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There are currently 17 member reviews
for The Railwayman's Wife
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Arden A. (Longboat Key, FL)
Poetry in Motion
It reads almost like a poem in its eloquence, this novel by Ashley Hay. It's a love story with some interesting twists. The novel takes place in a small coastal Australian town shortly after the end of WWII. When Ani's husband dies in an unexplained railroad accident, she is left alone to raise her 11 year old daughter. The poet and the doctor have returned from the war with mental scars they are trying to heal, and Ani innocently becomes the poet's muse. When the poet writes a beautiful poem, the story takes an ironic twist. There is additional tragedy, and the symbolism of the albatross looms throughout the book.
It is a poetic book that brought to mind O. Henry's story, 'The Gift of the Magi.' It's quite a lovely book, even though the writing style is not my personal preference.
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Susan B. (Rutledge, MO)
Interesting and touching story of trauma and recovery
I really enjoyed this book, I think particularly because I have emotional ties to Australia (where the story takes place) and have a trauma history (as do many of the characters). Something about the writing felt fresh and different to me; it wasn't a standard "chick lit" book, which I'd wondered about from the title and summary. Though it struck me as odd at first, I also liked the changing point of view, from omniscient to very much not. Finally, I found the collection of characters engaging and interesting.
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Diane D. (Mount Pleasant, SC)
The Railwayman's Wife
This was an enjoyable book, not only for it's insight to grief, but for it's beautiful descriptions of the Australian coast! Anikka and her daughter must learn to deal with a devastating loss in a small community and it's a very real depiction of that grief. With the flash backs throughout the story, the reader does get an insight into the relationship she is grieving. I found the story compelling.
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Barbara P. (Hixson, TN)
Engaging story of post WWII Australia
This is a beautifully written story of a widow, her daughter and several of the village men home from the war. They all grieve in their own ways; alone and with each other. The way it is written allows the reader to feel as though they were there in this beautiful area of Australia and feeling many of the feelings that the characters feel. I would've given it a 5 but the sadness was overwhelming at times.
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Carol N. (Indian Springs Village, AL)
The Railwayman's Wife
The prose in this book is so soothing; like a warm blanket on a cold winter day it wraps you up. I particularly loved the way Ms. Hay described Australia and the area where the book took place. I have always wanted to visit that country and this book just expanded my desire. The story is interesting but to me it was a little slow and I felt like there was a lot of repetition. It seemed as if everyone was underwater moving in slow motion. I enjoyed the book and my favorite character was Frank because I felt like he was the one that showed the most emotion and feeling. All in all a good book but not a great one despite the excellent prose.
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Valerie V. (Pennington, NJ)
Review of The Railwayman's Wife
What would happen if you could look at grief through a kaleidoscope? This is the question Australian writer Ashley Hay explores in her novel The Railwayman's Wife. The story takes place in Thirroul, a lush Australian coastal town. World War II is over the soldiers are coming home. Annika and her husband, Mac, are planning to celebrate Isabel's 10th birthday when Mac's shift on the railway is over. To honor Isabel's request for something magical, her parents plan to give her a beautiful kaleidoscope, a gift that also serves as a metaphor for Hay's novel. In its first spin, the happily married stay-at-home mom finds herself working in the local library where she finds sanctuary and befriends two spiritually broken soldiers.
Reader's will enjoy Hay's graceful and descriptive writing. There are lovely, lyrical descriptions of scenery and insightful observations about life and death. Hayes carefully crafted story disappointed me only in that it is too carefully constructed. We all know those who have lost a beloved too suddenly and/or too early in life. To be honest: life is a mess. There is awkwardness, anger, aching pain, and a hollowness that is not quite captured in this novel. So, while I admire Hay's success at putting pieces of a story together so that they fit like a puzzle, I miss the realness of grief, where the pieces may never quite fit again.
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Liz M. (Red Bank, NJ)
The Railwayman's Wife
Hard to get into. Hard to finish.
