a fantatic read.
This book focuses on the lives of three women. Tessa, mother to Valerie’s husband Jeff and grandmother of Briony, Valerie, loud and boisterous but with a huge heart and her daughter, Briony who had no idea why contact with her paternal grandparents has been lost. I found the story a little slow to start and follow but as it developed it all started to make sense the book itself was hard to put down.
With All My Love is a bit of an emotional roller coaster one minute everyone’s over the moon and the next you find yourself in tears for one of the characters. This is a bit of a tear jerker so best have the Kleenex ready as the plot unfolds on a family torn apart by a festering tangle of secrets and lies.
Scanlan is without a doubt a very talented writer with a flair at keeping you guessing right to the very end. I had no problem escaping reality while reading this book, I could even have been a character in the book as I found myself being reminded of fond 80’s memories of my own! Glittery boob tubes, Queen singing We Will Rock You, and Charlie perfume seeps of 70’s and 80’s vibes!
The book deals wonderfully with parental love, the overpowering love a parent has for their child and also the bonds of families. It is beautifully written in such a way that I think everyone will be able to relate to something or someone in the novel.
What a mind blowing read. While at first I had issues with keeping the characters straight in my mind I found myself coming to an undestanding of what eachof three generation of women experienced personally and as part of each others lives – the roles they played. I often found myself in tears as revelations and the unexpected death of a much loved partner came to light. As an adult Briony fins a letter addressed to her – she was denied a precious relationship with her fathers parents when her mother Valerie took her away. Lives of three generations are dramatically changed when the past is revisited and trruth comes to light. What was a world of secrets,betrayals and sacrifices each woman finds themselves understanding the why’s and hows. This novel reveals a lesson that eventually love and forgiveness is all that matters.
When I finally got the chance to get into the rhythm of this book I liked it, as I enjoy reading it was something new with each turn of the page, for some reason this book was a little hard to get into at first and I had to take a few goes at reading the first chapter before fell in love or at least like with the characters.
The writing style was good and it flowed easily I’d recommend this book and give it a 4 out of 5
I enjoyed reading this emotional and heart wrenching novel.
The way the author developed the characters by allowing the reader to hear their voice and point of view, allowed me to better understand their actions and behaviours.
It is a tragic story one filled with sadness and grief. At the same time it is also a story of love and hope.
I have recently lost a loved one and could relate to the pain some of the characters had suffered. Also the idea that everything happens for a reason and our loved ones who have passed are watching us, had struck a cord within me.
The novel deals with intense issues and explores both the good and bad aspects of life in a warm and engaging platform.
I certainly found this book very difficult to put down and really enjoyed reading it. Definitely needed a box of tissues as the plot unfolded – there were quite a number of very emotional moments.
The three women, Valerie, Briony and Tessa were all quite strong characters and there were many times I felt sorry for each of them.
For Briony to be deprived of seeing her paternal grandparents for so many years as a result of the altercation between Valerie and Tessa after Briony’s father Jeff died suddenly was terrible. I am sure that a lot of families could relate to family disputes like this.
I loved the way the author Patricia Scanlan incorporated that lost love ones are not gone from us forever and that we only need to look for signs to know that – this I know is not everyone’s belief.
The flash-backs in the novel helped the story to unfold and to really know the characters.
I really liked the ending with Briony re-uniting with her paternal grandparents and with Valerie finally knowing that Briony’s father really did love her and if he hadn’t died would have proposed to her.
Thank you Beauty and Lace for giving me the opportunity read this wonderful novel.