Reading the Lucy Barton series has been a lot of fun, and this one was the probably my favourite one yet.
In this book we examine Lucy’s relationship with her first husband as he goes through a crisis and leans on Lucy. The relationship is anything but straightforward, and William himself is flawed, but I love the honesty and clearheadedness when it comes to looking at this relationship. Old dynamics peak through their current friendship and colour their interactions. Memories resurface, patterns are repeated, and though people change, ultimately they also cannot escape their natures.
Flitting between now and then, Lucy is great at putting words to the complex wounds and compromises of love. We hear about Lucy as a young mother and wife and it’s a fascinating contrast with who she is today.
There are flaws and annoying traits here, faithfully recreated with love.
One word: heartening.
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