I fell in love with Toni Jordan's Addition, published in 2008. The Fragments is Jordan's fifth book. I missed it when it was released in Australia last year but managed to get an electronic copy and... let's just say I was (again) smitten.

There was something beguilingly irreverent about Jordan's prose in Addition: casual commentary offered up with sass and hilarity because our lead Grace struggled with mental illness and obsessive compulsive disorder. The words and thoughts were Grace's so it was hard to separate the character from the writing.

This book was different. I liked Caddie, our lead character, but was probably more in awe of the writing in general than of the way it portrays the two or three women at its core.Of course it IS a book about writing. A book about a book, so it's only natural there should be a focus on the value of the written word and its ability to touch us, and to change and impact lives.

Although having said that, I must confess I pondered a little on Caddie's obsession with Inga Karlson and her first and only printed book All Has An End, published in 1935. I can't imagine being that impressed by someone or something that it changed my life, even if it did win the Pulitzer Prize.

Of course I've seen Jordan reference To Kill A Mockingbird and Harper Lee in an interview and guess that book (though probably not her follow-up... albeit Lee's 'first' book) inspires and affects many.So I guess others feel long-lasting passions or connections I don't; either way,  we soon learn the book reminds Caddie of her childhood and her father.

"Caddie can see the fragments, and seeing them makes her long for her father in a way she hasn't for years, an ache that spreads up her side and finishes behind her sternum, which is a bone she knows to be smooth in other people's chests but imagines laced with steely holes like a box grater in her own." p 9

The book unfolds in two timeframes.

In the mid 1980s bookseller and lover of literature Caddie meets Rachel, who seems to know more than she should about Inga and the manuscript that perished along with its author (and publisher). Caddie's intrigued by something Rachel says so keen to find out more about the fire in which Inga lost her life; and how on earth an older woman living in Brisbane can know things she shouldn't half a decade later.

And we flash back and forth to Rachel's life, meeting her in 1928 when she's just 10 and being uprooted with her family from their farm and moving to the city. Jordan then drops us into moments of Rachel's life as she struggles to overcome a violent upbringing and poverty.

There's romance for both women, with Rachel getting swept off her feet in the 1930s and Caddie teaming up with two very different men, both eager to learn more about Inga, the mystery of her death and the missing manuscript.

We get a sense of what Inga's long lost manuscript is about...

"When she began, she felt the weight of how she should react. Now that she's finished, the air has a different texture. Her heart feels different. She doesn't have to analyse her own response. She can't. She's in the thick of Inga's story, feeling the world she has made, and it is a fragile thing and everyone is connected and there is space in her heart for everyone, even people who do terrible things and must be opposed." p 250

For me this was a timely reminder as I read it in the week a terrorist killed 50 worshippers in mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Inga's novel was ready to be published in February 1939, on the cusp of World War II, though she wasn't to know that at the time.

"People seem to think its all flag-waving and nicely pressed uniforms and a little playful thuggery. But these people really believe there are whole categories of humans who don't deserve to exist." p 252

On a lighter note, I enjoyed the reminders of mid 1980s Brisbane, as I was there around this time - at University (where, like Caddie, I felt like a fraud... like I didn't belong) - just before World Expo 88. The big country town was on the cusp of change. And I was reminded perhaps, for a while, it got worse before it got better!

"Buildings are vanishing, replaced by car parks and deep pits and phallic towers covered in reflecting glass. They make the city even hotter and Brisbanites soon learn to lower their eyes." p 47

There are a few interesting twists to this tale. It's often described as a mystery but I'm not sure it's that. It's more a literary version of books similar to those written by Kate Morton and Natasha Lester. And I don't mean to imply they're 'lesser' in any way, rather their focus is more on the story itself. Here (for me anyway) I kept getting swept away by Jordan's poetic words and mesmerising phrasing. (Which is perhaps apt in a book about writing!) 

"The fragment is sleeping inside its glass case as if it were a piece of Inga herself, suspended and waxen, waiting to be woken by - whom? By Caddie? Why not? Caddie understands waiting." p 16

It's books like these that make me realise perhaps I'll never finish any of my half-written or barely-started novels and perhaps I don't deserve to because I just can't string words together as perfectly as some. Not only would the plot of my novels be eye-roll worthy or tedious but they'd be clumsily written or my prose overly obvious, as if I'm trying too hard.

For others, like Jordan, it seems to come so easily.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. Toni Jordan weaves together pieces of a decades-long literary mystery, all coming together in 1980s Brisbane.

As readers, we all come across books that speak to us and stick in our minds, to the point where we are hungry to learn about the lives of the authors. Similarly, Caddie, a Brisbane bookseller, is drawn to Inga Karlsson's one surviving novel and details of her life and tragic death in a fire that killed her, her editor/publisher, and every copy of her second novel.

This story alternates between Caddie's viewpoint, and that of Rachel, a New York waitress from the 1930s. There are many things that we do not know throughout the book, and occasionally it becomes confusing switching between narrators, but the uncertainty seems to highlight the inherent mystery of the plot.

In addition, some of Caddie's thoughts and motivations could use increased fleshing-out; her romantic interest in Jamie comes out of nowhere and then flounders, with no obvious resolution, and her return to partnership with the highly suspicious Philip seems uncharacteristic. However, the overall plot line was highly engaging, and I found it difficult to put 'The Fragments' down!

On the whole I enjoyed The Fragments by Toni Jordan. I particularly enjoyed the events that took place in the 1930 s but found some of the current narrative a bit contrived.

I loved this book. The Fragments is an expertly crafted story that winds through the lives of 2 women and takes the reader to a Pennslyvian farm, Brisbane, Australia, and New York City.

Caddie Wilson is directionless in 1986 Brisbane until a chance encounter at a display of book fragments. The fragments are all that remain from the highly anticipated second book by the beloved author Inga Karlson, who was killed in the same suspicious warehouse fire in 1938 that destroyed all copies of her second book. The encounter propels Caddie into a search for a mysterious woman and the truth about the fire that killed Karlson.

The Fragments is atmospheric, compelling, and a delight to read. The characters are beautifully constructed as are the changing landscapes of New York City and Brisbane. I recommend this to readers of The Weight of Ink.

Overall this was a good story. By the end, I really enjoyed Inga and Rachel’s story in 1930’s New York. Sometimes the writing felt a little disjointed. It didn’t flow as well as it could of throughout the book. The Jamie and Caddie’s relationship was hard to follow. It seemed to go from an initial meeting to something different in a blink of an eye. I like descriptive writing with good verbs but sometimes there was so much in the words it was hard to follow the storyline. I could not tell you anything about the beginning of the book because it was hard to follow. I did enjoy the little punch it had at the end when everything came together.

Before I start, I must confess that ‘Addition’ is one of my favourite books so going into read ‘The Fragments’, would always be a challenge. The book examines the life of a famous novelist, Inga Karlsson who dies in a fire, with all that remains are the fragments of her second book. All of Inga’s life is played out during the 1930s in New York, and told by Rachel Lehrer, a young waitress, who have fled a violet home life, meets Inga. This story alternates with Caddie Wilson in 1986, who whilst waiting in a queue to an exhibition to see the fragments, meets another visitor, who appears to know missing information about the remaining fragments. It was this meeting that had me captivated and the story begins to unfold.
Without revealing too much, this is an enthralling story with a great historical perspective, made all the more interesting by the mystery, that had me guessing until the end. I enjoyed both perspectives and felt that the dialogue between characters was witty. I now have another great book from a very talented author.
I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book on many levels - as a book lover, for the historical fiction aspect, and for the unique mystery.

For book lovers out there, the ode to the love of literature is rich throughout the book. "She'd like to get back to her paperback, her index finger marking her place, except it feels disloyal to be reading another novel..." I tend to read multiple books and once and there's definitely a feel of defiance when I put one down to pick up the other! "Books are time travel and space travel and mood-altering drugs. They are mind-melds and telepathy and past-life regression. How people can stand here and not sense the magic in them - it's inconceivable to her." Haven't we all been there? Completely immersed in a book that we lose all sense of time and space? I loved this author's passion for books and felt it was a core message in the novel. "Books are art that talks to us."

For lovers of historical fiction, this book features two diverging storylines one of which is set in the past about the rise of a female author and her mysterious death and the other in the present features a young woman who works at a book store. The author switches betweens timelines seamlessly and the plot is reminiscent of Kate Morton novels that I love, full of mystery and romance. In this novel, the author touches on the undercurrent of hate established by the nazis and how they effected more than just jews.

And finally, the mystery itself unravels as we follow both storylines and they begin to intersect. I love the suspense and tension the author creates in both the past and the present. She plays well into our assumptions so that when reality unfolds we have that 'aha' moment and think we should have known all along. So good.

My only complaint is what I dislike in most books - I don't need details when it comes to sex scenes. I think most people must like it because lots of authors put it in there. For me, it takes away from the authority of the novel and the richness of the writing. It is brief in this book, thankfully, but it didn't need to be there at all. The love story was tender without it.

There is a quirkiness in Australian novels and films that I find captivating. In The Fragments, by Australian author Toni Jordan, the main character, Cadence, reminds me of so many strong but equally innocent/naive Australian heroines. I'm thinking of Jean Paget in A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute; Sybylla Melvyn in My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin; Meggie in Colleen McCullough's The Thorn Birds; and the incomparable Buster in D'Arcy Niland's The Shiralee. (All strong females who suffered, endured and survived, but who lack worldly sophistication or experience.)

Cadence Walker is an intelligent and gifted researcher who was unable to complete her university education because of her father's illness and death. She works in a book shop and is an ardent fan of her father's favourite author, Inga Karlson. (I loved the lilting quality of Jordan's writing - it is almost conversational at times:.)

"She (Cadence) is not afraid of effort but she is afraid of reward. She is thin and that's fine with her: She's suspicious of the soft, the obvious, the cozy, the comfortable, as though taking the easy road even once would lull her to death."

While attending a gallery showing of the burned fragments of Karlson's ill-fated second book, Cadence meets an older patron by the name of Ruth. During their animated discussion about which fragment was their favourite piece in the exhibit, Ruth recites:

"And in the end, all we have are the hours and the days, the minutes and the way we bear them, the seconds spent on this earth and the number of them that truly mattered."

When Ruth leaves the gallery, Cadence realizes that the last part of the quote is not in fact printed on the exhibited fragment. And so the quest to solve the mystery begins!

I loved the story and the writing style: there was an 80's beat and vibe to the language used that reminded you that part of the story is taking place in the 80's. This was a very enjoyable read: highly recommended!

My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.



.

I enjoyed the novel. The alternating storylines were well developed and kept my interest, though I certainly preferred the 1930s storyline. The characters in that storyline were more likeable/identifiable. I didn't really like Caddie, especially when Phillip entered the picture.

It did seem like this novel was trying to accomplish a lot and ended up not doing justice to either storyline. Focusing more on Rachel and Inga, while using Caddie's storyline as a frame (rather than giving it equal treatment), may have helped.

I received an advance copy of this book through the publisher and NetGalley.

This book had an excellent plot and characters who were believable. It just was a good story that held you r interest to the end .
Thanks for allowing me to review this book

When I first read the blurb for this book, I was psyched. It involved everything that automatically made a book interesting. An author character? Check. A mystery? Check. A lost book? Check. Two completely different settings that promise to intertwine with each other? Check! The Fragments sounded like the perfect book for me, so I couldn't believe my luck when I got approved for an ARC (thank you to Netgalley and Text Publishing for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review).

I don't really have much to say about this book - not because it was boring, precisely the opposite. I went into this book with high expectations, and The Fragments met all of them. Here are some of the aspects of the book that stood out to me:
- The writing style was beautiful and so instrumental in creating the perfect tone throughout the book. I have no idea what 1930s New York or 1980s Brisbane was like, but I had no trouble picturing it and even feeling what it was like to be in those cities at the time.
- The characters are complex and fleshed out, and although I admit I would've loved a deeper dive into the motivations and background of these fascinating characters, I know that in this story, they were simply the agents that pushed the bigger plot along.
- I loved going back and forth between time and places. There was no confusion in figuring out the setting, and I had fun trying to figure out how the two stories connected in the end - although to be clear, none of my guesses were accurate, which brings me to my last point-
- The plot twists! Man. As a lover of mystery, you KNOW my brain is going off the whole time trying to solve this mystery, but Toni Jordan has succeeded in fooling me every time. Just when I thought the mystery was resolved, there was one last plot twist (that I actually missed the first time around because I was skimming so fast in my excitement) that completely changed the whole narrative.

In conclusion, please, please, do yourself a favour and read this book. It's a shame that it hasn't been promoted more, seeing that the first time I knew about it was from Netgalley. I'm a new fan of the author's, and I will definitely be looking out for her other works.

A book about a dead author and her unpublished book. Narrated by 2 different women in 2 different time lines and places, Brisbane and NYC. I thought this was beautifully written and had a touch of mystery that really engaged me. I wanted to meet both storytellers Rachel and Caddie and I finished the book with a big smile!
Thanks to the publisher, author and Net Galley for the ARC. The author has gained a new follower😊

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy of The Fragments. Toni Jordan weaves a wonderful tale that spans almost 50 years. Inga Karlson is an author in 1938. She has written a very popular book and has just finished her second when she and her typesetter are killed in a warehouse fire. All but 7 small fragments of her manuscript are destroyed.
In 1986, there is an exhibition of the fragments and bookseller Caddie Walker is there to see the fragments of her favorite author. After a mysterious woman speaks words of the manuscript that aren’t on the fragments, Caddie decides to research them and find out the truth of the manuscript.
Without giving anything away, the storyline of Inga and Rachel is a wonderful testament to friendship and love and what one person will do to save the other.

This was brilliant—excellent concept, gorgeous writing, thrilling plot and a swoonworthy love story. I did guess the end but still nearly jumped out of my chair with excitement when, er, something happened at the end. A fabulous read.

'The fragments are here. Locked behind steel and glass inside the new State Gallery.’
I
n the 1930s, Inga Karlson died in a tragic warehouse fire in New York. After the phenomenal success of her first novel, she had just finished her second book. Inga and her publisher are both killed in the fire. The printer’s plates and all the copies of her second book were destroyed. All that remained of that second book were seven scorched fragments.

Almost fifty years later, there’s a Karlson exhibition in Brisbane. The scorched fragments of the second book are a feature. One of those attending the exhibition is Cadence (Caddie) Walker. Caddie is a Brisbane bookseller and, because of her admiration of Inga Karlson, knows the words of the fragments by heart. Caddie meets an older woman at the exhibition. This woman quotes a phrase from the Karlson fragments. It’s a phrase that Caddie knows does not exist, yet it sounds genuine.

Who is this older woman? Could she have had access to the second novel? How? Caddie is puzzled and interested enough to try to find out more.

The story shifts between New York in the 1930s and Brisbane in the 1980s. In alternate chapters, we learn about Rachel Lehrer, who fled a violent home in the 1930s to seek a better life, and Caddie Walker who seems to be in limbo. Caddie had dreams but has retreated from pursuing them.

Two women, separated by half a century, each wanting something different. So, how do the fragments connect them? Caddie tries to find the older woman, to learn more. But her search takes her into aspects of her own past that are uncomfortable. As the story shifts from one woman to the other, I found it very difficult to stop reading. I wanted to know just who Rachel Lehrer was, and I wanted Caddie to realise her own strength.

And the ending? Totally satisfying.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Text Publishing for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Thank you, Netgalley, for this digital book in exchange for an honest review. This was the first book I’ve read by this author. The character development was deep and meaningful. The author captured the reality of the back and forth in this mystery thriller that spans multiple generations in solving a decades old mystery. I will say that there were some slow chapters that had me almost bored. Still, I pushed through and I’m glad I did. While I did enjoy the book in general, it is not one I would read again. I don’t know that I’d go out of my way to recommend it to others, either. It was good...just not great. I’d give it a 3/5 stars

A famous author dies alongside her second novel in mysterious circumstances and 50 years later a young graduate Caddie follows her intuition after meeting someone at an exhibition of fragments from the novel in her memory. The story develops between New York and Brisbane until you finally start to piece together what really happened. I particularly enjoyed the backstory from the 1930s and life in Hells Kitchen New York.

Thanks to Netgalley the author and publishers for a copy of this book

3-4 stars, so I will go with 4.

A lovely tale of Rachel and Inga, and a book that was never to be. All that remains are the fragments of Inga's next work. After a terrible fire ravages all copies all that is left are some burned pieces of a few pages. Inga Karlsson is famous world wide, her death is a tragedy with no bounds.

Caddie is a young book lover working in a book store and obsessed with Inga, she is dying to find out what happened. Told in alternating chapters from Caddie's days in Brisbane 1986 and the New York in the 1930's, this is a well written book with well drawn characters. Loved to read about Brissie in the 80’s.

I enjoyed both timelines, and considered there to be no other way to go about the storytelling. The heat and tension of Brisbane's summer was well contrasted to the simmering tension leading up to the reveal. Toni Jordan is a wonderful author, nothing can top Addition for me, but this offering was very good.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is another book I don't want to spoil by giving away too much information!
The premise deals with a famed author who passed away after her first book was published and her second book is in fragments thanks to a fire (there's the title)

Great read with Great Characters.

Just reading the supplied premise of the book, I was all, "I HAVE to read this." Decent characters, intriguing set up, but it doesn't make sense. A third of the plot doesn't actually matter to the main story. You do not need any of those details. That should be a separate book. When the reader arrives at the culminating scene, it is satisfying, but you start to question all of the Rachel details that now seem as if they do not matter at all. What did it have to do with the actual fragments?

But, if you are a book nerd who lingers at libraries and googles long-dead authors, check this out. It isn't something you'll regret reading, it just isn't going on your MUST KEEP shelf.