Jojo Moyes: The Ship of Brides

Recension: "The Ship of Brides" by Jojo Moyes

Cover

Title: The Ship of Brides

Author: Moyes, Jojo

Publication: 2008

Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks

"The only people who still have all the answers are those who have never been faced with the questions.” 






Cover Text:

"Australia, 1946. 650 brides are departing for England to meet the men they married in wartime. But instead of the luxury liner they were expecting, they find themselves aboard an aircraft carrier, alongside a thousand men.

On the sun-baked decks, old loves and past promises become distant memories, and tensions are stretched to the limit as brides and husbands change their minds. And for Frances Mackenzie, one bride in particular, it soon becomes clear that sometimes the journey is more important than the destination."

The novel tells the journey of four Australian women crossing the ocean in order to get to their American husbands. Each one a different character, they face problems, but also learn to stick together and to get along with difficult situations. They have to adjust themselves with the uncomfortable ship, with living together at very tiny space and much more. 

Frances wants nothing more than to escape her past. However, one day she cannot hide it anymore, the secret she carried with her thorughout the whole journey. Will it destroy everything she fought for? Margaret cannot wait to be together with her husband, but also misses her family back home. Having a deep heart, she always tries to solve the occuring conflicts and takes care of everybody. Avice, coming from a rich family, struggles to adjust herself to the new circumstances on board. Having her own prospect on how things should be, she often gets into conflicts with the other brides, especially with Jean. Jean, the youngest of the four brides the story is focused on, is kind of simple-hearted and, therefore, does not seem to be as sophisticated as Avice, for example, which leads to a stressed relationship between the two young woman.

The novel has autobiographical traits due to the fact that the author's grandma was one of the original brides who went on the long journey hoping for a better life. Her grandmother's journey is the basis for the fictional story. Moyes has written a wonderful book full of emotions that makes you feel like you are on board with the brides. Each chapter focusing on a different character perspective makes it very lively, touching and you definitley get into a relation with the characters and understand their hopes and fears. You feel with the brides and while reading you get the impression of the limitedness and the impact it has on the woman who have no minute for being on their own. A great story with realistic characters, interesting and stunning developments that makes you feel like you travelled back in time to the 1940s. I really enjoyed reading it and I am looking forward to reading the next books written by Jojo Moyes.

What is your favorite novel by Jojo Moyes?

A blogpost on Moyes' novel "Me Before You" can be found on my blog as well.


♥ xoxo



sources: http://www.jojomoyes.com/books/the-ship-of-brides

"You only get one life. It's actually your duty to live it as fully as possible.” * Jojo Moyes: Me Before You

How are you, my dears?

Do you know the novel "Me Before You" by Jojo Moyes? I just finished reading it and all I can say is that I absolutely enjoyed reading it and really love it. 

cover // penguin books

27-year-old Louisa Clark looks for a new job after the cafe she was working in has been closed. Unable to find a kind of work that suits her, she gets the offer to work at a private household as a companion for the 35-year-old quadriplegic Will Traynor for 6 months. Will had an accident two years ago that changed his whole life. He does not like and does not want his new life. During the time they spend together, they influence each other and develop feelings toward the other...

"You only get one life. It's actually your duty to live it as fully as possible.” 

Reading this book was wonderful. It is so moving and catching and you definitely feel with the characters. It will make you cry. Gorgeous, a book about the beauty of life, which makes you think more about yourself and the way you live your life. One of the best books I have ever read.

"A small-life-big-dreams weepie that'll have you snivelling ecstatically into your cocoa." Daily Mail

"What a wonderful, thoughtful and moving book.  I was riveted all the way through.  Absolutely loved it." Sophie Kinsella 

"This truly beautiful story made us laugh, smile and sob like a baby - you simply have to read it." Closer

"Compelling, moving and absorbing. It's also a real weepie." Daily Express

What do you think about "Me Before You"?

♥ xoxo

sources: http://relishreads.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/mebeforeyou21.jpg

Nicholas Sparks: Dear John

Recension: "Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks

Cover // sphere

Title: Dear John
Author: Sparks, Nicholas
Publication: 2006
Publisher: sphere; UK
Pages: 338

"When John meets Savannah, he realises he is ready to make some changes. Always the angry rebel at school, he has entlisted in the army, not knowing what else to do with his life. Now he's ready to turn over a new leaf for the woman who has captured his heart. What neither realises is that the events of 9/11 will change everything. John feels compelled to re-enlist and fulfil his duty to his country. But the lovers are young and the separation is long. Can they survive the distance?"

Abridgement: "What does it mean to truly love another? There was a time in my life when  I thought I knew the answer: It meant that I'd care for Savannah more deeply than I cared for myself and that we'd spend the rest of our lives together. It wouldn't have taken much. [...] I fell in love with her when we were together, then fell deeper in love with her in the years we were apart. Our story has three parts: A beginning, a middle, and an end And although this is the way all stories unfold, I still can't believe that ours didn't go on forever. I reflect on these things, and as always, our time together comes back to me. I find myself remembering how it began, for now these memories are all I have left." (p. 1; p.4-5)

"Achingly moving ... will have you weeping for the joy and tragedy of it all." Daily Mail

I really enjoyed reading this novel. It is told from John's perspective and you really feel with him. The relationship between him and Savannah is sweet and serious at the same time. It turns from a emotional summer romance to a steady relationship. However, John is in the army and that means separation. During his stay, the two lovers write letters to each other and make plans and hopes for a future together. The way Sparks has written his book makes it real and moving. It also shows how little moments or certain happenings can change everything and also influence a person.

A wonderful, romantic love story which animates you to think about life, trust and friendship and how everyone can make the world better, but also in the power of love and believes. 

♥ xoxo

sources: book cover: http://kuki.m2p.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/97807515392641.jpg