The Cactus by Sarah Haywood

It’s been a while since I read and shared a good book with you. I love to read and have been reading more since we started Drop Everything and Read at school this year. It encourages me to read just as much as it does the students, and I look forward to swapping book recommendations in the Staff Room at break.

I picked up a copy of The Cactus at my local library as I found the cover image so eye catching. I read the blurb on the back and knew I had to read it, so bought a copy.

The Cactus by Sarah Haywood: It’s never too late to bloom

Meet Susan Green: a prickly, independent woman, who has everything just the way she wants it.

Age 45, she thinks her life is perfect: a London flat for one, a job that fulfils her passion for logic, and a personal arrangement that provides cultural and other, more intimate, benefits. There’s no room for messy, emotional relationships.

Yet following the loss of her mother and, implausibly, the prospect of becoming a mother herself, Susan’s life is about to become somewhat messier.

To be honest I loved the sound of the main character of Susan because I could totally relate to her! I’m definitely an independent woman who has everything just the way she wants it. The book was picked for Richard and Judy’s 2018 Book Club and I had high hopes for this book, but did it live up to the hype?

I found the book a little slow to begin with but once I got into it, I really couldn’t stop reading. I’ve been reading it at bedtime, before I get up and even in the car before I started work. As I read through the book I liked Susan and could understand where she was coming from. I thought the book was really well-written and liked the way the story developed, with Susan adapting to what was happening to her and becoming open to the possibilities which came her way.

I admit I worked out where the story was going pretty quickly, but this didn’t affect my enjoyment at all. It’s a fun story with a quirky, strong female character – what’s not to love!