We have a very strong character in Penelope here and what is apparent right from the start is the theme of love. Not just the romantic, passionate kind but also the maternal love as well as the love one has for parents.
Penelope is not blind to her children's weaknesses, neither is she blind to those of her husband whom she went along with for many, many years accepting his infidelity, his disinterest in both her and the children and trying to be mother and father to her family. We then go on to the next stage where she falls passionately in love with Richard but a World War intervention puts a sad end to that story. However Penelope does not allow life to get her down and she is determined to make the best of what she has and she does it wonderfully.
This was not a sweetly sentimental tale, but one of courage, perseverance in the face of adversity and much love. I particularly liked the depiction of her as a parent and how she was very firm in her decisions towards her adult children, able to read them as they actually are, and not what she would like them to be.
The last weekend was hectic. We went to Jaffna (ten hours by bus which took twelve eventually) but enjoyed ourselves. It was meeting relations all over again but after a thirty year absence from the Peninsula this is something that we look forward to. The food of course is another attraction! Returned this morning and its back to business.
My mailbox meme is going to be a bit late this week as well as I try to finish all the odds and ends of work which has piled up over the weekend.
Your review has me wanting to reread this book.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your review of The Shell Seekers and sounds like you had a wonderful time in Jaffna, family and food always a good combo :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a nice trip. Thanks for sharing your review.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week this week.
I enjoyed this novel a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a nice time in Jaffna!