The Place Where Love Should Be

Out now!

http://www.elizabethellis.co.uk

4/5 stars, but a little long to get to the end of the story.

Review copy obtained through NetGalley.

by yvonne sickler

This is an excellent debut novel, which should appeal to fans of Emma Donoghue among others. Set in the recent past (1963-78) its main themes are loss, and lack of communication between generations.

The story is told through the eyes of Madeleine Feldman, who is trying to come to terms with the loss of her brother who left home in mysterious circumstances when Madeleine was thirteen. An unexpected delivery one day leads to a quest to find her brother before the death of their father.

This is a thought-provoking novel, and reading groups should find much in it to discuss. Readers who enjoy family dramas will find much to capture their interest in this work.

by Dorothy Calderwood

Living with Strangers tells the story of Madeleine after the disappearance of her beloved brother Josef when she is 13. Unable to discover why he has suddenly vanished, she drifts unhappily through jobs and relationships until her father’s imminent death forces her to confront her family and find out the truth.
Set in Britain, France and Germany during the 60s and 70s, the novel touches on several thought-provoking themes: the long shadow cast by World War Two, the dynamics of the dysfunctional family, the struggle to grow up and find a place in the world. The gentle pace of the story serves to emphasise Madeleine’s anchorless state, while Elizabeth Ellis’s writing creates the dream-like feeling of an interior monologue.
Cleverly, Ellis resists the temptation to create a Hollywood-style happy ending, and instead keeps a pleasing surprise or two up her sleeve for the book’s closing chapters. A thoughtful and absorbing novel which should appeal to readers of Anita Brookner and Salley Vickers.

by Alison Love

I really enjoyed this book even though, it wasn't the normal genre that I read. The way the author kept your attention and gave detail to the characters was amazing. Very good read, and I am glad I stepped out of my comfort zone of genre for this.

by Angie Parish

Interesting idea for a book, I love reading about this era. I usually like reading from two perspectives, or from two time periods, but in this I didn't think it was as well executed as it could have been. It did take me a little while to get through this book, whether I was in a reading slump in general or because of the book specifically I'm not sure. It didn't really set my imagination on fire. I do feel the final wrap-up could have been more detailed as more of a climax to the story than how it was wrapped up within a few paragraphs. Overall, a decent read. I haven't yet published a review of this on Goodreads, but plan to in the coming weeks.

by Rachel Doherty