Lucinda E. Clarke

Walking Over Eggshells caught my eye as it's an autobiography that spans sixty years and eight countries. Throughout the story, I found I had to remind myself that Lucinda's family experienced a great loss when she was still a child.

We learned early on in the story that she had emotional difficulties and who wouldn't if you lost your dad at two and had a mom that repeatedly told you I don't want you.

The sad thing is Lucinda received more nurturing when she was away at school than she did at home. And many of her other female connections failed miserably as it was quite apparent there was no mutual devotion to one another.

Lucinda moves from one bad relationship to the next and then she gets married and we hope to see some mutual respect between Jeremy and her. They start a family and he seems to do whatever he wants without any thought for the consequences it will cause him or his household. On the job front, he hits the ball multiple times but it does not appear to last long before he is recognized as being ineffectual. He keeps trying to redeem himself at home but it is fleeting as he is self-serving.

As they move from country to country we see Lucinda use humor to cope with everyday issues. She gains more strength and resilience. Even though we do not see her stand up for herself, at home, as we think she should, we do see her striving to help provide well for her two daughters. Sadly, she often does what she feels is expected of her and her lack of confidence concerning close relationships has an effect on her girls as well. One hopes when she marries again that she will be in a constructive commitment.

There are many scenes throughout the book that make me shake my head in disbelief and some that make me shudder as Lucinda walks over eggshells.… (more)

When Lucinda’s husband buys her a couple of horses it sets in motion a course of events that leads to her running, in her words, the worst riding school in the world.

What follows is a laugh-out-loud tale of the ups and mostly downs of owning your own equine based teaching business in the wild African countryside.

This is a really fun read as you root for Lucinda in her misguided attempts to teach the neighbouring children to ride, whilst keeping her business afloat, amid all the mishaps and disasters waiting to strike.

With a likeable lead and a cast of interesting secondary characters this one is well worth a read in between longer more serious reads.… (more)