I am reading Trollope's books, one right after the other, as fast as I can find them---I am totally addicted to her writing style. I read a couple of her books a few years ago but was drawn back to them on a relatives's recommendation about the book she was reading and now, I am totally hooked (and ALSO, worried about finding another author like her.....when I have read all of her books!!!). You can "see" her characters as they talk and think and behave and feel, both alone and with each other. Her stories are, of course, about human relationships but there are always complications that she writes about....beautifully. I am amazed with how many characters she has developed over the years---so different!!! ( )

Guy, a respectable judge in his early sixties, decides to leave his wife and marry his young mistress Merrion. The book charts the effects on his grown-up family and grandchildren. Fast-moving, for a character-based book, and well thought-out. It looks deep into the heart of modern life and assumptions.

I found it thought-provoking, and enjoyed it just as much re-reading for the third time. Recommended if you like women's fiction with a rather deeper theme than most novels in this genre. ( )

Heartbreakingly beautiful. The first time I read it, I didn't want to accept the ending. This time, I realized it really was inevitable. I'm still ticked, though. That's proof that a book is brilliant -- you want to get in an argument with the characters. ( )

Read during Summer 2003

I enjoyed this a great deal until the last ten or so pages, which I began to realize reminded me of my reaction to A Village Affair. Guy and Merrion have been carrying on an affair for 7 years until Guy deceides to leave his wife to marry Merrion. The major obstacle is an almost 30 year difference in their ages. Guy is married to Laura, who manipulates her grown son Simon into taking sides. Simon's family becomes involved, as well as Merrion's mother. It seemed difficult but perhaps things would eventually work until Guy deciedes to end the relationship so Merrion can marry someone(unknown) her own age. That left me completely cold. I can only hope in some future world beyond the end of the book, they get back together.

I really like Joanna Trollope's ability to portray everday issues and the reactions of various personalities to it. In this novel she tackles late found love and the decision of a judge to leave his wife of over 30 years to marry his much younger mistress of 7 years. The beauty of the book lies in the characters and reactions of the veious family members and in the intelligent and realistic viewpoints expressed. ( )