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Review by Suze
Pippa's life is slowly turning into a nightmare. She has a nice shop in London, but it's hard to keep it going because her mother is so ill. She needs more and more care and Pippa isn't able to cope with it all. Because she doesn't want to send her mother to a home Pippa is spending every free hour she has at home. When just before Christmas someone steals an expensive dress from her shop it's the last straw. She wants to find the person who's done this to her and she wants the thief to be punished.
Yana hasn't had an easy life. Because of cerebral palsy she's in a wheelchair. She's missed so many things that are normal for other people. She works as a translator as that's something she can do from home. Her brother Stanislav is very bright and has been offered to do his PhD in London and he takes his sister with him. They move from Bulgaria to Uxbridge which is a huge change for both of them. Yana can't leave their apartment on her own. It isn't a very nice place, but when she makes contact with one of her neighbors her life suddenly becomes more active. Is life in London what they hoped it would be or is it a disappointment for Yana and Stanislav?
Stolen Journey's is a book with two stories and I knew there would be a connection eventually, but I didn't know how that was going to happen. I quite liked that aspect. Yana is such a beautiful woman and she's brave as well. At first life in Uxbridge is really hard for her because she can't go anywhere on her own, but soon she finds kind and loving friendship. Stanislav is obsessed with his research and he forgets to enjoy his life. I could totally imagine him being so fascinated by something that it's all-consuming. He's that kind of person. Sylvia Atipova is great at describing her characters and I felt like I knew them.
Pippa does a lot of introspection. She knows both her strong and her weak points. I liked that about her. She's sometimes too hard on herself and she could have used a friend. Life isn't always like that though and I think her situation was described in such a heartfelt and realistic way. I wanted her to have a happy life, but with a mother so ill it was quite a struggle. I think Sylvia Atipova has written about dementia beautifully, with much care and empathy. Illness is something that plays an important part in both stories, but they never become too heavy or totally focused on the health problems. I had no difficulties switching between the two stories and was equally curious about what would happen next in all of the main character's lives.
Sylvia Atipova is a great writer. She knows how to tell a story. This book has an unusual international mix of characters which I liked a lot. I love it when a story is original. The topics might be heavy, but I didn't find this a difficult read at all, I actually really enjoyed reading the story and can't praise the author enough. I highly recommend this wonderful book, it's an amazing read.
Giveaway
One lucky reader of my blog will receive a kindle copy of Stolen Journeys together with a beautiful pouch (made byAnila-Chan) that matches the cover of the book. Good luck!
I
will contact the winner via email. If I don't get a reply within 60
hours the prize will go to someone else. All of my giveaways are
international, you can find the official rules here.
i have family in australia i have never met so that would definitely be the place!
ReplyDeleteI'm already living abroad at the moment. I'd love to stay in this Scandinavian area for as long as I can since my birth country sucks.
ReplyDeleteWhere are you from originally?
DeleteI think I would move to Europe, maybe somewhere in the UK. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeletesure, maybe Paris
ReplyDeleteTo Australia - I lived there for a year & fell in love with it.
ReplyDeleteLucky YOU! My dream home by the sea is in Perth.
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DeleteI would love to move to Australia. I've always wanted to visit.
ReplyDeleteI would love to move to Canada, and eventually if given a chance have a holiday with family in US.
ReplyDeleteYes! It is my dream to travel all of over the world! I would be happy to go anywhere anytime! :D
ReplyDeleteMary G Loki
I wouldn't move abroad. I love the UK!
ReplyDeleteI do love the UK but I'd love to live somewhere marginally warmer for a while like California xx
ReplyDeleteI think I would love to move to a small country area in france <3
ReplyDeleteI'd like to go to London. Use that as a home base/launching pad to hop the Channel and visit Europe.
ReplyDeleteEurope....maybe France or Italy.
ReplyDeleteI would probably go th the UK :)
ReplyDeleteI would ... if it was the UK!
ReplyDeleteI would probably go to somewhere in Europe.
ReplyDeleteActually, I would go to Canada, though I do like the country where I am from.
DeleteI'd love Australia x
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't, but if I had to, I'd go to the United Kingdom.
ReplyDeleteIf I had the chance to move abroad I would love to live in Scotland or Ireland.
ReplyDeleteI would ABSO-POSITIVELY move abroad if given the opportunity! I've always been fascinated with Australia. Perth, Australia, HERE I COME!! Plus, it's winter season there & I'm so over this steamy weather in Louisiana. Please pray for my hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana. Our quiet calm was broken Thursday night. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteGreat Britain is my other top choice. Oh! The history in Europe! I think Cornwall is amazingly quaint. And I love living by the sea.
DeleteI'd would love to have the opportunity to move abroad, I think it's a great way to get to know another culture. I can't choose only one, but I'd like maybe London, or Paris, or something more exotic like Japan!
ReplyDeleteNo I wouldn't but I'd love to move to another part of the UK.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure. I like it home and I know that moving abroad can mean a lot of difficulties
ReplyDeleteI would move to the UK. Maybe Scotland :)
ReplyDeleteI'm Portuguese but I lived in the UK and I loved it! If I had to choose, I would definitely live there again .
ReplyDeleteMy fave place to move is Holland :)
ReplyDeleteI would go to Canada, probably.
ReplyDeleteLubka
ı would love to win..:)
ReplyDeleteI'd go in a heartbeat - I wouldn't bother packing as I'd so be in a taxi to the airport and getting on the first plane I could find going to anywhere in TURKEY - l♥ve l♥ve l♥ve the country, its kind generous people not to mention the caloried filled but yummy food hee hee xx
ReplyDeleteI'd only move if I couldn't find a job in the area I love in my home country. I'd maybe go to Ireland or a Scandinavian country, but I'd miss my family and friends terribly..
ReplyDeleteI would love to have a second home in France - Loire Valley
ReplyDeleteI am not sure I could move and leave my family/friends! I would love to travel to europe, but not live
ReplyDeleteI would go and move to Italy.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't go. I love this country
ReplyDeleteI did this and I moved to Germany to be with my husband.
ReplyDeleteAustria
ReplyDelete