The Promise of Happiness

By Justin Cartwright

The Promise of Happiness I enjoyed the book although it wasn't a 'can't put it down' one. All through the book I had the impression it was autobiographical as if the author had first hand knowledge of such a dysfunctional and tragic family. The book got me interested in Tiffany windows - so interested I looked it up on the internet and they are really lovely - I will be on the lookout for them in future. At the end I was looking for a kind of grand finale but it was a bit of a damp squib - as if the author had run out of ideas. Nevertheless a good read 3/5

This book was not a bad read, telling the story of how the family members have coped with life since their sister's imprisonment and what happens as she returns to the family after her release. You get to know the family one by one and all their secrets and true feelings for each other and how they all come together as some families do in the end. It was quite an easy and flowing read 3/5

A good family saga but a little dark and heavy to get into. Not for easy weekend reading 4/5