Review: Once in a Lifetime

Not long ago I reviewed a book that I described in terms of a luscious dessert — to be savoured slowly due to its richness. Once In A Lifetime could also be described as confection, but more like a pavlova — light, sweet, fluffy.

It’s a pretty sure bet that if you ignore the adage and judge a book by its cover, you won’t be surprised by the contents of Cathy Kelly’s latest offering. A beaming, long-tressed lass swings across the title, showering the mauve background in golden leaves. This is probably not the book for yer average bloke.

Once In A Lifetime covers a brief period in the lives of several women in a provincial Irish town as significant events overlap to affect them all. Linking the individual tales is the ‘wise woman’, Star Bluestone, who plays a part in helping all these women move onwards.

High profile TV presenter Ingrid has worked hard to make a name for herself in a tough industry, and is a well respected political interviewer. Her world is rocked by an unexpected and tragic event, snowballing into a discovery that shakes her belief in the life she had built.

Natalie shares a flat with Ingrid’s daughter, and struggles to find her identity as a motherless daughter. Charlie works in the town’s department store (owned by Ingrid’s husband) and strives to break free from the rigid expectations of her mother.

Unfortunately, the character of Star could have been a stronger and more powerfully drawn influence if Kelly had not relied on her having the gift of ‘sixth sense’ — while maintaining that everyone can get in touch with this sense, it still lends a less believable air to the tale. Magic teapot, indeed.

There’s quite a glut of books of this type on the market, and Cathy Kelly seems to have a strong following. The theme of women gleaning strength from their friendships, dealing with betrayal, loss and regret and moving on stronger for their adversity, is not new.

However, if an undemanding read is what you are after, then you could do worse than Once In A Lifetime. There is inspiration to be drawn from the characters, and they are all smart, strong women.

And for all those men out there that think they’d like to give it a go, I say why not. You just might want to slip a plain cover over the top.

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