Unexpected Lessons in Love

As promised, a book whose title is far removed from my last post! Unexpected Lessons in Love is just as warm as it looks.

I have to admit, I wasn’t totally convinced by the first couple of chapters of this book. But just so I don’t put you off straight away: if you persevere you will find three hundred pages of sincere, intriguing and unique writing. At the start I thought that the novel was going to be syrupy sweet with not much substance (something to do with the book jacket?) but this seems to be what Bernadine Bishop wants you to think, before slapping you out of the haze of scene setting with exciting plot twists and unexpected character development.

I can’t resist the type of book that slyly introduces seemingly random new characters and builds up your interest until it becomes clear how they are all connected in different ways, and Bishop’s tale does not disappoint in this way. There’s so much depth to the characters, especially Cecilia, Leda and Helen, that you just keep peeling back right through to the last chapter. In the first couple of chapters I thought Ian, Cecilia’s son, was going to turn out to be a bit of a pathetic, wishy-washy character, but (spoiler alert!) he really strengthens up and becomes a whole new person after being abducted while working abroad.

Bernadine Bishop also deals with the topic of cancer in a refreshing way, without the saccharine sentimentality I was expecting, having suffered with it herself. She gives insights into the illness without being obtrusive, though I love the straightforward way she describes the trials and tribulations of Cecilia’s experience. The balance between poignant moral and philosophical ideas and lightness of style and dialogue is charming. In some places the story concerns and saddens you, in others it’s sunny and uplifting.

True to its name, thinking back after finishing the book, you can identify so many of the ‘lessons in love’ between the characters – between spouses, children and parents, friends, even strangers. I can’t think of anything I’ve read that’s similar to Unexpected Lessons in Love.

It’s not a book that is easy to describe. Bishop definitely stirs up some rarely-touched themes and ideas, combined with a way of writing that is surprising, intense and satisfying. Perfect holiday read.