The Diary

Eileen Goudge was inspired by her own parent's true story for "The Diary" according to her own Author's Notes inserted prior to chapter one. When an author digs directly into their close family life, the good/bad, rich/poor, sickness/health, nitty gritty of immediate family relationship, it becomes a work of love--as shows in "The Diary." My wife enjoyed it tremendously and suggested I would also. She was quite right. This is no romance novel, although about love. It deals with finding the strength to choose true love over safer, more secure options. A LOVE theme, but in a realistic, human context, not from a steamy room in a motel, like those cheap imitations of human intimacy. This book holds as much mystery and suspense in the pages as any murder mystery or detective story. The clues to the mystery are provided but it takes the author, in her own time (of course at the end of the story) to fill in the final picture. And much to a reader's delight. Sisters, Emily and Sarah, box up Mother's belongings (dad/husband is already deceased) due to the home place being sold. They come across Mom's diary--The Diary. Who wouldn't look. Mom lays motionless, unresponsive, & failing in a nursing home after a stroke. She's likely soon to die. Diary entries begin to uncover a romantic triangle, their mother's young adult dilemma of loving and being loved by two different men, both unique in their own ways, but opposites as far as the choice to be made. It's called "Domestic fiction" rather than mystery or romance and it lives up to those words. It is the writing of the emotional intercourse among family that brings the pages alive. Everyone wishes they had "The Diary" written by their parents. That would enlighten us to the internal affectionate history of those who we can not longer talk with--no more ask the questions. Lucky, lucky, Emily and Sarah received those answers to questions. This is destined as the #1 feel-good-in-the-end book-of-the-year. We both read this book in a day, because we have the time, but more because neither of us could not put it down until we knew the secrets hidden away in "The Diary." 2 bottom lines: Buy "The Diary" by Eileen Goudge Write your own diary to leave for those following your life.

was an unusual type of subject for this writer, but well done as usual for her.

I really enjoyed this book. I read three chapters the first night and finished it the second night. I couldn't put it down, I was swept away wondering what was going to happen next and trying to put the pieces together of who their mother had chosen. It really makes you wonder just what you may not know about the people closest to you. It is a wonderful story of love and what a woman had to go through in the past when chosing a husband based on love or based on status. I highly recommend this story to anyone who wants to be swept away in an easy read.

THE DIARY by Eileen Goudge was sent to with a personal inscription that made me aware that this was a very special story for Eileen to write. Then I focused on the "Author's Note" which immediately touched my heart as I saw it was dedicated to Eileen's parents and I knew I was in for something very special. Reading Eileen Goudge's books are always a pleasure but I was not prepared for just how extraordinary THE DIARY is. I read it in one sitting which is unusual for me with my busy schedule but there was no way I was putting it down. I was caught up immediately with Emily and Sarah's discovery of their mother's diary which tells the story of A. J. and Elizabeth. The two adult sisters are clearing out their mother's attic following her declining health as a result of a debilitating stroke that has left her mute and close to death. The diary is delicately described as "bound in maroon leather dulled with age, its gilt tooling worn away in spots" with a "satin bookmarker, once red, now faded to the ashy-pink of dried, pressed rose." It also said the diary "seemed to carry the scent of dried roses" and with that description I was transported with all my senses to the setting of the story within that diary! The diary reveals a completely different mother than the one the daughters thought they knew. With their father having predeceased their mother, and her unable to speak, they have nobody to turn to with their questions concerning the information that is divulged in the writing in this journal. Diary entries are written verbatim and the story simultaneously presents the narrative to accompany each entry. Sarah and Emily are as entranced as they are shocked to discover that according to the diary their mother's true love was not their father--the father they adored, the couple they thought they knew so well all their lives. The more the girls read, the more they realize they had a mystery they must solve. Was there really another man, this "A. J." in their mother's life before their father who was the one they were always led to believe was her one and only true love? Who was the mysterious A. J. who the diary describes as someone who made their mother a young woman of passions unknown to her daughters? If this A. J. was Elizabeth's first true love, what made her leave him for their father? This is a story that will make you ask yourself how well you know your own parents. Think of yourself now as an adult, and how well do you think your own children know about your romantic past with the man in your life, your spouse? That was a question that really made me think about my own son and what does he really know about his parents and the love they have shared for 36 years? This is a gem of a book. One to share with everyone you care about. It would make a wonderful Mother's Day gift or Easter present for that special parent or person in your life. I know it is a book that I will long cherish and reread as it is written to enjoy over and over again

I would give it more stars if possible. Another winner for Ms Goudge. Read this in a day while commuting. A believable story with rich characters.