From the back of the book:
Ruby Lennox was conceived grudgingly by Bunty and born while her father, George, was in the Dog and Hare in Doncaster telling a woman in an emerald dress and a D-cup that he wasn't married. Bunty had never wanted to marry George, but he was all that was left. She really wanted to be Vivien Leigh or Celia Johnson, swept off to America by a romantic hero. But here she was, stuck in a flat above a pet shop in an ancient street beneath York Minster, with sensible and sardonic Patricia aged five, greedy cross-patch Gillian who refused to be ignored, and Ruby...

Ruby tells the story of The Family, from the day at the end of the nineteenth century when a travelling French photographer catches frail beautiful Alice and her children, like flowers in amber, to the startling, witty, and memorable events of Ruby's own life.

RELEASE NOTES:

Posted as part of the Aussie General Bookbox #1.

Received with thanks from awaywithfairies, as part of the Aussie bookbox.

In some ways I found this novel quite hard to read and enjoy. But it seemed to follow me about: it infiltrated my dreams, and other works by the author would pop up everywhere, including at bookcrossing meetups. Because I read it so sporadically, I found it hard to remember the family tree. The story jumped around in time a bit, so I forgot about the story of a character and be confused when they popped up again 100 pages later. The writing had a touch of the comedic, yet there were so many tragic war deaths and heart broken adoptions, it was all a bit much, especially when so many sad things happened to little doggies (my soft spot). But I guess I can see why it was a popular book and I am sure that others will enjoy it after me.

Got this from elisabethlily today at meetup, looks interesting.
Thanks!

Caught at BC Meetup on Sunday 17 April at Stones Corner Pub.

Looking forward to reading this book!

Neesy

Picked this up from neesy on a quick catch up on easter Saturday. Many thanks for another book from the ARC list, now I just need to read the ARC books and not everything else thats here!

I finished this last night, it took me a while to get into it in the beginning and I spent the first half of the book thinking there should be a family tree in the front, after a while I started to suspect why there wasn't one! I still got confused at times with the switching of times, but I am always distracted by children when I try to read! I really liked the characters in this particularly Ruby and Bunty. I laughed out loud a few times through this especially when they were on their joint holiday with the neighbours.
Will take along to BCbrisbane meetup and see if Neesy wants to read it for ARC.

Picked up last week at BC meet - Riverbend, Bulimba. Looking forward to reading this.

I cannot believe I have had this book for so long!
I started reading it quite awhile ago but couldn't really get into it...very hard to follow the characters. I put aside time this week and finished it (the ferry is a fantastic form of public transport and perfect for reading).
The book is very well written and I'm glad I dedicated time to follow the different generations. It was intersting to note the specific linkages between characters over the decades, which makes me wonder about real life and whether we really are more closely connected that we realise.
It was sad to read about so many family tragedies and nice to see Rags, Panda and Teddy survived. Now that I have finally finished this book, I'm looking forward to reading Human Creatures (also sitting on my bookshelf for far too long!)

Caught this at the Bookcrossing Meetup

Delightful book. I agree with those who say that the cast of characters is a bit difficult to keep up with but once you let yourself go and just go along for the ride it's highly enjoyable.

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Please enjoy.

I just found it and am about to read it....will keep you posted!

CAUGHT IN BRISBANE QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIA