Midwinter Break
General Fiction, Literary Fiction
Fiction
Published by Vintage - Jonathan Cape

An intense exploration of love and uncertainty when a long-married couple take a midwinter break in Amsterdam.
A retired couple, Gerry and Stella Gilmore, take a holiday – to refresh the senses, to see the sights and to generally take stock of what remains of their lives. But amongst the wintry streets and icy canals we see their relationship fracturing beneath the surface. And when memories re-emerge of a troubled time in their native Ireland, things begin to fall apart. As their midwinter break comes to an end, we understand how far apart they are – and can only watch as they struggle to save themselves.
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Reviews
“Its portrayal of the tightening vice of alcohol addiction is unparalleled. But its profound exploration of its love, companionship, faith, work and our search for meaning in life made it a tender masterpiece, and one of the year’s essential reads.”
“MacLaverty is a sweetly astute writer, a master of fine detail, compassing the quotidian, the intimate and the sacred. ‘Midwinter Break’ shows us how ordinary and immense love can be.”
“This warm, intimate portrait of ageing love is one of the wittiest, wisest novels of the year.”