A beautifully written and absorbing read.

This was a lovely book to read. The story starts with Gerry and Stella preparing to set off on a midwinter break, from their home in Glasgow to Amsterdam. Stella has a reason for this journey which is unknown to Gerry who just thinks they are going on a wee break but all becomes clear as the story unfolds. We learn about their past life together, their present life and get a glimpse into what their life may be like in the future. There is humour in this story and I am sure that many readers will relate to some parts with a smile. A light and easy book to read.

I love short, quiet literary novels that focus on the ins and outs of relationships and on a short period of time. Gerry and Stella were characters who rang true to me – they were written lovingly and carefully and with a great deal of truth and sincerity. It felt as though they could be real people existing out there in the world and we were seeing a slice of their life. It didn’t stay with me to the same extent that some other literary novels along similar veins have, but I still enjoyed it and thought that it was beautiful in many ways.

Twitter @favouritenovels I really enjoyed reading about an elderly couple for a change. The writing is superb, how elderly people lead their day to day life. One of my favourite sentences in the book was.... He was wearing a red angora wool scarf knotted at his throat. He looked at himself in the full length mirror. Somebody said I look flamboyant wearing this. Who? I don't like flamboyant. I laughed at this sentence as Gerry didn't like the word flamboyant. I personally think that super cool to look flamboyant. I have found that's there seems to be a huge gap in the publishing world for stories about retired couples, that's exactly what attracted me to this book how the subject of people was different. Gerry and Stella go on a midwinter break to Amsterdam in theory for a happy time together, but after so many years of being married Stella finally has something to tell Gerry. You will all love this book whatever your age.

The mood of the book Midwinter Break and the content actually had the effect of making me question the longevity and even the purpose of marriage. Is it for companionship? Is it for love? What happens when that love loses through time its spontaneity, its freshness, and those little traits you once adored in your partner now appear as an irritation, an annoyance rather than a pleasure. Gerry and Stella have embarked on a short break to the city of Amsterdam. This is a place that on the one hand is steeped in architectural magnificence and yet is more renowned even recognized for it's tolerance of escorts and prostitutes who brazenly advertise their trade in "rosse buurt" but better known to tourists as the red light district. Gerry and Stella approaching the twilight of their years present to the readers as a loving couple comfortable in each other's company enjoying the good and bad of this colourful capital. As a retired architect Gerry has an immediate connection with Amsterdam and both can certainly appreciate the history and horror, the open wound that is The House of Anne Frank. Gerry possesses an alcoholic's desires and need to be constantly refueling with Ireland's most famous export; Jamesons blended whiskey. Stella has begrudgingly accepted this weakness viewing this as part of her husband's failings, but is this trip to Amsterdam Stella's opportunity to break free and discover within herself some inner peace and contentment before her body and mind succumbs to the ravages of time. A type of religious community, an order of women living "useful and happy independent lives"... appears to offer the redemption and release she craves, but would they accept her? At the airport waiting for the flight home Stella tells Gerry that she does not wish to remain in their marriage any longer and on returning home to Scotland the flat will be sold. We learn of a traumatic incident that happened to Stella many years ago and her staunch support of the catholic church which Gerry views as..."Inflexible, narrow, capable of doing terrible damage by her adherence to rules and systems."..... Yet Stella views her relationship with the church as a support helping her cope in those dark times..."Mass is the most precious thing in my life. It's the storyboard of how to get through.".. This is a very powerful, soulful, intimate tale showing the effects and damage that a long term relationship can have on the parties involved. In some ways this book presents itself as a depressing read, yet cannot it also offer hope? Relationships, and love within a marriage change, people need to be aware that as we grow older the way that we interact with our surroundings and the people we love the most never remains or indeed cannot remain the same...."What was love but a lifetime of conversations. And silences. Knowing when to be silent. Above all, knowing when to laugh".... Midwinter Break is informative, enjoyable and highly recommended