Cover Image: The Other Daughter

The Other Daughter

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Member Reviews

I was attracted to this story because of the Switzerland location. I did enjoy the setting. I thought I was gonna read a story about women’s rights but it turned out more about a woman’s quest for identity.

If you are looking for historical fiction, the references to history are weak. At times, I did not understand Jessica, the main character’s actions.

However, it is a good story, told in dual time, and it kept me entertained.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me a free e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Wonderful dual timeline mothers daughters and our rights

I just finished "The Other Daughter" by Caroline Bishop. It is just wonderful! it explores the relationships of mothers (and fathers) and daughters, nature vs nurture, and woman's rights in Switzerland (and, to some extent, England). The book is very well written, fast paced, and highly recommended!

Thank you to the publisher who lent me an e-arc via Netgalley. This review is optional and my own opinion.

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Interesting historical fiction set in two time periods (1976 and 2016) in Switzerland and England, about two women trying to find their way in life. The story focuses on women’s rights, women’s roles as career women and mothers, and also sheds light on the Swiss government child placement program that took children away from mothers deemed unsuitable and placed them in foster homes. This aspect called to mind Gen Graham’s The Forgotten Home Child novel.

I enjoyed the setting - the descriptions of Switzerland were beautifully vivid - and learned about Swiss history. Equally enjoyable was the story of mothers and daughters and friendships, sacrifice and secrets.. The story took a little while to get started but it kept my interest throughout. Very well done!

Thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada and Netgalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

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Wow Caroline Bishop did not disappoint, this is my second book of hers that I have read. The in depth relationship and character builds are there, you feel their pain, frustration and love. The complex mom and daughter relationship is even more so in this story.

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This is my first time reading a Caroline Bishop book and with it came rave reviews.

I enjoy dual time period stories. I like it for the glimpses into history as well as seeing two different points of view connect to one plot. The historical aspect of 1976 Switzerland with the women’s liberation movement was intriguing to read and learn about. Actually not just Switzerland but London as well and the treatment of women, their rights and expectations once married and even to marry. I was a teen during that time and can somewhat relate.

In 2016, Jess is struggling after discovering secrets which have created havoc in her life. Heading off to Switzerland she hopes to discover answers and possibly healing.

I enjoyed the authors writing style, the story and the mystery kept me intrigued. The story weaved nicely through time at a good pace and ended with a conclusion that was authentic and worked.

Ultimately, The Other Daughter is a story of family, of secrets, and having the courage & strength to face your past, to face the unknown. As both women struggled with issues and prejudices ultimately there is healing and new beginnings found in unlikely places.

The Other Daughter hits books shelves on January 10th. My thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada for a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

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Historical Fiction set in Switzerland. Who knew women only got the vote in 1971? Until 1981 children were subjected to compulsory welfare measures to force people to conform to moral norms.

A classic 'switched-at-birth' story but viewed from a different perspective that I found very thought provoking.

Is Jess Sylvia's daughter? DNA says no. Their bond says yes. Just who is the other daughter and what happened in the hospital 39 years ago.

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The Other Daughter by Caroline Bishop is a heartwarming story that that follows two women's joineries. In 1976 London, Sylvia has a loving fiancé and a dream job as an editor. When Sylvia find out she is pregnant, she is determined to put her career first and write a story on the growing women's rights movement in Switzerland. However, telling this story will change her and her baby's lives forever. In present day 2016, Jess in facing difficulties in her late thirties with a broken marriage and teaching uninterested children. When she discovers a secret about her late mother, she travels to Switzerland to find out what happened to her mother all those years ago.

Bishop does a wonderful job creating an inspirational story of the women's rights movement in the 1970s. The Other Daughter had me turning the pages to the very end. This book is an easy 5 stars. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction and strong female characters.

I received a free advanced copy and all opinions are my own. I would like to offer my sincerest gratitude to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

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I love learning about times, places, and people I know little about, so this premise caught my attention - it's the first piece of historical fiction I've encountered that is set in Switzerland. It's obvious that the author lives in and knows the place she writes about as she takes us on a thorough tour of the political scene, working conditions, and women's rights movement of 1970s Switzerland.

This is a book with dual narratives, timelines, and locations, which can get messy, but doesn't here - the pacing is right and the flow is never disrupted. In many dual narrative novels, we get a shocking reveal near the end when we learn how our protagonists' stories are connected; here, we get this reveal fairly early on, which enhance the effect. This is a lovely character-driven piece, but as usual with dual narratives, I am more interested in one story line than the other - in this instance, Sylvia's.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for this ARC.

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