'[Lichtenstein] skilfully weaves the various strands of the story together with some touching observations
about the beauty and preciousness of non-romantic relationships.'
THE LONDON PAPER
'A comic novel about how to survive being 40, married and a little bit bored.'
IN THE KNOW
'Mrs Zhivago is like a script for the perfect comedy drama. And, reading between the jokes and comic
situations, there's a real message about what keeps a marriage alive.'
FIRST
'Both poignant and and darkly amusing, we heartily recommend.'
IRISH TATLER
'Olivia Lichtenstein's first novel is full to bursting with good things ... [her] writing is succinct, witty and
often funny enough to make you hoot unbecomingly on public transport. ... accomplished, enjoyable and
surprisingly moral fable.'
INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY
POPULAR FICTION
BY WENDY HOLDEN
Things Your Mother Never Told You
by Olivia Lichtenstein
(Orion £12.99)
Saddled with a grumpy husband, difficult mother and grunting teenagers, middle-aged Ros
is a heroine to ring bells with many readers. But when her mother Lilian dies suddenly life
as Ros knows it falls apart - her marriage to Mike hits the buffers, her neighbour turns nasty
and empty-nest syndrome kicks in as her sons go off gap-yearing.
Then, as Ros sets sail into the choppy waters of Internet-dating and meets sympathetic soul
Jimmy, a series of large packets arrive through the letterbox detailing Lilian's dramatic
secret past. Whatever next? Will Ros and Mike reunite? Who is Jimmy really? And, with all
the new info about Lilian, who, for that matter, is Ros?
Lichtenstein writes with wit and sharp tenderness to create a compelling read poised
somewhere between middle-aged-singleton sitcom and historical family drama.
BY WENDY HOLDEN
Things Your Mother Never Told You
by Olivia Lichtenstein
(Orion £12.99)
Saddled with a grumpy husband, difficult mother and grunting teenagers, middle-aged Ros
is a heroine to ring bells with many readers. But when her mother Lilian dies suddenly life
as Ros knows it falls apart - her marriage to Mike hits the buffers, her neighbour turns nasty
and empty-nest syndrome kicks in as her sons go off gap-yearing.
Then, as Ros sets sail into the choppy waters of Internet-dating and meets sympathetic soul
Jimmy, a series of large packets arrive through the letterbox detailing Lilian's dramatic
secret past. Whatever next? Will Ros and Mike reunite? Who is Jimmy really? And, with all
the new info about Lilian, who, for that matter, is Ros?
Lichtenstein writes with wit and sharp tenderness to create a compelling read poised
somewhere between middle-aged-singleton sitcom and historical family drama.
The discovery of her dead mother's memoir takes recently
divorced Ros in a new direction altogether. A smart, fast-paced
and funny tale of the secrets between mothers and daughters.
divorced Ros in a new direction altogether. A smart, fast-paced
and funny tale of the secrets between mothers and daughters.
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