JoJo Moyes - Sheltering Rain

Review read live on bookshow by Maggie Perkovich
This is a first book by JoJo Moyes.
This author is very popular and I can understand why. She writes well and interestingly,
without selling her readers short at any time.
The story starts at the Coronation of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, only in Hong Kong in 1953.
Joy, our heroine is tall, gangly, awkward and her mother's despair in that sheltered colonial
atmosphere wher appearance is everything.
They are having a party to celebrate the Coronation and all the ex pats. are gathered
together, drinking and having fun together, as they put it, when Joy over imbibes, meets the
man of her dreams and her whole life changes in a flash.
Fast forward to the eighties and we meet the old Joy her beloved husband, her unhappy
grandaughter Sabine all in Ireland, with Kate, Joy's daughter back in London.
In a series of flashbacks we find out what happened to bring all these characters together,
how old hurts mend, and old wounds heal.
It is easy to follow the flash backs, and uplifting to learn about life in Ireland living so
close to the land against life in modern London with all the cultures mixing and mashing
together.
Every character is skilfully drawn, and you feel affection for them right to the end.
Much recommended. Maggie Perkovic.