Elizabeth Heritage reviewed The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt for New Zealand Books (Issue 109, Autumn 2015) as one of ‘a trio of historical novels that, with varying degrees of success, bring characters and environments from our past (real and imagined to life)’.
In her review, titled ‘Characters from the past’, Heritage describes The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt as ‘by far the best piece of writing’ of the three novels reviewed.
Lena Gaunt is a powerfully imagined character possessed of a vivid emotional landscape. Her sensuality is intensely evoked, not only through her music and relationships but through her lifelong love of the sea.
Heritage concludes the review with:
But it is undoubtedly The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt that steals the show. Lena, and Farr’s writing, charm, delight and seduce. Go read, and let yourself be played.
Read Elizabeth Heritage’s review of The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt online.