- tricia heighway - 20/06/2010 23:20:11
its a difficult task for an author to create a protagonist so flawed she is almost grotesque, but so human and completely believable that your readers will care what happens to her, and still root for her even when shes behaving atrociously, but matthew waterhouse has managed this with sara smith, the unforgettable leading lady in fates,flowers.he has crafted an irresistible and pacy plot which makes the book very difficult to put down, with black humour which will produce everything from guilty smiles to shocked laughter, with a dash of poignancy and a smattering of racy adult scenes, but nothing that isnt vital to the plot, and an ending which makes you think. his observation and attention to detail are perfect. the writing is literary without being at all pretentious; its beautiful, clever, funny, and immensely readable.

- elise hattersley - 20/06/2010 23:21:31
saras life has been turned upside-down. a week-long affair has changed her outlook, her habits, and her mental health more than she believed possible. will she cope? whats going on with the handsome boy whos affected her so?no one in their right mind will identify with sara smith in a hurry, and for most authors this would be a deathblow. matthew waterhouse, however, uses succinct descriptions and builds, from recognisable emotions, an easily understandable landscape that offers a seemingly genuine glimpse into a fictional mind.waterhouse has spun a web so delicately beautiful, his readers will find themselves reluctant to watch it unfold. luckily for them, he skillfully retains some mystery until and beyond the very last pages.an uncommonly satisfying, gorgeously crafted read.

- louise mcdonald - 20/06/2010 23:20:53
a darkly humourous insight into the passionate and disturbing life of a woman in an alien society, who still wants to pursue a younger self her lust for life, friendship and love. her bitter view on new york, is twisted into her erotic passions and narcisstic acts. she turns "cougar" in a battle against her own inner demons and faults, but ultimately fate is fate.