About the Book
Set in a splendid country house in England, this rich and absorbing novel begins as Leonora, daughter of a famous Edwardian painter, is about to throw herself a huge house party to celebrate her 75th birthday. Guests will include her two grown daughters and their spouses (and lovers), a film crew making a movie about Leonora's father, and numerous family legends. Even happy families have their secrets, and Leonora's stunning revelations make for thrilling reading.
About the Author :
Adele Geras was born in Jerusalem. Her first book appeared in 1976, and since then she has published many acclaimed books for children and young people, both here and in England. "Facing the Light" is her first book for adult readers. She lives in Manchester with her husband, and they have two daughters.
Review :
Praise for Adele Geras and "Facing the Light""Facing the Light is a story of a family and its secrets, of love and loss, of memories and dreams. Haunting, lovely, and utterly absorbing, it's just the sort of book I'm always searching for, but rarely find."--Jennifer Donnelly, author of "The Tea Rose"Engaging family drama . . . Adele Geras gifts each key player with a distinct personality that remains consistent throughout . . . .The story line hooks the audience"--"Midwest Book Review""Facing the Light is a great summer summer read filled with interesting characters and situations--plus a lot of surprises."--Emily McDonald, "Chattanooga Times Free Press (Cattanooga, TN)"[L]ifelike characters"--"Romantic Times Book Club"The evident enjoyment and ease with which the author manipulates her material will give a lot of pleasure. Sympathetic and experienced, she knows just how to balance character with story and how to lure readers into her web."--Elizabeth Buchan, "The London Sunday Times (UK)"Thankfully, Geras has not seen fit to jettison the techniques mastered in years of writing for a more demanding young audience. Plot and moral message ring clear, and her adult characters, like teenage protagonists, feel the need to come of age; although they grow and change by grasping the nature of the past rather than by figuring out the present."--Helen Falconer, "The Guardian (UK)"Geras certainly knows how to create a storm of tension in a rose-painted fine china teacup . . . .her readers will feel they've joined in search of answers to a host of intriguing, irresitible questions."--Madelaine Kingsley, "Jewish Chronicle (UK)"An enjoyable and entertaining read from an accomplishedstoryteller"--"Time Out (UK)"A hugely enjoyable read, the perfect accompaniment to lazing in a bubble bath after a hard day at the office. If you like Wesley and Howard, or Binchy and Pilcher, you will love this book . . .Geras's publishers' faith is right--this is about as good as popular fiction gets."--"The Scotsman (UK)"I became completely absorbed in the world of Willow Court and the lives of Leonora and her family. Adele Geras has created a wonderful cast of glamorous yet recognisable characters who beckon you into their world, full of sibling rivalry, romantic love affairs and tragically short lives. Moving and absorbing, this is the perfect book to lose yourself in."--Zoe Winfield, "BCA (UK)"Secrets and revelations are the order of the day in this gripping novel. Don't be put off by the family-saga tag--you'll be hooked from the start, and when you've finished, you'll wish you hadn't."--"Company (****) (UK)"A compelling read with truly delightful characters, many memorable moments and a stunning twist."--Jane Eastgate, "Readers Digest (UK)"Long-hidden secrets and passions come tumbling from the closet, changing the way family members perceive themselves and others. Geras assuredly draws the reader into this deeply involving Grade A saga, which has a grip that's impossible to shake off"--Fanny Blake, "Woman & Home (UK)"The book's appeal is partly in the twisting storyline and partly in the shameless escapism of the milieu . . . constant sunshine, a beautiful house and garden, enviable clothes and delicious food served at every opportunity."--"City Life (UK)0"This is very much a big women's novel--a family story the publishers are comparing to "The Shell Seekers and "The CazaletChronicle. I found it fascinating reading, set in a splendid country house in Wiltshire and covering the years from 1935 to the present. Lots of secrets emerge, and it all makes a wonderful story full of enchantment. I think it will sell like hotcakes ."--"Publishing News, December 13, 2002 (UK)
Praise for Adele Geras and "Facing the Light"
""Facing the Light" is a story of a family and its secrets, of love and loss, of memories and dreams. Haunting, lovely, and utterly absorbing, it's just the sort of book I'm always searching for, but rarely find."
--Jennifer Donnelly, author of "The Tea Rose"
"Engaging family drama . . . Adele Geras gifts each key player with a distinct personality that remains consistent throughout . . . .The story line hooks the audience"
--"Midwest Book Review"
""Facing the Light" is a great summer summer read filled with interesting characters and situations--plus a lot of surprises."
--Emily McDonald, "Chattanooga Times Free Press "(Cattanooga, TN)
"[L]ifelike characters"
--"Romantic Times Book Club"
"The evident enjoyment and ease with which the author manipulates her material will give a lot of pleasure. Sympathetic and experienced, she knows just how to balance character with story and how to lure readers into her web."
--Elizabeth Buchan, "The London Sunday Times" (UK)
"Thankfully, Geras has not seen fit to jettison the techniques mastered in years of writing for a more demanding young audience. Plot and moral message ring clear, and her adult characters, like teenage protagonists, feel the need to come of age; although they grow and change by grasping the nature of the past rather than by figuring out the present."
--Helen Falconer, "The Guardian" (UK)
"Geras certainly knows how to create a storm of tension in a rose-painted fine china teacup . . . .her readers will feel they've joined in search of answers to a host of intriguing, irresitible questions."
--Madelaine Kingsley, "Jewish Chronicle" (UK)
"An enjoyable and entertaining read from an accomplished storyteller"
--"Time Out" (UK)
"A hugely enjoyable read, the perfect accompaniment to lazing in a bubble bath after a hard day at the office. If you like Wesley and Howard, or Binchy and Pil
