So, there is a mini-genre in British novels in which people go on a trip to Cornwall, where they become closer to the Earth/rural living, let go of their unhappy (usually London based) ways, and become peaceful people, etc. Usually with strange rural people who only mean well.
This is structured like it will become one of those books, but is not. The heroine is in a deeply abusive relationship with her best friend (and it isn't sexual, but the first time they're in the same scene, the best friend is verbally and physically abusing her for not being on the train she said she would be (sort of fair) and also losing her virginity to a random American (none of your business, love).) And it is achingly awful: Aulis goes back to Maggie because, well, she and Maggie are all the other has, and Maggie's friends keep telling her that she's awful, treating Maggie like this, Aulis isn't worth it.
The main male character, Charles, has just been told he has only a year to live by his doctor sister, and goes off to live in Cornwall near their ageing aunt, followed by his coded lesbian best friend. The doctor sister is also friends with Maggie, and is lending her a cottage for her to stay in as a celebration for becoming MRCGP. (Except I don't think she should be becoming that, if she's a thyroid surgeon, but heigh ho.)
This group of people are thrown together, and tensions appear in unexpected places...even before the leopard turns up.
no subject
So, there is a mini-genre in British novels in which people go on a trip to Cornwall, where they become closer to the Earth/rural living, let go of their unhappy (usually London based) ways, and become peaceful people, etc. Usually with strange rural people who only mean well.
This is structured like it will become one of those books, but is not. The heroine is in a deeply abusive relationship with her best friend (and it isn't sexual, but the first time they're in the same scene, the best friend is verbally and physically abusing her for not being on the train she said she would be (sort of fair) and also losing her virginity to a random American (none of your business, love).) And it is achingly awful: Aulis goes back to Maggie because, well, she and Maggie are all the other has, and Maggie's friends keep telling her that she's awful, treating Maggie like this, Aulis isn't worth it.
The main male character, Charles, has just been told he has only a year to live by his doctor sister, and goes off to live in Cornwall near their ageing aunt, followed by his coded lesbian best friend. The doctor sister is also friends with Maggie, and is lending her a cottage for her to stay in as a celebration for becoming MRCGP. (Except I don't think she should be becoming that, if she's a thyroid surgeon, but heigh ho.)
This group of people are thrown together, and tensions appear in unexpected places...even before the leopard turns up.