I wanted to like this one but I wasn't able to get into it. I was captivated by the opening line and was hooked for a bit, but I lost interest part way through and didn't end up finishing it

Broken up into 4 repeated sections of characters that have issues and connections. Carol is in an abusive marriage until her husband has a massive stroke. Frank is a doctor trying to find value. Quince and Eleanor are also trying to find their way. Interesting, but found Carol and Frank more interesting, and did skim a bit now and then. Would recommend, but felt a bit disjointed at times.

I loved this book from the beginning, the opening character, Carol’s story had me hooked from page one. In fact all of the characters were well rounded and believable and their lives and interactions cleverly intertwined by the author Fred Simpson. Their dialogue flowed naturally and the action developed in the same way, without feeling cliched or contrived. I would definitely recommend this book and cannot wait to read more from this author.

An interesting novel that follows four characters as their lives interweave with each other and the impact that has on each of their lives.
I love the concept behind this, how one person can have an impact on a life. Be it by something small, such as one sentence or small gift, or something larger.
All four characters are well developed and you really get to know them and their story well. I loved seeing them all grow and all of their lives become better.
As the book is set in sections with one part of each dedicated to one character I did find it difficult to remember what had happened the last time though.
I thoroughly enjoyed the New Zealand (and Australia holiday) setting. Both are places I want to visit so loved how descriptive the scene setting of them is.

The sunflower and the sparrow is based in New Zealand and is about four people who are sorted connected with each other. Frank and Eleanor are both doctors than there Quince and Carol. The story is around these four characters.
Carol has issues with husband who not nice to her who than falls ill.
Eleanor is a doctor and has son and her.
Frank is a doctor and he thinks he getting ill so he starts looking at life differently.
Quince hunks he’s ill but he’s fine and the doctor tells him to get a life.
I connected with Carol and Frank more than the other two and I found the stories more interesting. I found it hard to get into the other characters story.
When I got to the end I was a little bit disappointed because I wanted to know what happened with Carol.

This book is set in the North Island of New Zealand. It tells the story of four people all connected in some way, who have the realisation of the need to live their lives. To awaken their souls.

Carol has lived with an abusive husband her entire adult life. His poor health suddenly opens up the opportunity for her to take control. To experience things for the first time in her life. To answer to nobody but herself.
Frank is a local GP who has a health scare which opens his eyes to all the wonderful things in his life that he was previously too busy to fully appreciate.
Eleanor is in an emotional fog. After losing her unborn son's father in unexplained circumstances, she has been solely focused on her son and her career. Everything she does is with those two things in mind. After some kind words from her boss encouraging me her to go out and live her life instead of wasting it, she starts to open her mind and her heart to new emotional experiences.
Quince is just floating by with no real purpose. He is a popular, confident, fun person who is well loved and thought of, but after some contemplation he comes to the realisation that he has nothing real to show for all his years. No purpose. No true achievements. It's time to make some changes.

I enjoyed reading the characters stories and their points of view. Although they were all different, they ended with the same goal. To live their lives and stop just trudging along. The way they do this was so subtle and understated, it made it really believable. No massive life changing decisions, just small changes. Such as a slight reduction in work commitments, being open to socialising with friends and meeting new people, getting your own car and a small part time job, or a camping holiday and a practical business idea.
I really appreciated how realistic the storyline was and found it quite inspiring. It was all small changes that anyone could be capable of, but the change to their wellbeing was massive.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is feeling like their day to day life is mundane and unimportant. I believe it carries a really important message to readers without being patronising or over the top. You tend to read storylines like this after a major life changing incident has occurred but this shows that that isn't necessary. It can be possible with a few small changes. Take a step back or take more risks. It might just change your life for the better.

This title was a pleasure to read. I enjoyed following the lives of four characters and Carol's story in my opinion was the most interesting. The first line gets you hooked. The characters are relatable and realistic which makes you want to keep reading. Some of the plot was difficult to follow simply because I forgot what happened to one person as I was invested time to understand another, but it goes on very well in the end and with the title. Excellent read.

I read this book within 3 days, I really wanted to know what happened next. I struggled with some words in the book but I think this is purely because the story is based in New Zealand and I'm from England. Each sector of the book goes through 4 different peoples lives, which I struggled with a bit because by the time I had got back to the first person I had forgotten what the previous chapter of that person was about. After reading a few sentences I soon remembered what the plot was about so it wasn't much of an issue.

The plot was really interesting, showing how people from different walks of lives that didn't previously know each other have an affect on each others present and future. Some may be little things, others big but I enjoyed reading and seeing what a difference each character in the book made on the others.

I give it 4 stars.

This novel follows four characters, Carol, Eleanor, Frank and Quince.

Carol, once trapped in a terrible marriage with an emotionally and verbally abusive man, she now has more freedom and more power in the relationship when he falls sick. Eleanor, after losing her partner early on, is ready to start up her life again. Frank, a medical practitioner, is facing the fear of being purposeless as the dread of a disabling disease suggests a change to everything. Finally, Quince, who has always lived a sheltered life, faces turmoil in his middle ages. All of these characters are essentially at a point of their lives where they want more than what they have, or to better their lives in some way.

I personally, really enjoyed reading Carol and Franks storyline specifically. Frank’s fear of being useless and unable to carry on with his regular life is something I found interesting to read about. It’s a very mundane fear yet a very real one as well too. Carol, on the other hand, is in a situation where a lot of women are in, they’re in a controlling marriage and they’re ready for more freedom and to be whom they want to be without limitations and rules.

While I enjoyed reading Carol and Frank’s chapters, I found myself skimming Quince and Eleanor’s chapters. I was much more interested in their story rather than in Quince and Eleanor’s storylines. However, I think that is just my personal preference.

Another thing I absolutely loved was how the author integrated the novel’s title into the novel. It’s a small thing, but it’s something I really love seeing!

Overall, it was an enjoyable novel.