I didn't want to leave the characters behind in this one; i enjoyed their company so much! This is a brilliant, mutli-layered look at decades-old friendship between a group of women who are all still hiding parts of themselves from each other. The setting on a shabby chic stretch of the Australian coast was perfect and I felt as if I was in the rickety weather-worn house with them all, and the most loveable and empathetic old dog who belongs to one of the women, much to the disdain of another. It cleverly blended an introspective drama with a seductive pace to the plot that made me want to read on and on. Beautiful escapism.

It's not often that you read a novel where the four lead characters are in their 70s, as is the case here. Jude, Wendy, Adele and Sylvie have been friends for over 40 years and in The Weekend, we meet them as they come together after Sylvie's death. Sylvie may not be there in person, but she is as much a part of this story as her three friends.

Jude, Adele, Wendy and her ancient dog Finn (an equally important character in the story) spend Christmas weekend in the fictional New South Wales coastal town of Bittoes, clearing out Sylvie's house so that it can be sold. However, each woman is carrying a set of resentments that, it turns out, Sylvie was keeping in check. So without her there, tensions start to bubble...

The distinct inner monologues of each character were brilliantly and seamlessly woven throughout the chapters. The flow was so engrossing that I felt like a fly-on-the-wall in that Bittoes home.

We learn the back story of each woman: Effervescent Adele is a struggling actress, ('Artistic poverty was romantic when you were thirty. It was after fifty that people began despising you for it.') Straight-laced Jude is in the restaurant business and in the midst of a life-long affair and scholar Wendy is devoted to Finn - perhaps to the detriment of other people in her life. They are all so interesting and intricately crafted, which made their interactions so fascinating.

I found The Weekend to be a truly captivating story of friendship, home truths, reflection and the reality of getting older. Themes I haven't read about a lot, so I enjoyed this immensely.

This is my first book by Australian author Charlotte Wood and I'm excited to read more of her work. I love discovering a new novelist with such a clear, insightful voice. The way she brought her characters to life meant that weeks later I still find them popping into my mind.

The Weekend is sweeping and enduring saga which spans decades old friendships. The characters are so real and vivid they feel like they are your friends to. It's a novel that leaves you feeling quite at a loss when you finish it as you become so attached to the characters and their lives.

Such a lovely heart warming book. I loved it. It was funny and sad at times and just shows female relationships perfect. Love it xx

This was a beautifully written piece of fiction. I really enjoyed learning about these characters, their secrets, and pasts, their friendships.

It's definitely a very good book for literary fiction lovers.

Thanks a lot to NG and the publisher for this copy.