Carys Bray

I don't know why I didn't connect more with this book. It's a cleverly written account of twelve year old Clover Quinn and her dad Darren, and their attempts, their very different attempts, to come to terms with the death of Clover's mother Becky when Clover was only about six weeks old.

I identified with Clover a lot. She's a sweet child, but a bit isolated from her peers. She likes her dad's allotment, and museums. In fact she decides to make a museum to her mum, in secret. Gradually her story unfolds. Darren's story unfolds. Becky's story unfolds. This book is very skilfully done. It's well written. Why didn't I engage with it more? I don't have an answer. I'd recommend anyone to read it. Just .... not me.… (mehr)

This reminded me a lot of THE HOLE WE'RE IN except with more hope. And of course, the religion. But it was a portrait of a family and the cracks within the perfect outside. All the various plots came together well, and there's very real critique of the Mormon church in there as well while also demonstration of why people join and stay--admittedly, I'm not Mormom and thus take zero offense at any of the criticisms, but the author has her background, so I have zero issues with this critique.. I laughed at poor Al putting the money in the microwave! A lovely look at grief and how we process it.… (mehr)

I loved the dark humour in this climate fiction, slightly dystopian, family drama. "Global temperatures are rising. The climate of the Abrams' marriage is cooling". In a future Britain where there is widespread flooding, torrential rain, and frequent power cuts, Emma is finding her husband is becoming insufferable, obsessed with climate change he neglects his business and campaigns in the streets. The fact that he is right does not make it less embarressing and tiresome. The man will not shut up and even the teenage sons are finding his constant lecturing tiresome.

It all comes to a head on a disastrous Christmas Eve in a chapter entitled "The Fight Before Christmas".
Truly hilarious.… (mehr)