Hello!
2019 has begun well, I am sticking to most of my Resolutions (not the running yet…. been under the weather and our boiler has gone kaput; I’m bloody freezing!!). So far, so good, let’s hope I can keep it up :).
Recently, I read a book called ‘When the Curtain Falls’ by Carrie Hope Fletcher. I’ve mentioned Carrie before- she’s brilliant! This is her 4th (full) novel and if you can, go read all of them, they are as brilliant and beautiful as her.
WTCF is set both in 1952, and almost 70 years later- the present day. The story follows four young lovers: Walter and Fawn (1952); Oscar and Olive (present day) when they meet at the Southern Cross theatre to perform in a production of ‘When the Curtain Falls’. The production comes back to town after almost 70 years, and this is where Oscar and Olive begin their budding romance. But it isn’t that easy. Secrets and tragedy are not far away and strange things begin to happen. The ghost of Fawn can only been seen once a year, on the stage where she died. But the ghost is beginning to appear more often, and seems to be hell-bent on sabotaging this young love. But all is not what it seems. Olive and Oscar must right a wrong from many years ago, before history repeats itself and tragedy strikes again.
Something about the theatre has always intrigued and excited me. What goes on behind the scenes, who’s involved, and the stories from years gone by. So when Carrie talked in one of her vlogs about her new book ‘When the Curtain Falls’ I was in, no matter what. There’s an eerieness to the book that you just can’t explain, you always know there is something else, and towards the end when it all connects, and everything makes sense, there is a real ‘aha!’ moment. Usually I will avoid getting too into ghost stories, they’re just not for me. But this, I couldn’t put down- hence why it was done in a day and a half!
The characters are great. Oscar and Olive really come to life. Walter really has that charm about him that I remember from my Grandad; like he is wiser than you know, and he has so many stories to share, with a twinkle in his eye. Hamish Boatwright on the other hand, is genuinely repulsive. He’s awful! But I won’t give too much away about that. All I’ll say is good job Carrie, I don’t think I’ve hated a character as much, since Scar in The Lion King :).
Carrie has cleverly intertwined the past with the present day, and it all links back to one place; The Southern Cross theatre, during the new production of ‘When the Curtain Falls’. What happened on that day, and why is it interfering in Oscar and Olive’s lives? Surely it has nothing to do with what happened 70 years ago?
If you haven’t already worked out from my gushing; this book really struck with me, and I encourage anyone with a few days (if even that) to spare, get your hands on this book- it is well worth the read!
Congratulations Miss Fletcher on another crazy good book- I loved it!
Anyone with any good book recommendations I’d love to hear them- just leave a note or message.
Now I really must go and plan- those Year 1’s won’t teach themselves!!
Sinead xx
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