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settingshadow's review
4.0
When this book first arrived, I was not quite sure why I had registered to receive an episotlary novel set in a retirement home. Most epistolary novels suffer from clumsy exposition and slow pacing. However, Getting the Picture was immediately compulsively readable for me, with the epistolary format only very occasionally being disruptive to the flow of the narrative.
This is truly a unique work -- the multi-narrator format is used to its full potential, showing a multitude of characters first from an external perspective, and then, once the reader has her loyalty set, Salway changes narrators in order to reveal the motivations of another characters, changing our sympathies all over again. The ending is telegraphed about three-quarters of the way through, but that makes the redemption theme no less sweet or rewarding.
The real charm of Getting the Picture is the quirky, full-of-life characterizations that Salway brings to her geriatric characters. They are colorful, storied and ultimately extremely believable. The younger characters are also well-drawn, but less memorable.
This is truly a unique work -- the multi-narrator format is used to its full potential, showing a multitude of characters first from an external perspective, and then, once the reader has her loyalty set, Salway changes narrators in order to reveal the motivations of another characters, changing our sympathies all over again. The ending is telegraphed about three-quarters of the way through, but that makes the redemption theme no less sweet or rewarding.
The real charm of Getting the Picture is the quirky, full-of-life characterizations that Salway brings to her geriatric characters. They are colorful, storied and ultimately extremely believable. The younger characters are also well-drawn, but less memorable.
priyabhakta's review
3.0
This book is compulsive reading - I think I finished it in three or four sittings, I suppose the epistolary format is good for letting you read at whatever pace you want, however I wouldn't say I enjoyed it.
The characters are interesting and you learn more about them, and the changes in them, through the letters, emails and voicemails they send - but sometimes these changes happen a little too quickly.
I think my main problem with this book was its tone; sometimes it was a straightforward family drama; sometimes it was a bit darker, more of a thriller; sometimes it felt like it was trying to hard to be a quirky dark comedy. And, in being a little bit of all of these things, it didn't really feel like it knew what it was...
The characters are interesting and you learn more about them, and the changes in them, through the letters, emails and voicemails they send - but sometimes these changes happen a little too quickly.
I think my main problem with this book was its tone; sometimes it was a straightforward family drama; sometimes it was a bit darker, more of a thriller; sometimes it felt like it was trying to hard to be a quirky dark comedy. And, in being a little bit of all of these things, it didn't really feel like it knew what it was...
libraryowl's review
4.0
Wow! I am very glad I won Getting The Picture from the goodreads giveaway! This novel was written as a series of letters that characters in the story have penned. At first I was concerned about how much depth you can have with a novel when you are reading letters, emails, and phone messages. However, Salway managed to make her characters stand out and I actually felt like there was more depth to the character development than in many novels. Be prepared to have a difficult time putting this book down.
Much of the novel takes place in Pilgrim house, a retirement home. Martin Morris is new to the retirement home. He has chosen to be there because George Griffiths, the widower of Martin's true love, is currently living there. George's daughter Nell is a frequent visitor to the home. She has to go through feelings of being the child who is left to care for the rather anal George who spends much of his time writing complaint letters. Her daughter, Robin, is also a visitor, but spends a great deal of time visiting with Martin and sharing poetry rather than spending time with her grumpy grandfather. Another resident of Pilgrim House, Florence Oliver, befriends both Martin and George and details her experiences in letters to a friend. The reader also learns about George's favorite daughter, Angie, who is currently living in France after escaping England for an unknown reason.
What sets this novel apart for me is the way that the characters evolve from the beginning of the story to the end. I love the way that you don't always get what you expect. Salway did a fantastic job of creating interest and giving a shocking surprise at the end of the novel. I read this novel in one day. It was a great, easy read!
Much of the novel takes place in Pilgrim house, a retirement home. Martin Morris is new to the retirement home. He has chosen to be there because George Griffiths, the widower of Martin's true love, is currently living there. George's daughter Nell is a frequent visitor to the home. She has to go through feelings of being the child who is left to care for the rather anal George who spends much of his time writing complaint letters. Her daughter, Robin, is also a visitor, but spends a great deal of time visiting with Martin and sharing poetry rather than spending time with her grumpy grandfather. Another resident of Pilgrim House, Florence Oliver, befriends both Martin and George and details her experiences in letters to a friend. The reader also learns about George's favorite daughter, Angie, who is currently living in France after escaping England for an unknown reason.
What sets this novel apart for me is the way that the characters evolve from the beginning of the story to the end. I love the way that you don't always get what you expect. Salway did a fantastic job of creating interest and giving a shocking surprise at the end of the novel. I read this novel in one day. It was a great, easy read!
stephh's review
4.0
So, a little email from Dean Street Press brightened my day (let's face it, week), when they offered me the chance to review one of their new releases. I'm so thankful they did as Getting The Picture, which you can buy here, did not disappoint. Written entirely in letters, notes, emails and answering machine messages, this book is full of touching reminisces of a life that once was, or could have been. I personally love authors who toy a little with your feelings, getting you to turn this way and that in terms of who you trust - believe me (oh the irony), this book does test you a bit.
Martin Morris, a retired pornographer, moves into Pilgrim House and is delighted at the prospect of getting to know his ex-lover, Mo's, husband. Having always imagined that she would not leave her husband for him because this husband was a wonderful person full of positive characteristics, he is somewhat perturbed to meet the grumpy, obsessive George. The book centres around letters from Martin to the dearly missed Mo, but features communication from different residents to one another, the care workers and George's family.
This is only going to be short, as I think over-analysing this book would take away from some of it's charm. At first reminding me of 'The Notebook' (one of my top favourite films), it really explores what it's like to grow old and feel unfulfilled in your love life. The manner of writing which the author develops here really allows for a multiplicity of perspectives to be displayed, whilst the true identity of the character is somewhat concealed - after all, if you're writing a letter to someone you are presenting them with a version of your life that you want them to see. All the little snippets of information the reader gets build up until all of them start to come together and you really start 'Getting the Picture'. I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in romance who's getting bored of the cliched boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back narrative.
Martin Morris, a retired pornographer, moves into Pilgrim House and is delighted at the prospect of getting to know his ex-lover, Mo's, husband. Having always imagined that she would not leave her husband for him because this husband was a wonderful person full of positive characteristics, he is somewhat perturbed to meet the grumpy, obsessive George. The book centres around letters from Martin to the dearly missed Mo, but features communication from different residents to one another, the care workers and George's family.
This is only going to be short, as I think over-analysing this book would take away from some of it's charm. At first reminding me of 'The Notebook' (one of my top favourite films), it really explores what it's like to grow old and feel unfulfilled in your love life. The manner of writing which the author develops here really allows for a multiplicity of perspectives to be displayed, whilst the true identity of the character is somewhat concealed - after all, if you're writing a letter to someone you are presenting them with a version of your life that you want them to see. All the little snippets of information the reader gets build up until all of them start to come together and you really start 'Getting the Picture'. I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in romance who's getting bored of the cliched boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back narrative.
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