Rónán Hession’s Leonard and Hungry Paul had been sitting on my TBR shelves for far too long. Janet at From First Page to Last sent it to me and I’d meant to get to it before but somehow never did. Now seemed the perfect time given that I’ve edged closer to the cheery end of the fiction spectrum over the past few weeks. This story of friendship between two men in their thirties who regularly meet to play board games and chew the fat is hard to describe as anything but heartwarming despite my aversion to the word.
Leonard is a little at sea, left bereft by the death of his mother with whom he’d lived happily all his life. She brought him up alone, feeding his voracious curiosity with children’s encyclopedias which he now helps produce, translating the experts’ language into something children can understand. He often spends his evenings with Hungry Paul, also happily living with his parents, who earns his living filling in for posties when they’re sick or on holiday and reluctantly volunteers as a hospital visitor at his mother’s behest. Helen and Peter are caught up in the preparations for Grace’s imminent wedding. Grace longs for her parents to enjoy a retirement unconstrained by worry about Hungry Paul and his apparent dependence on them. Leonard and Hungry Paul chat over their board games, each quietly respectful of the other – Leonard encouraging Hungry Paul to enter the local Chamber of Commerce’s competition for an email sign-off and Hungry Paul listening to Leonard’s tentative hopes for a relationship with Shelley who works in his office. Over the lead-up to Grace’s wedding, Leonard will discover what he’d like to do with his life and Hungry Paul will find a surprising solution to Grace’s worries about him.
She taught him to look at life as a daisy chain of small events, each of which could be made manageable in its own way
Hession’s novel is filled with gentle humour and kindness. Both quietly reflective, Leonard and Hungry Paul think about things in rather different ways from typical men in their thirties: Hungry Paul is given to discursive musings and capable of living in the moment rather than worrying about the future; Leonard is still as curious as he was as a child, sensitive and careful if a little awkward with other people. Neither feels terribly at home in the modern world but by the end of this pleasing novel they’ve each found their niche. Hession writes with great affection for his characters, all of whom try to do their best for each other. It’s a novel which had me frequently smiling and giggling, unusual for me with such playful humour – it’s the smartarse or farcical kind that elicits that reaction. A lovely, comforting read, then – balm for a soul run a bit ragged by social media and the state of the world. Thanks so much to Janet for sending it my way.
Bluemoose Books: Hebden Bridge 9781910422441 241 pages Paperback
I think it’s the fact that this book is filed under comforting, uplifting or heartwarming section in the library or bookshop which has prevented me from picking it up before. I tend to equate those descriptors with ‘twee’. But I trust you and Janet, so…
That’s a section I steer well clear of,too, Marina. It’s the eccentricity of these two men and the inherent kindness of all the characters coupled with humour that makes this book such a comfort to read.
This book has gotten more Twitter love than just about any book I can remember! I’m sure I’ll read it some day.
I’m usually deeply suspicious of Twitter love but Janet has been championing this one for ages and I trust her opinion. She was right!
It is a book that doesn’t quite fit any genre. You know I think it is wonderful but I do think you’d enjoy very much Marina.
Susan, I’m so, so pleased you liked it. Like you, I found it a balm for the soul and though I read it in the time Before as it were, I think it is a very good book for the Now. A lovely review as always.
Thank you for putting it my way, Janet. As I mentioned to Rebecca, Twitter superlatives make my cynical antenae quiver but I knew I could trust you.
So glad you enjoyed this one, it’s a lovely little novel. Soon after I read it, I bought a second copy for my sister at Christmas, she loved it. The relationships are portrayed so well, that it has really stayed with me.
Definitely a book for giving! You’re absolutely right about the portrayal relationships between characters and their concern for each other.
I finally ordered a copy last weekend. Your review encourages me to read it soon. I definitely could do with something that doesn’t emphasise toxic relationships. And it seems to be winning prizes too. Like you, I would not be attracted to a novel on the grounds that it is “heartwarming “. Caroline
I hope you enjoy it, Caroline. Kindness is its overriding theme which I think we all need at the moment.
I share your reservations about books described as heartwarming but this does sound really lovely.
It certainly is. A welcome, restorative escape from our current troubles.
It was one of my favourite reads last year. Glad you rate it highly too. It’s a special book featuring characters you care about with powerful messages.
I have skimmed your review, Susan, because this is another soon-to-be-read book! I have heard so much about it – nothing but positive reviews, so really looking forward to it.
You have two lovely comfort treats in store, Liz.. I hope you enjoy them both as much as I did.
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