The Postcard

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The start of the novel hints at the trauma of Penny’s early life – the father she loved and lost and the mother and sister who never seemed to care about her at all. Sure enough, after the death of her mother (there’s a story there but I don’t want to give the game away), Penny’s sister Suzie turns up, eager to heal the resentments of the past and be friends. The ghastly Suzie is a brilliant creation on Britton’s part – a scheming, selfish, self-absorbed character who’s out to wreak havoc in everyone’s lives, and very nearly succeeds. The Postcard is a compelling read, made all the more so thanks to the stunning Cornish setting. You can tell how much Britton adores the place because the seaside walks and descriptions of village life are so lovingly told. You can almost smell the salty sea air and picture the rounders match at the Pendruggan summer fair. The Big Allotment Challenge was a wonderful show to work on. I really loved learning from Jim Buttress. He is not only a gardener through and through but he is a great storyteller and hugely funny. I rather fell in love with him! Also Jonathan Moseley is THE man when it comes to flowers and creating incredibly beautiful arrangements. He’s a real gardener too and knows the names of everything. He’s also a great giggler! Wonderful return to Trevay and great to see Penny Leighton again, in this new novel from Fern Britton.

When you’re working and writing it must be difficult to find time to relax, how does gardening or visiting gardens help you unwind?

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Taken under Penny's broken wing for the summer, the safe haven of Pendruggan feels like the place for a fresh start. Soon, however, Ella starts to wonder if perhaps her real legacy doesn't lie in the past at all. Fern Britton, broadcaster, presenter and author, has released her sixth novel “The Postcard”. We caught up with her to find out what inspired the story and how gardens help her unwind.

In this book we are in the gorgeous setting of Cornwall which I have fallen in love with on many occasions. I couldn't reconcile the girl who slept with a virtual stranger (twice) and who abandoned her children when she ran away to find this man, with the woman who returned. And who the hell thinks inviting your new family to a huge event for your old (abandoned) family without mentioning it yo anyone is a good idea?! Apparently I'm the only one who thinks that's not normal behaviour. The characters in the book certainly acted as if it was normal... well apart from Henry... (See my next comment) Fern Britton's books are always such a delight to read. They are set in Cornwall and have such vividly drawn characters that you can imagine settling down over a glass of prosecco to have a chat.I know personally a family who has been affected by a similar event and I could relate Ella and Henry’s attitudes in a almost identical way. The need for explanations and understanding for some and the denial from others. Penny Canter is in her mid 40's, married to Simon - the villages vicar - with a little girl called Jenna, and they live in Pendruggan, a charming village in Cornwall. Her best friend, Helen, also lives in the village with her partner Piran in Gull's Cry, a cosy cottage across the village green from the vicarage. Penny used to be a tv producer with her own production company and live a glamorous life in London; of men, eating out, pampering herself, power lunches and flying all over the world on business and pleasure. Penny didn't think she'd ever get married and wasn't in the least bit maternal. The storyline is very well written, engaging readers from the get go, allowing them to form their own opinion of every eventuality the author describes. Whilst I had to remember to not judge the mother on her decision, seeing as I wasn't in her position, I still found it hard to just sit on the fence where she was concerned. Obviously, seeing as I don't wish to sway anyone with my own opinion, I'll keep that part of it to myself. Just be prepared to go on an emotional journey.

Set in a small village in Cornwall, the novel was warm and welcoming. There were an eclectic mix of characters who endeared themselves to the reader. It was a pleasure to get to know them. You can feel her desperation to be reunited with her children and her shopping trip to buy some more traditional clothing is particularly bittersweet. She is an individual but wants to create the right impression with her children. Ella was just a baby, and Henry two years old when their mother, Sennen who was 17 at the time, walked out on her children, leaving them to be brought up by her parents. The Postcard is a warm and welcoming book. I loved finding out more about Penny and her family, Jenna is such a sweetheart. Simon is busy, but he tries to do anything he can to make his wife a bit happier. He doesn't always succeed, but he's doing his best and I enjoyed reading about his efforts. They are perfect together and it was fun to read about their daily life. There's always something going on at the vicarage. Penny and Simon can use a little help, which is readily available. The closeness of the friendships between the main characters is heartwarming.Fern Britton worked with a touring theatre company and in 1979, she started her career with Westward Television in Plymouth. She worked as a newsreader and continuity announcer on Westward Diary, the nightly local bulletin. Later, she switched to present BBC’s Southwest news programme, Spotlight. She became a known as the youngest national news presenter to present News After Noon on BBC1. Fern Britton then moved to work for TVS in Southampton, where she hosted the South edition of the news programme, Coast to Coast, together with Fred Dinenage. She has also presented other programmes, like Coast to Coast People, The Television Show and Magic Moments. Fern Britton cleverly mixes the modern-day story with that of the disappearance of Sennen all those years ago, she also tells how Adela and her husband Bill met and fell in love. This is seamlessly done and I particularly enjoyed Adela and Bill's story; a true and endearing story that really captured my imagination. This was my first novel by Fern Britton and I enjoyed it immensely. I just could not put it down. I 'felt' very much included in the novel and was sorry to see it end. But when her sister turns up to share the news that her mother has died at the same as her popular television programme is cancelled Penny struggles to cope. Her cry for help is noticed but not properly heard and it takes an outsider to realise what is going on as Penny's past is laid bare for all to see.

Sennan leaves emotional chaos behind her. Her parents are responsible for raising Sennan’s children and, through the non-linear narrative, we learn about each generation and how the past meets the present. Not much time is spent on Sennan’s parents, the writer mostly focusing on Sennan’s story and her children – Ella and Henry. Moving from Cornwall to India, I loved the “sunshine feel” of this narrative and felt literally and emotionally warmed whilst reading this story. Fern Britton makes the rest of us seem woefully inadequate. She’s one of the UK’s best-loved broadcasters, has completed a host of mega bike rides across Egypt, India and Cuba (raising thousands of pounds for charity in the process) and recently took part in a series of short films to highlight maternal mental illness in the UK.Coming Home is based in Cornwall, England - a beautiful seaside area with loads of fisherman around. The author describes the place so well, that it made me want to go there, just to see it and be close to the characters. It reminds me of South Shields very much as well.