Joanna Trollope

I am increasingly enjoying Joanna Trollope's novels. Her writing at first seemed a little melancholy in tone, but that gripe is fading as I realise more and more what an excellent writer she is.

I've recently finished Other People's Children, which is about the breakup of a marriage from an affair, and the resulting families. A myriad of relationships is described, from the newly married Josie and Matt face the challenge of building a new home with the children from their previous marriages. Nadine, left to be a single mum and her difficulties in setting up home for herself and her three children, whom she jealously shares with their father Matt. The lovely Elizabeth and her attempt to become Tom's wife, with the enormous shoes of his first dead wife to fill as well as the difficult Dale, totally devoted to the memory of her mother.

The children's stories are also told with great detail and empathy. I particularly found Becy's struggles close to home, as she found her single mum difficult to deal with, and wanting to see her dad but being made to feel guilty for doing so.

Trollope has a very real and wise insight into family life. She writes with clarity but never makes any judgements on the characters. I highly recommend her books to anyone who likes to be engrossed in something thoughtful and compulsive.

I've also read The Rector's Wife and Brother and Sister.