This is a big book, and it took me a while to get into it, but I did enjoy it. The story is set in the 1960s when men's attitudes to women, anywhere other than the home, were quite different to how they are now (or at least I'd like to think so!) The main characters are Eliza and Matt, but I did find it quite frustrating in the second half of the book when they encounter problems in their marriage that they just don't talk to each other, or at least they don't listen to each other. Most of the characters are intertwined in some way, but seem to fade out of the story as it concentrates on Eliza and Matt, and their precocious daughter Emmie. The story culminates in a court case as the couple battle for custody of Emmie after their marriage dissolves into acrimony. The thing I love about Penny Vincenzi is that her characters are so real and believable. I can't stand books where the characters are ultra rich and pages are dedicated to their designer clothes, expensive jewellery, flashy cars and the type of champagne they drink. Sure there are people like that but not in the circles I move in. In this book Matt made money, but he was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth - he worked for it and was therefore a believable character. I also liked that Eliza's family, although "upper class" were poor as church mice. A very enjoyable book. Penny Vincenzi is really at the top the field.
What do You think about The Decision (2011)?
Liked it, but it was too long: could have done with being 300 pages shorter.
—Lamia
It was extremely long. Good story but could have been condensed some what.
—shantellparks
Penny on form, a good holiday read as it takes a week to read.
—sselves
