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labben's review
4.0
Er nesten en femmer. Ble litt ødelagt av en pause og lite leselyst, men elsket den da jeg begynte på den og elsket den i dag. Håper den kan være en Bookerkandidat, synes absolutt den passer inn på longlist.
moodreaderkat's review
3.0
A 3.5 maybe??
It is a short book so quite easy to read through. I enjoyed the themes and setting, however, I often had difficulty in concentrating on many passages. This is due to the way David Park integrates the 'flashbacks'. I don't have much to say than that.
It is a short book so quite easy to read through. I enjoyed the themes and setting, however, I often had difficulty in concentrating on many passages. This is due to the way David Park integrates the 'flashbacks'. I don't have much to say than that.
catdad77a45's review
5.0
4.5, rounded up.
Now here is a 'stream-of-consciousness' novel by a Northern Irish writer worthy of some hoopla (... and major awards). At almost exactly half the length of that OTHER notoriously boring mediocrity, THIS book is a thousand times more compulsively readable & enjoyable, and has everything the other one lacks: gorgeous prose by a master poet; a complex, yet understandable plot; three dimensional characters that one can relate to and CARE about; a satisfying ending that packs an emotional wallop (yeah, I'll admit it - I got a bit misty-eyed, with a huge lump in my throat several times).
A few minor quibbles preventing a full 5 stars: although Park weaves his story with incredible ease, doling out his revelations with vigilance and heedfulness, the final divulgence of what has caused the rift between Tom and Daniel, and the fate of the latter is ... rather pedestrian, and a foregone conclusion (sorry, no spoilers here!). Secondly, the denouement is largely dependent upon a knowledge of the iconic 'Angel of the North' statue near Sunderland, that I lacked (mea culpa, but easily remedied by a quick Google/Wikipedia search). Thirdly, the author helpfully provides links to both a list of the major songs noted within the text (that I didn't really need), and also one to a portfolio of seven photos inspired by the book. These, although striking in their own right, I found to have almost NO connection to the book itself. Regardless, this is a beautifully rendered work that should be getting much more attention.
Now here is a 'stream-of-consciousness' novel by a Northern Irish writer worthy of some hoopla (... and major awards). At almost exactly half the length of that OTHER notoriously boring mediocrity, THIS book is a thousand times more compulsively readable & enjoyable, and has everything the other one lacks: gorgeous prose by a master poet; a complex, yet understandable plot; three dimensional characters that one can relate to and CARE about; a satisfying ending that packs an emotional wallop (yeah, I'll admit it - I got a bit misty-eyed, with a huge lump in my throat several times).
A few minor quibbles preventing a full 5 stars: although Park weaves his story with incredible ease, doling out his revelations with vigilance and heedfulness, the final divulgence of what has caused the rift between Tom and Daniel, and the fate of the latter is ... rather pedestrian, and a foregone conclusion (sorry, no spoilers here!). Secondly, the denouement is largely dependent upon a knowledge of the iconic 'Angel of the North' statue near Sunderland, that I lacked (mea culpa, but easily remedied by a quick Google/Wikipedia search). Thirdly, the author helpfully provides links to both a list of the major songs noted within the text (that I didn't really need), and also one to a portfolio of seven photos inspired by the book. These, although striking in their own right, I found to have almost NO connection to the book itself. Regardless, this is a beautifully rendered work that should be getting much more attention.
lnatal's review
3.0
From BBC radio 4 - Book at Bedtime:
A grieving father sets out in the snow to bring home his son.
Richard Orr reads David Park's beautiful story of a father coming to terms with the loss of a son.
Tom's son Luke is ill and, because of snowstorms, all flights are cancelled. Armed with supplies, his camera and a playlist, he must set out to drive from Belfast to Sunderland to bring him home.
Writer: David Park
Abridger: Robin Brooks
Reader: Richard Orr
Producer: Natalie Steed.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bd7zj6
A grieving father sets out in the snow to bring home his son.
Richard Orr reads David Park's beautiful story of a father coming to terms with the loss of a son.
Tom's son Luke is ill and, because of snowstorms, all flights are cancelled. Armed with supplies, his camera and a playlist, he must set out to drive from Belfast to Sunderland to bring him home.
Writer: David Park
Abridger: Robin Brooks
Reader: Richard Orr
Producer: Natalie Steed.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bd7zj6
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