One Moment, One Morning, Sarah Rayner, (Picador)
by Patrick O'Connor
COMMUTERS on the 07.44 train from Brighton to London usually keep themselves to themselves, buried in their books, newspapers or whatever gadget floats their boat.
But in One Moment, One Morning, everything changes for three women when a man collapses and dies from a heart attack. They are forced to confront major changes in their lives.
Although this could be described as a woman's book with women at the centre of the action, the presence of two men is never far away.
Karen has lost her husband Simon and is faced with telling her two young children that daddy won't be coming home and Anna has to confront the harsh realities of living with her alcoholic partner Steve.
Flo, a counsellor, spends her day handing out advice to troubled youngsters but she has resisted telling her work colleagues and far more importantly her mother that she is gay.
The book covers the seven days from Simon's death until his funeral and is a wonderful examination of enduring friendship between women.
The author examines in almost forensic detail how Karen slowly and tenderly tells her children about their father's death, including seeing his body in the funeral parlour and attending the funeral itself.
This book is an emotional piece of writing of the highest order which shows the pain of bereavement but also ends in a positive way, illustrating how eventually life goes on.
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