We’re seeing red here at 5 Minutes for Books. This is review one of two by Jennifer Donovan. You can find the review of The Little Red Book of Wisdom and the prize winners from last week’s reviews here.
Most of my reading of late has been non-fiction, so it was with a sweet anticipation that I cracked open Woman in Red by Eileen Goudge. It did not disappoint. I was immediately transported into Alice’s world as she leaves prison after serving a nine year sentence for the violent act she perpetrated against the man who killed her son in a car accident, after he got off scot-free. She has become estranged from her son, now a teenager, but she returns to the island to salvage the relationship in spite of knowing that she will be on the receiving end of small-town gossip and raised eyebrows. When he is falsely accused of rape, they rally together.
Alice’s ability to navigate the waters of creating a new life for herself while trying to come to grips with the life that her choices created for her makes a great story. Another interesting feature in this book is the flashbacks looking at her grandmother’s life in the 1940’s. She is the Woman in Red who was once the subject of an artist’s best and least-displayed work. Mystery surrounds both the painter and the painting. Who was this woman? What was their relationship? As the story unravels, many of the novel’s characters are eventually tied together in a series of surprising twists. I have to say that I wish the cover were different. I’m not sure that it would cause me to pick up this novel. The cover art isn’t as I imagine the painting to be, and doesn’t convey the subject as she’s depicted in the novel. Fortunately, I did not judge this book by its cover.
I had never read one of Eileen Goudge’s novels, but this was a keeper. The characters are original yet believable. There are authors whom I know will delight me again and again, but there is always something slightly predictable about the author’s style. Finding a new author is even more of a treat than just reading a new good novel, because in addition to enjoying the story, I’m discovering a new voice. I will now look forward to figuring out the pattern of her style as I read more of her novels. I would rate this PG overall, but there’s one intimate scene that is probably PG-13 (see ratings info here).
The publisher has donated TEN copies of this hardcover book so that some lucky readers can discover Woman in Red for themselves. Please leave a comment if you are interested. The winners must provide a shipping address in Canada or the United States.
This sounds like an excellent book. Please enter me into the contest. Thanks.
I love to read this book looks great!
Hi!
Not sure if this contest is still open but I haven’t seen the winners posted and I just found your fun site.
I would love to read this! Thanks for considering me!
I would love to win this contest! Thanks for the review in any case. It’s good to know of a few good novels when I have a chance to read a book just for pleasure!
Another great opportunity to win a fun prize! Thanks!
This book sounds awesome. I love reading and it’s even better when you find a new author! Please sign me up!!
Sounds like a great read – I’d enjoy this too!!! Thanks for reviewing it!!!
Oooo, sounds good!
Here is my entry. =)
I love to read!! This sounds like a great book. I always need a good book to read while I am nursing my little one:)
I always enjoy discovering new authors & I love reading nearly everything!
Sounds great. I’d love one for my vacation coming up! Gotta have some beach reading.
I love reading – this sounds like a good novel!
Looks great!
Please enter me as well. It definately sounds interesting!
It sounds like a very good book.
I am always looking for another great book to read 🙂
I sure could use a good fiction book to read! This sounds great.
I love her books! Would love to win this one.
Sounds interesting. I don’t think I’ve read any of her books.
perfect! count me in 🙂
Just finished Ghost by Danielle Steele this morning & would love to read Woman in Red next:) Thanks for the chance to win!
Now that I am done with Deathly Hallows, I could use another book to read!
Sounds great! I love to read!
OH, I love finding new authors!
I love books. I am giving away 2 at my website also!
This sounds like a great read. Please toss my name in the hat!
I LOVE reading and would adore a new book to curl up with. 🙂 Thanks!
Yes, please!
I LOVE Eileen Goudge! Please enter me…thank you! 🙂
Sounds like a great book! count me in!
This looks great, please count me in! 🙂
Sounds like an awesome book! Count me in!
Mycrazylife
Enter me please..
Would love to win
I’d like to read this too!!!
Sounds great! Please count me in!
Sounds great!
Will you contact the winner’s for the addresses? Sounds like a good read!
what a great sounding book. I would love to read it.
This sounds like a great booK!
sounds just like the sort of books i like!
Neat, sounds interesting. thanks.
I need a new read. Please include me. 🙂
Oh wow, this looks like such a good read! Thanks for another great giveaway!
I would be very interested in this read. Please count me in. Thank you!
Sounds wonderful!
Sounds like an interesting novel! I don’t do enough “fun” reading! Sign me up to win a copy! 🙂 Thank you, I’m starting a new list… thanks to this regular column here – “Books To Read”
I’ve never read any of her work, but this sounds like a good one. Please include me in the drawing. Thanks!!
Sounds great! Count me in, please.
I love fiction! This sounds like a really good book. I am looking forward to reading it!
I would love a copy!!
I am always looking for something new to read.Count me in!
This sounds like an exciting book. I’m hoping I win a copy.
I could use a good new novel. COunt me in.
It sounds like a fabulous book!
This sounds awesome!
Sign me up!
I would love to escape in a good book.
I would love to be included in the drawing. Thank you!
OOoo… That looks like a GREAT book. And personally, I like the cover. Very intriguing.
Hugs,
Melinda
That sounds like a great book! I’m always looking for “new” (to me) authors. Hope to win!
Sounds great. Please count me in!
Me! Me! Pick me!
I absolutely LOVE to read, and it’s always neat to hear of new good books from someone who cares enough to read and share their honest opinion. Thanks for this! The drawing is a great idea – thanks! ~Jodie
Sounds good. Please include me in the drawing.
I love a great new read! I’d love to read this book!
I would love to read this book!
There’s nothing like a great book for the summer.
Oh I love finding a great new book to read – please include me!
Looks like a good one. Hope I win!
Sounds good!
I would love to read this book. It sounds great. Thank you for all the info you make available here at 5 Minutes for Mom.
Please enter me into the drawing. Thank you.
This sounds like the type of book I would enjoy reading:-) xo
I love to read and this book sounds very interesting. Please enter me into the drawing. Thank you.
How fun to have a drawing. I would love to include this book in my book group.
This sounds like an interesting read. I was just looking at my bookshelves last night, a little dismayed to not find anything that spoke to me. A new addition would be welcome.
This sounds like a great read. I’m sure I can find room for one more book on my shelf somewhere. I would love to be entered.
I haven’t had time to purchase a good book this sounds like a winner!
Sounds like a good book for a long winter! Just beginning to read fiction again from time to time, so it’s great to hear about new authors!
Sounds like a good book for a long winter! Just beginning to read non-fiction again from time to time, so it’s great to hear about new authors!
Sounds like an interesting read. I looking for some good books to read while I recover from my upcoming c-section.
This sounds like a good read! Right now I am knee-high in to _Skin_ by Ted Dekker. I will be ready for another book tomorrow!! Thanks for the tip! (I’d love to win one, too, btw!) Have a great Monday!!
I love to read! This would be great!