The Favourite - S.V. Berlin

Who’d be a writer, eh? You pour your heart and soul, every fibre of your being into a book. Writing one is achievement enough, but getting it published must be a supreme accomplishment. Then some smart ass reviewer comes along  with something akin to a metaphoric teacher’s red pen and almost tells that you could do better. Well, S.V. Berlin, you couldn’t have done any better! But……. you could have done less.

This debut novel is intriguing in that there is little in the way of action. It is an observational novel with perceptions and insights into relationships. Precipitated by the death of their mother, siblings Edward and Isobel are forced together after a lengthy estrangement. Forming an uncomfortable threesome is Edward’s partner, Julie. What follows is the thoughts, feelings and responses of these three individuals to the experience of Mary’s death and their own relationships with each other and their families. Several situations are seen from each of their individual viewpoints and interpretations. 

Much of the writing is stylish and mature, eloquent and flowing. And there are few who read this who will not identify with some of the human dynamics in the story. There is a sensitive understanding of what grief and bereavement does to you. And there is also an understanding of what people do to one another when they are unable to communicate effectively.

The problem I had with this book is that it is over long. I believe I coined the phrase ‘debut novel exuberance syndrome’ a while ago and it seems very apt here. Each character does a great deal of soul searching in this book and it seemed that every thought was expressed in minute detail. In my opinion that wasn’t always necessary as the points had been well made and sometimes you have to credit your reader with an ability to understand what you are trying to express. 

I found the latter stages of the book less verbose and I found myself reading eagerly to see how situations progressed. The ending was enigmatic. The reader is left wondering what might happen. That kind of conclusion can appeal to many readers who enjoy allowing a book to stay with them long after they finish reading. Others prefer everything neatly tied up. Well you won’t get that here but I’d say don’t be put off. And don’t be put off by my comments about the book’s length. I’m just a smart ass reviewer, remember. This is an intelligent piece of work and this writer deserves a lot of credit.

The Monster's Daughter - Michelle Pretorious

There’s much to commend this book but there is a little of the curate’s egg about it. Undeniably it is well written with an understanding of language. Quality writing with evocative. descriptive passages. The characterisations are perceptive and engaging. But the plot and sub plots present as confused to a certain degree. I’m all for genre fusion but some of the fusion was lacking for me.

I freely admit that I do not understand politics. It leaves me cold, national and international. Along with religion it seems to be responsible for the majority of ills in the world. And there was a great deal of South African politics in this story. But it wasn’t a wholly political novel.

This fiction has tentacles in both the past and the present. But some of the past narrative seems to be more entrenched  in a futuristic, sci fi dystopia than Boer war atrocities. It is not a wholly dystopian, sci fi or war novel.

Alet Berg is a substantial characters; a resourceful and likeable policewoman with a history and a crime to solve against all the odds. I probably enjoyed this aspect of the book the most. It was an intriguing crime but this is not wholly a crime thriller.

All the strands do interweave and link up and when you reach the conclusion of the book the ends are more or less tied up. This is an ambitious piece of work. There is nothing wrong with ambition but I feel here that too much material has diluted the impact of each strand. It is as if the writer has thrown everything they ever wanted to write about in this one book. The reader is given plenty to think about and plenty to try and figure out.

Nevertheless I found it a worthwhile read and the quality of writing suggests that Ms. Pretorious is a name to keep an eye on.

The Last Hours - Minette Walters

Spooky; last month for some reason unbeknown to myself I decided to reread The Chameleon’s Shadow. A peculiar decision given my TBR shelves. Maybe it was some weird, karmic, sixth sense thing because at that time I was totally ignorant of the imminent publication of The Last Hours.

Way back in the nineties and the noughties my Mum and I had this unspoken kind of competition as to who could get a hold of a copy of the new Minette Walters first. Who ever did read it then lent it to the other. Oh, would that she were here still, for me to gloatingly pass on this copy of Ms. Walters first full length novel for a decade. 

The worst, most cruel thing about this book was to get to the end and find that the next volume will not be available until October 2018. 2018!? I might be dead by then! From that you will gather that I enjoyed this novel. Yes. I did.

I began it with trepidation. The queen of the psychological thriller had changed genres! Mad or unswervingly courageous? And she has switched to historical fiction. Could two genres be more diametrically opposed? No, I don’t think so. I think history throws up a wealth of criminals and psychos! And I enjoy historical fiction very much so I was excited.

And I really didn’t want to put this down. It’s a lengthy tome and at times I thought it was overlong. But that was my only reservation. There were a couple of lapses into a more contemporary vernacular but that’s me nit picking. It’s gripping, so well written and researched that you are drawn into the medieval era from the first few lines. The sights and sounds are palpable. So, too, is the fear of contracting the plague. The mark of a good historical fiction writer is where you leave behind this modern, digital world and become completely enveloped in a different lifestyle. You almost start thinking medievally!

But despite switching genres the essence of Minette Walter’s writing endures. The style is recognisable as are the characterisations. A wealth of diverse characters that are quite simply believable. Thaddeus Thurkell is the new Jon Snow! And you find yourself seeking the wisdom of Lady Anne as you read.  People with secrets, people with jealousies, people seeking vengeance. All against the backdrop of the Black Death in Dorset and how one demesne protects themselves against this scourge with one aim - to survive. But the survival of all is broader than merely staying healthy in body. Surviving life itself is the ultimate aim.

It’s an epic novel and in no way is it concluded here. It ends at a reasonably comfortable place but, oh, there’s so much more I want to know!  Is there such a thing as an advance, advance reading copy? If so, may I have one. NOW!

An Honourable Man - Paul Vidich

I had no great expectations of this book. In truth I acquired it from a book swapping website. I had heard the author and title on a book review site I follow and I think that’s why I chose it to swap. I was pleasantly surprised when I read it. I found it concise, slow but nevertheless gripping. I thought it was very visual and can see it translating well to maybe the small screen rather than the the big. I was reminded both of John Le Carre and Len Deighton as i read. I don’t know whether that is a criticism or not! I suspect that those two writers did rather set the benchmark for spy material.

A US, Cold War spy fiction sounds almost clichéd but as Karen Joy Fowler says if we didn’t have cliches there would be no need for the word at all! Maybe this is more old fashioned than clichéd. Or maybe the writer very skilfully recreated that sinister atmosphere of constantly looking over your shoulder during that era in America.  That subtle unease of everyday normality exploding into anything but. The constant mistrust of everyone including our, somewhat detached protagonist, George Mueller.

It is somewhat formulaic and characters seemed to be functional and lacked depth but that seemed to work within the intentions of this novel. It’s the Cold War, these are spies, maybe depth of a character is a luxury that cannot be afforded when you’re suspicious of everyone. 

My understanding is there is an imminent further publication featuring Mueller again. I won’t rush to read it but I won’t pass the opportunity by should the book pass my way.

A History of Running Away - Paula McGrath

Maybe it was the ‘Paula’ and I was thinking Radcliffe that made me speculate as to whether this might be an homage to marathon running. Nope. But the marathon of life might be seen as a fitting metaphor to sum up this second novel from Paula McGrath.

For me this was one of those rare books where you had to reach the end to realise how good it really is. If that sounds like stating the obvious I apologise. And I will endeavour to explain without giving anything away. I spent much of the book feeling frustrated. The novel was supposed to be telling me about three women, their separate lives and ultimately the connections between them all. And it did. It all began so promisingly; chapters with a little on each woman ending on, not so much a cliff hanger, as a stumble down a little incline. Except that as the fiction progressed there seemed to be a disproportionate bias towards the story of just one of the women. I wanted to know about all of them. 

It was only at the end that it became clear why such an emphasis and detail had gone into the story of that one woman. I hope that makes sense. If it doesn’t reading the book will.

To do this and get it right is the work of a competent and meticulous writer. For this is a well crafted plot that could easily go awry but it all unfolds skilfully. Unwittingly the reader is forced into engaging with one of the characters more than the others because, quite simply, you are told more about her. But the other characters are easily accessible. Much of it is good, old fashioned story telling, a tale unfolding before you with some satisfactory conclusions and no real loose ends.

It’s a tale of growing up and allowing that maturity to help you discover who you really are. In a sense it’s not about the circumstances and situations but more the motivations and commitment to seeing things through. That is clever because it seems the very paradox of running away from things! There is plenty of actual running in the book too the descriptions of which gave the book a rhythm and a flow.

It’s a tight story that doesn’t allow a reviewer to give much of the plot away without risking spoilers. I found it a worthwhile and absorbing read. I don’t think it covered any new ground but then I don’t think that was the intention of the writer. It’s refreshing to simply read  - a story, 

Don't Close Your Eyes - Holly Seddon

I read this in almost one session. Was it THAT good, I hear you ask? More of that later but I will quantify that by also saying it was a very hot day and reading was a perfect and enjoyably activity for the conditions.

I make no secret of loving a debut novel, the potential of experiencing a new, important voice. But I also relish the follow up, ‘that difficult second album’ syndrome. I love to see how a writer develops in style and in confidence dispelling any suggestion that they might be a one trick pony. I think Jessie Burton is a perfect recent example. So having enjoyed Try Not To Breathe, Ms. Seddon’s debut work I was bubbling with enthusiasm to read her next offering.

This is another uncomfortable read with little in the way of light relief. And if I’m honest there was much to potentially irritate me; split chronologies that dance from one decade and person to another and back again, yet another flawed narrator/protagonist, (although here we have two!), so in vogue in today’s writing, and the device of a character seeing events unfold through the windows of buildings is fast becoming a cliche. BUT it didn’t irritate me here. 

The characters engaged me and sucked me into the vortex of the storyline where there was no escape. I suppose it is a book about people believing they are doing their best in any given situation but falling far short in msot cases with devastating, far reaching consequences. Some almost dystopian family dynamics at play here that chill your heart. 

The writing style is recognisable as Holly Seddon’s from her first book, whilst the content may be uncomfortable reading the writing flows easily and accessibly.

The plot deals with some sensitive and challenging issues so much so that the writer saw fit to acknowledge this in her afterword  affirming her intention to have dealt with these issues respectfully and sensitively. I’d say she did. 

I think what does pull this book together is the twist at the end which seemed ultimately to make the entire novel worthwhile. One of those delicious ‘never saw it coming’ moments.

Don’t expect to come away from this book feeling uplifted unless it is to celebrate some compelling writing. And that brings me to my opening premise as to whether this books was so good it needs to be read in one session. I’m not gonna say!! Go read it for yourself!!

The Frozen Woman - Jon Michelet

I don’t speak Norwegian, doubt I ever will so I am indebted to Don Bartlett, who apparently translates Jo Nesbo too, for rendering this fiction accessible to an ageing anglospeak. However I am sure my experience in reading it would have been enhanced if I could experienced the native expression. As always with a translation I feel I am getting half a book.  That is no criticism  of the translator, its just that different languages have such different idiosyncrasies.

This book has won an award for being Norway’s best crime novel. The cynics among you may pose the question, just how many crime novels does Norway have? Quite a lot in fact; NordicNoir and ScandiCrime are potent forces within the genre. The sceptics among you might enquire just why Scandinavia should merit a genre(s) of its own when other nations don’t. I think this book is a perfect example of why.

For me anyway, Nordic crime, indeed broaden that to Swedish, Danish maybe Finnish and Icelandic too, is far more cerebral in its intent. The works seldom function as pure action packed thrillers, they demand the reader pays attention and not leave all the work to the fictional detective. Is that a bit too much like hard work when you’re simply trying to enjoy a read? And is it worth it?

I liked this book but I didn’t love it. The characters were quirky, difficult to get to know. It wasn’t that they were merely functional but they seemed detached from the reader.It sometimes seemed as if they were all enjoying an ‘in’ joke that the reader wasn’t ‘in’ on!

Much of the financial, business, political and economic strands of the plot lines were lost on me but that isn’t a criticism that’s just me. The ultimate unravelling of the actual crime was clever and well constructed. I had the sense of jig saw pieces falling into place. I think there were some attempts at humour to offer some light relief in what was quite a tense story but they may have lacked impact in translation. 

Ultimately I am confused by my own reaction to this book. I can’t assert definitely exactly how I feel about it which I am finding unnerving and unusual. Certainly its worthwhile and I’m glad I read it but I’m more comfortable with the likes of Jo Nesbo and Anne Holt.