Page Turners – July 2024 review

In July the Page Turners read ‘Because of You‘ by Dawn French which was published in 2020. The book opens at the turn of the millennium when two women give birth in the same hospital. One leaves with a baby girl while the other leaves with empty arms. Seventeen years later the truth of what happened that day is revealed with far-reaching consequences for all.

We were not particularly overwhelmed by this book. Several of us agreed to describe it as a ‘middling effort’. It was light reading, with the first third drawing us in but after that it became more long-winded, with so many plot holes that several us felt it lacked any credibility. The characters were variably rounded with the two mothers both winning our sympathy and comic relief being provided by one of the fathers who was portrayed as an unlovable caricature. Not all of us persevered to the end but those that did found some satisfaction in the way everything was wrapped up, even if it was as implausible as the rest of the story.

Part of the pleasure of being in a book group is the opportunity it gives us to try some books we would not normally consider reading. On this occasion we did not discover a new favourite author but nevertheless it did offer some interesting topics for discussion.

We all have different tastes – you may find this book to be enjoyable holiday reading. Do get in touch if you would like to swap it for a page turner of your own.

Deborah Wallis, convenor