Fantastic reading!!, 13 Oct 2008
I loved this book, couldn't put it down. I have read several of Emily's books, this one I enjoyed the most. Not passing on the book because I'm going to read it again as I enjoyed it so much.

What a great book!, 08 Aug 2008
This is the first Emily Barr book I've read but I'll definately go looking for the others now - well written with characters you can really sympathise with.

Thin characters and too many holes in the plot, 03 Sep 2007
I'm sorry, I really didn't enjoy this book at all and found the characters thin and one-dimensional and the plot full of holes. Did Emma not notice that Matt wasn't getting any post while she was living with him? Did he have bank accounts in two names? How could he possibly be bringing in enough money to sustain two lifestyles whilst only working three days a week - it must have cost him the best part of a full-time salary just on the flights and mileage alone and a job that would have brought in that kind of money would require more commitment/time than he appeared to be giving it? Did she really not have any curiousity about his job? Had she never had cause to ring him at work (where he supposedly was working under a different name? Where did she find the money to pay back the deposit for the French house, and how was she managing to live and pay for childcare on a part-time teacher's salary? Emily was supposed to have a first-class degree, but she came across as monumentally dim and gullible and, frankly, Matt/Hugh didn't strike me as clever enough to be able to work the double-life thing for even as long as he did.

I'm afraid this struck me as a half-hearted book from an author who can do a lot better.

A good holiday read, 12 Aug 2007
It didn't end as I expected it would. Although I felt that the author didn't really know how it was going to end either. I think she made a snap decision whilst writing the last chapter. One thing grated on me and that was the very advanced conversations that the characters had with 2-year old children. The tots could answer in full sentences and ask conceptual questions ... get it right! Saying that, it's a good read for the beach, and I had to finish it.

Enjoyed it, 20 Feb 2007
I really enjoyed this book, having read it on holiday last summer. I thought the story line was fascinating and quick moving, and felt I knew the characters well. The threads all pulled together well in the end, and finished it off very well.

Fantastic reading!!, 13 Oct 2008
I loved this book, couldn't put it down. I have read several of Emily's books, this one I enjoyed the most. Not passing on the book because I'm going to read it again as I enjoyed it so much.

What a great book!, 08 Aug 2008
This is the first Emily Barr book I've read but I'll definately go looking for the others now - well written with characters you can really sympathise with.

Thin characters and too many holes in the plot, 03 Sep 2007
I'm sorry, I really didn't enjoy this book at all and found the characters thin and one-dimensional and the plot full of holes. Did Emma not notice that Matt wasn't getting any post while she was living with him? Did he have bank accounts in two names? How could he possibly be bringing in enough money to sustain two lifestyles whilst only working three days a week - it must have cost him the best part of a full-time salary just on the flights and mileage alone and a job that would have brought in that kind of money would require more commitment/time than he appeared to be giving it? Did she really not have any curiousity about his job? Had she never had cause to ring him at work (where he supposedly was working under a different name? Where did she find the money to pay back the deposit for the French house, and how was she managing to live and pay for childcare on a part-time teacher's salary? Emily was supposed to have a first-class degree, but she came across as monumentally dim and gullible and, frankly, Matt/Hugh didn't strike me as clever enough to be able to work the double-life thing for even as long as he did.

I'm afraid this struck me as a half-hearted book from an author who can do a lot better.

A good holiday read, 12 Aug 2007
It didn't end as I expected it would. Although I felt that the author didn't really know how it was going to end either. I think she made a snap decision whilst writing the last chapter. One thing grated on me and that was the very advanced conversations that the characters had with 2-year old children. The tots could answer in full sentences and ask conceptual questions ... get it right! Saying that, it's a good read for the beach, and I had to finish it.

Enjoyed it, 20 Feb 2007
I really enjoyed this book, having read it on holiday last summer. I thought the story line was fascinating and quick moving, and felt I knew the characters well. The threads all pulled together well in the end, and finished it off very well.

Good but disappointing ending..., 26 May 2008
This is my first Emily Barr book and I found it hard to put down. I read it over a weekend and thoroughly recommend it as a holiday read. However, like the previous reviewer, I was disappointed with the ending. I also thought there were some pages missing at the end!
Definately worth a read though and I'll be looking out for some more of her offerings.

out of my depth and falling fast, 03 Mar 2008
how does emily barr write such believable characters in such unbelievable and bizarre situations and turn it all into a believable novel .She really has a talent for writing exciting page turning novels based on the human foibles we all conceal within or inner selves .Best of all I like her talent for making me laugh at the darker side of life......

Good story telling, believable characters., 27 Feb 2008
I've recently read quite a few books about a group of friends, as well as a few about reunions.. so I knew that this one would have to offer me something a little different to stand out, which it did.

The key for me were the characters.. the four friends weren't stereotypical, but complex, and flawed, and this made them very human, and very believable.

Set in the French countryside, which sounds wonderful, the story flicks back and forth between their school friendship, and the present day reunion, gradually revealing their past secrets, and how that had affected the people they were today. The author doesn't try to rely on humour, but rather simple good story telling.

I've read a few reviews that criticise the ending of this book, but for me it worked just fine, once again offering some rather realistic outcomes.

This is definitely an author that I will be looking out for again.

Not as good as her previous books, 17 Oct 2007
The book was readable, but compared to her previous books this one was a bit disappointing, a bit depressing really. Shame.

True to form.., 26 Sep 2007
I love Emily Barr's novels and this one didnt disappoint. Centred around one weekend as four old friends meet up for a reunion, the tension rises steadily as you wait to find out what the secret is that they're witholding and is bursting at the seams to be told!!
Extremely readable, my only criticism is that there were loose ends that could have been tied up better - the ending felt a tad rushed.
All in all though - another excellent offering from EB

Fantastic reading!!, 13 Oct 2008
I loved this book, couldn't put it down. I have read several of Emily's books, this one I enjoyed the most. Not passing on the book because I'm going to read it again as I enjoyed it so much.

What a great book!, 08 Aug 2008
This is the first Emily Barr book I've read but I'll definately go looking for the others now - well written with characters you can really sympathise with.

Thin characters and too many holes in the plot, 03 Sep 2007
I'm sorry, I really didn't enjoy this book at all and found the characters thin and one-dimensional and the plot full of holes. Did Emma not notice that Matt wasn't getting any post while she was living with him? Did he have bank accounts in two names? How could he possibly be bringing in enough money to sustain two lifestyles whilst only working three days a week - it must have cost him the best part of a full-time salary just on the flights and mileage alone and a job that would have brought in that kind of money would require more commitment/time than he appeared to be giving it? Did she really not have any curiousity about his job? Had she never had cause to ring him at work (where he supposedly was working under a different name? Where did she find the money to pay back the deposit for the French house, and how was she managing to live and pay for childcare on a part-time teacher's salary? Emily was supposed to have a first-class degree, but she came across as monumentally dim and gullible and, frankly, Matt/Hugh didn't strike me as clever enough to be able to work the double-life thing for even as long as he did.

I'm afraid this struck me as a half-hearted book from an author who can do a lot better.

A good holiday read, 12 Aug 2007
It didn't end as I expected it would. Although I felt that the author didn't really know how it was going to end either. I think she made a snap decision whilst writing the last chapter. One thing grated on me and that was the very advanced conversations that the characters had with 2-year old children. The tots could answer in full sentences and ask conceptual questions ... get it right! Saying that, it's a good read for the beach, and I had to finish it.

Enjoyed it, 20 Feb 2007
I really enjoyed this book, having read it on holiday last summer. I thought the story line was fascinating and quick moving, and felt I knew the characters well. The threads all pulled together well in the end, and finished it off very well.

Good but disappointing ending..., 26 May 2008
This is my first Emily Barr book and I found it hard to put down. I read it over a weekend and thoroughly recommend it as a holiday read. However, like the previous reviewer, I was disappointed with the ending. I also thought there were some pages missing at the end!
Definately worth a read though and I'll be looking out for some more of her offerings.

out of my depth and falling fast, 03 Mar 2008
how does emily barr write such believable characters in such unbelievable and bizarre situations and turn it all into a believable novel .She really has a talent for writing exciting page turning novels based on the human foibles we all conceal within or inner selves .Best of all I like her talent for making me laugh at the darker side of life......

Good story telling, believable characters., 27 Feb 2008
I've recently read quite a few books about a group of friends, as well as a few about reunions.. so I knew that this one would have to offer me something a little different to stand out, which it did.

The key for me were the characters.. the four friends weren't stereotypical, but complex, and flawed, and this made them very human, and very believable.

Set in the French countryside, which sounds wonderful, the story flicks back and forth between their school friendship, and the present day reunion, gradually revealing their past secrets, and how that had affected the people they were today. The author doesn't try to rely on humour, but rather simple good story telling.

I've read a few reviews that criticise the ending of this book, but for me it worked just fine, once again offering some rather realistic outcomes.

This is definitely an author that I will be looking out for again.

Not as good as her previous books, 17 Oct 2007
The book was readable, but compared to her previous books this one was a bit disappointing, a bit depressing really. Shame.

True to form.., 26 Sep 2007
I love Emily Barr's novels and this one didnt disappoint. Centred around one weekend as four old friends meet up for a reunion, the tension rises steadily as you wait to find out what the secret is that they're witholding and is bursting at the seams to be told!!
Extremely readable, my only criticism is that there were loose ends that could have been tied up better - the ending felt a tad rushed.
All in all though - another excellent offering from EB

Very disappointed with the ending - if you can call it that!, 21 Mar 2008
I mostly enjoyed this book, found the narrating characters interesting if a little cold. It was gripping and the descriptions of Australia were authentic.

But it didn't have a proper ending! In fact it is probably the most open ended book I have ever read. It wasn't even the kind of ending that left you able to think and come to your own conclusion or make an interpretation. Such as shame as it has the kind of plot that makes you really want to know what happens. So, if you like proper endings I don't recommend this book.

I have read several other Emily Barr books though, such as "Plan B" and "Backpack" which have been well written and had good endings.

Spoilt by the ending, 12 Jun 2007
For most of this book I was gripped. The story kept me interested and although Lina/Daisy did irritate me at times, I really wanted to know what was going to happen.
The ending did ruin the book for me, I was disappointed and rather annoyed at a couple of the things that happened, and I will have second thoughts about reading this author again.

Too good for words..., 30 Jun 2006
but I'll say a few anyway.

This book is gripping from start to finish and oh-so-credible, although this kind of things doesn't happen to all of us, of course! It's more of a sense that your life can be going perfectly well one day and then be thrown into chaos by a chance event.

I loved this and passed it onto my mum, who also couldn't out it down.

Fantastic Holiday Read, 20 Jun 2004
As someone who has backpacked in Australia herself a few years back (OK, 10 years ago) I was looking forward to reading this book. I am very glad I did. The characters have faults and are not perfect, for anyone fed up with the perfect chick lit heroine then this is refreshing. The story is told from two perspectives, firstly, that of a woman in Australia and secondly, from a London journalist called Larry. When Larry's girlfriend, Sophie, goes to Australia for a few months and bumps into the woman she believes to be her dead school friend, Daisy, she tells Larry, who suggests they return to look for her properly, but has his own career agenda. The story is well written and keeps you hooked, but there are two minor niggles. At the end of the book I didn't like what happened to Larry's character. I don't want to give anything away, but something about him changed, shall we say, and I didn't see why this had to happen. Secondly, we never heard what happened to Daisy and her family at the end of the book, it was too open. Again, I don't want to give anything away as I would recommend this book, but there could have been more of a hint as too how it all finishes. I would like to add that I don't think you need to have visited the Australian Outback to enjoy this book, which is a bit of a thriller; it just helps in your visualisation of the setting.

Baggage - emily barr, 10 Jun 2003
I really enjoyed this book, very down to earth and you can put yourself in the parts of all the characters as the author describes/writes about them very well. The plot wasn't what I expected but the way the story unfolds keeps you gripped wanting to find out what happens. Open ended finale but it makes you realise it doesn't matter what the end is, it is the journey you have gone on with the characters (still, would have like to know what happened). I don't think I would have enjoyed it so much if I hadn't been to the Aussie outback though. A good holiday read ;-)

Fantastic reading!!, 13 Oct 2008
I loved this book, couldn't put it down. I have read several of Emily's books, this one I enjoyed the most. Not passing on the book because I'm going to read it again as I enjoyed it so much.

What a great book!, 08 Aug 2008
This is the first Emily Barr book I've read but I'll definately go looking for the others now - well written with characters you can really sympathise with.

Thin characters and too many holes in the plot, 03 Sep 2007
I'm sorry, I really didn't enjoy this book at all and found the characters thin and one-dimensional and the plot full of holes. Did Emma not notice that Matt wasn't getting any post while she was living with him? Did he have bank accounts in two names? How could he possibly be bringing in enough money to sustain two lifestyles whilst only working three days a week - it must have cost him the best part of a full-time salary just on the flights and mileage alone and a job that would have brought in that kind of money would require more commitment/time than he appeared to be giving it? Did she really not have any curiousity about his job? Had she never had cause to ring him at work (where he supposedly was working under a different name? Where did she find the money to pay back the deposit for the French house, and how was she managing to live and pay for childcare on a part-time teacher's salary? Emily was supposed to have a first-class degree, but she came across as monumentally dim and gullible and, frankly, Matt/Hugh didn't strike me as clever enough to be able to work the double-life thing for even as long as he did.

I'm afraid this struck me as a half-hearted book from an author who can do a lot better.

A good holiday read, 12 Aug 2007
It didn't end as I expected it would. Although I felt that the author didn't really know how it was going to end either. I think she made a snap decision whilst writing the last chapter. One thing grated on me and that was the very advanced conversations that the characters had with 2-year old children. The tots could answer in full sentences and ask conceptual questions ... get it right! Saying that, it's a good read for the beach, and I had to finish it.

Enjoyed it, 20 Feb 2007
I really enjoyed this book, having read it on holiday last summer. I thought the story line was fascinating and quick moving, and felt I knew the characters well. The threads all pulled together well in the end, and finished it off very well.

Good but disappointing ending..., 26 May 2008
This is my first Emily Barr book and I found it hard to put down. I read it over a weekend and thoroughly recommend it as a holiday read. However, like the previous reviewer, I was disappointed with the ending. I also thought there were some pages missing at the end!
Definately worth a read though and I'll be looking out for some more of her offerings.

out of my depth and falling fast, 03 Mar 2008
how does emily barr write such believable characters in such unbelievable and bizarre situations and turn it all into a believable novel .She really has a talent for writing exciting page turning novels based on the human foibles we all conceal within or inner selves .Best of all I like her talent for making me laugh at the darker side of life......

Good story telling, believable characters., 27 Feb 2008
I've recently read quite a few books about a group of friends, as well as a few about reunions.. so I knew that this one would have to offer me something a little different to stand out, which it did.

The key for me were the characters.. the four friends weren't stereotypical, but complex, and flawed, and this made them very human, and very believable.

Set in the French countryside, which sounds wonderful, the story flicks back and forth between their school friendship, and the present day reunion, gradually revealing their past secrets, and how that had affected the people they were today. The author doesn't try to rely on humour, but rather simple good story telling.

I've read a few reviews that criticise the ending of this book, but for me it worked just fine, once again offering some rather realistic outcomes.

This is definitely an author that I will be looking out for again.

Not as good as her previous books, 17 Oct 2007
The book was readable, but compared to her previous books this one was a bit disappointing, a bit depressing really. Shame.

True to form.., 26 Sep 2007
I love Emily Barr's novels and this one didnt disappoint. Centred around one weekend as four old friends meet up for a reunion, the tension rises steadily as you wait to find out what the secret is that they're witholding and is bursting at the seams to be told!!
Extremely readable, my only criticism is that there were loose ends that could have been tied up better - the ending felt a tad rushed.
All in all though - another excellent offering from EB

Very disappointed with the ending - if you can call it that!, 21 Mar 2008
I mostly enjoyed this book, found the narrating characters interesting if a little cold. It was gripping and the descriptions of Australia were authentic.

But it didn't have a proper ending! In fact it is probably the most open ended book I have ever read. It wasn't even the kind of ending that left you able to think and come to your own conclusion or make an interpretation. Such as shame as it has the kind of plot that makes you really want to know what happens. So, if you like proper endings I don't recommend this book.

I have read several other Emily Barr books though, such as "Plan B" and "Backpack" which have been well written and had good endings.

Spoilt by the ending, 12 Jun 2007
For most of this book I was gripped. The story kept me interested and although Lina/Daisy did irritate me at times, I really wanted to know what was going to happen.
The ending did ruin the book for me, I was disappointed and rather annoyed at a couple of the things that happened, and I will have second thoughts about reading this author again.

Too good for words..., 30 Jun 2006
but I'll say a few anyway.

This book is gripping from start to finish and oh-so-credible, although this kind of things doesn't happen to all of us, of course! It's more of a sense that your life can be going perfectly well one day and then be thrown into chaos by a chance event.

I loved this and passed it onto my mum, who also couldn't out it down.

Fantastic Holiday Read, 20 Jun 2004
As someone who has backpacked in Australia herself a few years back (OK, 10 years ago) I was looking forward to reading this book. I am very glad I did. The characters have faults and are not perfect, for anyone fed up with the perfect chick lit heroine then this is refreshing. The story is told from two perspectives, firstly, that of a woman in Australia and secondly, from a London journalist called Larry. When Larry's girlfriend, Sophie, goes to Australia for a few months and bumps into the woman she believes to be her dead school friend, Daisy, she tells Larry, who suggests they return to look for her properly, but has his own career agenda. The story is well written and keeps you hooked, but there are two minor niggles. At the end of the book I didn't like what happened to Larry's character. I don't want to give anything away, but something about him changed, shall we say, and I didn't see why this had to happen. Secondly, we never heard what happened to Daisy and her family at the end of the book, it was too open. Again, I don't want to give anything away as I would recommend this book, but there could have been more of a hint as too how it all finishes. I would like to add that I don't think you need to have visited the Australian Outback to enjoy this book, which is a bit of a thriller; it just helps in your visualisation of the setting.

Baggage - emily barr, 10 Jun 2003
I really enjoyed this book, very down to earth and you can put yourself in the parts of all the characters as the author describes/writes about them very well. The plot wasn't what I expected but the way the story unfolds keeps you gripped wanting to find out what happens. Open ended finale but it makes you realise it doesn't matter what the end is, it is the journey you have gone on with the characters (still, would have like to know what happened). I don't think I would have enjoyed it so much if I hadn't been to the Aussie outback though. A good holiday read ;-)

Entertaining book with a twist at the end..., 14 Jun 2006
It usually takes me ages to read books but I couldn't put this down. It kept me interested from start to finish. I was a bit unsure of how the writer would end the book but it had an unexpected but brilliant twist at the end. I'm already looking forward to reading another book by the same writer.

Ending of the 'big let-down variety', 14 Apr 2006
I'd picked up this book thinking 'hey, a fun summer read that'll keep me entertained for a couple of days' and started reading it with high hopes (I'd heard the author was a very talented travel writer)

The story starts off a little slow, but quite a few novels do, so I ignored the fact and read on. Also, instead of feeling sorry for Maggie, the main charecter, I disliked her, feeling she was too wet and annoying, boardering on whiney.

During the middle of the book, it starts to pick up a bit and I started to feel that maybe the book would start to be a little less ... well, depressing ... but towards the third quater of the book, I just started to pretty much dislike all the charecters: they well all too self-absorbed and arragont.

I also felt that the ending was the worst let-down. Maggie had no reason to do what she did (I won't say what because I hate people who put in spoilers) and I put down the book at the end feeling thoroughly depressed.

I've seen alot of other people have liked this book, so maybe this is just my opinion, but if you're looking for a book that'll lift your spirits and put a smile on your face, then this is not the one for you.

a unique chick-lit, 14 Oct 2005
This is now one of my favourite books. I'm a very slow reader but it only took me a week to read this book. The melancholy life of the main character, Maggie, grabs your attention, mostly due to sympathy and once that's happened there's no going back. Emily writes beautifully and I could really feel Maggie's emotions throughout the book. This is a truely enthralling read and so different to the chick-lit's i've read perviously - read it now!!!

A disappointment, 19 Jul 2005
I agree with the other reviewer - could have been a great story but it almost seemed rushed! Having just read backpacker and baggage, I had high hopes for Cuban Heels only to be badly let down. I did trudge on though and the story heated up in the last chapter or so only to be hurriedly finished in one 'happy clappy' and predictable ending...Come on Emily.

A 5 star read!, 06 Jul 2005
Excellent read,i just couldnt put the book down. It is a must for anyone looking for a book with excitement/travel and a little bit of sexual tension!

It's New Year's Day and the year isn't kicking off well for Tansy: her mother's dead, she's a cocaine addict and her boyfriend has just left her. A trip around the world seems like the only option except that she's not interested in seeing the world, just escaping from it, and the last people she wants to hang out with are backpackers.

Like a lot of travellers on the Lonely-Planet-led Asian Grand Tour, Tansy is intensely irritating at first. Always on the look out for the "real" Vietnam--the one in which she can walk around "like a model, fanning myself gently, strolling into ancient temples and learning about inner peace"--she is opinionated, narrow-minded and remarkably naive (for a supposed media luvvy). Once she has shrugged off her addiction to lines of coke, skinny lattes and Nicole Fahri jumpers, she becomes more appealing. So by the time she's fallen for Max, a fellow traveller, she'll have won you over and you'll be just as worried as she is about the serial killer who appears to be on her trail.

Emily Barr is a former Westminster researcher who now writes for the Guardian and the Observer. Backpack is her first novel and, like Tansy, takes a while to find itself. City-girl pretensions jostle with shoestring-style travelogue and it is only when it hits full-throttle thriller mode that Barr's strength as a novelist becomes apparent. Be prepared for echoes of The Beach--hardly surprising given that Barr was an extra in the film. Also be prepared to get itchy feet--if nothing else, you'll be tempted to reach for that backpack and slap on the insect repellent.--Jane Honey

Fantastic reading!!, 13 Oct 2008
I loved this book, couldn't put it down. I have read several of Emily's books, this one I enjoyed the most. Not passing on the book because I'm going to read it again as I enjoyed it so much.

What a great book!, 08 Aug 2008
This is the first Emily Barr book I've read but I'll definately go looking for the others now - well written with characters you can really sympathise with.

Thin characters and too many holes in the plot, 03 Sep 2007
I'm sorry, I really didn't enjoy this book at all and found the characters thin and one-dimensional and the plot full of holes. Did Emma not notice that Matt wasn't getting any post while she was living with him? Did he have bank accounts in two names? How could he possibly be bringing in enough money to sustain two lifestyles whilst only working three days a week - it must have cost him the best part of a full-time salary just on the flights and mileage alone and a job that would have brought in that kind of money would require more commitment/time than he appeared to be giving it? Did she really not have any curiousity about his job? Had she never had cause to ring him at work (where he supposedly was working under a different name? Where did she find the money to pay back the deposit for the French house, and how was she managing to live and pay for childcare on a part-time teacher's salary? Emily was supposed to have a first-class degree, but she came across as monumentally dim and gullible and, frankly, Matt/Hugh didn't strike me as clever enough to be able to work the double-life thing for even as long as he did.

I'm afraid this struck me as a half-hearted book from an author who can do a lot better.

A good holiday read, 12 Aug 2007
It didn't end as I expected it would. Although I felt that the author didn't really know how it was going to end either. I think she made a snap decision whilst writing the last chapter. One thing grated on me and that was the very advanced conversations that the characters had with 2-year old children. The tots could answer in full sentences and ask conceptual questions ... get it right! Saying that, it's a good read for the beach, and I had to finish it.

Enjoyed it, 20 Feb 2007
I really enjoyed this book, having read it on holiday last summer. I thought the story line was fascinating and quick moving, and felt I knew the characters well. The threads all pulled together well in the end, and finished it off very well.

Good but disappointing ending..., 26 May 2008
This is my first Emily Barr book and I found it hard to put down. I read it over a weekend and thoroughly recommend it as a holiday read. However, like the previous reviewer, I was disappointed with the ending. I also thought there were some pages missing at the end!
Definately worth a read though and I'll be looking out for some more of her offerings.

out of my depth and falling fast, 03 Mar 2008
how does emily barr write such believable characters in such unbelievable and bizarre situations and turn it all into a believable novel .She really has a talent for writing exciting page turning novels based on the human foibles we all conceal within or inner selves .Best of all I like her talent for making me laugh at the darker side of life......

Good story telling, believable characters., 27 Feb 2008
I've recently read quite a few books about a group of friends, as well as a few about reunions.. so I knew that this one would have to offer me something a little different to stand out, which it did.

The key for me were the characters.. the four friends weren't stereotypical, but complex, and flawed, and this made them very human, and very believable.

Set in the French countryside, which sounds wonderful, the story flicks back and forth between their school friendship, and the present day reunion, gradually revealing their past secrets, and how that had affected the people they were today. The author doesn't try to rely on humour, but rather simple good story telling.

I've read a few reviews that criticise the ending of this book, but for me it worked just fine, once again offering some rather realistic outcomes.

This is definitely an author that I will be looking out for again.

Not as good as her previous books, 17 Oct 2007
The book was readable, but compared to her previous books this one was a bit disappointing, a bit depressing really. Shame.

True to form.., 26 Sep 2007
I love Emily Barr's novels and this one didnt disappoint. Centred around one weekend as four old friends meet up for a reunion, the tension rises steadily as you wait to find out what the secret is that they're witholding and is bursting at the seams to be told!!
Extremely readable, my only criticism is that there were loose ends that could have been tied up better - the ending felt a tad rushed.
All in all though - another excellent offering from EB

Very disappointed with the ending - if you can call it that!, 21 Mar 2008
I mostly enjoyed this book, found the narrating characters interesting if a little cold. It was gripping and the descriptions of Australia were authentic.

But it didn't have a proper ending! In fact it is probably the most open ended book I have ever read. It wasn't even the kind of ending that left you able to think and come to your own conclusion or make an interpretation. Such as shame as it has the kind of plot that makes you really want to know what happens. So, if you like proper endings I don't recommend this book.

I have read several other Emily Barr books though, such as "Plan B" and "Backpack" which have been well written and had good endings.

Spoilt by the ending, 12 Jun 2007
For most of this book I was gripped. The story kept me interested and although Lina/Daisy did irritate me at times, I really wanted to know what was going to happen.
The ending did ruin the book for me, I was disappointed and rather annoyed at a couple of the things that happened, and I will have second thoughts about reading this author again.

Too good for words..., 30 Jun 2006
but I'll say a few anyway.

This book is gripping from start to finish and oh-so-credible, although this kind of things doesn't happen to all of us, of course! It's more of a sense that your life can be going perfectly well one day and then be thrown into chaos by a chance event.

I loved this and passed it onto my mum, who also couldn't out it down.

Fantastic Holiday Read, 20 Jun 2004
As someone who has backpacked in Australia herself a few years back (OK, 10 years ago) I was looking forward to reading this book. I am very glad I did. The characters have faults and are not perfect, for anyone fed up with the perfect chick lit heroine then this is refreshing. The story is told from two perspectives, firstly, that of a woman in Australia and secondly, from a London journalist called Larry. When Larry's girlfriend, Sophie, goes to Australia for a few months and bumps into the woman she believes to be her dead school friend, Daisy, she tells Larry, who suggests they return to look for her properly, but has his own career agenda. The story is well written and keeps you hooked, but there are two minor niggles. At the end of the book I didn't like what happened to Larry's character. I don't want to give anything away, but something about him changed, shall we say, and I didn't see why this had to happen. Secondly, we never heard what happened to Daisy and her family at the end of the book, it was too open. Again, I don't want to give anything away as I would recommend this book, but there could have been more of a hint as too how it all finishes. I would like to add that I don't think you need to have visited the Australian Outback to enjoy this book, which is a bit of a thriller; it just helps in your visualisation of the setting.

Baggage - emily barr, 10 Jun 2003
I really enjoyed this book, very down to earth and you can put yourself in the parts of all the characters as the author describes/writes about them very well. The plot wasn't what I expected but the way the story unfolds keeps you gripped wanting to find out what happens. Open ended finale but it makes you realise it doesn't matter what the end is, it is the journey you have gone on with the characters (still, would have like to know what happened). I don't think I would have enjoyed it so much if I hadn't been to the Aussie outback though. A good holiday read ;-)

Entertaining book with a twist at the end..., 14 Jun 2006
It usually takes me ages to read books but I couldn't put this down. It kept me interested from start to finish. I was a bit unsure of how the writer would end the book but it had an unexpected but brilliant twist at the end. I'm already looking forward to reading another book by the same writer.

Ending of the 'big let-down variety', 14 Apr 2006
I'd picked up this book thinking 'hey, a fun summer read that'll keep me entertained for a couple of days' and started reading it with high hopes (I'd heard the author was a very talented travel writer)

The story starts off a little slow, but quite a few novels do, so I ignored the fact and read on. Also, instead of feeling sorry for Maggie, the main charecter, I disliked her, feeling she was too wet and annoying, boardering on whiney.

During the middle of the book, it starts to pick up a bit and I started to feel that maybe the book would start to be a little less ... well, depressing ... but towards the third quater of the book, I just started to pretty much dislike all the charecters: they well all too self-absorbed and arragont.

I also felt that the ending was the worst let-down. Maggie had no reason to do what she did (I won't say what because I hate people who put in spoilers) and I put down the book at the end feeling thoroughly depressed.

I've seen alot of other people have liked this book, so maybe this is just my opinion, but if you're looking for a book that'll lift your spirits and put a smile on your face, then this is not the one for you.

a unique chick-lit, 14 Oct 2005
This is now one of my favourite books. I'm a very slow reader but it only took me a week to read this book. The melancholy life of the main character, Maggie, grabs your attention, mostly due to sympathy and once that's happened there's no going back. Emily writes beautifully and I could really feel Maggie's emotions throughout the book. This is a truely enthralling read and so different to the chick-lit's i've read perviously - read it now!!!

A disappointment, 19 Jul 2005
I agree with the other reviewer - could have been a great story but it almost seemed rushed! Having just read backpacker and baggage, I had high hopes for Cuban Heels only to be badly let down. I did trudge on though and the story heated up in the last chapter or so only to be hurriedly finished in one 'happy clappy' and predictable ending...Come on Emily.

A 5 star read!, 06 Jul 2005
Excellent read,i just couldnt put the book down. It is a must for anyone looking for a book with excitement/travel and a little bit of sexual tension!

Loved it!!!!, 21 Apr 2007
I initially dismissed this book as a light-hearted chick lit holiday read but I soon found myself drawn in to the book with the great writing, the interesting characters and the wonderful imagery of all of those countries. It is making me re-think my long life plan - feel like dropping it all for a few years travelling!
I will certainly be looking out for other books by this author!

Interesting!, 27 Oct 2006
I began this book disliking the main character somewhat and almost dismissed this as just another chick-lit, even though I had previously read and enjoyed 'Baggage' by the same author.

However I am certainly pleased I stuck with it and saw the book through to it's conclusion. There were some obvious turns and maybe this is why I changed my initial 4 stars to 3, but it is definitely worth a read, especially if one is considering backpacking.

Loved the Tibet scenes and am struck with a certain hankering for the place!!

Great read, 11 Jun 2006
I really enjoyed this book, The characters were deep and complex and the setting and countries described perfectly. I found the end a little (only) a little dissapointing thats why its not got full marks

well worth it, 20 Jul 2005
I brought the book as I was away for a couple of weeks and it was quite. I seen it in a book shop in a small Spanish town in Tenerife I was surprised to see it there as it was an English book so I brought it was one of the most involving book I have ever read it was so hard to put down that I took it to bed most night till it was finished and was deeply upset when it had finished it wasn't what I had expected from the book but it made me want to travel which I will be doing later on in the year thank a great and interesting book one not to miss

Well observed travel fiction, 26 Oct 2004
A fairly bold move giving the book the title backpack as this immediately puts it in the firing line, but as fiction travel writing the book stands up well, and has a very satisfying development in terms of character and location up until the ridiculous ending.
The different perspectives being presented through the central character Tansy are very well observed, and the way her character matures and changes as she travels through laos and vietnam leads to a gripping confrontation between her new and old lifestyles and the leading men in each.
But after this the whole serial killer plot becomes very heavy handed and really feels at odds with the rest of the book.
The sections running through Vietnam and particualirly Laos brought back some good memories, as does the various attitudes and characters depicted.

Fantastic reading!!, 13 Oct 2008
I loved this book, couldn't put it down. I have read several of Emily's books, this one I enjoyed the most. Not passing on the book because I'm going to read it again as I enjoyed it so much.

What a great book!, 08 Aug 2008
This is the first Emily Barr book I've read but I'll definately go looking for the others now - well written with characters you can really sympathise with.

Thin characters and too many holes in the plot, 03 Sep 2007
I'm sorry, I really didn't enjoy this book at all and found the characters thin and one-dimensional and the plot full of holes. Did Emma not notice that Matt wasn't getting any post while she was living with him? Did he have bank accounts in two names? How could he possibly be bringing in enough money to sustain two lifestyles whilst only working three days a week - it must have cost him the best part of a full-time salary just on the flights and mileage alone and a job that would have brought in that kind of money would require more commitment/time than he appeared to be giving it? Did she really not have any curiousity about his job? Had she never had cause to ring him at work (where he supposedly was working under a different name? Where did she find the money to pay back the deposit for the French house, and how was she managing to live and pay for childcare on a part-time teacher's salary? Emily was supposed to have a first-class degree, but she came across as monumentally dim and gullible and, frankly, Matt/Hugh didn't strike me as clever enough to be able to work the double-life thing for even as long as he did.

I'm afraid this struck me as a half-hearted book from an author who can do a lot better.

A good holiday read, 12 Aug 2007
It didn't end as I expected it would. Although I felt that the author didn't really know how it was going to end either. I think she made a snap decision whilst writing the last chapter. One thing grated on me and that was the very advanced conversations that the characters had with 2-year old children. The tots could answer in full sentences and ask conceptual questions ... get it right! Saying that, it's a good read for the beach, and I had to finish it.

Enjoyed it, 20 Feb 2007
I really enjoyed this book, having read it on holiday last summer. I thought the story line was fascinating and quick moving, and felt I knew the characters well. The threads all pulled together well in the end, and finished it off very well.

Good but disappointing ending..., 26 May 2008
This is my first Emily Barr book and I found it hard to put down. I read it over a weekend and thoroughly recommend it as a holiday read. However, like the previous reviewer, I was disappointed with the ending. I also thought there were some pages missing at the end!
Definately worth a read though and I'll be looking out for some more of her offerings.

out of my depth and falling fast, 03 Mar 2008
how does emily barr write such believable characters in such unbelievable and bizarre situations and turn it all into a believable novel .She really has a talent for writing exciting page turning novels based on the human foibles we all conceal within or inner selves .Best of all I like her talent for making me laugh at the darker side of life......

Good story telling, believable characters., 27 Feb 2008
I've recently read quite a few books about a group of friends, as well as a few about reunions.. so I knew that this one would have to offer me something a little different to stand out, which it did.

The key for me were the characters.. the four friends weren't stereotypical, but complex, and flawed, and this made them very human, and very believable.

Set in the French countryside, which sounds wonderful, the story flicks back and forth between their school friendship, and the present day reunion, gradually revealing their past secrets, and how that had affected the people they were today. The author doesn't try to rely on humour, but rather simple good story telling.

I've read a few reviews that criticise the ending of this book, but for me it worked just fine, once again offering some rather realistic outcomes.

This is definitely an author that I will be looking out for again.

Not as good as her previous books, 17 Oct 2007
The book was readable, but compared to her previous books this one was a bit disappointing, a bit depressing really. Shame.

True to form.., 26 Sep 2007
I love Emily Barr's novels and this one didnt disappoint. Centred around one weekend as four old friends meet up for a reunion, the tension rises steadily as you wait to find out what the secret is that they're witholding and is bursting at the seams to be told!!
Extremely readable, my only criticism is that there were loose ends that could have been tied up better - the ending felt a tad rushed.
All in all though - another excellent offering from EB

Very disappointed with the ending - if you can call it that!, 21 Mar 2008
I mostly enjoyed this book, found the narrating characters interesting if a little cold. It was gripping and the descriptions of Australia were authentic.

But it didn't have a proper ending! In fact it is probably the most open ended book I have ever read. It wasn't even the kind of ending that left you able to think and come to your own conclusion or make an interpretation. Such as shame as it has the kind of plot that makes you really want to know what happens. So, if you like proper endings I don't recommend this book.

I have read several other Emily Barr books though, such as "Plan B" and "Backpack" which have been well written and had good endings.

Spoilt by the ending, 12 Jun 2007
For most of this book I was gripped. The story kept me interested and although Lina/Daisy did irritate me at times, I really wanted to know what was going to happen.
The ending did ruin the book for me, I was disappointed and rather annoyed at a couple of the things that happened, and I will have second thoughts about reading this author again.

Too good for words..., 30 Jun 2006
but I'll say a few anyway.

This book is gripping from start to finish and oh-so-credible, although this kind of things doesn't happen to all of us, of course! It's more of a sense that your life can be going perfectly well one day and then be thrown into chaos by a chance event.

I loved this and passed it onto my mum, who also couldn't out it down.

Fantastic Holiday Read, 20 Jun 2004
As someone who has backpacked in Australia herself a few years back (OK, 10 years ago) I was looking forward to reading this book. I am very glad I did. The characters have faults and are not perfect, for anyone fed up with the perfect chick lit heroine then this is refreshing. The story is told from two perspectives, firstly, that of a woman in Australia and secondly, from a London journalist called Larry. When Larry's girlfriend, Sophie, goes to Australia for a few months and bumps into the woman she believes to be her dead school friend, Daisy, she tells Larry, who suggests they return to look for her properly, but has his own career agenda. The story is well written and keeps you hooked, but there are two minor niggles. At the end of the book I didn't like what happened to Larry's character. I don't want to give anything away, but something about him changed, shall we say, and I didn't see why this had to happen. Secondly, we never heard what happened to Daisy and her family at the end of the book, it was too open. Again, I don't want to give anything away as I would recommend this book, but there could have been more of a hint as too how it all finishes. I would like to add that I don't think you need to have visited the Australian Outback to enjoy this book, which is a bit of a thriller; it just helps in your visualisation of the setting.

Baggage - emily barr, 10 Jun 2003
I really enjoyed this book, very down to earth and you can put yourself in the parts of all the characters as the author describes/writes about them very well. The plot wasn't what I expected but the way the story unfolds keeps you gripped wanting to find out what happens. Open ended finale but it makes you realise it doesn't matter what the end is, it is the journey you have gone on with the characters (still, would have like to know what happened). I don't think I would have enjoyed it so much if I hadn't been to the Aussie outback though. A good holiday read ;-)

Entertaining book with a twist at the end..., 14 Jun 2006
It usually takes me ages to read books but I couldn't put this down. It kept me interested from start to finish. I was a bit unsure of how the writer would end the book but it had an unexpected but brilliant twist at the end. I'm already looking forward to reading another book by the same writer.

Ending of the 'big let-down variety', 14 Apr 2006
I'd picked up this book thinking 'hey, a fun summer read that'll keep me entertained for a couple of days' and started reading it with high hopes (I'd heard the author was a very talented travel writer)

The story starts off a little slow, but quite a few novels do, so I ignored the fact and read on. Also, instead of feeling sorry for Maggie, the main charecter, I disliked her, feeling she was too wet and annoying, boardering on whiney.

During the middle of the book, it starts to pick up a bit and I started to feel that maybe the book would start to be a little less ... well, depressing ... but towards the third quater of the book, I just started to pretty much dislike all the charecters: they well all too self-absorbed and arragont.

I also felt that the ending was the worst let-down. Maggie had no reason to do what she did (I won't say what because I hate people who put in spoilers) and I put down the book at the end feeling thoroughly depressed.

I've seen alot of other people have liked this book, so maybe this is just my opinion, but if you're looking for a book that'll lift your spirits and put a smile on your face, then this is not the one for you.

a unique chick-lit, 14 Oct 2005
This is now one of my favourite books. I'm a very slow reader but it only took me a week to read this book. The melancholy life of the main character, Maggie, grabs your attention, mostly due to sympathy and once that's happened there's no going back. Emily writes beautifully and I could really feel Maggie's emotions throughout the book. This is a truely enthralling read and so different to the chick-lit's i've read perviously - read it now!!!

A disappointment, 19 Jul 2005
I agree with the other reviewer - could have been a great story but it almost seemed rushed! Having just read backpacker and baggage, I had high hopes for Cuban Heels only to be badly let down. I did trudge on though and the story heated up in the last chapter or so only to be hurriedly finished in one 'happy clappy' and predictable ending...Come on Emily.

A 5 star read!, 06 Jul 2005
Excellent read,i just couldnt put the book down. It is a must for anyone looking for a book with excitement/travel and a little bit of sexual tension!

Loved it!!!!, 21 Apr 2007
I initially dismissed this book as a light-hearted chick lit holiday read but I soon found myself drawn in to the book with the great writing, the interesting characters and the wonderful imagery of all of those countries. It is making me re-think my long life plan - feel like dropping it all for a few years travelling!
I will certainly be looking out for other books by this author!

Interesting!, 27 Oct 2006
I began this book disliking the main character somewhat and almost dismissed this as just another chick-lit, even though I had previously read and enjoyed 'Baggage' by the same author.

However I am certainly pleased I stuck with it and saw the book through to it's conclusion. There were some obvious turns and maybe this is why I changed my initial 4 stars to 3, but it is definitely worth a read, especially if one is considering backpacking.

Loved the Tibet scenes and am struck with a certain hankering for the place!!

Great read, 11 Jun 2006
I really enjoyed this book, The characters were deep and complex and the setting and countries described perfectly. I found the end a little (only) a little dissapointing thats why its not got full marks

well worth it, 20 Jul 2005
I brought the book as I was away for a couple of weeks and it was quite. I seen it in a book shop in a small Spanish town in Tenerife I was surprised to see it there as it was an English book so I brought it was one of the most involving book I have ever read it was so hard to put down that I took it to bed most night till it was finished and was deeply upset when it had finished it wasn't what I had expected from the book but it made me want to travel which I will be doing later on in the year thank a great and interesting book one not to miss

Well observed travel fiction, 26 Oct 2004
A fairly bold move giving the book the title backpack as this immediately puts it in the firing line, but as fiction travel writing the book stands up well, and has a very satisfying development in terms of character and location up until the ridiculous ending.
The different perspectives being presented through the central character Tansy are very well observed, and the way her character matures and changes as she travels through laos and vietnam leads to a gripping confrontation between her new and old lifestyles and the leading men in each.
But after this the whole serial killer plot becomes very heavy handed and really feels at odds with the rest of the book.
The sections running through Vietnam and particualirly Laos brought back some good memories, as does the various attitudes and characters depicted.

One step up from chick lit, 15 Dec 2007
Having read 'Cuban Heels' and 'Baggage', I chose this because of the author. And whilst this is good, it felt a lot `fluffier' than her previous work.

The story is about Evie, a British cellist who is more famous for her looks than her musical ability. On the night of a major performance, she dumps her husband and embarks on single life, moving in with another girl and sleeping with reality popstars. So far so humdrum.

Then, she starts getting poison pen letters, runs off to New York where her best mate is having fertility treatment. This is where the pace picks up and it all starts to get interesting. Evie has secrets, which come tripping out as people from her past catch up with her and she catches up with them.

The last part of the book, feels a bit rushed, and although there are a few too many elements for one novel (it could have been way simpler) and I wasn't massively keen on the epilogue, where all loose ends are tied up all too comfortably, Atlantic Shift is a bit of fun that, due to the knowing tone throughout, is one step up from chick lit.

An Excellent Book! Couldn't stop reading it!, 30 May 2007
I thought this was a brilliant book and I thought the plot and subplots were very well thought out. I was also really pleased that the ending was so good and I didn't find it abrupt at all. I don't mind the fact that it ended happily, as it's nice to feel good sometimes! I found the book very well balanced as it was light in parts and very emotional in others. The emotional parts were so convincing that they even made me cry at times!

I disagree with the reader who says that the changing of the name "Elizabeth" to "Darcey" was silly. In fact, I found it made the story better as it is exactly the kind of thing that I could imagine happening and made me feel more sorry for Evie that her daughter's name had been changed in such a way.

I started off not particularly liking Evie either, but like most bad people she also had a good side and the fact that she had her flaws made the book all the more convincing in my opinion.

I thought the characters were good, even those we didn't get to know so well, as they just gave a change from constantly reading about the main characters in the book. They also made it all the more realistic, as we don't get to know everyone well in real life either!

I highly recommend Atlantic Shift and will definitely be reading more by this author.



Too much plot but enjoyable, 10 Apr 2007
You have to read this book fairly quickly as there is so many intertwining stories that you would very easily forget who was who and what they were doing to each other!!
I didn't like Evie at all although had great sympathy in her being trapped in the image that she had created.
I like the way that the author introduced secrets and then revealed them slowly.
The end was a bit abrupt as it suddenly closed all the multitude of plot lines and made everyone happy ever after.
Not as good as I thought it would be but would give the author another go as I think there was potential for being a bit more than the average chick lit book.

Not a good read., 20 Feb 2007
I was awfully disapointed by this book, compared to Barr's work before it. I bought this purely on her name, not the story line, thinking Id love it anyway. However I found the story boring, slow, un interesting, and really struggled to finish it. Compared to her work before and since, did the same woman write this?!

Plot gone mad!, 15 Mar 2006
What a deeply silly book. I laughed out loud for all the wrong reasons. Barr's previous works have been kind of 'chick lit thrillers' in that they are very plot driven, with delicious twists and reveals that keep the reader's unblinking interest.

But Atlantic Shift is just plotting gone mad. Far too much happens, and none of it is described in any depth at all. Our main character is a total cow one minute, and the next she's so sweet, she's forming deep relationships with people as random as her best friends fertility doctor.

There are far too many characters (her flatmates' parents? Why would we care??) and none of them ever really make it up off the page.

The dialogue is jarringly bad, with all of the characters delivering information in the style of a cheap soap opera. A character will use silly intensifiers such as 'enormously pretty' and then on the next page another character will use the same word.

The books premise isn't anything like what you are led to expect from the blurb, and the whole classical musician stuff seems silly and made-up.

There are so many plot lines all careering along so quickly that the ending is basically a car crash of an 'epilogue' that offers zero insight into why anybody's character acted in the way they did.

And how did Evie manage to be such a cow, when both her sets of parents are so sympathetic? And how did she manage to go 15 years without seeing her father and her step mum, when they are so loving and nice?

And why did Jack fly across the Atlantic, only to cheerfully walk away after a five minute conversation that could have been conducted by telephone? Silly, silly, silly.

This book encompasses issues including celebrity, music, stalkers, infertility, underage pregnancy, alcoholism, suicide, stalking, domestic violence, adoption, drink driving, tabloid journalism and god knows what else. It's a big messy hotch potch in which minor characters become major with no explanation, and major characters drop off the page in similar fashion.

I read it to the end to see if it would get any better but it didn't.

Did Emily Barr, the author of Baggage, actually write this nonsense? I struggle to comprehend it.

Fantastic reading!!, 13 Oct 2008
I loved this book, couldn't put it down. I have read several of Emily's books, this one I enjoyed the most. Not passing on the book because I'm going to read it again as I enjoyed it so much.

What a great book!, 08 Aug 2008
This is the first Emily Barr book I've read but I'll definately go looking for the others now - well written with characters you can really sympathise with.

Thin characters and too many holes in the plot, 03 Sep 2007
I'm sorry, I really didn't enjoy this book at all and found the characters thin and one-dimensional and the plot full of holes. Did Emma not notice that Matt wasn't getting any post while she was living with him? Did he have bank accounts in two names? How could he possibly be bringing in enough money to sustain two lifestyles whilst only working three days a week - it must have cost him the best part of a full-time salary just on the flights and mileage alone and a job that would have brought in that kind of money would require more commitment/time than he appeared to be giving it? Did she really not have any curiousity about his job? Had she never had cause to ring him at work (where he supposedly was working under a different name? Where did she find the money to pay back the deposit for the French house, and how was she managing to live and pay for childcare on a part-time teacher's salary? Emily was supposed to have a first-class degree, but she came across as monumentally dim and gullible and, frankly, Matt/Hugh didn't strike me as clever enough to be able to work the double-life thing for even as long as he did.

I'm afraid this struck me as a half-hearted book from an author who can do a lot better.

A good holiday read, 12 Aug 2007
It didn't end as I expected it would. Although I felt that the author didn't really know how it was going to end either. I think she made a snap decision whilst writing the last chapter. One thing grated on me and that was the very advanced conversations that the characters had with 2-year old children. The tots could answer in full sentences and ask conceptual questions ... get it right! Saying that, it's a good read for the beach, and I had to finish it.

Enjoyed it, 20 Feb 2007
I really enjoyed this book, having read it on holiday last summer. I thought the story line was fascinating and quick moving, and felt I knew the characters well. The threads all pulled together well in the end, and finished it off very well.

Good but disappointing ending..., 26 May 2008
This is my first Emily Barr book and I found it hard to put down. I read it over a weekend and thoroughly recommend it as a holiday read. However, like the previous reviewer, I was disappointed with the ending. I also thought there were some pages missing at the end!
Definately worth a read though and I'll be looking out for some more of her offerings.

out of my depth and falling fast, 03 Mar 2008
how does emily barr write such believable characters in such unbelievable and bizarre situations and turn it all into a believable novel .She really has a talent for writing exciting page turning novels based on the human foibles we all conceal within or inner selves .Best of all I like her talent for making me laugh at the darker side of life......

Good story telling, believable characters., 27 Feb 2008
I've recently read quite a few books about a group of friends, as well as a few about reunions.. so I knew that this one would have to offer me something a little different to stand out, which it did.

The key for me were the characters.. the four friends weren't stereotypical, but complex, and flawed, and this made them very human, and very believable.

Set in the French countryside, which sounds wonderful, the story flicks back and forth between their school friendship, and the present day reunion, gradually revealing their past secrets, and how that had affected the people they were today. The author doesn't try to rely on humour, but rather simple good story telling.

I've read a few reviews that criticise the ending of this book, but for me it worked just fine, once again offering some rather realistic outcomes.

This is definitely an author that I will be looking out for again.

Not as good as her previous books, 17 Oct 2007
The book was readable, but compared to her previous books this one was a bit disappointing, a bit depressing really. Shame.

True to form.., 26 Sep 2007
I love Emily Barr's novels and this one didnt disappoint. Centred around one weekend as four old friends meet up for a reunion, the tension rises steadily as you wait to find out what the secret is that they're witholding and is bursting at the seams to be told!!
Extremely readable, my only criticism is that there were loose ends that could have been tied up better - the ending felt a tad rushed.
All in all though - another excellent offering from EB

Very disappointed with the ending - if you can call it that!, 21 Mar 2008
I mostly enjoyed this book, found the narrating characters interesting if a little cold. It was gripping and the descriptions of Australia were authentic.

But it didn't have a proper ending! In fact it is probably the most open ended book I have ever read. It wasn't even the kind of ending that left you able to think and come to your own conclusion or make an interpretation. Such as shame as it has the kind of plot that makes you really want to know what happens. So, if you like proper endings I don't recommend this book.

I have read several other Emily Barr books though, such as "Plan B" and "Backpack" which have been well written and had good endings.

Spoilt by the ending, 12 Jun 2007
For most of this book I was gripped. The story kept me interested and although Lina/Daisy did irritate me at times, I really wanted to know what was going to happen.
The ending did ruin the book for me, I was disappointed and rather annoyed at a couple of the things that happened, and I will have second thoughts about reading this author again.

Too good for words..., 30 Jun 2006
but I'll say a few anyway.

This book is gripping from start to finish and oh-so-credible, although this kind of things doesn't happen to all of us, of course! It's more of a sense that your life can be going perfectly well one day and then be thrown into chaos by a chance event.

I loved this and passed it onto my mum, who also couldn't out it down.

Fantastic Holiday Read, 20 Jun 2004
As someone who has backpacked in Australia herself a few years back (OK, 10 years ago) I was looking forward to reading this book. I am very glad I did. The characters have faults and are not perfect, for anyone fed up with the perfect chick lit heroine then this is refreshing. The story is told from two perspectives, firstly, that of a woman in Australia and secondly, from a London journalist called Larry. When Larry's girlfriend, Sophie, goes to Australia for a few months and bumps into the woman she believes to be her dead school friend, Daisy, she tells Larry, who suggests they return to look for her properly, but has his own career agenda. The story is well written and keeps you hooked, but there are two minor niggles. At the end of the book I didn't like what happened to Larry's character. I don't want to give anything away, but something about him changed, shall we say, and I didn't see why this had to happen. Secondly, we never heard what happened to Daisy and her family at the end of the book, it was too open. Again, I don't want to give anything away as I would recommend this book, but there could have been more of a hint as too how it all finishes. I would like to add that I don't think you need to have visited the Australian Outback to enjoy this book, which is a bit of a thriller; it just helps in your visualisation of the setting.

Baggage - emily barr, 10 Jun 2003
I really enjoyed this book, very down to earth and you can put yourself in the parts of all the characters as the author describes/writes about them very well. The plot wasn't what I expected but the way the story unfolds keeps you gripped wanting to find out what happens. Open ended finale but it makes you realise it doesn't matter what the end is, it is the journey you have gone on with the characters (still, would have like to know what happened). I don't think I would have enjoyed it so much if I hadn't been to the Aussie outback though. A good holiday read ;-)

Entertaining book with a twist at the end..., 14 Jun 2006
It usually takes me ages to read books but I couldn't put this down. It kept me interested from start to finish. I was a bit unsure of how the writer would end the book but it had an unexpected but brilliant twist at the end. I'm already looking forward to reading another book by the same writer.

Ending of the 'big let-down variety', 14 Apr 2006
I'd picked up this book thinking 'hey, a fun summer read that'll keep me entertained for a couple of days' and started reading it with high hopes (I'd heard the author was a very talented travel writer)

The story starts off a little slow, but quite a few novels do, so I ignored the fact and read on. Also, instead of feeling sorry for Maggie, the main charecter, I disliked her, feeling she was too wet and annoying, boardering on whiney.

During the middle of the book, it starts to pick up a bit and I started to feel that maybe the book would start to be a little less ... well, depressing ... but towards the third quater of the book, I just started to pretty much dislike all the charecters: they well all too self-absorbed and arragont.

I also felt that the ending was the worst let-down. Maggie had no reason to do what she did (I won't say what because I hate people who put in spoilers) and I put down the book at the end feeling thoroughly depressed.

I've seen alot of other people have liked this book, so maybe this is just my opinion, but if you're looking for a book that'll lift your spirits and put a smile on your face, then this is not the one for you.

a unique chick-lit, 14 Oct 2005
This is now one of my favourite books. I'm a very slow reader but it only took me a week to read this book. The melancholy life of the main character, Maggie, grabs your attention, mostly due to sympathy and once that's happened there's no going back. Emily writes beautifully and I could really feel Maggie's emotions throughout the book. This is a truely enthralling read and so different to the chick-lit's i've read perviously - read it now!!!

A disappointment, 19 Jul 2005
I agree with the other reviewer - could have been a great story but it almost seemed rushed! Having just read backpacker and baggage, I had high hopes for Cuban Heels only to be badly let down. I did trudge on though and the story heated up in the last chapter or so only to be hurriedly finished in one 'happy clappy' and predictable ending...Come on Emily.

A 5 star read!, 06 Jul 2005
Excellent read,i just couldnt put the book down. It is a must for anyone looking for a book with excitement/travel and a little bit of sexual tension!

Loved it!!!!, 21 Apr 2007
I initially dismissed this book as a light-hearted chick lit holiday read but I soon found myself drawn in to the book with the great writing, the interesting characters and the wonderful imagery of all of those countries. It is making me re-think my long life plan - feel like dropping it all for a few years travelling!
I will certainly be looking out for other books by this author!

Interesting!, 27 Oct 2006
I began this book disliking the main character somewhat and almost dismissed this as just another chick-lit, even though I had previously read and enjoyed 'Baggage' by the same author.

However I am certainly pleased I stuck with it and saw the book through to it's conclusion. There were some obvious turns and maybe this is why I changed my initial 4 stars to 3, but it is definitely worth a read, especially if one is considering backpacking.

Loved the Tibet scenes and am struck with a certain hankering for the place!!

Great read, 11 Jun 2006
I really enjoyed this book, The characters were deep and complex and the setting and countries described perfectly. I found the end a little (only) a little dissapointing thats why its not got full marks

well worth it, 20 Jul 2005
I brought the book as I was away for a couple of weeks and it was quite. I seen it in a book shop in a small Spanish town in Tenerife I was surprised to see it there as it was an English book so I brought it was one of the most involving book I have ever read it was so hard to put down that I took it to bed most night till it was finished and was deeply upset when it had finished it wasn't what I had expected from the book but it made me want to travel which I will be doing later on in the year thank a great and interesting book one not to miss

Well observed travel fiction, 26 Oct 2004
A fairly bold move giving the book the title backpack as this immediately puts it in the firing line, but as fiction travel writing the book stands up well, and has a very satisfying development in terms of character and location up until the ridiculous ending.
The different perspectives being presented through the central character Tansy are very well observed, and the way her character matures and changes as she travels through laos and vietnam leads to a gripping confrontation between her new and old lifestyles and the leading men in each.
But after this the whole serial killer plot becomes very heavy handed and really feels at odds with the rest of the book.
The sections running through Vietnam and particualirly Laos brought back some good memories, as does the various attitudes and characters depicted.

One step up from chick lit, 15 Dec 2007
Having read 'Cuban Heels' and 'Baggage', I chose this because of the author. And whilst this is good, it felt a lot `fluffier' than her previous work.

The story is about Evie, a British cellist who is more famous for her looks than her musical ability. On the night of a major performance, she dumps her husband and embarks on single life, moving in with another girl and sleeping with reality popstars. So far so humdrum.

Then, she starts getting poison pen letters, runs off to New York where her best mate is having fertility treatment. This is where the pace picks up and it all starts to get interesting. Evie has secrets, which come tripping out as people from her past catch up with her and she catches up with them.

The last part of the book, feels a bit rushed, and although there are a few too many elements for one novel (it could have been way simpler) and I wasn't massively keen on the epilogue, where all loose ends are tied up all too comfortably, Atlantic Shift is a bit of fun that, due to the knowing tone throughout, is one step up from chick lit.

An Excellent Book! Couldn't stop reading it!, 30 May 2007
I thought this was a brilliant book and I thought the plot and subplots were very well thought out. I was also really pleased that the ending was so good and I didn't find it abrupt at all. I don't mind the fact that it ended happily, as it's nice to feel good sometimes! I found the book very well balanced as it was light in parts and very emotional in others. The emotional parts were so convincing that they even made me cry at times!

I disagree with the reader who says that the changing of the name "Elizabeth" to "Darcey" was silly. In fact, I found it made the story better as it is exactly the kind of thing that I could imagine happening and made me feel more sorry for Evie that her daughter's name had been changed in such a way.

I started off not particularly liking Evie either, but like most bad people she also had a good side and the fact that she had her flaws made the book all the more convincing in my opinion.

I thought the characters were good, even those we didn't get to know so well, as they just gave a change from constantly reading about the main characters in the book. They also made it all the more realistic, as we don't get to know everyone well in real life either!

I highly recommend Atlantic Shift and will definitely be reading more by this author.



Too much plot but enjoyable, 10 Apr 2007
You have to read this book fairly quickly as there is so many intertwining stories that you would very easily forget who was who and what they were doing to each other!!
I didn't like Evie at all although had great sympathy in her being trapped in the image that she had created.
I like the way that the author introduced secrets and then revealed them slowly.
The end was a bit abrupt as it suddenly closed all the multitude of plot lines and made everyone happy ever after.
Not as good as I thought it would be but would give the author another go as I think there was potential for being a bit more than the average chick lit book.

Not a good read., 20 Feb 2007
I was awfully disapointed by this book, compared to Barr's work before it. I bought this purely on her name, not the story line, thinking Id love it anyway. However I found the story boring, slow, un interesting, and really struggled to finish it. Compared to her work before and since, did the same woman write this?!

Plot gone mad!, 15 Mar 2006
What a deeply silly book. I laughed out loud for all the wrong reasons. Barr's previous works have been kind of 'chick lit thrillers' in that they are very plot driven, with delicious twists and reveals that keep the reader's unblinking interest.

But Atlantic Shift is just plotting gone mad. Far too much happens, and none of it is described in any depth at all. Our main character is a total cow one minute, and the next she's so sweet, she's forming deep relationships with people as random as her best friends fertility doctor.

There are far too many characters (her flatmates' parents? Why would we care??) and none of them ever really make it up off the page.

The dialogue is jarringly bad, with all of the characters delivering information in the style of a cheap soap opera. A character will use silly intensifiers such as 'enormously pretty' and then on the next page another character will use the same word.

The books premise isn't anything like what you are led to expect from the blurb, and the whole classical musician stuff seems silly and made-up.

There are so many plot lines all careering along so quickly that the ending is basically a car crash of an 'epilogue' that offers zero insight into why anybody's character acted in the way they did.

And how did Evie manage to be such a cow, when both her sets of parents are so sympathetic? And how did she manage to go 15 years without seeing her father and her step mum, when they are so loving and nice?

And why did Jack fly across the Atlantic, only to cheerfully walk away after a five minute conversation that could have been conducted by telephone? Silly, silly, silly.

This book encompasses issues including celebrity, music, stalkers, infertility, underage pregnancy, alcoholism, suicide, stalking, domestic violence, adoption, drink driving, tabloid journalism and god knows what else. It's a big messy hotch potch in which minor characters become major with no explanation, and major characters drop off the page in similar fashion.

I read it to the end to see if it would get any better but it didn't.

Did Emily Barr, the author of Baggage, actually write this nonsense? I struggle to comprehend it.

Oooooooooo creepy..., 09 Nov 2008
As EB's novels go, 'The sisterhood' is one of her finest. Perfectly constructed, it tells the tales of Elizabeth - left by her husband after 10 years and across the Channel, Helen - a 20 yr old French girl on a mission and how their lives come crashing together.
Eerie and suspenseful, the timing is perfect and the pages are turned ever-faster as the story reaches it's, very unexpected, conclusion. With a few very nasty twists in the tail, this novel will have you on the edge of your seat. Dark and nailbitingly clever. Enjoy...

Shaky start, but builds to a good ending..., 08 Nov 2008
This is the second book I've read by Emily Barr, so I didn't have many preconceived ideas about what to expect. What a discovered was a blend between women's fiction, and a thriller. It's quite a dark tale, but with lighter moments too.

I have to say that I wasn't so keen on the beginning section of the book, as I felt it lacked a good introduction to the characters, and their lives. We meet Liz as her relationship crumbles quite dramatically, and Helen as she's sneaking around in her mother's belongings. I found it hard to feel anything for Liz, because I hadn't had time to get to know her, and it felt strange finding Helen snooping, without knowing anything else about her.

However, I persevered, and I'm very glad I did. As you carry on reading, you certainly get to learn more about these two women, and their very different situations, and you can feel the tension starting to build. By the second half of the book, I was fighting against sleep, because I just had to find out what was going to happen next!

As often happens in books such as this, Liz's pregnancy does seem a rather convenient happening, but it is quite possible. Her choice of partner was also a little unusual, but certainly adds an interesting slant.

The most fascinating character for me however was Helen, and it was her thoughts and actions which kept me hooked. Emily provides a chilling insight into her damaged personality and thought processes.

Going by previous reviews, this isn't a book for everyone, and I can understand that. It does have some bad points, but I felt that Helen's character, and the overall growing tension more than made up for them. I believe that this is a book that you need to judge for yourself, but it certainly kept me hooked, and sitting up late!

Best book I have read in a long time, 06 Nov 2008
This is the first Emily Barr book I have read. I couldn't put it down. It was dark, intriguing and I certainly didn't see the end coming! Would make a brilliant film and would love to see a sequel to this. To sum it up it was brilliant.

Have I read the same book? Disappointing and depressing read, 02 Oct 2008
I'm genuinely amazed that this book has got so many good reviews, I found it quite hardgoing and a little bizarre, and I've enjoyed all of Emily Barr's previous books and bought this without a second thought.

Firstly, I'm not really a fan of books which start with their ending, I wish I'd known to skip the first bit as I then guessed the twist a mile off and it spoiled the suspense a little. I found the characters thoroughly obnoxious, virtually without exception. I really couldn't warm to any of them, even Liz, who seemed fairly spoiled and petulant, and must have been a little odd for her friends and family to have so readily turned against her.

There was little depth to most of the characters, what on earth was that Rosa/Ross character about? She was hardly explained, and the whole situation between her and Liz seemed utterly implausible to me. And Kathy, Matt and Roberto - all very weird in my opinion.

I also found the portrayal of mother-daughter relationships fairly bleak, was Mary supposed to have had post natal depression after Elizabeth? Was Helen actually mentally ill? So much could have been done to explore these issues but they were dealt with very superficially and the whole book came across as a fairly depressing read about, as another reviewer rightly said, "a whole host of odd bods."

I know I'm really in the minority but I actually struggled to finish this book and won't be recommending it to anyone, I'm afraid.


Intriguing plot, 30 Sep 2008
This was my first book by this author so I didn't really know what to expect, whether it was going to be chicklit or pyschological thriller; the answer is, I think, perhaps a faint combination of the two.
It was an interesting idea and nicely written. The characters were well developed although I didn't find any of them particularly likeable, and a whole host of odd bods they were too. Basically Helen discovers her mother had another daughter years ago and decides to track her down and get to know her, using various bizarre methods. Liz meanwhile has no idea of Helen's agenda and just thinks she's a slightly cooky new friend.
The ending has a surprising twist that I didn't anticipate. All in all it's quite a good read.

Fantastic reading!!, 13 Oct 2008
I loved this book, couldn't put it down. I have read several of Emily's books, this one I enjoyed the most. Not passing on the book because I'm going to read it again as I enjoyed it so much.

What a great book!, 08 Aug 2008
This is the first Emily Barr book I've read but I'll definately go looking for the others now - well written with characters you can really sympathise with.