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emziesreads's review
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
joshbarrett's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Bobby Palmer has struck gold again.
A beautiful and touching book rooted simultaneously in both and somewhere between the real and the surreal. A genuine masterpiece.
A beautiful and touching book rooted simultaneously in both and somewhere between the real and the surreal. A genuine masterpiece.
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
tess_dennison's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookwormclare01's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
imogenrose91's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
bookmarkonthewall's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
recycledwords's review against another edition
2.0
Jack Penwick is unceremoniously sacked due to the tech firm he works at being sold off. On his way home he notices a fox suffering from mange, he arranges for an animal charity to collect it and once it has been caged hears the fox say "hello".
Jack is then called back home by his sister; his mother has gone missing and his father is suffering from memory problems. We are never told the father's diagnosis but from the chapters produced in his own point of view and the descriptions given by other characters it would appear to be Alzheimer's or dementia.
The fox, having been treated and escaped from the rescue centre, travels to find Jack and helps him to reconnect with his nature-loving father.
The story itself was heartwarming but the talking fox didn't add anything other than another confusing narrator to a book which already had quite a few. I expected something a little more exciting from this book, it was too slow paced and difficult to get through.
Jack is then called back home by his sister; his mother has gone missing and his father is suffering from memory problems. We are never told the father's diagnosis but from the chapters produced in his own point of view and the descriptions given by other characters it would appear to be Alzheimer's or dementia.
The fox, having been treated and escaped from the rescue centre, travels to find Jack and helps him to reconnect with his nature-loving father.
The story itself was heartwarming but the talking fox didn't add anything other than another confusing narrator to a book which already had quite a few. I expected something a little more exciting from this book, it was too slow paced and difficult to get through.
bookwormandtheatremouse's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
letrecgirl's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
thereadingparamedic's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Small Hours tells the story of a family who seem to have lost their way.
Jack left his family home for the city and has recently been made redundant. Whilst wandering and wondering what to do with himself, he comes across an injured fox. Not long after, he receives a phone call from his sister, Charlotte, to tell him their mother is missing and can he come back to the family home to help find her.
On his return, Jack finds his father, Gerry, suffering with memory problems and he begins to realise his move to the city has made him lose touch with his family. Gerry knows his wife, Hazel, mentioned something about going away but he can't remember where she said he was going. Charlotte seems forever short-tempered and Jack feels he's the only one who can put the family back together. But, wait, he seems to hear a fox talking to him...
Small Hours is a lovely book, not just about family, but about nature too. It brings to the fore a lot of what can sometimes pass us by with our busy lives and we end up losing focus on what is important. Whenever this happens to me, nature is often what I turn to for a reset and refocus, and I loved that Small Hours made me think about the small stuff. I also listened to it on audio and it was great to have the nature focus whilst out on a walk.
I had high hopes for Small Hours as I absolutely loved Isaac and the Egg, and it didn't disappoint. It was fabulously narrated on audio by Stephen Mangan. Bobby Palmer writes character so well, and captures perfectly how it feels to be disillusioned with the world.
Jack left his family home for the city and has recently been made redundant. Whilst wandering and wondering what to do with himself, he comes across an injured fox. Not long after, he receives a phone call from his sister, Charlotte, to tell him their mother is missing and can he come back to the family home to help find her.
On his return, Jack finds his father, Gerry, suffering with memory problems and he begins to realise his move to the city has made him lose touch with his family. Gerry knows his wife, Hazel, mentioned something about going away but he can't remember where she said he was going. Charlotte seems forever short-tempered and Jack feels he's the only one who can put the family back together. But, wait, he seems to hear a fox talking to him...
Small Hours is a lovely book, not just about family, but about nature too. It brings to the fore a lot of what can sometimes pass us by with our busy lives and we end up losing focus on what is important. Whenever this happens to me, nature is often what I turn to for a reset and refocus, and I loved that Small Hours made me think about the small stuff. I also listened to it on audio and it was great to have the nature focus whilst out on a walk.
I had high hopes for Small Hours as I absolutely loved Isaac and the Egg, and it didn't disappoint. It was fabulously narrated on audio by Stephen Mangan. Bobby Palmer writes character so well, and captures perfectly how it feels to be disillusioned with the world.