Book Review and #Giveaway: An Unexpected Guest by Anne Korkeakivi {3 Winners}
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 Posted by Dina
On a lovely spring day in Paris – post-9/11 and several months after the London Underground bombings — Clare Moorhouse, the Irish-American wife of a high-ranking British diplomat, is arranging an official dinner crucial to her husband’s career. As she shops for fresh stalks of asparagus and works out the menu and seating arrangements, her day is complicated by the abrupt arrival of her son from boarding school in England and a random encounter with a man on the street, who may be a suspected terrorist. More unnerving still is a recurring face in the crowd, one that belonged to another, darker era of her life. But it can’t be him…
Like Virginia Woolf did in Mrs. Dalloway, Anne Korkeakivi brilliantly weaves the complexities of an age into an act as deceptively simple as hosting a dinner party.
My Thoughts
An Unexpected Guest covers a day in the life of Clare, the wife of a diplomat stationed in Paris. She is the perfect wife, a gracious hostess, and a devoted mother. On that day, her many skills are put to the test, as at a short notice Clare and her husband have to host an important dinner, one that may make or break his career. Clare's day will be busy as the task is challenging but she is confident she can swing it. After all, Clare has had two decades of practice.
As the day unfolds, Clare is tested in many unexpected ways. A dark secret from her past comes back to haunt her, a stranger needs her help, her son is in trouble, and a long-lost love threatens to derail her carefully arranged existence. Suddenly, the choices Clare has to make are no longer just about a diplomatic dinner. At first, Clare tries to postpone things - she wants to stay focused, to organize the event perfectly because her husband deserves her full support. Her son's drama can wait, she should not get involved as a witness, she can't afford to waste precious minutes pondering the past. Will Clare live up to her reputation as a decent person who always does the right thing? Or will she take the easy road, one of a spectator and not a participant?
Anne Korkeakivi has penned an irresistible story of many layers. The city of Paris comes to life in vibrant color, much more than a background to Clare's day. The complexity of Clare's character and her dilemmas are masterfully entwined with political turmoil and the intricacies of diplomatic life. An Unexpected Guest is a remarkable debut novel, and I can't wait to see what Ms. Korkeakivi will write next.
An Unexpected Guest
is new today from Little, Brown, a division of Hachette Book Group.The Giveaway
Three (3) lucky U.S./ Canadian readers will win a copy of An Unexpected Guest by Anne Korkeakivi!
To enter, please follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter.
* If you can't see the form, please refresh your page, make sure Javascript is enabled, or try another browser. a Rafflecopter giveaway
April 17, 2012 at 1:12 PM
I am currently not reading a book but I do have a bunch downloaded on the kindle app. I just need to pick one to start :)
April 17, 2012 at 1:12 PM
I am currently not reading a book but I do have a bunch downloaded on the kindle app. I just need to pick one to start :)
April 17, 2012 at 6:52 PM
Right now I am reading Left Neglected by Lisa Genova.
April 17, 2012 at 6:53 PM
Just started Winter Solstice, an oldie that's a favorite of a co-worker!
I loved Mrs. Dalloway, hope this will be as good!
April 17, 2012 at 7:15 PM
I managed to snag an ARC of Drawn Together by Aline & R. Crumb. It's a hoot!
April 17, 2012 at 7:32 PM
I'm reading Game of Throwns Dance with Dragons
April 17, 2012 at 7:54 PM
Bringing Up Girls by Dr James Dobson
April 17, 2012 at 8:42 PM
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
lag110 at mchsi dot com
April 17, 2012 at 9:03 PM
I am reading Awake at Dawn. Tore923@aol.com
April 17, 2012 at 9:06 PM
Goodbye Columbus (Philip Roth)
April 17, 2012 at 9:25 PM
As The Crow Flies
April 17, 2012 at 11:34 PM
I am in between books right now!
Anneliz702@hotmail.com
April 17, 2012 at 11:56 PM
I'm reading RAINSHADOW ROAD :)
April 18, 2012 at 6:05 AM
I am between books right now. Great review, this sounds interesting.
April 18, 2012 at 2:04 PM
I'm almost done with The Wire in the Blood by Val McDermid.
April 18, 2012 at 9:07 PM
I am reading Mercy. By Jodi Picoult.
April 18, 2012 at 9:20 PM
I'm reading This Body of Death by Elizabeth George.
PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com
April 18, 2012 at 9:30 PM
50 Shades of Grey
April 19, 2012 at 4:31 AM
I'm reading Surrender by Pamela Clare.
April 20, 2012 at 9:43 PM
I'm reading "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot. It's nonfiction about biology. Pretty good so far. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
April 20, 2012 at 10:56 PM
I'm reading Bible Basics - not sure of the author.
coreybrennan26@hotmail.com
April 21, 2012 at 7:52 PM
Right now, I'm still reading Joyce Meyer's seven things that will steal your joy.
April 24, 2012 at 10:15 AM
I am reading Exile Trust by Vincent H. O'Neil.
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
April 24, 2012 at 6:06 PM
I am reading If I Fall by Kate Noble.
April 26, 2012 at 11:25 AM
unbroken by lauren hillenbrand
gkuroda(at)gmail.com
April 26, 2012 at 11:32 AM
i am reading unbroken by lauren hillenbrand
gkuroda(at)gmail.com
April 28, 2012 at 7:28 PM
The Book of Lost Fragrances by MJ Rose, a novel of suspense. My sense of smell is ... adequate. The notes that the main character can distinguish is phenomenal and makes me jealous. Although, considering the 'great unwashed' maybe I have the better talent.
April 28, 2012 at 8:06 PM
I am currently reading Sunrise Point (Virgin River)by Robyn Carr.
April 28, 2012 at 11:25 PM
I am reading A Wallflower Christmas.
Thank you for having this giveaway.
:)Jeanne, jeannebates_t@yahoo.com
April 30, 2012 at 6:36 PM
True Colors by Kristin Hannah
May 1, 2012 at 12:23 PM
I am reading Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka.
elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com
May 2, 2012 at 11:47 AM
I'm reading A DARK HISTORY: THE POPES.