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Book Review of The Best of Times

The Best of Times
The Best of Times
Author: Penny Vincenzi
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Paperback
reviewed on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1


Absorbing, exciting and emotionally charged -- it's a long novel that pulls you into the lives of over a dozen characters that come together in one mammoth crash on a motorway outside London. Truly a long list of characters who's lives are cleverly intertwined. (And the author helpfully provides a list of who's who on the opening pages!) There's Jonathan, a sucessful, charismatic surgeon who is returning from a liaison with his mistress Abi. His wife, Laura, thinks he's somewhere else. Both women characters are fully drawn and sympathetic. Another character, Georgia, is a young actress desperate to get to London for an audition for a career-making part in a new TV show; and her agent, Linda who is single, dynamic, ambitious -- but lonely from a failed marriage. Then there's Mary, travelling to the airport to meet her first love, whom she hasn't seen in over 50 years (who is now a very wealthy Yank!). William is a modern day farmer who watches the drama unfold across the hill -- and gets involved. And we get to know a number of the staff at the nearest hospital. All characters are well drawn in a fascinating mix. A wonderfully told story.