April 2018 Debut of the Month
Ahh, this is just so, so lovely… a debut that made me smile, weep, and smile some more. Rosemary is 86, she has lived in Brixton all her life, watching as Brixton has changed a building at a time, from fruit and veg shops to trendy bars. 26 year old journalist Kate is surrounded by people, yet feels completely and utterly alone, when the local lido is threatened by closure, an alliance and unexpected friendship is formed. Libby Page has a lovely quick-witted, gently quirky writing style, surprising me with observations and unexpected detail (adored the fox!). I loved travelling through memories, getting to know Rosemary and Kate, and seeing the small snapshots of the lives they touch. While it is a truly beautiful read, part of the beauty is in the emotion I felt, pain and heartache is embraced, hugged, soothed. ‘The Lido’ is a deliciously warm and entertaining slice of wonderful, and I absolutely adored it.
| Primary Genre | Romance / Relationship Stories |
| Recommendations: |
There are some novels that ooze warm Summer days spent with friends - and The Lido really hits that mark. Amongst the recent deluge of heartwarming reads, The Lido will deservedly establish its place.
When Kate, a journalist, is asked to write an article on the likely closure of Brixton's outdoor swimming pool, she crosses paths with Rosemary - a woman, sixty years older than her, for whom the lido has played an integral role. What follows is a story rich in the joys of relationship and of finding community amongst the anonymous crowds of city life.
Whilst I was reading The Lido, I was always fully immersed in its plot and cared about its outworking. By Libby Page utilising her own experiences of London life and outdoor swimming, her written world is all the more believable.... Read Full Review
An easy read that could appeal to all ages and will show you how important friendship is.
This is an enjoyable read that explores the friendship between Kate, a young journalist living and working in Brixton, and Rosemary an 87 year old local woman who is fighting to save the Lido from closure. The story explores the loneliness of the two characters and how their mutual interest in the Lido enriches the whole of their lives.
It is easy to read and you really do want them to win their fight.... Read Full Review
The Lido by debut author Libby Page is an absolute joy. This is the feel good book of the year.
What an absolute joy it was to read The Lido. Debut author Libby Page has written a very special novel filled with kindness, compassion and hope.
Kate is a young journalist working for a local newspaper in Brixton. Alone in the city, fearful and anxious and prone to panic attacks she is struggling to survive. Rosemary is 86 and has lived all her life in Brixton. She is grieving the loss of her beloved George, her husband of sixty years. Their separate worlds combine when the local Lido is threatened with closure and Kate is sent to investigate. There's something really uplifting about the way these two women form a special friendship.
Rosemary is a wonderful character and her history unfolds alongside the campaign to save the Lido.... Read Full Review
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