Mr Lynch's Holiday Review

Mr Lynch’s Holiday

Catherine O’Flynn

Publisher: Viking

Welcome to Lomaverde - a new Spanish utopia for those seeking their place in the sun. Now a ghost town where feral cats outnumber the handful of anxious residents. A place of empty pools, long afternoons and unrelenting sunshine. Here, widowed Midlands bus driver Dermot Lynch turns up one bright morning. He's come to visit his son Eammon and his girlfriend, Laura. Except Eammon never opened Dermot's letter announcing his trip. Just like he can't quite get out of bed, or fix anything, or admit Laura has left him.Though neither father nor son knows quite what to make of the other, Lomaverde's Brits - Roger and Cheryl, Becca and Iain - see in Dermot a shot of fresh blood. Someone to enliven their goat-hunting trips, their paranoid speculations, the endless barbecuing and bickering. As Dermot and Eammon gradually reveal to one another the truth about why each left home, both get drawn further into the bizarre rituals of ex-pat life, where they uncover a shocking secret at the community's heart.

Eamonn Lynch is stuck in Spain, in a village that was never completed due to financial difficulties and the global recession. He’s lost his job and his wife has just left him when his father Dermot visits unexpectedly. There are many differences between Eamonn and his father – not just generational, but aspirational as well. Eamonn works with computers, an area than befuddles his father, a retired bus driver. Dermot arrived in the UK from Ireland and considers himself Irish while Eamonn thinks of himself as English. Dermot can’t understand his son’s inability to do little jobs round the house. For the two weeks Dermot and Eamonn struggle to reconnect as father and son and as two people with very different lives.

This is a very different read from my normal fantasy and paranormal stories. It just covers the two weeks of Dermot’s holiday, his first visit abroad and the extraordinary people who have also been left behind in this incomplete village. There are some amusing characters that will bring a wry smile or two, but this is less a comedy novel than a view into the difficulties and expectations of moving abroad, of your own children, of your parents and of the changes life throws at you. Does a change of scenery improve your life? Because no matter where you go, you’re there.

I read this in a day and found the writing involving. The scene of this deserted ex-pat new community is quite haunting and stays with you. However, I found the ambling pace a little slow for my tastes and the soul searching a little tiring. I enjoyed the book but I didn’t feel excited by it. This is a good contemporary story asking questions and exploring how life doesn’t always meet expectations.

Recommended for fans of Emily Barr and Jojo Moyles. 7 out of 10

Guest Review: Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell

Last month was a lonely month for me when my cinema buddy and guest reviewer Sarah was on holiday, but good news is that she's back! And even better she's done a review for us - although I get the impression Sarah wasn't very taken with this story!

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell
- Susanna Clarke

Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

At the dawn of the nineteenth century, two very different magicians emerge to change England's history. In the year 1806, with the Napoleonic Wars raging on land and sea, most people believe magic to be long dead in England--until the reclusive Mr Norrell reveals his powers, and becomes a celebrity overnight. Soon, another practicing magician comes forth: the young, handsome, and daring Jonathan Strange. He becomes Norrell's student, and they join forces in the war against France. But Strange is increasingly drawn to the wildest, most perilous forms of magic, straining his partnership with Norrell, and putting at risk everything else he holds dear.

This book had been sitting on my Kindle for a while, until the pull of a historical fantasy drew me in to the 19th Century world of gentleman magicians Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. I started the book on my morning commute, and reached work having read.... 1%. Yes, the best part of 3/4 hour reading for 1% of book. This book is BIG. Very, very BIG. So big in fact that I regularly texted Mel things like '15%', '22%' and the very joyous '51%'!

The problem was, I couldn't work out why the book was so long. In fact, I never really worked out what the book was about! Was it human v non-human? Good v evil? A love story? A fictional treatise on magic in England? It is all of these, and also, ultimately, none of them. Being a frustrated author myself I was always taught the importance of having structure in a novel - a beginning, a middle and an end if you will. Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell has a beginning, and then, well, just rambles on. And on. And on.

I also couldn't work out why Susanna Clark insisted on using about a dozen Olde Worlde words. It was obvious that we were in early 19th Century England, so I'd have preferred either all Olde Worlde words, or none, as the few used just ended up looking glaringly out of place.

So, sorry Mel's Random Reviews followers, but a negative review from me for once. I personally don't recommend it, and give it 4 out of 10.

Little (occasionally annoying, sometimes infuriating) Women‏

Last week I chuckled when my friend Emma wrote a mini-rant on facebook about one of the great classic books of female literature - Little Women by Louise May Alcott so I asked her to expand on her thoughts here...and for those of you who don't know anything about the story it's still a very amusing mini-rant!

Little Women
- Louise May Alcott

Little Women is the heartwarming story of the March family that has thrilled generations of readers. It is the story of four sisters--Jo, Meg, Amy and Beth-- and of the courage, humor and ingenuity they display to survive poverty and the absence of their father during the Civil War.

The classic American novel Little Women has one of fiction's most famous opening lines*:

" "Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents, " grumbled Jo, lying on the rug"

 

and off we go into the world of the March sisters - refined Meg, tomboyish Jo, saintly Beth and vain Amy. I first met these girls when I was aged about 10, thanks to my aunt's childhood copy of the novel sitting temptingly on the shelf at my Grandparents' house, and I remember enjoying the time I spent in their company. Last week, many years older, I picked up the book again. I'd recently visited Boston and New England, where Louise May Alcott had lived and had set her story, and was seized by an urge to read it again. On Saturday I finished it, sighed, logged onto facebook and wrote:

"I've just finished rereading Little Women, which I remember loving as a child. Is it wrong that I now find all the female characters insufferably goody goody?"

Mel saw my mini-rant and kindly offered me this opportunity to try to try and better explain my problems with the book. Before reading any further a warning: there are going to be PLOT SPOILERS ahead, so beware if you've not read it. There may also be some shouting if things go badly. Turn away now if you, like little Beth, are of a delicate disposition.

So what changed? How did the fun story in my memory of the growing pains of four friendly, lively sisters turn into a highly moralistic and sanctimonious tale of doing your duty, learning how to be a proper housewife and giving up all your childhood dreams? I've had a long think about this and come to the conclusion that the problem isn't with the novel, it's with me. I grew up and, unlike the March girls, got feminist. As a child of about the same age as Amy I could enjoy their young adventures with their conveniently rich and handsome neighbour Laurie, think it sweet when Jo finally finds the man of her dreams, and probably didn't pay much attention to the lessons on being a good little wife from their saintly mother. As an adult I'm disappointed and annoyed that Jo has apparently sacrificed her promising writing career for an old man with a comedy german accent. A man moreover who seems to randomly turn up again after not being heard of for three years. I don't understand why she can't do both, but in this world if you're a women you should know your place (in the home, looking after your husband) and be content.

I shouldn't be completely negative. The young protaganists do feel like real people (well, maybe not saintly Beth, but she's the typical child innocent who turns up all the time in Victorian fiction to teach us all a lesson in suffering), and you do get a strong impression of what it's like to live in their world. Thinking back over it, I did enjoy the story, I just wish the Pilgrims Progress preachiness could be unwrapped from the coming of age tale.

Does this mean you can't go back and revisit old childhood friends? Definitely not! Last time I was over here it was to sing the praises of Diana Wynne Jones whose books I've never stopped enjoying. However, tread carefully and don't be too upset if you find that you're now more mature than the dated playfellows you've left behind. I'm going to try this experiment again and see if another classic American children's novel Anne of Green Gables has fared better. Maybe I'll come back and tell you how I got on if, as I'm sure a proper Miss March would say, Mel permits me the indulgence.

*really, it does. I checked with google

Guest Review: The Sandalwood Tree

Today, I have my old friend Sarah popping by to review a book she recieved from Transworld's Book Group!

The Sandalwood Tree

- Elle Newmark

Publisher: Black Swan

It is 1947, and Evie and Martin Mitchell have just arrived in the Indian village of Masoorla with their five-year-old son. But cracks soon appear in their marriage as Evie struggles to adapt to her new life, and Martin fails to bury unbearable wartime memories.

When Evie finds a collection of letters, concealed deep in the brickwork of their rented bungalow, so begins an investigation that consumes her, allowing her to escape to another world, a hundred years earlier, and to the extraordinary friendship of two very different young women.

And as Evie’s fascination with her Victorian discoveries deepens, she unearths powerful secrets. But at what cost to her present, already fragile existence?

Hello all Mel-followers, I'm back again!  Like Mel, I'm taking part in the Transworld challenge (what's not to love about free books??!!), and my first book to review is The Sandalwood Tree.  It would seem a very different type of novel to those I have always reviewed here, but as well as the Sci-Fi/Fantasy stuff I love World War, and Middle East-based books - and, how lucky am I, The Sandalwood Tree encompasses both!

This book is beautifully written by someone who has obviously spent plenty of time in India, and you get a real flavour of what life was like there in the late 1940s when religion was a dividing factor.  The experience is almost visceral at times - not just the sights, but the smells, the sounds, the textures.  It is a fabulous book for a dull or wet day - transporting you to another place entirely.

It also explores the after-effects of war, not just on the man involved (in this case the shell-shocked and guilt-ridden Martin), but on his family too.  The latter especially are so engaging - the mother, Evie, is a woman desperate to hold her family together, but at the same time unwilling to believe she cannot have happiness in her life, even if this means a life without her husband.  And then there's little Billy, a child so well-formed I cannot imagine he was not modelled on someone the author knew.

The story itself keeps your interest without a problem, but is in essence a 'nice' story - no major about-turns or surprises.  This is not a major criticism - who doesn't like an easy-to-read novel occasionally? - but means for me it doesn't reach the heights of A Thousand Splendid Suns, 8 out of 10.

Sarah is a member of Transworld Book Group!

Past Continuous Review

Past Continuous

-       Tony Bayliss

Publisher: UK – Sparkling Books

The sensitive, gifted but troubled young Matthew cannot get to grip with everyday life. He turns against his parents, whose separation leaves him shuttling back and forth between homes. Estranged from his peers, and clumsy with girls, he has difficulty in making friends, and achingly yearns for a girl with whom to share his body and mind. Meanwhile the bright and beautiful Sophie starts to get mysterious emails from the boy of her dreams...literally.

This is a hard review to write as the subject matter in this book is a lot deeper and serious than my usual light reading. But that’s not to say that Past Continuous isn’t entertaining – it makes you think both as you’re reading and after you’ve put the book down. And it isn’t always an easy read. Oh, the prose flows well enough and at the beginning there are enough short chapters to keep the pages turning. However, it isn’t long before you realise what you are reading is a question. A question on the purpose of life, what makes human and the meaning of life. And perhaps most importantly -  what makes us human?

The two main characters are both extremely bright, intelligent people but they both remain somewhat removed from other people and don’t tend to let others get close to them – this includes their parents as well as friends and lovers. While I could empathize with them to a certain extent I did feel their behaviour tended towards the selfish and didn’t think about how their acts would impact others. But this is an important element of the story and leads to those big questions that I mentioned. And their romance is by terms touching as they learn about each other and mysterious based on their unusual method of communication. I enjoyed being challenged while reading this and while my heart ultimately stayed with Matthew’s father – the most human character – I did enjoy the romance and various twists along the way.

With a haunting story and the ability to make you think while following an emotional and intelligent journey, this is a very good book that I hope more people pick up. Many thanks to the Slowest Bookworm, whom I won this copy from.

Recommended for fans of Jostein Gaarder and Alice Sebold. 8 out 10.

The Barracks Review

The Barracks

- John McGahern

Publisher: UK – Faber Firsts

Elizabeth Regan, after years of freedom – and loneliness – marries into the enclosed Irish village of her upbringing. The children are not her own; her husband is straining against his job in the police force; and her own life, threatened by illness, seems to be losing the last vestiges of its purpose. Moving between tragedy and savage comedy, desperation and joy, The Barracks is a novel of haunting power.

This is a far cry from my usual type of book. It’s a modern classic. It’s a story about real life. Real life. That means boredom, routine, peoples every day thoughts and fears. And it feels real. This book doesn’t involve a kick-ass heroine, or an ordinary guy caught up in a vast conspiracy, or even a pretty 20-something, kooky-but-successful woman looking for love. So straight away it falls to the bottom of my TBR pile. However, I wanted to challenge myself and I’ve had this book on my shelves for a while. Plus it’s a mere 232 pages so I decided to squeeze it in between by usual reading fare.

However, this wasn’t a quick read. It’s not a light read at all. The main story follows the final year of Elizabeth Regan’s life and her struggle with cancer. This causes her to reflect on her life and the decisions she’s made – most especially on her relationships with those around her. I really felt for her, but growing up in a different age, I really wanted her to stand up for herself a bit more – be independent and not spend the whole time looking after everyone else. I know this is a generational thing but I couldn’t bring myself to connect with Elizabeth completely because of it - some how I feel more connected with the vampire hunting heroines I usually read about!

It is beautifully written – the descriptions of life in Ireland in the fifties really brings the whole period to life. Everything, from the routine, the sights, smells and season are invoked and I could picture Elizabeth’s world vividly. But I never really relaxed into the writing; I was aware the whole time that I was reading and not swept along into a different world.

Overall, it is a good book – I can see why it’s become a modern classic. It’s exactly the type of book your English teacher would read to the whole class and make you write essays about. However, I didn’t really get into it – it took me a long time to read such a short novel. While I can appreciate the writing and the exploration of one woman’s life, it’s not the type of book I will re-read.

Recommended for those a literary bent. Writing  - 8 out of 10. Personal enjoyment – 4 out of 10

Ghosts & Lightning Review

Ghosts and Lightning
- Trevor Byrne

Publisher: UK – Canongate Books

Why I picked it up: I very kindly received an advanced copy prior to release.

Back Blurb: Happy or unhappy, all families are a mystery. None more than the Cullens. Having escaped their clutches and moved across the water, Denny is just beginning to make a life for himself when a call from his sister brings him back to Dublin, city of his birth. Back to square one. As if squabbling siblings and unhelpful childhood friends weren't trouble enough, a ghost starts making appearances in the family home and Denny's life starts to get a lot more complicated.

What I thought: The story is written as if it’s all dictated through the main character completely with speaking prose – yiz knaw? I fond this a struggle to read as I was continually trying to translate it into ‘proper English’ but it did add an air of authenticity to the story. It’s set in Dublin in a family that has recently lost their mother and are struggling to cope – while none of the characters are children, they are still young and not used to the full responsibilities of adult life. They do drugs, have loud parties, drink too much and struggle to work, to live. However, I struggled to identify with any of them – I spent half the time wanting to yell at them to get off their backsides and just make an effort. It’s not a world I felt comfortable reading about and I hope that’s what the author was trying to convey. Nether-the-less I’m not sure I would read anything else by the author again.

Recommended for: Realising that their are people out there worse off than you!

Rating: 4 out of 10