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• I picked this up as it jumped out of the Orange Prize longlist at me. Not quite sure why it did that as I've never heard of the author before and I don't remember what I read about it or where. All I can remember is something about it being a book of two halves and that they are linked.I thought it was a great story and one I don't want to say much about as I think all the reviews I've just flicked through (newspaper ones mainly) give away far too much about the characters and the story. I enjoyed coming to it 'cold' with few expectations. Not knowing where/how/why the links would come was good and they didn't come where I thought they were going to though the reviews casually mention them as if they are obvious. Hadley paints some great character portraits here. There's a class issue underlying some of the relationships which I thought was a bit shakily explored. But on the whole I thought the characters were well drawn and fully fleshed out. And going with the "book of two halves" thing there are really two endings. Neither of which were quite what I expected and mostly I'm glad the author left us at those points.An author I'll be looking out for again for sure.

  5.00 out of 5

  nocto

• A beautifully written novel of two parts, linked by a journey on the London/Cardiff train.Richard appears to be happy in his second marriage, his adultery briefly alluded to in the first half of the novel. Cora's marriage to her older husband is all but over and the aforementioned dalliances become fleshed out in this second part of the book. I did find myself going back to check if I had missed references to this affair...I had in part because it was so fleeting in it's appearance.Neither of the leading characters are particularly likeable, but it is their failings which are so interesting and make this an honest and fulfilling read.

  4.50 out of 5

  teresa1953

• I loved this novel. I've never read anything by Tessa Hadley before and was thrilled to find that this was an intriguing read with almost totally separate story lines by intertwined characters. Each character had their own interesting story, as we all do in life, and that is what kept me reading. It wasn't confusing or hard to figure out as some books written in this way can be. An excellent beach read!

  4.00 out of 5

  Ani36ol

• The Short of It: Understated, quiet and lovely. The Rest of It: Paul and his second wife Elise have had issues in the past, but at the moment, they seem to be doing well. That is, until he leaves her to live with his pregnant daughter in a ramshackle flat with a couple of strangers. While Paul struggles to find his place in this new arrangement, Cora finds herself utterly conflicted over her recent separation from her husband Robert. The two stories intersect to create a new dynamic that force these characters to face life, head on. This is a book of moments. As a whole, it’s very quiet and simple but there are moments within it that beg to be reread, or even read out loud. There is a lilting, pleasing tone to the writing that I found quite enjoyable. Although at first glance nothing much happens, as this is not a plot-driven novel, there is a lot that happens within the characters. Revelations. Realizations. Understanding. Once, Cora had believed that living had built a cumulative bank of memories, thickening and deepening as time went on, shoring you against emptiness. She had used to treasure up relics from every phase of her life as it passed, as if they were holy. Now that seemed to her a falsely consoling model of experience. The present was always paramount, in a way that thrust you forward: empty, but also free. Readers who enjoy reflection and contemplative musing will truly appreciate this novel. The writing was lovely and it left me with a deep sense of peace. The London Train was longlisted for the Orange Prize but didn’t make the shortlist. A real shame if you ask me.

  4.00 out of 5

  tibobi

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