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4.5/5 stars. Monica Dickens seems to be able to do no wrong, in my eyes. She's the author of my favourite read classic of 2016 "Mariana", she writes amazing characters and "The Winds of Heaven" is no exception. With this book, you can't help but feel sorry for the poor widow Louise whose life seems

Such a difficult book to rate. The writing is good, reminding me of my favorites Margaret Kennedy and Dorothy Evelyn Smith. But.... I hesitate to give this five stars us because of the extremely unlikable characters. The reader longs for some human kindness but although it's there, it is dealt out s Leggi tutto

Another wonderful book from the ever reliable Persephone Books. Poor Louise is a widow who has been brow-beaten and bullied by her selfish husband. On his death, she discovers he was also a braggart, who couldn't admit to failure, so he carried on spending money he didn't have. She has been left wit Leggi tutto

I found this an absolutely astounding book. The astounding thing was that I adored it, despite hating ALL but one of the characters (Louise's granddaughter Ellen). I particularly despised Louise, the lead character and most irritating, idiotic and pathetic creature I have come across in literature.

“When the winds of heaven blow, men are inclined to throw back their heads like horses, and stride ruggedly into the gusts, pretending to be much healthier than they really are; but women tend to creep about, shrunk into their clothes and clutching miserably at their hats and hair.” Louise Bickford h Leggi tutto

This is a book I could not put down. It is about so many things - what it is like to grow old and dependent - what it is like to have spunk despite numerous personal disappointments - how you can be too soft and giving and not assert yourself - on the other hand how your good heart can lead you to n Leggi tutto

Another winner from the marvelous Persephone books, number 90 from their list. The second Monica Dickens they have re-published. The Winds of Heaven is a beautifully constructed novel. Louise is a widow forced by financial hardship to depend on her grown up daughters to home her for half the year, wh Leggi tutto

The Winds of Heaven, the eighth of Monica Dickens ( the great-granddaughter of Charles Dickens) seventeen novels , was published in 1955. Louise Bickford aged 57 has become a widow after her husband Dudley dies from a illness. Dudley leaves Louise with nothing , except his debts.He had sold every shar Leggi tutto

Louise's husband has recently died, leaving her nearly destitute and having to cast herself on the tender mercies of her three daughters, with whom she lives turn and turn-about. Unfortunately, none of the daughters really wants Louise, though they feel morally obliged to have her, and so she feels

Fiftyish widow is left to the charity of her three selfish daughters. I just loved this book. Funny and sad and a joy to read. A Persephone Book.