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This book, One Moment, One Morning by Sarah Rayner was lent to me by a friend. The first thing I did was read the back cover copy to see what it was about. Immediately the topic of the book would have made me return the book to the shelf had it been one I picked up myself. However, because it was lent to me, I gave it a try.
Three passengers on the 7:44am train from Brighton to London lives changed one moment, one morning. A relatively young man, a husband and father, has a heart attack while sitting next to his wife Karen on the train. Lou, a therapist, witnesses the scene as she sits across from the loving couple. When Simon cannot be resuscitated, the train makes an unscheduled stop. Lou and Anna, Karen’s best friend, meet after the scramble of passengers try to make their way to London on their own due to train cancelations and delay as a result of the incident.
The book follows the lives of Karen, Anna and Lou after the incident, how they react, how they try to overcome the situation and how they bond with each other. Karen must come to grips with the tragic loss of her partner after 20 years of being together and how she can attempt to lessen the impact on her two young children Luke and Molly. Anna, a freelance writer and Karen’s best friend, does everything she can to support Karen even though she has a handful of a boyfriend to content with at home. Lou, witness to the scene and her knowledge as a therapist and her open friendliness tries to help Anna and Karen with moral support. Lou feels connected to the two women having been affected by the incident as well.
While, I would normally never choose a book with such a heavy subject, this story is uplifting. Yes, there are many moments, where your eyes fill up and verge on spilling over, but you are relieved by the strength of these female characters. Seeing how they handle the situation and how they make drastic changes in their own lives after seeing how one moment can change your life forever.
I think this would be a good book to read if you’re in need of a good cry or if you’re feeling rather saddened with your own life (no due to the passing of a loved one though) because after reading this book, you’ll realize that life isn’t so bad. It inspires the reader to take control of their life and make it as happy as they can.
In the end, I’m glad I waded my way through the book because it was a worthwhile read albeit sad.
Have you ever read that was different from your usual choice because someone lent it to you or recommended it? Did you end up liking it? Do you choose to read sad books on any given day or for cathartic purposes?
I picked up this book in a charity shop and I really enjoyed it. When I went to lend it to my sister though she took one look at it and said too depressing’but she ploughed on, read it and enjoyed it too.
Death is a heavy issue but I think you are right that this book handles it in a way that makes you think about your own life and the things you want to achieve.
I read a book called Maya that was HUGE because a friend gave it to me and it ended up being a whole saga in ancient times but quite compelling. For some reason, it reminded me of M.M. Kaye’s The Far Pavilions. I loved all those books, but again, picked them up because my mother was reading them.
Thanks for the recommendation, Nicole! p.s. I gave you and the #pantypeeps a shout out today. 🙂
I would read a book like this because it’s about relationships and dealing with struggles, but mostly about women surviving and helping each other. I’ll have to look for it now.
I never pick up a book solely on the blurb. I always have to read a paragraph or two to see if I like the style of writing. If I read a few paragraphs and don’t want to put it back on the shelf, then I have to buy it.
Great reivew, Nicole!