Madame Burova: the new novel from the author of The Keeper of Lost Things
As seen:
By Ruth Hogan
avg rating
4 reviews
‘The ’Queen of Uplit’ returns brilliantly to form with this gloriously good-natured novel.’ DAILY MAIL ‘Supremely upliftng …an absolute gem’ – MIKE GAYLE ‘Stunning, immersive and absolutely wonderful’ – ANNIE LYONS ‘Woke up early to finish this breathtakingly beautiful story … absolutely wonderful’ – CELIA ANDERSON ‘Blooming with wonderful, vibrant and charismatic characters’ PRIMA ‘A novel that fascinates… that holds mysticism, accidental and deliberate secrets, and unrequited and lost love within Ruth Hogan’s very able grasp’ KIT FIELDING
Madame Burova – Tarot Reader, Palmist and Clairvoyant is retiring and leaving her booth on the Brighton seafront after fifty years.
Imelda Burova has spent a lifetime keeping other people’s secrets and her silence has come at a price. She has seen the lovers and the liars, the angels and the devils, the dreamers and the fools. Her cards had unmasked them all and her cards never lied. But Madame Burova is weary of other people’s lives, their ghosts from the past and other people’s secrets, she needs rest and a little piece of life for herself. Before that, however, she has to fulfill a promise made a long time ago. She holds two brown envelopes in her hand, and she has to deliver them.
In London, it is time for another woman to make a fresh start. Billie has lost her university job, her marriage, and her place in the world when she discovers something that leaves her very identity in question. Determined to find answers, she must follow a trail which might just lead right to Madame Burova’s door.
In a story spanning over fifty years, Ruth Hogan conjures a magical world of 1970s holiday camps and seaside entertainers, eccentrics, heroes and villains, the lost and the found. Young people, with their lives before them, make choices which echo down the years. And a wall of death rider is part of a love story which will last through time.
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Madame Burova
Ruth Hogan
I had read one of Hogan's previous books and it was OK, but only OK.
I found Madame Burova to be an interesting, engaging and at times a challenging read. She tackled some hard-hitting issues and did so with great care. Her observations were sensitive but she didn't baulk at difficult themes. I was particularly impressed at the way that she took the reader back to the 1970's. Perhaps because this is the era when I was growing up but I did find her descriptions of the time to be both perceptive and accurate.
Her characters were beautifully described and I finished the book wanting to know what happened next. When you want a sequel, for me that is the sign of a good read.
Sampford Peverell Reading Group reviews:
This is the second Ruth Hogan title we have read as a group (the first being The Keeper of Lost Things) and we were all excited to read it. It is that rare combination of being a light, easy read – perfect for holiday reading – but also packs a bit of a punch and makes you think. Part romance and part social history, with a light dash of whimsy. Having lived in Brighton for several years I enjoyed the sense of place that the author created, and I also enjoyed the cast of interesting characters. - Kate
A heartwarming and sweet story. I liked the dual time line switching between Billie’s present and Madame Burova’s past. It took me a little while to get into it but once I was in, I enjoyed it. - Sue
I found the suggested questions for reading groups at the back of the book really helpful for making me think about some of the issues raised as I was reading. I particularly liked how it explored our notion of identity, making us think about racism, bigotry, adoption and the sense of belonging. - Nicky
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were believable, and the story held me to the end. I will be looking out for more by this author. - Lynda
It was an unusual story, which jumped between generations. It had some mystery about it, a good storyline and was clearly written. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Unusual theme, very interesting. Likeable characters
