Other People's Children

By Joanna Trollope

It’s hard enough when your parents split up … but what happens when other people’s children enter the picture?

When a man and a woman get married, things can get complicated — and even more so when a man and a woman who are divorced get remarried. And when there are children from previous marriages, ‘complicated’ can become the understatement of the century. Other People’s Children concerns that expanding social unit: the stepfamily. It explores the myths, the truths, the ridiculousness, the tenderness and the difficulties of trying to simultaneously deal with present relationships, past relationships and, above all, other people’s children.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Oct 22, 2010
• ISBN: 9780307366078

Joanna Trollope

Joanna Trollope is the author of many highly acclaimed and bestselling novels, including The Rector's Wife, Marrying the Mistress, Daughters in Law and City of Friends. She was appointed OBE in 1996, and a trustee of the National Literacy Trust in in 2012. She has chaired the Whitbread and Orange Awards, as well as being a judge of many other literature prizes; she has been part of two DCMS panels on public libraries and is patron of numerous charities, including Meningitis Now, and Chawton House Library. In 2014, she updated Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility as the opening novel in the Austen Project.

Reviews for Other People's Children

[dianekeenoy · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Held my interest. Will definitely read other of her books.

[sueincyprus · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A couple are married as the book opens, amidst doubt and disapproval. They try to build a new life together with their 'blended' family of four children. Fast-moving, clever subplotting, and some high emotion with realistic feelings explored by the children.

I'd completely forgotten the various plotlines when I re-read eight years after the first reading, and enjoyed it afresh.

[suzannie1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

never read any of her books before, but couldnt put this one down ,this was a book about noraml relationship breakdowns and new relationships and all the crap that goes with it, it was so normal i could relate to it , Loved it .

[callmejacx · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the second novel I have read by Joanna Trollope. Like the first, it took me a bit to get into, I had some touble keeping track of the characters. Joanna was real and upfront about what a step-parent may go through. Every character in the book had a purpose and a part in the book. Joanna allowed the reader to get up close and personal with her characters. Even though I consider this a good book I was disappointed in the way it ended.

[nyiper · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A delightful description of the issues as these particular English families are shown breaking up and trying to work through new relationships.

[dianaleez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Josie and Matthew, both unhappily married, meet at a teachers' conference and fall in love. But it's not as simple as it seems. Josie is the mother of eight-year-old Rufus, and Matthew, the father of teens Clare, Rory, and Becky. Josie's ex, Tom, who is also the father of young adults Luke and Dale, is now courting Elizabeth, who would like to have a baby of her own. And Matthew's ex, Nadine, is not a happy lady. Josie and Matthew marry, and this story of step-parenting and the effects of divorce on children and the effects of children on second marriages begins. Joanna Trollope displays her usual acute understanding of human nature and provides an intelligent and thought-provoking look at modern families.