Now available
These Years: 1986
Ruth Whitehead is now 25. Returning to the States after a trip to Italy, she stops off for a few nights in England to visit her English cousin, the artist Greg Adams. She has not seen him since his stay in Massachusetts 13 years previously. Memories of the crush she had then developed on him now amuse her, but when back in his company she finds that her adolescent feelings are not entirely extinguished. His friendliness and obvious pleasure in seeing her again not only contrast with the palpable hostility of his disabled wife, but also shed an uncomfortable light on the state of her relationship with boyfriend Darren, awaiting her back in Boston.
The continuing effect on her later life of Ruth’s youthful crush is sensitively, and at times humorously, explored, and will be resumed in a third novella, These Years: 1991.
Buy the book here, or, even better, order from your local bookshop.
What Readers are saying about These Years: 1986
“I [was] expecting a leisurely read over [a] few days, and then found it so captivating that I simply could not put it down, so I was through it by the end of the afternoon. That’s the sort of reading experience everyone wants! It’s compelling intense, funny, beautiful, heartbreaking, deeply human, forensic in its exploration of emotions – emotions that swirl and eddy, most of them not quite what they seem to be, and in any case changing before our eyes as we (and the characters) work them out. It’s also brilliantly constructed, the plot unfolding relentlessly, with not a wasted word in sight. You don’t have to have read the earlier story (These Years: 1973), but it was lovely to catch up with these characters in a new phase of their lives. The author has promised a third instalment too. If it’s half as good as the first two, it will be a real treat.”
Amazon Review
“We were introduced to Ruth in “These Years:1973” and 13 year old Ruth is now 25. R.N.F. Skinner continues to develop this character with insight and skill, creating a very believable and rounded woman- not always found with male authors. I felt drawn into Ruth’s complicated feelings and emotions as the storyline took me to England and an unexpected situation. I urge you to read about Ruth in 1973 and again in this newly published book as the adult Ruth struggles to understand her own feelings. An excellent read, highly recommended.”
Imogen on Goodreads
