A New Map of Love by Abi Oliver* brings readers an old-fashioned life-in-an-English-village story about George, who leads a predictable but comfortable life until his wife, Win, dies. Life is suddenly a whole lot less predictable but a whole lot more exciting, especially widow Sylvia arrives on the scene with her heaving bosom and fluttering eyelashes.
The blurb tells us:
George Baxter thought he knew how his retirement might look. It would be with Win by his side, just the way it had always been. But when Win dies, George is faced with a different kind of future. A future where he’s free to create a new life – alone. But loneliness doesn’t make for a happy existence . . .
With his loyal dog Monty by his side, and his business as an antiques dealer to keep him busy – George begins to find there’s life in the old dog yet.
Perhaps there’s a chance for a new beginning?
I enjoyed this sweet and cleverly characterised story – at one point I was telling George what I really thought about Sylvia, but he didn’t listen! And what I liked was the gentle way George finally experienced his loss before accepting the life he now had. (Pan Macmillan, RRP $29.99AUD.)
*Note: Abi Oliver is a pen-name of author Annie Murray
Monique Mulligan
For more of Monique Mulligan’s writing on books, check out Write Note Reviews
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David Edwards is the editor of The Blurb and a contributor on film and television
