I’ve read three of the books featured in the second part of March’s paperback preview, beginning with a novel by an author I’ve been meaning to read for quite some time. Benjamin Myers’ The Offing sees an old man remembering the summer after the Second World War when he tramped out of the pit village where his family lived for generations, eager for adventure. Along the way he meets Dulcie Price, a woman quite unlike anyone he’s met before. Robert camps in her overgrown field exchanging manual work for conversation until a friendship grows which will change both their lives irrevocably. Myers’ novel is filled with evocative descriptions of the natural world, while the forthright, eccentric Dulcie is a delight.
Lila Savage’s Say Say Say explores the relationship between caregivers, those they care for and their families through Ella, a bright young woman, close to thirty, Jill, the brain damaged woman she cares for, and Bryn, Jill’s devoted husband. Ella is simply to sit with Jill, to ensure that she doesn’t harm herself. Through her head runs a multitude of concerns – about Jill, about Bryn and how he is coping, about the life they once had together and whether she’s fulfilling their needs – while fretting about what she should be doing with her own life. It’s a thoughtful, and compassionate meditation on the toll caregiving exacts, both on loved ones and professionals, which draws on the experience of more than a decade Savage spent as a caregiver.
Small town life is the setting for Elizabeth McCraken’s Bowlaway in which Bertha Truitt is found unconscious in a New England cemetery with a bowling ball, a candlepin and fifteen pounds of gold at the beginning of the twentieth century. From this intriguing start, she goes on to scandalize the town, eventually opening a bowling alley and changing it forever. ‘Elizabeth McCracken has written an epic family saga set against the backdrop of twentieth-century America. Bowlaway is both a stunning feat of language and a brilliant unravelling of a family’s myths and secrets, its passions and betrayals, and the ties that bind and the rifts that divide’ say the publishers which sounds just the ticket.
I’m rounding March off with two short story collections, one of which I should really have read by now. Julia Armfield’s salt slow was the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year’s shadow judges wining choice. It focuses on women and their experiences in society, apparently, exploring themes of isolation, obsession and love. ‘Throughout the collection, women become insects, men turn to stone, a city becomes insomniac and bodies are picked apart to make up better ones. The mundane worlds of schools and sea-side towns are invaded and transformed, creating a landscape which is constantly shifting to hold on to the bodies of its inhabitants’ according to the publishers, bringing to mind Michael Andreasen’s
The Sea Beast Takes a Lover.
Like, Armfield, Nicole Flattery has been the recipient of The White Review Short Story Prize. Her Show Them a Good Time came garlanded with praise from Jon McGregor and Sally Rooney, both clearly smitten with Flattery’s writing. Comprising ten stories – some quite short, others lengthier and one which, at over ninety pages, is almost on its way to becoming a novella – her collection explores relationships, gender roles and trying to find a place for yourself in the world. Puzzling, sometimes disconcerting and a little off the wall, they’re oddly captivating, both funny and sad. I wasn’t entirely sure what to make of it but her collection certainly made an impression, and her writing is superb.
That’s it for March’s paperbacks. A click on a title will take you either to my review or to a more detailed synopsis for any that snag your attention, and if you’d like to catch up with the first batch it’s here while new novels are here and here.
You always seem to find books which I’ve missed – thank you for the valuable service you do (although my wallet is probably not as grateful).
You’re welcome. These are the most enjoyable posts to write, and I have the same wallet problem as a result if it’s any consolation!
Just purchased the audio book version of The Offing as it’s one of my tips for The Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction and Ben Myers is a previous winner, for The Gallows Pole.
I gather it’s very different from The Gallows Pole. Who’s the reader?
Ralph Ineson. I gather he’s from Yorkshire
I really enjoy Elizabeth McCracken and I’ve not read anything by her in ages, so I’ll look out for this. Say… sounds interesting too!
I can certainly vouch for sSay Say Say. I’m rather fond of McCracken’s writing, too.
I’m a big fan of Benjamin Myers and I’ve read all his books. The Offing is very different from his other work which is dark very and often has scenes of graphic violence.
I’d gathered that it was very different but hadn’t realised the degree of violence in his other writing. I’m a wee bit squeamish, it has to be said, so may just stick with The Offing.
You’d be wise to avoid his previous novels then – not for the easily offended or sensitive! The Offing is an interesting change of style and I wondered if he’d been under pressure to become more mainstream now that he’s published by a much bigger commercial publisher.
Thanks, Helen. I’ll take note. I wonder if you’re right about the change of publisher effect.
I have The Offing on preorder from Waterstones, as one of my Christmas voucher gifts. Looking forward to it! I’ve not tried his fiction yet, but I know I like his writing from Under the Rock, and I trust you and others who have vouched for this one.
Hope you enjoy it, Rebecca. His writing is beautiful and I loved Dulcie.
I really like the sound of Offing, the subject matter of looking back at WW2 appeals to me. I haven’t ever read Elizabeth McCraken but have wondered whether I would like her, I think I might. Great selection of titles there.
Thanks, Ali. I think The Offing would suit you very well.
I loved The Offing when I listened to an abridged version of it on R4’s Book at Bedtime last year, so much so that I might even treat myself to the paperback to read in full! (Dulcie is a treasure, for sure.)
A little like Ali, I’ve never tried anything by Elizabeth Cracken in spite of hearing very good reports of her work. There was a short story collection some years back that sounded really interesting, but I never got around to it, sadly.
Dulcie was the star of the show for me. I’m keen to read the McCracken – I’ve read several other novels by her and enjoyed them.
I’d read the Flattery for the cover alone 😀
I’m so pleased they’ve kept the hardback jacket. Makes you want to pick it up and start reading.
The Offing sounds good. I couldn’t get anywhere with Bowlaway. Interesting list
I’ve heard that Bowlaway isn’t her best. I loved The Offing although I gather it’s not typical of Myers’ writing.
Bowlaway was way over-hyped too.
The Offing made my top 10 reads last year. Such a gorgeous book, gently told and full of warmth, charm and humour.
I agree, Kim. The change that each brought about in the other’s life was heartwarming.