May book club: The Switch

I keep looking here to see what everyone thought about The Switch, but see I shall have to start the thread. I sent for it for my Kindle as soon as it was mentioned so probably read it earlier than most, and have read two more since, so details are not as clear in my old memory as they would have been if I had taken the plunge and started the thread earlier.

However, it was a lovely book portraying us older ladies as real people still ready for romance and organising people! There are not many books, or TV progs (Last Tango in Halifax the exception) which do this.

Also, of course, the relationship with her daughter and grand daughter was bitter sweet, and the various characters that came into her life were so well written that altogether it was a compelling and amusing read.

Does anyone know if Beth O'Leary has written similar books ?

I think most of us will be waiting to see whether we are lucky enough to get a Book Club copy, Milly. Noone’s mentioned it yet so I still have my fingers crossed.

She has also written The Flat Share which I've just finished and enjoyed it almost as much as The Switch. Great characters and plot in both. Would definitely recommend.

Has anyone actually received a copy of the May book?

I received a copy of The Switch this morning and have no idea where it came from as I think I also entered other competitions to win a copy but if I see that other gransnetters have received theirs within the next couple of days I think I'l assume I'm one of the lucky ones. I look forward to reading it

Thanks for my copy of the Switch which arrived today. Will read it as soon as possible and do a review. Better late than ever! ?

My copy of The Switch arrived today, I'm really looking forward to reading it. I've only just worked out where it must have come from!

My copy has arrived and I am looking forward to having a real physical book to read rather than an ebook. I do love the smell of a new book.

Very pleased to receive in the post today a copy of 'The Switch'. Thank you, I'm really looking forward to reading it.

Received my copy today and I too wondered where it came from. So now I know it’s for May’s Kate book club. Thanks it looks good.

Thanks for my copy just received. I am looking forward to reading it.

My copy arrived yesterday thanks so much. I wondered if it was from Gransnet and reading the thread I am sure it was. I have started it already and really enjoying it.

This was an easy and enjoyable read although a bit predictable. I was left wanting to learn more about Marian's story and wanted to ask Beth why she did not include a few chapters from her perspective as I felt this would have given greater depth and understanding to the relationships between the family generations.

A lovely easy read and kept me interested to the end. Lovely to read about an older person who is still looking for adventures, it sums up the current older generation, we will not be ignored!
Also it portrayed a beautiful relationship between Eileen and Leena.
I wonder if Beth has based Eileen on somebody she knows.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Switch. Characters with real depth, insight, and capability for change in both thinking and acting.
I’d love to see it as a tv series!

I thoroughly enjoyed this lovely book, although I wasn’t really expecting to from the cover information. It’s the story of a relationship between a granddaughter and her grandmother but so much more. There is also a comparison between rural and city life. Bit of a stereotype that the village people are friendlier and nosier than the stand offish city folk but actually I have found it to be true. Eileen (the grandma) takes her country ways to London and Leena is overwhelmed by the country people’s invasion of her life.
There is an underlying story too, of how people grieve differently for the loss of a loved one. Each character is dealing with their grief in a different way that causes conflict between them .
My question to the author is, does she prefer city or country life herself?

I enjoyed reading this far more than I expected to - it does have a lot of stereotypes, some of which are confounded while others are confirmed, but I liked seeing how they were used. There were some interesting thoughts on grief and how varied it's expression can be, and all in all it was a lovely read which took me away from current concerns.

I enjoyed this novel on two different levels.It was light hearted bedtime reading with Eileen and Leena alternately describing their "adventures" after switching their homes and lifestyles. Each finds the unexpected in their new lives and a strong contrast is drawn between rural Yorkshire and the apparently less friendly capital. There is humour in the characterisation and the escapades of the duo but there is also a deeper level when serious themes are explored. Grief is central to the reactions of both Eileen and Leena plus Leena's mother Marion. Betrayal within a relationship is present as well as domestic abuse .There is lots to savour here.
I would like to ask Beth whose storyline she enjoyed developing more. Was it Eileen's or Leena's?

I loved this book and read it in a couple of days. I liked that older people were written in a good light as having so much more to give. Leena goes from a high powered job in London to living in her gran’s house in a small village. She has a lot to deal with, grief, her estranged mother and a relationship which is on the brink and she doesn’t know it.
Eileen also has grief and worrying about her daughter and granddaughter as well as being betrayed to deal with. She enjoys her time away from the village and is loving London life. I think she enjoys the freedom from everyone in the village more.
Eileen changes life for everyone in the London flats and proves that it only takes one person to start the ball rolling and make life better for everyone. She is definitely my favourite character in the book. I hope I’m like her at that age.
My question for the author would be, do you know an Eileen and does she know she’s in the book ?

A truly delightful novel. Whilst being an easy, fun read, Beth has woven into the story a number of serious social issues regarding isolation and loneliness, mental health problems, grief and heartbreak. Along with 'The Flatshare' Beth has established herself as an incredibly smart author.

Received my copy about a fortnight ago. I enjoyed the book. It was very predictable, nevertheless I enjoyed it very much.
Thank you.