Out & About Summer 2019

BOOKS If you find it difficult to choose a book to take on holiday, GERALDINE GARDNER has a couple of recommendations. One is a psychological drama that looks at the consequences of ruthless ambition, the other a family saga, spanning decades and exploring actions and their consequences Out&About leisure

Although not an original idea – think Tom Ripley or even Dr Faustus – in this instance the story is set in the world of the literati and one young author’s ruthless determination to be the best. John Boyne is best-known for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas , but with this thriller he has created a world in which Maurice, the would-be author, is able to weedle and manipulate his way to the top, treading on people along the way without a second thought. For me it is a story of two halves. Maurice’s first encounter, with author Erich Ackermann, and his subsequent visit to Gore Vidal’s villa in Italy, gradually reveals his steely character. The section in Italy has a real bitchiness to the tone and is very funny because Maurice cannot get the better of the more famous author. By mixing fantasy with reality Boyne jolly affair that immediately creates a picture of the aunties and uncles and cousins all joining in the festivities. Next door, Hilary Spinster is gardening, while his terminally-ill wife lies in her sick bed. A dramatic incident during the party brings the two families into contact with each other and the stage is set. Hensher then concentrates on the Spinsters. We are introduced to the four children and are given their back stories, as well as their relationships with their parents. It’s a brilliantly- portrayed insight into a seemingly normal family, who are actually completely dysfunctional – their eldest son Leo’s experience at Oxford and the subsequent effect on him is fascinating. We are also introduced to the next generation as young children and will later see how they cope with adulthood. Having thoroughly immersed the reader in the lives of the Spinsters, Hensher changes tack and concentrates on Nazia and Sharif. Surprisingly it doesn’t jar, because the impact of the opening scene was such that these characters are still vivid in the

also gives the book an extra layer of authenticity and you are wanting to read on to see whether or not Maurice will conquer all or meet his downfall – no spoilers! The middle section deals with Maurice’s long stay in Norwich with his wife, a shining new talent in the literary world, and then we move on to ‘what Maurice did next’. I’m not sure I entirely bought into the last third of the book and how the story plays out, but it is still an entertaining read because of Boyne’s lightness of touch and because he has created such a strong central character. You will want to know how this plays out. At just over 350 pages, it’s an intriguing and surprisingly easy read – the sort of book you can easily devour in a couple of days while sipping a holiday tipple, lounging by the pool or on the beach. readers’ minds. We are taken to Bangladesh in a brutal and vividly realistic telling of the horrendous suffering and betrayal of the family – we also find out the meaning of ‘the friendly ones’ of the title – a shocking misnomer. Hensher then yo-yos between all the characters as we lurch into the present day and a party for Dr Hilary who is celebrating his 100th birthday. There are so many layers to this book. It is a saga packed with fully-rounded characters and many smaller stories within the story arc – some of which are sad, some amusing, some appalling, but all intertwined with these seemingly disparate lives to create a slice-of-life tale that highlights unwitting prejudices and assumptions and shows how they can change lives, for better and for worse. It is ultimately a story of redemption – there are some genuine ‘friendly ones’. A longer read at 600-plus pages, but I would recommend it for your holiday if you like to immerse yourself in a story that is rich in character and packs a bit of a punch.

A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne is a game of cat and mouse, which shows what you can achieve if you are prepared to sacrifice your soul.

T he Friendly Ones by Philip Hensher deals with a range of issues, from family loyalties and betrayal, to racism and cultural misunderstandings. The story is primarily set in Sheffield and centres around neighbours – a retired local GP Hilary Spinster and Nazia and Sharif, Bangladeshi immigrants. It beings in the late 1980s with a family party at Nazia’s and Sharif’s, a bustling,

You can find book reviews on the Newbury Today website www.newburytoday.co.uk/out&about/books Leave your comments and tell us what you think of the books or email geraldine.gardner@newburynews.co.uk

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O&A SUMMER 2019