The Reading Room
The Reading Room by Ruth Hamilton, published by Pan Macmillan in 2015, is a novel that explores the life of Leanne Chalmers, who reinvents herself as Lily after leaving her past behind. Set in the Lancashire village of Eagleton, the story follows Lily as she navigates her new identity alongside her best friend and a small child. The narrative introduces a variety of local characters, including a charming priest and a spirited Liverpudlian, as Lily attempts to build a solitary life in a close-knit community.
As the plot unfolds, readers will find Lily becoming increasingly involved in the village, particularly through her participation in Dave’s reading room, a unique combination of shop, café, and library. However, the tranquility of her new life is threatened when a burglary leaves her friend injured, prompting fears that her past may catch up with her. This edition, comprising 402 pages in English, delves into themes of family life and resilience, offering a blend of warmth and humor throughout the narrative.
Official synopsis Publisher
Leanne Chalmers has made a career for herself presenting her own style of home decorating and design on the nation’s screens. That was her past life, at least. For now Leanne has been forced to start again as Lily, leaving her name, job and marriage behind.
No-one in the Lancashire village of Eagleton has a clue about Lily, save that she’s come up from the South West with her best friend and a small child. But it’s hard to lead a solitary existence in a small place, and Lily and Babs are swiftly embraced by some of the local characters: Mike, the Catholic priest, who the girls can’t help noticing is easy on the eye; Eve, a Liverpudlian, who has a big mouth but a heart of gold; the hairdressers Paul and Maurice; and Dave and his love, Philly, both shy yet determined not to be cowed by Dave’s mother, the domineering matriarch of the village.
Soon, Lily’s new life is full of promise and as she joins Dave’s reading room, a shop come café and library, she begins to relax. But then Eve is wounded in a burglary, and suddenly, Lily is afraid that her secret is out: her husband Clive may have discovered where she is, and, having left her for dead before, is now out to kill her…
Full of Ruth Hamilton’s unique warmth and humour, THE READING ROOM is a rich, compelling novel of love, life and courage.
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