The Purchase - Linda Spalding

Starting with the journey into exile of a disowned Quaker man at the end of the 18th century, this saga (loosely based on the author's own family history) explores the ethical problems faced by an abolitionist trying to start a new life in slave-owning rural Virginia with a young family in tow. The book makes good use of multiple viewpoints to show how many of the tragedies of the book arise from unintended consequences of well-meant actions - including the father's initial decision to "marry out" because he pitied his Methodist servant girl too much to send her back to the almshouse after his wife's death - as the characters attempt to navigate unexpected and unasked-for situations. Some of the most hurtful betrayals stem from the characters' painfully familiar tendency to lie to themselves about their motives when they act - or fail to! - out of self-interest.

Going Out - Scarlett Thomas

I found this entertaining road trip story about a collection of misfits seeking a miracle cure likeable enough, but didn't love it as much as the later books of hers that I've read where she explores ideas in more depth and uses more playful narrative structures. Shamefully, I even managed to miss the Wizard of Oz references, although with hindsight they're not exactly hidden.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry - Rachel Joyce

I was impressed by the skill with which Rachel Joyce was able to breathe life into this unlikely scenario, in which an elderly man impulsively decides to hand-deliver a letter to the other end of the country in an attempt to "make a difference" and atone for the failures and betrayals in his past. For most of this book I found it an enjoyable read, imagining that it would make a likeable and quirky film. The unflinching integrity of one concluding scene probably rules that out, but I admired it all the more for that, and the final chapter was touching and uplifting.

Me Before You - Jojo Moyes

A self-confessed "weepie" about the unlikely love story between a suicidal quadriplegic and his resolutely small-town carer, raising questions about what it means to live well and what makes life worth living. Her writing style is a bit lightweight - chatty, dialogue-heavy, and a little too reliant on stereotypical characters - but the subject matter is fascinating, the conclusion seems honest and moving, and I did feel tears well up twice...

Perfect - Rachel Joyce

An absorbing novel which explores the powerful effects that brief moments and chance encounters can have, as a present-day account of life with OCD is intertwined with the memory of a hot summer in which events spiralled out of control, ending in tragedy. Both narratives raise questions about cause and effect, flawed perceptions, and responsibility.

Longbourn - Jo Baker

A surprisingly gripping story with a compelling plot as well as the expected fascinating detail about life below stairs. The meshing of the maid Sarah's story with the original tale of Pride and Prejudice was cleverly done, and the insights into the precariousness of servants' lives (and how lucky they felt themselves to have a safe position in conditions that seemed harsh to me) were eye-opening. This story added further crimes to those of the 'bad' characters, but also revealed the casual thoughtlessness of many of the 'good' ones. Rather unfairly, I don't think I'll ever be able to see Mr. Bennett in the same way again...