Publication: 18th March 2021 – Simon & Schuster UK
The dazzling new novel from Richard & Judy book club author Catherine Isaac, The World at my Feet is a story about the transforming power of love, as one woman journeys to uncover the past and reshape her future.
The secrets that bind us can also tear us apart…
1990. Harriet is a journalist. Her job takes her to dangerous places, where she asks questions and tries to make a difference. But when she is sent to Romania, to the state orphanages the world is only just learning about, she is forced to rethink her most important rule.
2018. Ellie is a gardener. Her garden is her sanctuary, her pride and joy. But, though she spends long days outdoors, she hasn’t set foot beyond her gate for far too long. Now someone enters her life who could finally be the reason she needs to overcome her fears.
From post-revolution Romania to the idyllic English countryside, The World at My Feet is the story of two women, two worlds, and a journey of self-discovery that spans a lifetime.
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Catherine Isaac always brings tears to my eyes with her wonderful and emotional stories and her beautiful and relatable characters.
Her newest novel, The World At My Feet, is set between England and Romania and the protagonists are two incredible women. Ellie is an Instagram influencer with thousands and thousands of followers who are drawn and inspired by her beautiful pictures of her garden. But, behind the scenes, Ellie’s life is far from perfect. In the 1990s, Harriet is a journalist who travels around the world to report on breaking news. Her article on orphanages in Romania opens the eyes of the world to the dramatic and horrible conditions of the children there and it will change her life for good.
The World At My Feet is a compelling story of family and I especially enjoyed Ellie’s close relationship with her sister Lucy. It’s also a story of friendship. I found the relationship that Ellie develops with five-year-old Oscar adorable and heartwarming. Romance is present and complicated, but it’s not at the center of the story. At the center of the story there is Ellie, her journey of self-discovery, facing her past and her ghosts, her fears and anxieties. I really liked the character of Ellie and I really felt for her and her struggles. I also liked the character of Harriet, a mother who has to revisit her past to help her daughter heal.
The Worlds At My Feet is a poignant and beautiful story, it is enjoyable, but it’s not always an easy read. There are themes of mental health and trauma and the descriptions of the children in the orphanage are heartbreaking. Overall, The World At My Feet is a wonderful and engaging story, with some humour, some tears to shed, and a perfect ending!
The World At My Feet is out in just one month, so the wait is not long, and I’d like to say a huge thank you to SJV, TeamBATC, and Simon & Schuster for providing me with a copy of this fantastic novel.
Book After Book 
Lovely review – so looking forward to reading this one.
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