April marks the real start of spring although I tend to be on the lookout for it from the beginning of March. I certainly felt it had finally arrived sitting in 
the gardens around Manchester Cathedral when we visited the city for the second time in three years.
Just one title stood out for me in April although I know others had mixed feelings about Percival Everett’s James. It’s a reimagining of Mark Twain’s American classic, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, which I read as a child, oblivious to the fact that it was a satire. Everett’s novel turns the narrative around, unfolding the story from the point of view of Jim, the slave Huck grew up with, sticking to much of the original plot including Twain’s set pieces while adding some of his own. A characteristically smart, funny, thought-provoking novel which turned up on the Booker shortlist later in the year, one of two fulfilled wishes for me.
Only one favourite in May, too, and precious little in the way of sunshine. Sarah Leipciger returned to her native Canada in Moon Road, the story of a missing girl and her parents, now divorced, who receive news decades after she disappeared. Yannick persuades Kathleen to travel to Vancouver, where Una had been living, to talk to the police. Although we discover what happened to Una, Leipciger’s novel is about her parents rather than her, portraying the upending of their lives by a loss that’s never been resolved with touching compassion and tenderness. Her writing is as striking as I remembered from her previous novels, glorious descriptions of the natural world shining out from elegantly pared back prose reminding me of her debut, The Mountain Can Wait.
Best draw a veil over our June holiday which saw us both laid low by a nasty bout of covid in the Hague. Consequently, there was very little time or energy left for reading that month but I loved Orla Mackey’s Mouthing which tells the story of Ballygowan over several generations in a vivid vernacular, much of it threaded through with an enjoyably dark humour. Characters are not short of opinions about their fellow villagers, some sharp-tongued and judgemental, others more forgiving. I thoroughly enjoyed this cleverly constructed debut, written with a pleasingly acerbic wit and a sharp eye for human nature balanced with compassion, which reminded me of Robert Seethaler’s The Field.
Two favourites for July, the first of which was a love story but far from what you might call a romance. Paddy Crewe’s True Love is about two damaged young people who fall deeply in love, opening themselves to each other in a way they’ve never done with anyone else, each seeing the other as their salvation until the first euphoric months are over and reality sinks in. Some might find the pace a little slow although it worked well for me, Crewe taking the time to develop his characters so that I came to care about what happened to them, and much of the descriptive writing is striking.
Given that With or Without Angels was one of my books of 2023, I was delighted to accept Douglas Bruton’s offer of a review 
copy of Hope Never Knew Horizon which weaves together three reimagined stories: the exhibiting of the Wexford Whale, the short life of Emily Dickinson and the painting of G. F. Watts’ ‘Hope’ which hangs in Tate Britain. Bruton alternates his three apparently disparate narratives, each of them fascinating, binding them together with the idea of hope, a theme close to my heart. I’m an inveterate optimist but hope is much better, holding steady while optimism can land you in the dumps. I read Bruton’s strikingly beautiful novel in the week before the UK’s general election. It couldn’t have been more appropriate. Hats off to the cover designer, Anna Morrison, whose work fits Bruton’s perfectly. I was delighted to hear he has another novel due out next year.
We’re almost through with summer which turned into a bit of a damp squib given covid fallout and the stubborn non-appearance of the sun. Several treats in early autumn to come, including three by favourite authors and an outstanding debut. In the meantime, if you missed the first part of my books of the year and would like to catch up, it’s here.
Well, the only one I haven’t read here is the Mackey, so I guess I should read that too! I suspect you’re guilty of getting the other ones into my hands. I find that only James has stayed with me in the months that have passed since I read these titles, though I enjoyed them all at the time. I suspect though that’s more of an issue with reading too quickly, so that brain isn’t fully engaged. But what to do? So much to read. So little time.
When I look back on my reading these days, the only ones that stand out in any detail are the books I’ve reviewed, even recently read ones to my dismay. I hope you’ll enjoy Mouthing and I’m glad James has stayed with you.
Memory eh? It’s letting us down as the years advance …
Sadly, so.
I also really liked James, though its charms faded a little after time of reading. Your enthusiasm for the Bruton has definitely put it on my radar, and I quite like the sound of Moon Road too (lovely, understated cover there).
I’ve been so impressed by both books I’ve read by Douglas Bruton – truly original. That cover suits Leipciger’s writing well.
I loved Moon Road, and these last two look really interesting.
I love Leipciger’s writing too. Douglas Bruton’s become one of those authors I want to persuade everyone to read!
I recently read Blue Postcards by Douglas Bruton and he was generous enough to leave a comment on my blog in response to my review. He even clarified a plot point for me. Not many authors do that, especially where the review wasn’t gushing! So now I feel obligated to read some of his other novels, especially given you’re so positive about them. They sound very different from Blue Postcards.
He’s such a lovely man. He left a very positive comment about a review of a book by another author (not likely to be a mate!) which impressed me. I’ve yet to read Blue Postcards but both the ones I’ve read have been very different.
I have a copy of the Bruton, thanks to your and Kaggsy’s enthusiasm!
I’m so pleased to hear that! I hope you love it as much as we both did.
I remember your reviews for all of these interesting books, and have only managed to read James, which is one of my books of the year. So many great books and so little time!
It’s frustrating isn’t it! Glad to hear that James was a hit for you.
I enjoyed The Mountain Can Wait and don’t know why I’ve waited so long to try Leipciger again. I’m also keen to get to Mouthing.
I think you’d enjoy Moon Road. Very similar in style to The Mountain Can Wait.
Ooh I’ve been looking at Moon Road and wondering whether I should get it – your mention here seals the deal. I’ve been in two minds about James all year, and again…. this definitely bumps it up the list. I am so very glad that you recommended Douglas Bruton as I’m reading this and loving it. I feel quite sure it will make my best of the year list.
I couldn’t be more delighted to hear that you love the Bruton. He has a new one due in June which I’m looking forward to very much.
I am very happy I stumbled upon your wonderful blog. Thank you so much for your excellent and interesting reviews.
That’s so lovely to hear. Thank you, Julia.
I am so unbelievably thrilled to be on your list of top books for 2024. Thanks for this, Susan. And thanks for championing my wee book throughout this year. I am so glad to have you as a reader. xxx
It’s an absolute pleasure, Douglas! Final part on the blog today: you’re in my top three. xx
wow… that’s it… just wow!!!! xxxx
Oh and just to say I have mentioned you and this on my facebook page – hope that’s ok xxx
Of course, that’s fine! xx
I think, out of all of your best-of-2024 books, James is the one I want to read most. I loved Huck Finn and would love to read Everett’s reimagining. I would also like to read Clear for next year’s Novellas in November.
I always love reading your end-of-year posts (even when I’m falling behind the rest of the year)!
Lovely to hear from you, Naomi, and thank you! I hope you enjoy James. Clear would be perfect for #NovNov25.