Found in a charity shop whilst out hunting for NSS books. As this is the only title by this author that I have not read, I had to get it!

The cover is full of quotes from various papers (Independent, New York Times, Sunday Telegraph etc) rather than explaining what this book is about so I'll wait until I read and review it and see if I agree with any of them.

Synopsis from Fantastic Fiction.

"1901, the year of the Queen's death. The two graves stood next to each other, both beautifully decorated. One had a large urn -- some might say ridiculously large -- and the other, almost leaning over the first, an angel -- some might say overly sentimental. The two families visiting the cemetery to view their respective neighbouring graves were divided even more by social class than by taste. They would certainly never have become acquainted had not their two girls, meeting behind the tombstones, become best friends. And furthermore -- and even more unsuitably -- become involved in the life of the gravedigger's muddied son. As the girls grow up, as the century wears on, as the new era and the new King change social customs, the lives and fortunes of the Colemans and the Waterhouses become more and more closely intertwined -- neighbours in life as well as death."

Well, I have read every other of Tracy Chevalier's writings and knew I would probably like this too, and indeed I did.

You may have thought that with the synopsis above this would be a gloomy tale but it is not (despite the fact that there is tragedy throughout the storyline).
Usually I do not care for books where the narrative shifts constantly from one person to another but this one suited that treatment and I found I liked the way that the viewpoints altered from person to person and the changing status of the individuals concerned and the society that they lived in. One quote on the back states "Using a number of shifting perspectives - wives and husbands, friends and lovers, masters and servants, and a gravedigger's son ~ Falling Angels follows the fortunes of two families in the first years of the twentieth century" and I totally agree with this. By a strange coincidence I had just completed another book which focussed on suffrage and it was a pleasant surprise to find that this was one of the stronger themes in this book too.

I really enjoyed this novel and hope that others do too, so I shall try to find another reader for this well written and well researched novel. I now find that there is a new novel 'The Last Runaway' so I shall have to go hunting again! Something to look forward too!

Hope you enjoy this treasure of a book.

Happy travels little book!

Got it! :)
Thank you for sending me a wishlist book!

I started to read it! It has an interesting structure - each character telling her thoughts but more then this the time is very stretched! :)
I will never forget the starting phrase "I woke this morning with a stranger in my bed!" It is not the main line of the story, but for sure it has a influence in the course of life. The fool thinks that this way will win her back! I will always wonder how swinger's relationship function!

I'm just at the beginning of the story - no rating for now; I like the book! :)

Interesting to find out about the historical context of the times when women were not allowed to vote; not to mention how much their opinions worth. At times Kitty seems to be mad! But, when you think about suffragettes in those times - for sure you had to be a bit mad to succeed in such a fight!
You can never compare 2 deaths; each signify different for the ones left behind!...

The friendships we build in our childhood are priceless! :)

All in all an enjoyable read. Thank you for this opportunity Flutterbies9!

I received this great book for my birthday, thanks for helping to make my birthday special!

After trying to read this book 3 different times I confess that I have to give up. I did not find it interesting to keep my attention and the jumping between people's narrative drives me crazy.