Review: The Women Who Ran Away

Title: The Women Who Ran Away

Author: Sheila O’Flanagan

Publisher: 26th May 2020 by Hachette Australia

Pages: 435 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: fiction, contemporary, women’s fiction

My Rating: 4 cups

Synopsis:

In Sheila O'Flanagan's stunning new novel, two women face up to shocking truths about the men they've loved - and start to make their own decisions about what to do next...

Deira isn't the kind of woman to steal a car. Or drive to France alone with no plan. But then, Deira didn't expect to be single. Or to suddenly realise that the only way she can get the one thing she wants most is to start breaking every rule she lives by.

Grace has been sent on a journey by her late husband, Ken. She doesn't really want to be on it but she's following his instructions, as always. She can only hope that the trip will help her to forgive him. And then - finally - she'll be able to let him go.

Brought together by unexpected circumstances, Grace and Deira find that it's easier to share secrets with a stranger, especially in the shimmering sunny countryside of Spain and France. But they soon find that there's no escaping the truth, whether you're running away from it or racing towards it . . .

My Thoughts

A Sheila O’Flanagan book always guarantees a good read. On this occasion serendipity plays a role bringing together two women (at different stages of their lives) who find themselves together on a road trip through France and Spain. Current world circumstances dictate that this book provides some much needed armchair travel to two fabulous European countries. These women are at different stages of their lives and are dealing with different issues. What these differences do however, is allow them to work through things together removed from the usual life demands. 

One thing I particularly enjoyed about this book was the rich descriptions of locations that they traveled through from the time they got off the ferry at Roscoff to their final destination of Cartagena. Sheila provides just enough detail of places such as Bordeaux or Pamplona to make them come to life and invite you to feel a part of the journey. Two further interesting inclusions were the use of classic novels and the treasure hunt. Loved the snippets of classic literary references as both lead characters work together to solve clues regarding the destinations en route. 

‘Why not do something even madder than her original plan and travel with a woman she hardly knew, following a treasure hunt set by a dead man! Because it’s crazy, that’s why, she told herself. Bonkers. But then you’re crazy and bonkers too, aren’t you? ‘OK.’ She smiled at Grace. ‘I will.’

The idea behind this book is rather unique. Grace is a widow fulfilling her husband's last wishes of a treasure hunt. Deira is escaping Dublin after the unexpected departure of the man she thought to be her soulmate. Initially they socially cross paths but after a certain incident, make the decision to pair up and share the journey finding it easier to work through clues together. Of course, the journey evolves into more than just the literal excursion, as both women are on a course to learn about themselves and the choices and options life has in store for them. Despite the age gap, the two women worked together and supported one another. 

“Don’t judge her,’ said Grace. ‘Everyone’s very quick to pass judgement these days, and we don’t always know what’s going on in each other’s lives.”

Sheila’s books always provide good escapism, this one particularly so with its unique concept and armchair travel on offer. What person doesn’t love a road trip! This is a really lovely one through the French and Spanish countryside with two women whose lives will forever change as a result. 

‘It was so damn easy for people to tell you that you had plenty of time to start a family after doing the things you wanted to do, but life wasn’t like that. It hurtled past when you weren’t paying attention until suddenly you realised that policemen didn’t only look younger, they were younger, and that you didn’t recognise a single tune on the radio. And that somehow the  exciting, energetic stuff you’d put off doing was now being done by other people while you rubbed Voltarol onto your aching back.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.