LoveReading Says
LoveReading Says
I’m thrilled to introduce you to the most thought-provoking and intoxicating debut novel. Constantly ambushed by prejudiced in-laws and estranged from her own parents, Monica struggles to play happy families. Her loving husband fails to challenge his racist family, however a chance meeting on a school outing brings Joe into her life. The style of writing conjures a conversation, Monica pours out feelings, occasionally fractured but flowing into your own thoughts. Spaces lurk, they caught me unaware, and I stumbled before I settled in and started to feel at home. This novel really spoke to me, it slowly gathered me up, allowing me to get to know Monica at her pace, and she is the most fascinating, flawed, yet beautiful character. I felt as though she was speaking directly to me, trusting me with her honesty. Eva Verde has the most compassionate yet bold writing style, there is a subtlety at play even when the words gang up and get punchy. I flinched, laughed, raged, ached, as emotions hurled and curled themselves around me. I have given Monica a piece of my heart, her authenticity shines, as does this fiery, powerful story. Lives Like Mine, a LoveReading Star Book and Liz Pick of the Month, is hand on heart gorgeous and I proclaim it a must-read.
Liz Robinson
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About
Lives Like Mine Synopsis
Mother.
To three small children, their heritage dual like hers.
Daughter.
To a mother who immigrated to make a better life but has been rejected by her chosen country.
Wife.
To a man who loves her but who will not defend her to his intolerant family.
Woman...
Whose roles now define her and trap her in a life she no longer recognises...
Meet Monica, the flawed heroine at the heart of LIVES LIKE MINE.
With her three children in school, Monica finds herself wondering if this is all there is. Despite all the effort and the smiles, in the mirror she sees a woman hollowed out from putting everyone else first, tolerating her in-laws' intolerance, and wondering if she has a right to complain when she's living the life that she has created for herself.
Then along comes Joe, a catalyst for change in the guise of a flirtatious parent on the school run. Though the sudden spark of their affair is hedonistic and oh so cathartic, Joe soon offers a friendship that shows Monica how to resurrect and honour the parts of her identity that she has long suppressed. He is able to do for Monica what Dan has never managed to, enabling her both to face up to a past of guilty secrets and family estrangements, and to redefine her future.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781398502857 |
| Publication date: |
3rd February 2022 |
| Author: |
Eva Verde |
| Publisher: |
Simon & Schuster Ltd |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Pagination: |
384 pages |
| Primary Genre |
Sharing Diverse Voices
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| Other Genres: |
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| Recommendations: |
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Press Reviews
Eva Verde Press Reviews
‘Londoner Eva Verde’s Lives Like Mine explores the theme of a school-run affair and the complications and joys it brings to a dual-heritage mother struggling with her intolerant in-laws’ Independent
'A bitter sweet story of longing and self-discovery, of deceit and regret. Visceral, authentic and funny, Eva’s prose reads like something between a conversation and a confession. An exciting new voice and a joy to read' Kit de Waal
‘Eva's writing breaks new ground in a confident and original voice, with a sharp eye for detail, wonderful characterisation and some seriously badass humour’ Yvvette Edwards, author of the Man Booker Prize longlisted novel, A Cupboard Full of Coats
‘Lives Like Mine is an assured debut from a writer who’s going to go far' Red Online
'Londoner Eva Verde's breathtaking novel' New!
