Book Review | The Sea House by Esther Freud

Rating

4 stars – an enjoyable read that keeps you guessing until the end

Why did you choose to read this book?

This is another of those books that I can’t remember how it came to be on my bookshelf – but it’s on the To Be Read mountain and therefore needed to be tackled!

The Book Review

I really had no idea what to expect when I picked up this book. The inside front cover revealed that Esther Freud also wrote Hideus Kinky – a book I’ve heard about but haven’t read.

In the first chapter we are introduced to Max Meyer as he arrives in Steerborough; almost immediately we learn that Max is deaf and has just lost his sister.

In the second chapter Lily also arrives in Steerborough; renting Fern Cottage where she will spend her time reading letters written by Klaus Lehmann, and architect as part of her thesis research.

The book revolves around these two characters, their stories being told in alternating chapters. Interestingly they are not in Steerborough at the same time, but you have to progress quite far through the book before you find out which years their visits took place in.

It’s hard to say too much about this book without giving the story away – there are many twists and turns and Freud keeps you guessing until the end. There was one akward moment where I thought it would turn into a happily ever after chick lit… but luckily that wasn’t the case.

This is a book about love, relationships, secrets and choices. I read most of it in one sitting; I kept saying to myself “I’ll stop at the end of the next chapter” but then was intrigued as to how the tale would unfold for each character… before I knew it I’d reached the end!

I’ve found myself thinking about this book since I finished yesterday afternoon, I felt I got to know Max and Lily quite well and didn’t want to move onto another book too soon.

I’ve given this book 4 stars as I doubt I’ll ever read it again, but as a one-off read I highly recommend it.

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