It sounds as if landscape may be as important in Kerry Andrew’s Swansong as it is in McGregor’s writing. Polly Vaughan heads for the Scottish Highlands, fleeing the guilt of a ‘disturbing incident’ in London. She finds escapism in the form of drink, drugs and sex in the local pub but is haunted by visions then fascinated by a man she comes upon in the forest seemingly ripping apart a bird. Andrew ‘comes from a deep understanding of the folk songs, mythologies and oral traditions of these islands. Her powerful metaphoric language gives Swansong a charged, hallucinatory quality that is unique, uncanny and deeply disquieting’ say the publishers, promisingly.
Dominic da Silva is also dealing with a crisis, grappling with a diagnosis of terminal cancer in David Hargreaves’ Under the Table. He turns to the diaries he’s kept from his boarding school years to his early thirties and finds a picture emerging of both himself and of Britain through the ‘60s and into the ‘80s, revealing a life which ricochets from grand house parties to arrest and disgrace in what the publishers describe as ‘a powerful homage to truth and friendship – and a recognition of the toughness upon which both depend’. I quite like the sound of that.
There’s a fair amount of unravelling in Jim Powell’s Things We Nearly Knew . Marcie and her husband have been together for thirty years, running a bar at the edge of town. One day Arlene appears expecting to find a man she’d once known. Then Franky returns hoping that his previous mistakes have been forgotten. As Arlene gets closer to the truth things begin to fall apart. ‘Powell invites us to consider how much we know about the ones we love and finally asks: would you want to know the truth?’ says the blurb. Powell’s darkly funny debut, Trading Futures, was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
That’s it for January’s new books. A click on a title will take you to detailed synopsis should you want to know more, and if you want to catch up with the first part it’s here. Paperbacks to follow shortly…
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There’s been so much publicity for The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock that I’m almost put off reading it, but I imagine I’ll give it a try. I do like the sound of the David Hargreaves — thanks for bringing it to my attention.
You’re welcome. I know exactly what you mean re The Mermaid. Too much, too soon…
You’ve reminded me that I’ve had The Crimson Petal and The White on my Kindle for years. I must read it.
That would make an excellent Christmas read, April.
Perhaps I’ll read it next, then.
I rather like short fiction – I’m currently reading ‘Stories: The Collected Short Fiction’ by Helen Garner, then next up is Jon McGregor’s ‘The Reservoir Tapes’!
I’m a convert as you may have gathered! Are you enjoying the Garner?
I’m only a couple of tales in but liking it so far!
Excellent – pleased to hear that!
I’ll be eagerly awaiting your thoughts on The Reservoir Tapes – I hope you love it!
Thank you, Naomi. I’ll have to find a hat to eat if I don’t!
Ok more beautiful covers on these too! This gives me hope for 2018 🙂
They are lovely, aren’t they! Lots to look forward to in the New Year – February is also looking good.
I’ve a proof copy of The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock which I’ll definitely read, and I’m interested in The Reservoir Tapes too. In the bookshop, enticing January proofs include White Chrysanthemum by Mary Lynn Bracht, which is a dual-narrative novel about Korean “comfort women” during WWII; Walking Wounded, by Sheila Llewellyn (another WWII book, this time focusing on recuperating soldiers with PTSD); The Book of Joan by Lidia Yuknavitch, and The Devil’s Highway by Gregory Norminton, neither of which I’ve read yet but both of which I’ve snaffled!
Perhaps I’ll wait to see what you think of The Mermaid…. I’ve spotted the Norminton popping up on Twitter which can be a good thing, or a bad thing! I’ve since read The Reservoir Tapes and thought they were excellent but Reservoir 13 i smy book of the year so I many be biased.
The first two really appeal. Like you, I’ll read anything Jon McGregor does! I don’t know Kerry Andrews but the publisher’s quote has me intrigued.
Me, too! I think this is her first novel.