This is Life by Dan Rhodes
When art student Aurelie Renard throws a stone as part of a conceptual art project she is working on, she sets in motion a chain of events that will completely change her life. The idea is that whomever she hits with the stone she will follow for a full week, sketching them in various poses as they go through their day. But when the stone hits a young baby, his clearly deranged mother insists that Aurelie must repay the injury she has caused by taking care of the youngster for a full seven days. With the help of her college professor and her rather eccentric best friend, not to mention a whole host of other delightfully unpredictable characters, she manages to make her way through the week. Set inParis, this is a book brimming with the unbearable lightness of being and is a delightful read. Dan Rhodes has a quirky outlook on life and love that makes for a very enjoyable story.
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The Child Who by Simon Lelic
In this disturbing but equally compelling novel, Simon Lelic treads lightly on ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’ territory, with the tale of a 12-year-old boy who is charged with brutally murdering his schoolmate. But unlike ‘Kevin’, Lelic’s book does not deal as much with the boy’s family as it does with his court-appointed lawyer, and the effect that representing a child killer (even one who is a child) can have on a family in a small town. Leo Curtice believes passionately that Daniel Blake is just as entitled to a good defence as anybody should be. In fact, what he is learning about Daniel’s background makes him even more determined to mount a strong defence. But Daniel’s family seem strangely resistant to the idea. And when Curtice’s daughter is bullied because of her father’s new client, he comes under increasing pressure from his own family to drop the case. But even he could not have predicted what will happen next. The sense of foreboding builds to a crescendo in this captivating tale.
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Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson
The title of this riveting book stems from the reaction of Jeanette Winterson’s mother when her daughter confided that she was in love and very happy with her then-girlfriend. But it is far from the most offensive aspect of the book – from the time she was very young Jeanette was routinely beaten, locked outside at night and informed in no uncertain terms that the devil had led her adoptive parents to ‘the wrong crib.’ Books were banned in the uber-religious household, bar the carefully-chosen few books that Mrs. Winterson – as she is referred to throughout – allowed. The bible was obviously a firm favourite, but even the few other novels that managed to make it past the front door were censored. Although books were not encouraged, the printed word had pride of place throughout the house in the form of placards: two such notices in the outside bathroom read ‘Linger not at the Lord’s business’ and ‘He shall melt thy bowels like wax.’ A determination to educate herself led the young Jeanette to start reading her way through the local public library, in strict alphabetical order, and she was encouraged and further educated by a handful of librarians and teachers. She has now authored more than a dozen books and screenplays and has won numerous awards for her writing.
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Life! Death! Prizes! by Stephen May
Billy thinks his mum was stupid to try and fight the young petty thief intent on stealing her laptop. Now she is dead, and 19-year-old Billy is trying to take care of his little brother Oscar as best he can. Their aunt wants to help but she feels that Oscar’s father should also be involved, and Billy can’t think of anything worse. Despite his lackadaisical attitude to bedtimes and healthy diets, Billy knows he is the best man for the job. Even his future plans to attend university – after a gap year job at a local history museum – will be put on hold if necessary. Despite fluffing the nitty gritty aspects of caring for a young child, Billy has a wonderfully refreshing outlook on life and his frequent musings make for a whimsical and amusing tale. Above all, he adores his little brother and does a remarkable job of holding things together to the best of his ability. His fixation with his mother’s killer provides the darker contrast in this highly enjoyable novel.
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Contact Information
Darina Molloy, Castlebar Central Library, John Moore Rd, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.Email: dmolloy@mayococo.ie Phone: +353 (0)94 9047953
