A surprise book post. A debut novel. An equation destined to make my heart sing. And an unexpected window of free unfettered time to immerse myself fully and read this story in nearly one sitting which I love, and I truly believe is better for the book!
It’s not a novel that can easily be slotted into a genre. There’s a degree of suspense on several levels but it isn’t a thriller or even a crime tale. There’s some moving observations regarding relationships, the longevity of a relationship and what happens when something strains that relationship to a breaking point that seems Impossible in some respects yet unavoidable in others. It’s a novel that asks us to look at love in all its many guises. It’s a novel that asks us to look inside ourselves and consider the nature of secrets and truth.
‘Frank hadn’t spoken to his wife Margot for the last six months. Not one, solitary sentence, not one single word. Margot has no idea why. Well, she has plenty of ideas why Frank is choosing not to speak to her but no firm answer. For six, silent months they’ve lived under the same roof, slept in the same bed, and eaten every meal together in an increasingly uncomfortable quiet. To all intents and purposes, the marriage continues as lovingly as it ever did – only it is playing out in mute.
After an unexpected call tips whole world on its head, Frank finds Margot collapsed on the kitchen table, an empty blister of sleeping tablets by her side.
With the damage unknown, she is placed in a medically induced coma. Can Frank find the words to explain his withdrawal before it is too late?
I’m not always a fan of book blurbs, they can be misleading but this is just about right! It gives the potential reader just the right amount of information to pique a curiosity and encourage them to immerse themselves in this moving story.
I’m not saying you will cry as the book hurtles towards its conclusions but I’m saying there’s a pretty good chance. It’s hard to comprehend the level of heartbreak that this pair have to go through. But I’m wary of giving anything away. It was not a situation that initially could be second guessed. All kinds of theories go through your head as you try to surmise why Frank stopped talking to Maggie. I don’t think you’ll hit the right one until, perhaps, nearer the end. And I don't think you'll be prepared for the surprise, twist? Not sure what to call it.
The book has a lovely flowing style, an easy to to read narrative that belies the complexity of the concepts within. Part present day, part past, the lives of our two protagonists are laid bare to us through their revelations. Skilful is the writer who can develop a character when for the bulk of the novel they’re in a coma!! But that’s exactly what Abbie Greaves does with Maggie. We feel we know her. we feel we can see her lying there connected up to all the medical equipment and we’re willing her, as Frank is, to rally and survive. And Frank’s tortured anguish as he strives to explain to Maggie, not really sure whether she can hear him or not, we can feel his pain and his shame. These emotions are palpable almost.
There are those feel that there aren’t aren’t enough books being written for the older generation. This book is, I think. It should resonate with those enviable couples who have managed to sustain a relationship of longevity. But it’s not exclusive as the history of Frank and Maggie’s pasts will also resonate with those experiencing the dawn of love and finding that one person you want to spend your life with. Perhaps I will retract my earlier assertion that this book doesn’t easily fit into a genre. Pare it down, it’s a love story.
Thanks so much to Georgina Moore, Phoebe Swinburn both at Midas PR for a copy of this book.
No comments:
Post a Comment