Twenty-eight-year-old Nina lives a quiet, unassuming life, happy (ish) with her job, maybe not quite as happy with her non-existent love-life (but no one can have everything, right?) and content to trundle along with her nice, predictable daily routine.
That is, until Nina is persuaded to accompany her octogenarian grandmother on a beach holiday to Turkey.
Nina envisages sedate walks along the promenade, afternoon naps by the pool, and bingo in the evening. What she actually gets is too much vodka, adult games of "pin the tail on the donkey" and dancing on a bar whilst flaunting her knickers - and that's just her gran!
That is, until Nina is persuaded to accompany her octogenarian grandmother on a beach holiday to Turkey.
Nina envisages sedate walks along the promenade, afternoon naps by the pool, and bingo in the evening. What she actually gets is too much vodka, adult games of "pin the tail on the donkey" and dancing on a bar whilst flaunting her knickers - and that's just her gran!
What did I think?
Oh I absolutely LOVED this book! Having adored Lilac Mills' amazing debut, Under the Cherry Tree, I was like a kid in a sweet shop when Elephant and Pinky Moon dropped on my kindle. Lilac Mills has such a fabulous lyrical writing style that she magically sweeps us away to picturesque Turkey in her latest novel.
Well I admit to wondering what the devil Elephant and Pinky Moon could be all about, as there was absolutely no clue in the title. All is hilariously revealed as we follow Nina and her 84-going-on-24 year old grandmother on their trip to Turkey. Nina is conned into going on the trip with her gran, taking the place of her granddad who recently passed away. Yes, I did say Nina was conned by the unruly Flossie as the resort is meant for 30-45 year olds to have some sun, sea, sand and something else.
Nina couldn't be more unlike her gran. Whereas Flossie is outgoing, outrageous and daring, Nina is reserved and often mortified by Flossie's actions but Flossie has a cunning plan: she is going to get Nina out of her comfort zone and paired up with a nice young man if it's the last thing that she does. With dancing on bars, diving and paragliding in the mix, Flossie's plan is put into action and Nina starts to let her hair down a little. Nina's choice of activities are some civilised excursions to see the historical sites in the area and with a little nudge from Flossie, she meets the lovely Leo. I think I fell a little bit in love with Leo myself, but is he too good to be true?
There is LOTS of hilarity (and vodka) in Elephant and Pinky Moon but also some real life trials and tribulations, reminding us how precious and fragile life is. A rollicking good read, bursting with wit, warmth and Nanna-isms, Elephant and Pinky Moon will take you on a side-splitting trip to scenic Turkey from the comfort of your own armchair. It is a perfect pool-side read or an ideal escape from British Summer/Winter time on a chilly wet weekend.
My rating:
Buy it from Amazon
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