The Other Half of Augusta Hope

A set of twins are born minutes apart which gives them different birthdays. This difference defines them forever. One dark and one fair. One studious and one not so interested. One serious and the other flighty and in the moment. Augusta is precocious and interested in the world and words. As a young child she spins the globe and puts her finger on the spot that will be her favorite--Burundi.
on the other side of the world is a young boy growing up in a world of fear and death. In the political turmoil of Africa his parents and brother are slaughtered and he becomes the leader and protector of his remaining family. His decision is to go to Spain and be an artist to support them.
This well written and compelling book tells the story or these two people, each restless and searching for something. It is a story of finding your home and what that home means--your other half.

Completely enthralled by this book from start to finish. Beautiful accomplished writing, and was surprised to see it was a debut novel. The characters were well drawn out, and although you can see where the story is going from quite early on, this in no way spoils the enjoyment of the novel. This book made me both happy and sad, and a whole range of emotions in between. More please!

At the start of the book Augusta lives with her parents and her twin sister in British suburbia. She is very bright, reads encyclopedias and dictionaries for fun and is not entirely happy with her lot in life. She dreams of escaping to somewhere else, where she can be the person that she really wants to be. Parfait lives in Burundi and is desperate to leave his war-torn country and make a life for himself in Spain. In alternating chapters, the narrative relates the story of these two individuals as they grow up and try to fulfill their ambitions. Inevitably their lives converge.

This is a very readable, if somewhat predictable, book and there was a lot to like about it. Is it contrived? Yes of course it is, but I’m not sure that detracts from the book in any way. Both the main characters are struggling to find their place in the world and the author develops their personalities and their life stories well. In particular I felt that Parfait’s story was sensitively told and depicted the trials, tribulations and horrors of life from the point of view of a refugee. The situations in which the characters find themselves are, at times, heartbreaking and harrowing, but there is also light relief in the form of humour.

My only criticism is that there were patches were I became a little bogged down and the narrative seemed to drag.

This is Joanna Glen’s first book and it is well worth a read.

I read this as part of Durham Book Swap.
I enjoyed the book. The lead character-Augusta-was convincing and engaging and I found I was drawn into her story and that of Parfait.
There was a lot of sadness in both of their stories and I thought that the complex emotional content was handled in a sensitive and thought-provoking way.
My criticism would be that some of the "minor" characters felt stereotyped (and, given that this was a contemporary novel, Augusta's father had been "beamed in" from a previous decade/Century!)

This book by Joanne Glen tells story of twin girls, Julia and Augusta, born minutes apart but in separate months. From the moment they are born the girls are very different from each other and as they grow older their ambitions and dreams move wider and wider apart.
Running parallel with this story is the story of Parfait a boy who is born in the troubled African country of Burundi. His horrific life experiences are so different from that of the girls in their secure family home in suburban England.
Throughout the book Glen skilfully brings these lives together and although the ending is perhaps predictable and a little sentimental, I really enjoyed it and at times found Glen's story quite emotional. I could identify with the feelings she expressed throughout this book and I am thankful to Durham Book Swap for the loan of a copy of it.
I found it to be an excellent read and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in other people.

An delightful read, contemporary and with flowing narrative. Tragedy, humour and good observation of life. Coincidences too. Would take on holiday.

A delightful read. Two very engaging narrators, I was willing them to meet and become one! The novel has humour, sadness and tackles current issues. Well worth a read.
I was lucky enough to receive a copy from Bookswap Durham.

Great book really and I enjoyed the twin narratives.
The characters were beautifully written and I loved being part of their lives.
Augusta Hope will stay long in your heart. ‘Up lit’ at its best.

This a beautiful narrative. As a member of Durham Bookswap I was asked to read and review it and it was a joy. The choice of words, beginning with those of a precocious small child, is poetic and perfect. The description of Augusta's maturing is engrossing, as are her travels and travails. This is a very short review because the book speaks for itself. Thank you Joanna Glen!

A really enjoyable book that has everything. There are some very big issues and more than a little serious trauma but there's also lots of love, laughter and sunshine. It's a delightfully told story with truly loveable characters, especially Augusta and Parfait who narrate the story between them. We're reading it with our reading group, Book Swap, Durham, and I think it's not only a great summer read but will also provoke lots of interesting discussion. And Spanish themed snacks and wine, obviously.