My thoughts about Journey to Paradise by Paula Greenlees
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Disclosure: I got sent a free copy of this book by the publisher via Net Galley.
Synopsis for Journey to Paradise by Paula Greenlees
Singapore, 1949
When Miranda moves to the Alexandra Quarter with her husband Gerry, she hopes it will bring the fresh start they need.
Though their life in ex-pat society is full of luxury, Miranda can't help feeling like an outsider, and her relationship with Gerry becomes increasingly distant.
When doctor Nick Wythenshaw encourages Miranda to work within the local community, she finds new purpose away from her protected world that opens her eyes to a new way of life.
But as riots erupt across the region and danger draws close to home, Miranda must make an impossible choice.
Will she sacrifice everything she holds dear to find happiness?
Singapore, 1949
When Miranda moves to the Alexandra Quarter with her husband Gerry, she hopes it will bring the fresh start they need.
Though their life in ex-pat society is full of luxury, Miranda can't help feeling like an outsider, and her relationship with Gerry becomes increasingly distant.
When doctor Nick Wythenshaw encourages Miranda to work within the local community, she finds new purpose away from her protected world that opens her eyes to a new way of life.
But as riots erupt across the region and danger draws close to home, Miranda must make an impossible choice.
Will she sacrifice everything she holds dear to find happiness?
When Miranda moves to the Alexandra Quarter with her husband Gerry, she hopes it will bring the fresh start they need.
Though their life in ex-pat society is full of luxury, Miranda can't help feeling like an outsider, and her relationship with Gerry becomes increasingly distant.
When doctor Nick Wythenshaw encourages Miranda to work within the local community, she finds new purpose away from her protected world that opens her eyes to a new way of life.
But as riots erupt across the region and danger draws close to home, Miranda must make an impossible choice.
Will she sacrifice everything she holds dear to find happiness?
Discussing Journey to Paradise by Paula Greenlees
Quotes from Journey to Paradise by Paula Greenless
How strange it seemed, at the age of twenty-eight, to be leaving England for the very first time; it surprised her how the people on the quay grew smaller as well as the buildings, and they were quickly absorbed by the grey. Yet still she watched, hoping to get one last glimpse of the thin line of land on the horizon so that she could say a final farewell to home, but it had faded from view and there was nothing left to see.
Loneliness and uncertainty rose through her and the desire to be close to her parents and all that was familiar caught her off guard. She picked up her pen, wanting to write to them, needing to be close, but all the words she’d been wanting to write thundered around in her head, making her temples throb.
England seemed another world as she watched the mesmerising blues and greens of the sea, the hills in the distance and the unfamiliar buildings looming into view.
It made her think of Henry and the softness of his hand in hers. Her whole body ached at the thought and she longed to know how big his hand would have grown by now.
Gerry shook his hand then instructed Jinhai to load their cases into the boot of the car. Miranda watched, aching to help with the smaller ones. When their luggage was loaded, she took her cue from Gerry and settled into the back with just her handbag.
Trishaws and bicycles wove between women carrying wicker crates containing chickens, their feathers fluttering as they squawked, or strange vegetables in rattan baskets, children were crying and beggars limped on crutches. A bullock cart trundled along ahead of them. All the while, the unbearable heat mingled with the sulphurous stench of rotting eggs, which filtered through the open windows of the car.
‘Besides, it’s interesting, don’t you think, the first time you see a new place?’ She leant a little closer to the open window, allowing the breeze to cool her face. ‘Like reading a new book or watching a movie. You never know exactly how it’s going to unfold.’
‘It’s just not the done thing here and you have to make sure that she respects you.’ He gave her hand a little squeeze. ‘It’s different to England, where one might have a cup of tea and a chat with the daily. She’s a servant, something that you’ll have to get used to, not a friend.’
But now, as she looked across at her husband, it seemed as though the blue that once sparkled so clear and bright seemed to fade at stormy moments, like the sky darkening on a winter’s day.
‘It’s different out here, Miranda. And you know what men are like –he probably wants to simply look after you and doesn’t like the idea of you working; it’s a bit emasculating, don’t you think, for men if their wives have to go out to work?’
Of course, the Japanese occupation had been awful, she knew that, but what she hadn’t appreciated was the depth of anger the locals still harboured against the British for allowing the Japanese to march unchecked over the causeway. There was still so much she had to learn about Singapore, and she wondered if she’d ever understand the people here.
‘I look so glamorous, almost like Princess Margaret,’ Miranda said. ‘Are you sure this is such a good idea?’ ‘Yes.’ Georgina nodded her head. ‘And you don’t look like Princess Margaret. You look like yourself, which is much better. Ready?’
Of course, she longed to laugh, to feel free, to dance in the sand, not to drag the past around like some awful deadweight. No one wanted Miranda to be the person she used to be more than she did. But somehow she couldn’t find her way back.
‘You only get one life, Miranda,’ Georgina said, her voice urgent as she stared deep into her eyes for a moment, before she smiled. Then stood up, hugged Miranda and made her way towards the door.
Of course, he had known it would happen one day, but he’d half-assumed she’d always be there, simply because she always had been.
Where to find Journey to Paradise by Paula Greenlees online:
(available for pre-order: Pub date 1st May 2021)
Goodreads
Goodreads
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