Review of Bone Lines, by Stephanie Bretherton
I’ve spent a lot of time recently working on the shoutline for the cover of my novel. It is not an easy task to describe an entire plot in just a few words, but I found inspiration from a number of other books whose authors had done a great job.
One of those was Bone Lines by Stephanie Bretherton, which I read by the pool on a recent mini break to Fuerteventura.
The book’s tagline of ‘Love is evolutionary’ perfectly epitomises a story that explores the lives of two remarkably different women, across two timelines.
In prehistoric times, a young woman travels alone through a barren landscape, searching for a new home.
Centuries later, scientist Dr Eloise Kluft takes charge of an incredible archaeological find that might the answer to some of the enduring mysteries surrounding mankind’s origins. But as she pieces together the story of a young woman who lived thousands of years earlier, she also has to confront her own romantic past and future.
At its heart, this is a story about two formidable women who pursue life on their own terms, without the need for a man to support their journey. It’s about the essence of what it means to be a woman, fighting to stay strong and not be left subordinate to anyone.
After a brief encounter, Sarah is left pregnant and delivers her child alone in the wilderness, where she must keep it safe from predators, finding sustenance wherever she can as they continue their long journey. In contrast, Eloise is single and childless, contemplating a relationship with a colleague after her previous love affairs ended badly. She spends much of the book reflecting on her choices and where life has led her, touching on the possibility of family after the pain of losing her own beloved parents.
For a narrative featuring a character with little in the way of language – at least as we know it today – I found the sections of the novel that followed Sarah’s journey the most compelling. Her surroundings are viewed through the eyes of someone who lived thousands of years ago, which means that much is left to the reader to decipher, while the present day narrative weaves occasional significant clues throughout the story.
This book is about pursuing your own path and maintaining your strength, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Find out more
Bones Lines on Goodreads
Bone Lines on Amazon
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