Ordinary Time

Reviews / Votes

A brilliant portrait of a community and an insightful exploration of marriage and family life. Funny and heartbreaking, immersive and thoroughly satisfying -- Nina Stibbe Once I started reading I couldn't stop. Cathy Rentzenbrink is so astute and observant about the small dramas, disappointments and compromises of marriage, and the deadening effects of duty . . . incredibly moving -- Clare Chambers Here is the absolute truth about love, told with wisdom, heart and humour. So clever, funny and life-affirming -- Meg Mason I loved Ordinary Time and couldn't put it down. Cathy Rentzenbrink is Britain's answer to Anne Tyler . . . a very clever, funny, well-observed, absorbing and beautiful novel. Wonderful -- Philippa Perry Has a touch of the Madame Bovarys, or indeed Anna Kareninas, though it is less tragic - we're past the age of women having to die for wondering if they're maybe a bit bored. It's also funnier, warmer, and with a solidly middle-aged heroine. Which actually takes us slightly into Barbara Pym territory too, what with the vicarage and the ever-alert lady parishioners. Very good on marriage, family life and the eternal questions surrounding both . . . Cathy Rentzenbrink is possessed of high emotional intelligence -- India Knight A beautiful and generous novel about love in all its forms, about daring to reach for the stars and how to sail through the storms that knock us off course -- Kit de Waal Witty, tender, heartrending. Ordinary Time is about the huge feelings that howl beneath the surface of the everyday. No one has written this astutely about the inner lives of middle-aged women since Barbara Pym -- Clare Pollard A wise and funny novel full of heart and truth by a truly brilliant writer -- Julia Samuel I so enjoyed this novel. It's a super sharp-eyed look at a marriage. Friendship, love and forgiveness all come under Cathy's scrutiny in the story of a woman struggling with her lot in life . . . Funny, moving and beautifully accomplished. I really recommend it -- Fanny Blake I loved reading Ordinary Time, moving giddily between recognition, empathy and awe. Cathy Rentzenbrink explores the different facets of love with such subtlety, honesty and compassion and her characters are irresistible -- Kate Eberlen I devoured Ordinary Time . . . immensely satisfying -- Patrick Gale A very special book. Quietly Brilliant is the best way I can put it. Stealthily Extraordinary. She makes the everyday profound like Anne Tyler does. Melancholy interiority meets great capacity for joy. A beautiful, beautiful book about love in all its forms -- Marian Keyes This is a very special novel. It manages to do several things beautifully: tell Ann's story with humour, wit and head-nodding empathy, but it is also an unputdownable read. It is impossible not to be swept up in the inner tumult of Ann's quietly passionate life. I really loved it -- Harriet Evans Compassionate . . . The character of Ann is so well written, it felt as if I knew her * Good Housekeeping, 10 BEST BOOKS OF THE MONTH * Witty, waspish and sharply observed * Grazia, BEST BOOKS OF THE SUMMER * Anyone who has reached midlife and thought, "is this it?" will relate to the protagonist of Rentzenbrink's compelling second novel * i Paper, BEST NEW BOOKS FOR JULY * I RACED through this beautifully written, very wise book about love, duty, family and loyalty . . . Wonderful * Daily Mail * This thoughtful novel about a reluctant vicar's wife is deeply touching . . . Ann is so well written, it feels as if you know her * Good Housekeeping 50 Best Ever Beach Books *