Wednesday 14 July 2010

"Matters of the Heart" by Danielle Steel

(First book in the Transworld 'Summer Reading Challenge')
Having never read a book by Danielle Steel in my life, I can honestly say I didn’t know what to expect when I picked up “Matters of the Heart”. At the back of my mind I had the impression (although I have no idea where from) that she might be a bit too ‘old school/twee’ for me. After all, she’s been around for decades and this is her 100th book! (Including unpublished and non-fiction).
So, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself a quarter of the way through Matters of the Heart and thoroughly enjoying it. Main character, world-famously respected photographer, Hope was believable in personality with quite a tragic history. And even though I know that if I had $50million I sure as hell wouldn’t still be doing any kind of ‘paid’ work, I still really liked her and was rooting for her right from the off.
Hope meets the charming and equally world-renowned author Finn O’Neill through her work and at first it seems that they’re two kindred spirits destined to be together and in love forever. But nothing is ever that easy and soon we get hints at how the whole perfect scenario is about to unravel before our eyes.
I did find myself skipping paragraphs and the writer in me was wincing slightly as some facts were repeated over and over as if I needed a bit of hand-holding, but the overall story was told simply and skilfully, with no unnecessary elaboration (apart from the repetition) (apart from the repetition). In fact some of the scenes were so gripping I almost read them through my fingers.
A thoroughly good read and a book I’d definitely recommend.

2 comments:

Fionnuala said...

Ooh, I think I've asked for this book too but cant remember - I havent received my first one yet? x

Debs Riccio said...

give them an electronic poke, Fi. I just told them I want my next one - sure they won't mind! x