The Wager and the Bear - John Ironmonger

Q: What's the best way of trying to get a politician to actually listen to you? 

A: Get yourself stranded with one on an iceberg. 

Apologies if that smacks of spoiler. There's a vague allusion to it on the book back blurb so perhaps it's not too much of one. If ever there was a pertinent, relevant and topical book it's this one. And I have often thought that one of the most enduring ways to get ideas across is under the guise of fiction. As I sit here with the wind howling around me, a remnant of Storm Eowyn, and I recall the floods, the fires, the storms, the temperatures I scratch my head at those who think climTe change is all a conspiracy. Regardless of the human insistence on ruining this planet climate change and global warming will occur naturally simply because we are part of a solar system and our star, the sun, will get hotter. We have probably 'just' accelerated it.

The starting point of The Wager and the Bear concerns an exchange between idealistic youth, Tom Horsmith, and mean maturity, Monty Causley (he is a politician and climate change denier) in a Cornish pub that has consequences that follow them both throughout their lives. I'm not prepared to divulge what the wager is nor detail any of the consequences, I'm already worried I've offered one spoiler! Suffice to say it all makes for an enthralling and thought provoking story. 

Although the book does have points to make there's no preaching or dogma. Rather there is a story of humanity with all its ups and downs, heartbreaks and tragedies, the impetuousness of youth and the nefarious machinations of politicians, and there's love and loyalty, friendship and family. 

What really sticks out, though, is what a consummate storyteller John Ironmonger is. The narrative flows seamlessly whether the location is Cornwall or the Arctic, one sequence of events seems to glide effortlessly into the next like some of the glaciers in the tale. The text is expansive without being over elaborate. Whilst an affinity for the pertinent detail in a story can sometimes make or break it - too much and you risk boring your reader, too little and you run the risk of frustrating your reader. Pick up the balance right as Mr. Ironmonger has done and the result is just a beautiful literary experience.

It's a clever story, contemporary yet timeless. Whilst it deals with a subject that might be seen as hopeless, nevertheless, the story leads us to believe that there is hope for the future so ultimately the book is an uplifting one. 

My thanks to Isabelle Kenyon at Fly on the Wall Press for a gifted copy. 

All the Colours of the Dark – Chris Whitaker

 I‘ve read all of Chris Whitaker’s books. And I’ve loved them all. I’ve also enjoyed seeing him develop as a writer. This current work from Whitaker is ambitious in its breadth and concept. Ostensibly a crime novel it elevates itself above the bare bones of that genre by exploring issues of family, friendship, love and trauma. 

If you’ve read Whitaker’s work previously, you’ll recognise settings, style and location. We’re still in small town America, so palpably described you could be forgiven for thinking Chris Whitaker is a native of those places but he isn’t, he’s British. Maybe he was an American in a previous life! 

 

Whitaker’s characterisations are always something to behold and there’s no disappointment here. Patch and Saint leap off the page and into your hearts. Names, again, seem to play a part. Saint is perfect as was Duchess in We Begin at the End. Grace is another name or word that crops up in Whitaker’s work; the town in All the Wicked Girls was called Grace. The police play a prominent role again exerting considerable influence over the main character, here it is Nix, it was Walk in We Begin at the End. 

 

There are some humorous moments, not as dominant as in his first two books, it’s a more serious story, but wit is always appreciated. 

 

The crime story is complex and quite convoluted with twists and smokescreens that have you guessing and suspecting nearly all the way through. There is resolution at the end but most of all you want Saint, Patch and Charlotte to find peace of mind and understanding. 

 

I used to receive proofs of Chris Whitaker’s books when I had some standing in the blogger ranks. Alas that state is no more. I reserved and borrowed this from my local library. I’ve had to wait weeks for it which has disappointed me less than you might think because it means that people are wanting to read Whitaker’s work. And I look forward to his next book - who knows some publisher might think me worthy of an advance copy!

How To Beat Scammers – Nick Stapleton

 

The foreword of this book contains a chilling statement “If you haven’t been caught out yet, it’s not because you’re too clever but simply because you’re lucky. Eventually, the right scam will get you on the wrong day.”

 That is reiterated, again, at the end of book. Mr. Stapleton implies that each and every one of us will at some point, get scammed. It’s a chilling thought.

 

This is an informative and useful guide to scams, past and present, that are violating our world today. So, in that sense it is a very depressing read. It is simply dreadful to contemplate that there are so many millions of people out there making a career out of stealing data and money from decent, honest, hardworking folk. What kind of world have we become? 

 

Something else that I found very interesting in the book is that Nick Stapleton puts the scammers’ point of view forward as well! He managed to secure some testimonies from some scammers who expressed regret at what they were doing but they implied that they had no choice. Some of them were intelligent, educated people who could not secure employment in their own countries and turned to scamming to live. Some of them had the attitude that it was simply payback to white people for what they had done to their country in the past! 

 

There is no doubt in my mind that scamming is big business worldwide. And the Internet is largely to blame together with smart phones etc. and social media. Of course, postal scams, door to door scams, rogue workman are continuing and are probably some of the earliest scams, predating the internet. 

 

This book gives us some background on the scam business worldwide. Then there is a part entitled The Scam Compendium which goes through each type of scam, what happens and how the scammers operate. And there’s a final part that aims to help you help yourself if you’ve been scammed, reporting scams and talking about scams. There's also an acknowledgement that AI could further render a greater degree of sophistication to these scams. Horrific.

 

It's a useful book but it is so sad that there is a need for it.

 

My thanks to Tandem Collective for my copy.

 

 

The Secrets of Hartwood Hall - Katie Lumsden

 

There’s nothing I like better than a ‘Big House’ story. And this is a big house story. But it’s more than that as it’s historical fiction and a gothic mystery too. 

Historical fiction at its best has be authentic and convincing. There are many ways of doing that. Impeccable research that takes in the events of the period, the physical detail of the age, what people wore, how they spoke all contribute to creating a palpable landscape for the reader to navigate and believe in. Katie Lumsden’s book does exactly that. 

Gothic? It’s an oft bandied term sometimes, but sometimes the true Gothic novel is elusive and can cause dissent among those who sometimes dispute whether a story is Gothic or not.

For me, it has to be dark; a big house setting lends itself to the genre. I think there has  to be a hefty helping of the supernatural and haunting. Gloom, mystery and foreboding are all elements that contribute to the overall ‘gothicity’! It’s all here in The Secrets of Hartwood Hall. 

There is an acknowledged debt to the Brontës, in particular Jane Eyre but this is no act of plagiarism. It’s excellent storytelling with some believable characters who all add to richness of the narrative. Plenty of love, plenty of heartbreak and some twists you didn’t see coming, well, I didn’t! I guessed at several possibilities but I didn’t quite hit the mark. 

Reader, I loved it.

January Wrap Up

January Wrap Up

 

I feel like I’ve more or less lost January! On the 2nd I started to feel unwell, and, on the 4th, I tested positive for Covid. I’d managed to avoid it for five years and then, boom, it hit me with a vengeance. I continued to test positive for over two weeks. The euphoria of finally testing negative made me think that I was well, but it has taken another couple of weeks to start feeling human again. However, I did have time to read and whilst there were days when I felt too ill, I’ve managed to read a variety of books.

 

The Garnett Girls – Georgina Moore

I’ve interacted with Georgina Moore in the past when my blogging still seemed to count, and she was a publicist. I was interested in her first novel, and I tried to secure a copy in various ways, all unsuccessful! Then I came across a hardback copy in my local community centre. I pounced upon it gleefully.  I enjoyed it immensely; an atmospheric tale of family and the effect parents can have on their children.

 

The Family Remains – Lisa Jewel

Purloined from the same source as The Garnett Girls this is the sequel to The Family Upstairs. It was a perfect read when you’re languishing on your sick bed. Twisty mystery and dark…. 

 

Ultra Processed People – Chris van Tulleken

For some time now I’ve been trying to decrease the amount of processed food I eat. It’s been time consuming and sometimes expensive. It seems that the healthier the food is the more costly it is! This book in part explains why but it has caused me to modify my diet even more! But I do wonder whether the damage to my body is done and is irreversible. It also made me realise why there is so much ill health. It is quite frightening what people are putting in their bodies without understanding what it is doing to them. I find myself reading ingredient lists even more carefully than I was already doing! It was very readable. The danger of books like these is that you can become blinded by the science, but I did not find that to be the case. Very thought provoking.

 

Blessed are those Who Thirst – Anne Holt

I find crime novels easy to read. No matter how convoluted the plot might be I still tend to read them quite quickly and they are another perfect read for a convalescence. This was a charity shop find that has been slumbering on my TBR shelf for years!! I’ve read several of Holt’s books and always enjoyed them. Scandi, uncompromising thrillers. Bring ‘em on!

 

The Whalebone Theatre – Joanna Quinn

Another gem found in a charity shop. I’d seen this on social media, and it felt like the kind of book I would like. And I was not mistaken. I liked the convoluted family dynamics and it’s what I call a big house story, and I love big house stories. As a debut novel I found it typical, an exuberance of language and detail, possibly an overlong book but who cares? It was an immersive story, and I found myself rooting for all the children. Heartbreaking in parts but uplifting in others.

 

The Harder I Fight the More I Love You – Neko Case

Many years ago, my brother turned up with an external hard drive full of thousands and thousands of songs. And he let me loose on it for 24 hours. I found many old favourites, but I also found some new music I’ve never listened to before. And one of those artists was Neko Case. And I absolutely loved her. I subsequently sought out all her albums and bought them and although she rarely appears live in the UK, I’ve managed to see her twice. So, it was a no-brainer that I would buy this memoir of hers. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I love her songs but is that sustained through prose? Yes, it is. It’s one of the most readable memoirs I’ve ever come across. 

I bought it one day and by the next I finished it. It’s such a conversational and inclusive style of writing and the obstacles and heartbreak that she’s endured throughout her life are quite hard to read at times. But it's certainly done nothing to dampen my enthusiasm for her as a musician.

Living with a Serial Killer - Delia Balmer

I picked this up in my local library during a post covid walk which turned out to be too far and I was wrung out afterwards!! I had watched the TV series. I thought Anna Maxwell Martin and Sean Evans were very good in the lead roles and I thought the TV series was very faithful to the book. I also watched the documentary afterwards, which featured Delia Balmer herself. Not my usual choice of book but it was an interesting enough read although I felt the poor lady had plenty of issues before she was subjected to this horrific ordeal. But I'm glad she got to speak her truth.

The Unpicking – Donna Moore

An unsettling tale which is dark. Three generations of brave Scottish women endure abuse and the corruption of a police force. The three protagonists are plucky and resourceful but your heart breaks for them.

Out of Character - Alison Steadman

And the final book this month is another library book. I've admired Alison Steadman ever since I saw Abigail's Party on TV.  I've seen quite a bit of her work over the years. In common with much of the nation I tuned in to watch the Gavin and Stacey Finale on Christmas Day. It occurred to me that Ms. Steadman has had quite a journey artistically over the years and whilst for a while perhaps, Abigails' Party maybe defined her surely Pamela Shipman is a crowning achievement? I was interested to read her memoir. Strange that I've read two memoirs this month! But both have been very enjoyable and well written. 

Footnote: although the font is all uniform in this draft, I noticed that some has changed when the post is published. I don’t know why and I can only apologize.

 

Invisible Strings - 113 Poets Respond to the Songs of Taylor Swift.

 

I find that I cannot usually read a poetry collection from start to finish. I dip in and out as the mood takes me. And I prefer to read poetry aloud. That doesn't go well on any kind of commute, I find! And so it takes me a while to read through a poetry book especially one of length. And that is really my way of apologising for taking so long to post anything about this book!

It's a fascinating premise; 113 poets (Why 113 you may ask? If you need to ask then you are not a Swiftie?! 13?!) have been brought together by poet and professor Kristie Frederick Daugherty to present poems inspired by the songs of Taylor Swift.

The collection also contains an erudite essay by Sir Jonathan Bate Senior Research Fellow at Oxford University and Regents Professor of Literature at Arizona State University who has no hesitation in equivocally affirming that Swift should be considered a poet and details why from her use of poetic devices to her releasing an album on Emily Dickinson's birthday! (in fact Swift and Dickinson are sixth cousins, twice removed). 

As for the poems themselves, and I confess I still haven't read the whole collection, the onus is on the reader to find the comparisons between the poems and Swift's songs. Not all are obvious which might frustrate some people. And I think that to try too hard to determine which song the poem is about might detract from the poem itself. Sometimes it's a giveaway word like 'jewelled' or the age of a protagonist '22' but ultimately I found myself not really worried about whether I had 'guessed' the song correctly, and although it is fun to try and figure it out, I simply allowed myself to be enveloped by the poetry. Poetry is so subjective and not all of these will resonate with everyone. You find your favourites. I especially liked Firstborn by Jeannine Oulette which I think might have been inspired by August and Plural as the Universe by Susan Rich and I think The Man has inspired that one. 

But I guess it beggars the question, do you have to be a Swiftie to enjoy these poems? No, you don't.

My thanks to Isabelle Wilson at Headline for the copy I won in a giveaway. 

Disappoint Me - Nicola Dinan

 'This is a most impressive debut novel and my ‘bookstinct’ is telling me it could be very important.'

I wrote that as a concluding sentence in my review of Bellies,  Nicola Dinan's debut novel. I'm now in possession of her second novel, Disappoint Me. She doesn't. Disappoint me, I mean. Far from it. If anyone thought that Bellies was a one off, a fluke, one of those 'everyone has a novel inside them' books never to be repeated, think again. If this new novel doesn't cement Dinan as an exceptional literary talent I don't know what will. This is writing of high quality in its intent and execution. The prose is sparkling, witty and insightful. It shows a writer who thinks deeply and the resulting story is so thoughtful.

The characters are intense and complex, the themes challenging and thought provoking. And the author demonstrates a perception that has you incredulous that she has been able to articulate so effectively things that you didn't know you thought. It's all that literature should be.

So what's it all about? 

'Max is 30, a published poet and grossly overpaid legal counsel for a tech company. She's living her best life! Or is she? The debris of years of dysphoria and failed relationships rattles around in her head. When she tumbles down the stairs at a New Year's Eve party and wakes up in hospital alone, she decides to make some changes. First things first: a stab at good old-fashioned heteronormativity.

Vincent, corporate lawyer and hobby baker. He's trad friendship group may as well speak a different language to Max, and his Chinese parents never pictured their son dating a trans woman. It's uncertain terrain, but Vincent cares for Max in a way she'd long given up as a foolish fantasy.

Vincent is carrying his own baggage. On his gap year in Thailand a decade earlier, he vied for the attention of a gorgeous traveller, Alex with secrets of her own. Is Vincent really the new face of the Enlightened Man, or will the ghost of his past sabotage his and Max's happiness?'

Like Bellies it is about the experiences of a trans woman navigating a thirty something world. But it is a dual narrative between Max and Vincent so you get both perspectives, all eloquently described. Parenthood, relationships and forgiveness form the central themes from a trans, homo and heterosexual point of view. All the characters count - Max's brother. Vincent and Max's friends, all the parents.  They are part of the whole story, participants not bystanders. The characters aren't always engaging but they are real, they are flawed as people are and - they disappoint. 

'People are what they are, and sometimes they're just an ongoing series of small disappointments.'

'Life is a series of happy endings and sad endings, a handsome lover or career often marking the board up between epochs. She'll, (Max's friend, Simone), find someone, or several people, but I don't think anyone can say any of us will find someone for forever.'

There's plenty of quotable maxims in the book. For me, anyway, one of the marks of a good book are those lines that you read and want to punch the air in celebration of their astute accuracy. 

Thank you Doubleday for an advance copy. It's been a privilege to read it.