I sometimes look at the best sellers lists in bookstores, in papers and magazines. I see the latest celebrity to commit the minutiae of their life to paper, the author who already has an impressive oeuvre of best-selling work, the personality turned novelist selling books by the bucketful, the latest film/TV ties in. Then I look at the book I’m holding in my hand, and I ask – why? Why isn’t this book on those lists? It’s every bit as good if not better than some appearing there. And then I understand that publishing is a funny old business these days. Quality doesn’t always equate with sales and success.
On paper this book sounds like an anomaly – an Essex lass from Canvey Island writes a novel about America and civil rights? Yet it is so good on so many levels that it is easily one of my favourite books this year.
Debz Hobbs-Wyatt is an award-winning writer for her short stories. So unsurprisingly, it's very well written. There’s an intriguing premise; the two main characters both share the same birthday, but they were born fifty years apart in the same town. George’s story is set over fifty years, April’s over a single year. The narrative yoyos between the two protagonists who initially seem to have nothing in common aside from their birthplace and birthdate. But as the story unfolds the astute reader can pick up the signs that there has to be some kind of link between the two. It’s so cleverly done it blew me away as I started to make the connections.
I think this is the best example I’ve come across of the leitmotiv technique in a contemporary novel. It’s used so simply, yet so subtly - here it’s an utter delight to experience.
The story is an immersive one and you could be forgiven for believing it to be written by an American author with roots in the South. It is so authentic. The research is impeccable from the USA school system to the rules of baseball! The dialogue so convincing it envelops you from the start and transports to you to Georgia and Florida. The atmosphere of those times for African Americans is palpable. The politics are there but it is not an overtly political novel, more a sociological one.
George is just such a wonderful character. He has his flaws, but it makes him so real. A man of dignity but hurting so much inside. Troubled teen, April, will tug at your heart. The amateur psychologist in you will try to diagnose but the truth will not be revealed until you near the conclusion of the book. All the characters have their roles to play and they do so very well. I loved Lydia, and I understand she features as a character in a previous novel which I’m keen to get my hands on! Molly is a beautiful character with her perception and understanding.
The denouement is heartbreaking and will perhaps remind you of similar events that have occurred in various places over time. Once understanding has been reached all the strands of this spider web tale are drawn together. I suppose if I’m honest I found the last few pages lacked the impact of the bulk of the book, I saw them as an attempt to tie all the ends up neatly and that goal was achieved with compassion and hope.
For inasmuch as some of the events in this book are shocking and upsetting there is redemption. It’s a multi themed book – racism, bigotry as one might expect from a civil rights story but there’s family and friendship and spiritualism and faith and hope and love abide and the greatest of these is love.
But what of the crows, I hear you ask? Oh no, I’m not going to say. Best you read the book. 😉
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