Book Review | Hester's Story by Adele Geras

Rating

4 stars – a lovely story

Why did you decide to read this book?

I have to admit that this is another book that found its way onto my TBR – and I have no idea how it got there! The title’s not really inspiring is it? But then maybe I was drawn to the cover… Anyway it’s on the TBR, and its next on the alphabetical list, so I read it.

The Book Review

I really wasn’t sure what to expect when I opened this book – but judging by the review quote by Company magazine on the cover I should have realised it was Chick Lit – but there’s nothing wrong with that!

This is Hester’s Story – the life and times of a prima ballerina. The novel opens with a five year old girl, the death of her mother, and the giving of a gold chain – to be handed down to the next generation.

It soon becomes clear that this is a flash back – the current year is 1986 and Hester is at Wychwood House, Yorkshire, preparing for an annual ballet festival.

The book moves between 1986 and earlier years in Hester’s life through a series of flashbacks, each one adding in a new piece to the jigsaw that will eventually reveal the whole picture at the close of the story.

In essence this book is about ballet, coming of age, infidelity, betrayal and secrets.

It’s a lovely book to read; as new characters are introduced I became comfortable with them very quickly – although I’m not sure all were necessary. It flows well between the present day and the flash backs – and I didn’t pick up on the final twist until the author wanted me to (although it could just have been that I missed the earlier clues!).

This is a fine example of Chick Lit at its best – grown up Chick Lit I would call it – it’s certainly not trashy. I could see it being made into a movie (although maybe straight to tv rather than for the movie theatres!)

At 472 pages it a chunky read but I really enjoyed it – and now that I’m finished I find I’m rather missing Wychwood House.

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Next on my list: Perfect on paper by Maria Murnane