Platform 7 by Louise Doughty

 A novel ghost story ?

If you pick this book in the hope of a chilling thriller you'll be sadly disappointed.  However if you enjoy the domestic noir genre then this is a perfect choice for you. Narrated by a ghost, the story should send chills down your spine but this ghoul is a friendly spirit, more 'Rent a Ghost' than 'Poltergeist'.  Watching over the mixed bag of characters who work at Peterborough station, the narrator gives a brief insight into the mundane workings of a major interchange, setting the scene for what is to come. The emergence of a man on Platform 7 piques the readers interest as it becomes clear that he is intent on suicide, the ghostly narrator has no power to alert the living to the impending tragedy, she can only watch. In the ensuing  chapters we discover that the ghost is that of Lisa Evans, initially Lisa can't remember anything about her earthly life and how it ended but gradually her memory returns until suddenly we are thrown back into the months preceding her demise. This adds an interesting dimension to the structure of the story but it is not well executed, it seems like a totally separate narrative. Her life as a ghost is poorly defined, does she have form, can she communicate with others, why can she read some people's thoughts and not others? The sudden switch back in time to her life before death does little to connect with her ghostly form. In fact as the reader becomes engrossed in her love affair with Matty it would be easy to forget that the story began with a supernatural protagonist. If she was given powers to intervene like Clarence the angel in 'Its a Wonderful Life' then her ghostly presence would be validated. Similarly after her untimely death we return to her life as a ghoul, hoping that this may mark the beginning of the end of the tale is just far too optimistic. The story follows a large cast of characters and with each character a new theme or social issue emerges. From coercive control to paedophilia, murder, illegal immigration to drugs and homelessness. Is the unifying theme love or life or death ? This is the underlying problem with this book, it is a blob, it is undefined it is a melting pot of ideas and issues. 

The central theme of the book is coercive control, Lisa narrates her gradual descent from successful, independent thirty something professional, to a terrified neurotic victim. Our group felt that Lisa's character was weak and wet and allowed herself to become a victim, this may have been the authors intention. At one point the author claims that many women make the dangerous mistake of confusing romantic love with possessiveness. There were many points in the story when the reader wills Lisa to toughen up and tell the manipulative Matty to sling his hook but to no avail. All the usual red flags were there, back handed compliments meant to undermine confidence, choosing what she should wear, separating her from her group of friends. The relationship did not go sour gradually but seemed to be quite flawed from the beginning, raising the question of why a woman like Lisa would allow it to continue. There were no twists, no great moments of reckoning, perhaps because Doughty thought it important to reflect the reality of abusive relationships, but if gritty realism is what such a sensitive topic requires why wrap it up in a fantastical ghost story?

The opening section of the book draws the reader in, picking up pace as the repercussions of the man's suicide ripple out through the station into the wider world. The story races along as we discover how Lisa met her death but just like the passenger train slows for the station, so the story slows again then slows again as Lisa becomes the ever predictable victim.  For the last third of the book  the author strings out the ending almost to the point that you are left wondering if she just can't decide what the finale should be. When finally it comes, it comes with no closure, no satisfaction, no revenge, only a long list of goodbyes, goodbyes that cover almost all causes of suicide and death that you can imagine. The horror and waste of drugs, the  woman murdered by her partner. Still the story rolls on and on and on with little reason, it  is unclear why we are treated to a minor characters band practice, perhaps just to ask philosophical questions about suicide. 

Doughty is a very talented writer and can hold the readers attention, recreating settings and believable characters. Using a ghost to narrate  her own sad story is not a new idea but it does add an interesting dimension to the well trodden topic of toxic relationships. There were a few chances to really make this a gripping read but they were not taken. There were so many different themes covered in this book that they all failed to be developed fully.  In its present form it is at least two books rolled into one. A good edit could produce a modern classic. Perhaps when it comes to the small screen it will have been trimmed down to a truly chilling ghost story.

Again Covid 19 has put a stop to a good night out at our local Italian, hopefully things will be much improved for next months discussion of ......

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

                                    

                             

                   P o i n t  l e s s  .  .  .  .

Or  Senseless, Futile, Hopeless, Fruitless, Needless, to name a few..... if you want to stay with the theme of this book. 

This book, and we will be referring to it as ‘this book’ has shot to the top of our list of ‘Worst Book Ever’ and we don’t say this lightly. 

This time next year it will be on the cracker charade note as ‘a book’. ‘a play’. ‘a film’. ‘a pantomime’  unfortunately!

This book is set in a so called idyllic, sleepy retirement village where a group of elderly residents with colourful pasts meet up on a Thursday, to try their hand at investigating unsolved murders.  They then find themselves caught up in a real live case and decide to combine their lifetime expertise with that of the local detective and a recently transferred new-by, all of which have a story to tell.  In fact, throughout this book everyone has a story to tell and their stories are told in every finite detail imaginable.  Nothing is left to chance or the imagination. You are hand led through ever decreasing circles throughout the whole book until the guilty emerge, but at the same time the characters, plots and story line are so very very dull and unimaginable, even incredulous at certain points.  You get that Scooby Doo, Miss Marple feeling with a touch of Columbo. I feels almost childish, but childish from another era because children from the 2020 era may call it ‘lame’ 

 Normally my other counterparts would throw in a one-liner critique but not this time, it was pretty full on no Holes barred.  See below:

1.  This book is formulaic, with a boring plot full of stereotypes  far too much detail and if he is trying to reflect the pace of life in a retirement home he has succeeded and then some, laying it on thick  no suspense, no twists, no thrills, no interest in whodunnit no angle was left uncovered at every stage .......

2.  A shameful reflection on all those who gave this book a rave review.  The reviews can only be on the basis of the names and connections of the author.  I challenge any of those who gave a positive review to admit having actually read the book.  It achieves nothing - the plot is pants, the setting is dull and poorly described (I still can’t visualise it).  And the characters - god help me - too many and too poorly developed pantomime characters.  The murder finally happens 20% into the book, 20% of the excruciating hard work.  The only reason I read on was because it was a book group book.  I had no investment in the murdered character and no desire to find out whodunnit.  One of the worst books I have ever read.  Yet, yes, I can already see it could be ok on screen, but as a book it fails miserably.  A waste of money, time and effort, barely worth a review.  Avoid like the plague.  Crap from start to finish  words fail me  

3.  This book dragged on from start to finish.  The odd analogy was amusing but only because of the reader being a similar age to the writer.  The writer seems to portray that he knows a little but of something about everything and by god, in one way or another, he was going to incorporate every quip, analogy or witticism in this book.  Save some for book two.  Omg there is a book two to pre-order   The chooser chose badly based on the hype of other authors, the tv interviews, the radio plugs and the man himself.  Sorry folks.  

It’s the Christmas of 2020 and never to be forgotten as a mutant strain of covid sweeps through the country resulting in a severe lockdown.  Nothing is quite working to put it mildly.  However, our hopes are hanging on a recently developed vaccine which is being rolled out.  Follow the covid story alongside our reviews and we will be reviewing our next book hopefully near the end of January.   All things being well,  join us to review 

                                               Platform Seven by Louise Doughty

27.12.2020

The Road Home by Rose Tremain

A long and bumpy road home? 

This is the story of Lev, an economic migrant, who comes to England with the aim of making money to provide for his family.  As readers, we follow Lev through all his ups and downs on a rather long and bumpy road home. 

 

All of the characters in this book are well portrayed and original, most are fairly unattractive though a few have some redeeming features.  We get to know Lev so well (even down to his toilet habits) that it’s hard to imagine we could ever forget him.   

 

We also get to see England from the perspective of a financially strapped foreigner - a stranger in many ways.  Lev sleeps rough, rents a room and even lives in a crumbling caravan whilst doing a variety of “gig economy” cash in hand work  - picking vegetables, washing dishes, delivering leaflets.  It is not a pretty picture but perhaps, a historically valuable snapshot of pre Brexit Britain.  

 

If none of us are perfect, we can probably take comfort from Lev– he has quite a few flaws and treats women particularly shamefully.  Despite his numerous shortcomings, he does have a strong value base and is, arguably, a product of his previous socio economic environment. 

 

We don’t really get to know what he thinks about England, although he is no fan of the pretentious art scene.  Most of the time he is too preoccupied with all the wonderful people he has left behind – his sadly deceased wife, and his best friend and hero, Rudi.  Indeed, he is so steeped in the past he fails to make the most of the present or future.

 

Lev’s road home is a path littered with references to Hamlet (which none of us fully understood or appreciated  - cultural philistines that we must be), interactions with other minority or socially excluded groups, and complex family relationships.  

 

Lev’s story is a hard journey of self discovery and maturity which, after plummeting the depths, eventually becomes more positive in the final quarter.   His prospects improve as he develops more self knowledge,  self awareness,  self confidence and self determination.  A rite of passage for Lev with variable lessons for readers’ own lives  – “to be or not to be”?. 

 

In non pandemic England, this would be a great book group book – there are so many topics and controversies to explore and debate.  Politics, religion, equality, crime, abuse, ageism, sexism, communism, capitalism etc etc.  Indeed, it’s hard to think of an “ism” which wasn’t included.  Despite this, there is no preaching nor judgement.  With considerable skill, the author expertly ensures that the reader can draw their own conclusions about what or who is good or bad, and then only if they choose to so engage rather than simply turn the pages and enjoy the tale. 

Throughout the book, there is a strong focus on food and restaurants (remember those?)  - plenty of dining experiences which, in a pre-pandemic life, we could have recreated and, no doubt, thoroughly enjoyed. 

 

Instead, during another UK lockdown, this was something to consider alone, eating a bacon sandwich whilst texting the group and reflecting on how lucky we are to speak English, to have a roof over our heads, to live in a democracy and not to have Lev as a sexual partner.  

 

This was neither a light read, nor an easy read, but it was well written.  A clever, memorable and thought provoking picture of humanity. It is easy to see why it has proved popular and why the author has won awards.  

 

Our next read is a bestseller so expectations are running high – Richard Osman, The Thursday Murder Club. 

Invisible Girl by Lisa Jewell

                                                      

Although Lisa Jewell is a very successful and prolific author, this is the first time our book group have read one of her novels. It was chosen by a member who recently discovered her writing and enjoyed "And then She Was Gone' and ' The House We Grew Up In'  both very different subject matter but similar in that the characters were real and relatable as were the settings. "Invisible Girl" was hot off the publishing press and expectations were high. Overall a success, this latest offering from Jewell was well paced, exciting and kept everyone's interest, a book you want to finish. The large cast of characters were well drawn and clearly defined and kept the reader wanting to know more about each one.

Set against the backdrop of an affluent Hampstead road the drama revolves around the disappearance of the 'Invisible Girl.' We are introduced to three main characters who narrate their own part in the story.  Thirty something Owen Pick, a slightly 'creepy loaner', viewed with distrust and shunned by society. Saffyre Maddox, a troubled teenager with unresolved issues from her past, recently discharged by her psychologist . Physiotherapist and married mother of two, attractive and outwardly confident, Cate Fours. Each take turns to narrate the events leading up to and following the disappearance of the girl. Their voices are authentic to their character and make the change in tone and identity clear to the reader. As the mystery unfolds the author addresses sensitive themes asking the reader to look closely beneath the surface of each character's life, highlighting the importance of resisting the urge to judge a book by its cover.  

The narratives switch forward and backwards through time gradually revealing the key events that have shaped each character.  Raising current and problematic topics such as young men being falsely accused of sexual offences. This dimension gave the story more depth, and demonstrated the ease with which one allegation blights lives and makes future allegations much more plausible. It was quite refreshing to hear the man's point of view and realise how quickly and profoundly a life can be affected. Jewell also delved into the dark world of internet chat groups and sexual extremists, highlighting  how a basically decent person can be pushed to the extremes and fall into the wrong company. The character of Owen Pick was multi layered, a boy shaped by the neglect of those closest to him, trying to make his way in a seemingly uncaring world. He appears ill equipped to deal with the complexities of adult life, at one point the author alludes to possibility that he might be on the  autistic spectrum. Owen demanded nothing and got nothing in return, he became exiled from normal society, shunned by his father and held at arms length by his aunt. Despite or perhaps because of his slightly odd characteristics and miserable life  the reader ends up rooting for Owen, hoping he finds the happiness he deserves.

Cate Fours is the polar opposite to Owen, outwardly successful in every area of life. Whilst renting the house opposite Owen, Cate goes on a journey of exploration that results in the realisation that her whole married life is not quite what she thought it was or should be. Again the author touches on issues such as coercive control and one persons ability to undermine the self confidence of another. Through her own voice we gradually learn about Cate's relationship with her husband Roan, a child psychologist who until recently had been treating Saffyre Maddox. Thus the lives of all the main characters are neatly intertwined and a ripping good yarn ensues.

Saffyre Maddox lives a dangerous life for a young girl, discovering the people she thought she could depend on to save her did not live by the high standards they expected of others. Maddox turns the concept of victim hood on its head, eventually realising she must be her own saviour.

As with many contemporary novels, this book would translate well onto the small screen. It reflects the lives of a diverse group of people living and working in modern day London. The reader is kept interested through out. To some of our group the neat ending was a little too neat, the book did not leave us with any unanswered questions. Overall this months choice was a success, easy to read, well written and compelling. although not a classic this book is akin to a bar of chocolate, enjoyable at the time, hard to put down, finished too quickly!

Again because of corona virus restrictions we have been unable to meet up to discuss this book in person. Fingers crossed that by next month we may be able to get together to discuss our next read.....

                                                

Once Upon A River by Diane Setterfield

 Long and Winding Road in River Form!

This was a book recommended by another book group and was listed as a Sunday Times bestseller.

This story followed the analogy of the river.  Long and winding with deep undercurrents pulling you in different directions. Lots of folklore, suspense and romance in a carefully plotted, Chinese whisper, type story involving believable characters with firm ethics and principals making it an enjoyable read. 

A young girl is dragged from the river and taken to the local pub thought to be dead. She miraculously survives and so the story begins, who is she, why was she in the river, why does she not speak, where did she come from, has she come back from the dead, so many unanswered questions and so many answers brewing up from the cider laden clientele.  You are then carried along, rather too slowly at times, on a journey of interwoven stories of romance, hardship, prejudice, disbelief and some good old science to boot. 

A word of caution!  High levels of concentration are required in the early stages as the characters are introduced thick and fast and are a bit difficult to follow at times.  The stories all meander like the river and some take a long time to come together, definitely not a holiday read.  

The writing got mixed reviews, some found it tedious and annoying whilst others found it clever and unique.  It was odd that a time zone wasn’t obvious although there were horses and trains so you can give an educated guess.  

Still in a renewed lockdown our outing was curtailed. Zoom wasn’t very appealing so we decided to plod on to the next read.  

 

Hopefully, an easy, light read for us all to enjoy.  Join us for our review very soon.  

Monday 12 October 202

An absolute delight

Our group had unanimous support for this book  - definitely one of our best reads to date. 

 

It is simultaneously a coming of age tale and a murder mystery plot which brings to life the rich wildlife of the marshlands of North Carolina amidst dark shadows of domestic violence, poverty and isolation.  

 

The characters are richly portrayed and memorable. – none more so than the central character Kya.  Beautiful, clever and feisty, she shows us a life of hardship and rejection warmed and comforted by the beauty and wonder of nature 

 

The plotting is quite slow but the rewards are worth the effort and the descriptive prose is delightful, fluid and unpretentious. 

 

The book is Delia Owens' first fictional novel and it has been widely praised.  The accolades are justified – an alchemic blend of an original and memorable protagonist, and an entertaining and engaging story  underpinned by powerful observations on the enduring themes of inequality and prejudice.  This is a classic which, we understand, is already on its way to the big screen. 

 

As the Covid 19 lockdown continued, albeit less rigorously, we met outside.  Our socially distanced nibbles were vaguely protected from the elements by an overhead canopy.  It was the height of summer and the fresh air and poor shelter were faint echoes of Kya’s shack, but the wet lawn and chilly Northumberland breeze were a far cry from where the crawdads sing. 

Never Greener by Ruth Jones

Lightweight, engaging an excellent diversion from the woes of a pandemic.

This is Ruth Jones debut novel. Fans of Gavin and Stacey, the sit com she co-writes with James Cordon will be drawn to this book. Her excellent writing credentials certainly factored in this months book choice. However, with the exception of  Belinda, Callum's long suffering Welsh wife, there is little in the style or content of the novel to appeal to fans of her on screen creations. This book is not supposed to be a comedy, it examines serious issues such as infidelity, loyalty, forgiveness and family values.

Never Greener follows the lives of two married couples, spanning a seventeen year period. The story jumps between 1985 and 2002 and charts the erotic affair between Callum, a happily married teacher from Edinburgh and an aspiring young actress, Kate, seventeen years his junior. Already the plot has a major flaw, would a happily married man on the verge of becoming a father for the third time really embark on a rampant extra marital affair? Jones portrays Callum as an upstanding dependable man, deeply in love with his wife Belinda, seemingly happy and content. At no point are we offered an explanation for his utterly disgraceful behaviour. He seems prepared to risk everything and yet we never really know why, beyond the obvious. Adam tempted by Eve in the Garden of Eden. Surely an outdated portrayal of the male psyche and more importantly an outdated stereotype of woman as temptress, absolving the man of all blame. Although non of the main characters are particularly appealing we seem to be encouraged to see Kate as the pantomime villain, leading the poor married man astray, wrecking his life and destroying his family. The fact that Belinda and Kate have a face to face stand off for the man they both love with Kate losing the battle reinforces the narrative that Kate is an evil temptress using her youth and beauty to captivate another woman's husband, again absolving Callum of any responsibility.  It could be argued that Kate is young and naive and taken advantage of by the older man who should have known better. 

The story moves between 1985, the first affair and seventeen years later when a chance meeting between Callum and Kate reignites their passionate love affair. Again the hapless Callum seems to have learned nothing from his previous transgression, which almost wrecked his marriage. Jones' characters are well drawn and clearly defined, the reader does feel the raw pain inflicted on poor old Belinda, who having forgiven her cheating husband seventeen years ago must now face the hard truth that she has wasted her life on a man who didn't deserve her. Callum is a strange mix of a dependable loving family man, intelligent and  caring but at the first temptation a cheating, self centred, cad. Is the reader supposed to feel sympathy for Callum because he did what any man in his position would do? A rather outdated unequal view of marriage. In contrast Kate's character was too one dimensional and an opportunity to explore the effect of having her first child adopted would have given depth to both Kate and the plot, the existence of a love child seemed to be  glossed over. 

This book provides an easy page turner that was surprisingly enjoyable. It succeeded in pulling the reader back to find out what happened next, even though on many occasions Jones' writing style made it obvious what was about to happen. Even though the characters were quite flawed they are strong enough to make the reader care. Maybe the result of a long lockdown, free of life's usual little dramas, we were all ready for some salacious tittle tattle, a gossip over the garden fence, and at that level 'Never Greener' was just the book!

As restrictions ease we were able to gather for a socially distanced glass of sparkling mineral water, enjoying the view and the discussions in a beautiful garden buffeted by the late June winds but thankfully no showers!

Maybe our next meeting will be in a pub beer garden where we will be discussing .....