The Confession, by Jessie Burton starts in 1980 when Elise Morceau meets Constance Holden on Hampstead Heath. She falls under the spell of Connie, who is a successful writer and, when Connie's novel is picked up and destined to be turned into a Hollywood film, Elise accompanies her to LA for the duration. Initially dazzled by the surreal life in Hollywood, Elise is soon spending more and more time on her own and soon tires of playing second fiddle to everything and everyone, becoming increasingly unhappy and resentful. When she spots Connie canoodling with the leading lady from her film, Elise makes a rash decision that changes everything. In parallel to this story is one set 30 years later, where Rose, Elise's daughter, is also adrift in an unhappy relationship and unfulfilling job. She is pretty rudderless and has always wondered about her mother, who she'd never known. When her father mentions that maybe Constance Holden might know what happened to her mother, Rose sets out to find the author and, through a case of mistaken identity, actually goes to work for her as an assistant, using a pseudonym. The two get on very well and Rose really likes her life with Constance, and ends up living with her. But when Constance finds out who she really is, Rose thinks she might have blown her chance of unravelling the mystery of why her mother abandoned her. This was an interesting read, and I really enjoyed the relationship between Rose and the older Connie. However, I found it hard to warm to the Elise and Connie relationship which felt quite toxic. I also found it difficult to relate to either of them and wanted to give them both a "good shake" to get them to actually talk to each other ... but how often do we regret not doing so in our own lives? After all, we all make mistakes. I was also disappointed that everything wasn't wrapped up in a bow by the end of the novel, and I felt like we were left hanging. I suppose that's also true to life - we don't always find the answer to the question we are asking. An interesting study of relationships - both real and hoped for - that is well written and that will keep you turning the page.
My STAR rating: FOUR.
Length: 480 print pages.
Price I paid: £1.00.
Formats available: print, unabridged audio download, ebook.
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