Customer Reviews

A Song in the Air (Severn House Large Print)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book.

I do like to read about how our earlier career women struggled to become recognised as equals in a man's world, however, not all are that great. Some become far too clichéd by having silly obstacles thrown their way, or the protagonist becomes "involved" with a rich eligible guy out to use her or some such silly jeopardy which threatens her career (well many of these books can follow that theme).

But this book was excellent. Of course there is a struggle, but its not melodramatic, not pathetic and all the characters are interesting. They're not perfect, or totally evil. There's something they all possess which makes them real. Not overly evil person or overly good heroine or hero.

I enjoyed the description of a different place / setting without an abundance of information that can get tedious. I also liked reading about the Crofters (a bit more information on whether they managed to win rights to their land would have been interesting). But otherwise it was very well done.

Its not so brilliantly well written that you're in awe of its content but the book does give you a feeling of immense satisfaction. Definitely a feel good book.

I liked this book....a different setting to a somewhat ordinary story but very well written.

This is a wonderful "sweet" love story set against the backdrop of 1950/60's Scotland where the roles of women were changing. The heroine Shona is young miss who leaves her beloved island of Mara off the coast of Argyll to attend secondary school at Fort William along with her closest friend, Morven. We are introduced to a cast of characters in the first scene that will be major characters throughout the tale, unfortunately the author doesn't develop them deeply enough for this reader.

After Shona graduates her life and the story really begins. Shona wants to be a vet, but not a "pet" vet but a farm animal vet, much to the discouragement of the males around her including her father and brother. Though there are two males who will challenge Shona for her heart and her goals: Ivar, a sailor who returns to run is father's croft and Ross, Morven's brother who has left the island life behind him as he develops his Vet practice in Edinburgh. But as the story unfolds Shona's dream takes a roller coaster ride towards a unique form of fulfillment. But along the way she and those around her suffer their ups and downs in an ever changing world, the problem is the author doesn't developed the depth of the relationships as they rush through the events and years that effect them all. There are a lot characters for the reader to care about and this reader would have like more development here. Here's hoping that Morven, a strong secondary character, gets her own happily ever after.

For those looking for a "typical American" type romance this is going to come off as a very "sweet romance" as there is absolutely no sexual tension and probably won't appeal because of it. The story though is well written for what it is,( a love story not romance) and is perfect for those who want a unique look into a time period in one woman's struggle for equality in the male work place. This reader cheered Shona on during her journey to her life's dream of being a vet to the island's crofters. I will read more of this author because at least I know she has a firm grasp of the periods in which she writes and offers a unique look at the changing culture of Scotland.