The Girl on the Cliff: A Novel
The Girl on the Cliff: A Novel book cover

The Girl on the Cliff: A Novel

Paperback – October 30, 2012

by
Price
$7.19
Format
Paperback
Pages
416
Publisher
Atria
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-1451655827
Dimensions
5.31 x 1.04 x 8.25 inches
Weight
12 ounces

Description

From Booklist *Starred Review* Troubled by a recent miscarriage, Grania Ryan leaves her loving boyfriend in New York and seeks solace at her family’s home in Ireland. Despite the soothing effects of her mother’s cooking, countless cups of tea, and long, contemplative walks along the coast, Grania still can’t imagine returning to her old life in America. When Grania meets a tiny, redheaded girl wandering the same stretch of rocky coastline, the two strike up an unusual friendship. The young girl turns out to be Aurora Lisle, an inhabitant of the mysterious Dunworley House and the youngest member of the oft-discussed Lisle family. As Grania’s relationship with the Lisle family grows stronger, she’s forced to make choices that will not only affect her time spent in Ireland but potentially the rest of her life. Riley, author of the best-selling The Orchid House (2012), has crafted a spellbinding family drama full of long-buried secrets and set against the wind-swept Irish coast. Riley’s authorial voice is lyrical yet driven, familiar to fans of Carol Cassella and Jodi Picoult. Tautly paced yet picturesque, The Girl on the Cliff is a compelling and romantic novel of recovery, redemption, new opportunities, and lost love. --Stephanie Turza "Tautly paced yet picturesque, The Girl on the Cliff is a compelling and romantic novel of recovery, redemption, new opportunities, and lost love." ― Booklist (Starred Review) " The Girl on the Cliff firmly establishes Lucinda Riley as one of the most compelling and gifted storytellers working today." ― The Paramus Post “Colorful writing…Keeps the pages turning.” ― Kirkus Reviews Lucinda Riley was the New York Times bestselling author of over twenty novels, including The Orchid House , The Girl on the Cliff , and the Seven Sisters series. Her books have sold twenty million copies in thirty-five languages globally. She was born in Ireland and divided her time between England and West Cork with her husband and four children. Visit her website at LucindaRiley.com. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. The Girl on the Cliff Read more

Features & Highlights

  • From the author of the international bestseller
  • The Orchid House
  • , comes a mesmerizing story about two Irish families and the tangled ties that have bound them since World War I.
  • From the author of the #1 international bestseller
  • The Orchid House
  • , the mesmerizing story of two Irish families entangled by a tragic past that seems destined to repeat itself To escape a recent heartbreak in New York, Grania Ryan returns to her family home on the rugged, wind-swept coast of Ireland. Here, on the cliff edge in the middle of a storm, she meets a young girl, Aurora Lisle, who will profoundly change her life. Despite the warnings Grania receives from her mother to be wary of the Lisle family, Aurora and Grania forge a close friendship. Through a trove of old family letters dating from 1914, Grania begins to learn just how deeply their families’ histories are entwined. The horrors of World War I, the fate of a beautiful foundling child, and the irresistible lure of the ballet give rise to a legacy of heartache that leaves its imprint on each new generation. Ultimately, it will be Aurora whose intuition and spirit may be able to unlock the chains of the past. Sweeping from Edwardian England to present-day New York, from the majestic Irish coast to the crumbling splendor of a legendary London town house,
  • The Girl on the Cliff
  • introduces two remarkable women whose quest to understand their past sends them toward a future where love can triumph over loss.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
30%
(5.4K)
★★★★
25%
(4.5K)
★★★
15%
(2.7K)
★★
7%
(1.3K)
★
23%
(4.2K)

Most Helpful Reviews

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Don't bother

I read 80 pages and literally threw this book aside in disgust. I had high hopes but it is so poorly written, I couldn't read another word. The dialogue is trite, the grammar is atrocious and the story dragged. I should have paid more attention to the reviews, particularly the negative ones. Don't waste your time, or your money for that matter, on this book!
7 people found this helpful
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book contains many words, but not much to say of interest

I'm sooooooooo sorry I bought this book. The words "International Bestseller" over the title, and the beautiful cover helped convince me to give it a try. I became SO tired of reading it (it's LONG) that I skimmed the last 100 pages. There are multiple predictable story lines which are (for lack of a better word) *silly*. I find myself rolling my eyes. It's really not a very well-written book.
4 people found this helpful
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Great Irish read

This is an intricately woven tale of two Irish families whose lives and fates are intertwined for multiple generations. The dramatic saga is wonderfully written with interesting characters and the lilting sound of Irish speech. Grania Ryan is an Irish sculptor living in New York City who returns back to her homeland after a miscarriage and a breakup with her boyfriend, Matt. The story builds and complicates from that point onward and will keep you guessing what will come next. Really great read!
3 people found this helpful
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Has this author ever crossed the pond?

My review is in 2 parts, first for the story itself and next for the cultural-linguistic blunders that occur throughout the book.

Part 1: The story was rich and detailed and kept my interest throughout the 400 pages until the mystical, touching ending. Some things were predictable while others I found shocking. I enjoyed the atmospheric descriptions of the Irish cliffs as well as the emotional insights Riley sprinkles throughout the book. I felt a connection with Mary, but most of the other characters didn't really move me. The character of Matt is a complete idiot, possibly the biggest pansy of a "hero" I've read in a contemporary novel. Even more grating is his ridiculous, inauthentic manner of speaking. Riley simply doesn't know how to write natural American dialogue. Her American characters say things that no real American would ever say, which brings me to Part 2 of this review.

Part 2: Lucinda Riley should never ever write anything about the United States ever again. Period. Her complete lack of understanding of American vernacular is embarrassing. Even more embarrassing is how her constant gaffes weren't caught by her supposedly professional editors. (Examples: How's it hanging? That's real perfect. I wish I knew what I was meant to have done. Etc.) The last straw for me was when one of her characters returns from a business trip in New York City and complains about the "plastic American food." Seriously, Ms. Riley? Are you a country bumpkin? New York City is world renowned for its cuisine. You can't walk down the street in New York without discovering a culinary gem whether it's as simple as brick oven pizza or as sophisticated as Chardonnay-infused seafood risotto. Here's some American slang for you: get a clue.
3 people found this helpful
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Had to force myself to finish...little better than a harlequin romance novel...

Bought this for my iPad prior to a trip to Ireland but didn't read it til I got back. The only reason I gave it 2 stars is b/c it is evocative of the beautiful west coast of Ireland. I felt that the characters were flat, one dimensional, predictable and that the plot was silly, predictable, and unbelievable. If you are interested in an escapist, gothic style novel, try Kate Morton. Her novels are many levels above, both in character development and plot, as well as quality of writing. Also, Americans do NOT say, "Hon, I'm real sorry" or use "real" instead of "really" all the time, or say "how's it hanging?" Especially when addressing a woman?! Where was the editing? The way they made the Amricans talk was completely annoying and ridiculous! Not a fan!
3 people found this helpful
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A good read overall

Overall, I enjoyed this novel. The story is told both in the past and the present to illustrate beautifully the ties that bind two families together. I really loved the sections from the past and would have been happy to spend most of my time there. I wasn't so keen on the story from the present, however. I thought the present narrative was quite predictable and contrived. I also didn't love any of the present day characters that much, including the narrator, Aurora. And I agree with at least one other reviewer who pointed out the odd language used by the American character, Matt. I know the writer is British and she is using what she thinks is an American dialect, but it got rather annoying--particularly the constant use of "real" in place of "really" (e.g., "that is real heavy"). It especially bugged me because other words said by this character were distinctly British, such as "torch" for flashlight. I wish the editing had been a bit tighter. Overall, though, it was an enjoyable story. Nothing life changing but entertaining none the less.
3 people found this helpful
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Phenomenal.

I picked this 400-page book up, planning to try to finish it in 3 days, and did so in less than 24 hours. Generally, I find it difficult to really get into books like this for 2 reasons: (1) they are so filled with background knowledge, and (2) they jump through different time periods, resulting in confusing characters from different times. Neither of these was a problem for me. Moreover, I've never read a book that had equal parts sadness, anger, and happiness, and felt all three with the same intensity. The author's voice convinces you of a true storyteller and keeps you involved throughout. I've read one other book by this author, and I have only excitement at reading more by her.
2 people found this helpful
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Expected More

This was just an ok book. Very weak characterisation. The plot was extremely predictable and silly at times. Read like a romance novel! I don't think I will read another book by the aurhor.
2 people found this helpful
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Imagine life with The Girl on the Cliff

I read the whole book, hoping SOMETHING REALISTIC would happen. The whole book was a dream. I would prefer more down to earth stories.
2 people found this helpful
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Not a page-turner

I really didn't like this book even though I usually like this genre. It seemed insipid, and I didn't like Grania - she seemed kind of immature. I read about 100 pages in, skimmed the middle and read the ending, which was awful! I'm sure it was meant to be touching, but it didn't earn it at all. I read a lot of books - I mean a LOT - and I've gotten a lot more picky about finishing books that are just not worth it and I didn't think this one was worth the effort.
2 people found this helpful

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