A Review By Keith Smith

I can’t think why I chose this book to read, maybe it was the cover, maybe a review, but I am very glad I did. It is very original. The way that Hyland gets inside her main character so that we almost become part of him, thinking and suffering with him, is truly astonishing.

The book is about Patrick who, jilted by his fiancee, leaves home to start a new life by himself in a boarding house at the seaside. He gets a job, and starts to build one or two relationships despite his inherent shyness. But then something goes disastrously wrong, almost by accident. And slowly, inexorably his life is changed as he ends up in prison. It’s not a place where he, or we, want to be.

Should one deed commit someone to a life of hell? Is there any redemption? We are made to think about big questions through the medium of the story.

In some ways the writing is reminiscent of David Peace who is a glittering star amongst Crime writers, or any writers come to that. We flow along with the character, experience his experiences, and think as he does. In other words we get intimately involved. Not only does it matter what happens to Patrick, it affects us too.

A brilliant book, very highly recommended.