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A review by kellylacey
Down to the Sea by Sue Lawrence
5.0
With Down to the Sea, you have two stories in one. You get to follow Jessie Mack in 1898 as she makes her way to the poorhouse at Wardie House in Newhaven, Edinburgh. Then you meet Craig and Rona in 1981 as they move into the same house to open up a luxury care home.
If you read my reviews often you will know that I love a flip flop book. I love going between the two time periods and with this story the house itself is the main character.
Sue Lawrence is sublime at creating a spooky atmosphere and if like me you don’t read horror or you would be worried about the book being too scary, don’t. Trust me that it is creepy but it is not overwhelming and won’t give you nightmares.
Jessie Mack is a lovely character, a gentle soul who has had a tough time in life and we join her as I said in 1898, Jessie has a birthmark which in those days would signify to people that she was some sort of witch and that she could do magic. I hate spoilers so I am being careful not to give too much away, I will let Jessie tell you her own story in the book.
In the 1898 parts of the book, I learned so much about that time. Which just makes the book so much more for me. I don’t live far from where the book is based and I was flabbergasted that back then the folks wouldn’t have travelled into Leith or even Edinburgh city centre. I suppose if you had zero transport and you had to walk everywhere then those place would be quite a distance. Whereas now we just hope on the local buses or take the car.
In the 80’s part of the story, I loved meeting Rona and Craig as they started their connection to Wardie House. But as the past starts to bring itself to there attention will their plans come to fruition?
I loved this book and it has become a true highlight of my reading year. I keep thinking about it. There are characters in the book from both time periods that are haunting me as I yearn to know more about their stories.
There are a plethora of topics covered in the book. If I listed them it would cause too many spoilers. But a lot of research, time and care has gone into the book. You can feel that Sue Lawrence really enjoys writing and has a connection with all her characters. It is really beautiful.
As you close the last page, you will feel similar to when you have had the best Sunday dinner ever. Full, content, satisfied and happy. But longing a little later for just another helping or two.
Sue Lawrence has created such memorable characters and brought to life both time periods with great accuracy and incredible writing.
If you haven’t noticed by now I absolutely loved the book. I would highly recommend adding it to your TBR pile today and putting it at the top.
See my full feature here: https://lovebooksgroup.com/2019/03/18/down-to-the-sea-by-sue-lawrence-suehlawrence-sarabandbooks-bookreview-authorfeature/
If you read my reviews often you will know that I love a flip flop book. I love going between the two time periods and with this story the house itself is the main character.
Sue Lawrence is sublime at creating a spooky atmosphere and if like me you don’t read horror or you would be worried about the book being too scary, don’t. Trust me that it is creepy but it is not overwhelming and won’t give you nightmares.
Jessie Mack is a lovely character, a gentle soul who has had a tough time in life and we join her as I said in 1898, Jessie has a birthmark which in those days would signify to people that she was some sort of witch and that she could do magic. I hate spoilers so I am being careful not to give too much away, I will let Jessie tell you her own story in the book.
In the 1898 parts of the book, I learned so much about that time. Which just makes the book so much more for me. I don’t live far from where the book is based and I was flabbergasted that back then the folks wouldn’t have travelled into Leith or even Edinburgh city centre. I suppose if you had zero transport and you had to walk everywhere then those place would be quite a distance. Whereas now we just hope on the local buses or take the car.
In the 80’s part of the story, I loved meeting Rona and Craig as they started their connection to Wardie House. But as the past starts to bring itself to there attention will their plans come to fruition?
I loved this book and it has become a true highlight of my reading year. I keep thinking about it. There are characters in the book from both time periods that are haunting me as I yearn to know more about their stories.
There are a plethora of topics covered in the book. If I listed them it would cause too many spoilers. But a lot of research, time and care has gone into the book. You can feel that Sue Lawrence really enjoys writing and has a connection with all her characters. It is really beautiful.
As you close the last page, you will feel similar to when you have had the best Sunday dinner ever. Full, content, satisfied and happy. But longing a little later for just another helping or two.
Sue Lawrence has created such memorable characters and brought to life both time periods with great accuracy and incredible writing.
If you haven’t noticed by now I absolutely loved the book. I would highly recommend adding it to your TBR pile today and putting it at the top.
See my full feature here: https://lovebooksgroup.com/2019/03/18/down-to-the-sea-by-sue-lawrence-suehlawrence-sarabandbooks-bookreview-authorfeature/