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sslovesbooks_1's review against another edition
5.0
What a character driven, beautiful read about people. It’s about a cast of characters, living in a city where their journeys through life are explored with such beautiful writing.
badpunsanduwu's review
In theory this is a book I’d really like , but the audiobook is really hard to get into ( or after several tries like me , keep the momentum going). The only saving grace is that this particular audiobook has recaps for each chapter.. so if you missed something important you can go back and read that , but at that point … I don’t see why I would continue listening to it.
pkc's review against another edition
challenging
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
thechemicaldetective's review
5.0
This is a gem of a book, a quiet study the people inhabiting a suburban street, neighbours who barely interact until they have a shared problem.
The problem arrives in the form of “Storyman” Jimmy Noone, a homeless runaway, travelling across a city in search of his friend Betwa. He is “mired, stuck in a kind of sinkhole”, moving from a subway - where he is woken by Vivaldi at best, and the Police at worst – to a shop doorway where he is kicked awake - and finally an abandoned car at the back of a row of houses.
The people of Shifnal Road who see Jimmy from their back windows, respond differently to his presence.
Rayya Banu, caring for her husband Satish who can no longer eat , starts cooking again, bringing Jimmy food, blankets, books and advice.
“The woman began to irritate him with her cloying concern.”
Ebele Mangaroo sees him only as a potential threat to her young daughter, Tuli, and insists that her employer and landlord, Nicos Makrides take action.
Daban, former carer for Satish Banu, current driver for Nicos Makrides and occasional bouncer, shows Jimmy the most uncomplicated acceptance and acts as the catalyst for what happens next.
“Life isn’t a fairy-tale.”
This is a story where generosity and love, innocence and acceptance, enriches the giver as much as the receiver.
If you are looking for a beautifully crafted novel with kindness at its core, told through rich character portraits of people who feel real, with all their baggage and ignorance and fears and private griefs, then this is the perfect lockdown book to bring a little joy.
The problem arrives in the form of “Storyman” Jimmy Noone, a homeless runaway, travelling across a city in search of his friend Betwa. He is “mired, stuck in a kind of sinkhole”, moving from a subway - where he is woken by Vivaldi at best, and the Police at worst – to a shop doorway where he is kicked awake - and finally an abandoned car at the back of a row of houses.
The people of Shifnal Road who see Jimmy from their back windows, respond differently to his presence.
Rayya Banu, caring for her husband Satish who can no longer eat , starts cooking again, bringing Jimmy food, blankets, books and advice.
“The woman began to irritate him with her cloying concern.”
Ebele Mangaroo sees him only as a potential threat to her young daughter, Tuli, and insists that her employer and landlord, Nicos Makrides take action.
Daban, former carer for Satish Banu, current driver for Nicos Makrides and occasional bouncer, shows Jimmy the most uncomplicated acceptance and acts as the catalyst for what happens next.
“Life isn’t a fairy-tale.”
This is a story where generosity and love, innocence and acceptance, enriches the giver as much as the receiver.
If you are looking for a beautifully crafted novel with kindness at its core, told through rich character portraits of people who feel real, with all their baggage and ignorance and fears and private griefs, then this is the perfect lockdown book to bring a little joy.
thebobsphere's review against another edition
5.0
Bluemoose is publisher who have a knack of choosing the right stories. To date I have never ever been disappointed by book from their stable. Should we Fall behind is no exception to the rule.
The novel has elements that I love, mainly a set of character who are united by one event or one person. This the case of Should We.. that person is Jimmy Noone who is a runaway and has befriended a woman called Betwa, who has disappeared. Jimmy then remembers the neighbourhood she lives in and decides to look for here there, camping out in an abandoned car. This creates a rift in the area and the neighbours try interact with Jimmy.
We all have our own stories, and that is the case here. There’s Niko the Cypriot who had a hard life in both his homme country and adopted one. Rayya, who has led a life full of love and is taking cared of her invalid husband, Ebele who, through a couple of traumatic incidents is wary of men, her daughter Tuli and Daban, a sort of intermediary between all the characters. Incidentally he’s the only major character who does not get his own chapter but shows up constantly in the book.
Like real life, all these characters interact with each other, either by design or through coincidence and , kudos for that, none of these characters, bar Rayya, are good or bad . All of their experiences have shaped their outlook some are kinder but they are realistically human.
One major theme is family. Each protagonist is either close to their wives, partners and children or separated by death or circumstance but everyone knows that a family unit is powerful and they all make an effort to keep contact. One constant refrain is that most characters tell Jimmy to return home, something which he is reluctant to though, although he knows it’s the right thing.
Other themes crop up: abuse , social class, immigration, mental health. There’s a lot and is all done deftly in Sharon Duggal clean, yet evocative prose. I love it when the simplest of actions, be it walking into a pub or eating after many days of starvation is rendered in such a taut and descriptive way. Even the dialogue here has an organic feel to it.
Should we Fall Behind is a wonderful book which embraces the reader into a tight bearhug and exudes that same kind of warmth.
The novel has elements that I love, mainly a set of character who are united by one event or one person. This the case of Should We.. that person is Jimmy Noone who is a runaway and has befriended a woman called Betwa, who has disappeared. Jimmy then remembers the neighbourhood she lives in and decides to look for here there, camping out in an abandoned car. This creates a rift in the area and the neighbours try interact with Jimmy.
We all have our own stories, and that is the case here. There’s Niko the Cypriot who had a hard life in both his homme country and adopted one. Rayya, who has led a life full of love and is taking cared of her invalid husband, Ebele who, through a couple of traumatic incidents is wary of men, her daughter Tuli and Daban, a sort of intermediary between all the characters. Incidentally he’s the only major character who does not get his own chapter but shows up constantly in the book.
Like real life, all these characters interact with each other, either by design or through coincidence and , kudos for that, none of these characters, bar Rayya, are good or bad . All of their experiences have shaped their outlook some are kinder but they are realistically human.
One major theme is family. Each protagonist is either close to their wives, partners and children or separated by death or circumstance but everyone knows that a family unit is powerful and they all make an effort to keep contact. One constant refrain is that most characters tell Jimmy to return home, something which he is reluctant to though, although he knows it’s the right thing.
Other themes crop up: abuse , social class, immigration, mental health. There’s a lot and is all done deftly in Sharon Duggal clean, yet evocative prose. I love it when the simplest of actions, be it walking into a pub or eating after many days of starvation is rendered in such a taut and descriptive way. Even the dialogue here has an organic feel to it.
Should we Fall Behind is a wonderful book which embraces the reader into a tight bearhug and exudes that same kind of warmth.
theaurochs's review against another edition
4.0
A surprisingly touching and beautiful book. Duggal writes with delicate and poignant prose, that makes even the dreary streets they present feel inviting.
The story initially follows a young homeless man Jimmy on the streets of an unnamed british city (probably London, but could equally be Birmingham or somewhere). He meets a new homeless woman Betwa; they soon strike a fast friendship but she one day goes completely missing. He then follows some half-remembered directions to the area of Shifnal Road, where he searches for her. The book then branches out to explore the lives of the inhabitants of Shifnal Road, past and present.
All of these narratives are presented with deep empathy; really letting us in to the hearts of this ragtag group of strangers. It's very well done- a significant number of these people are pretty awful; to themselves and each other. But you udnerstand them, and you can see why they are the way they are. It's doubly heartbreaking when two characters, both of whose viewpoints we've inhabited, clash against each other. You know that all either needs is a bit of kindness, and someone to reach out to them; but neither of them are capable of doing so, and the heartache compunds on itself.
In terms of active plot there's not a huge amount going on, it's really just a rather emotional slice-of-life, exploring the issues of immigration to the UK, multiculturalism, and class divides in a deft and realistic manner. Weirdly then, some of the dialogue holds it back from being a truly excellent book- some of it feels distinctly stilted and unnatural.
On the whole, a good read, with authentic modern characters and their moving stories.
The story initially follows a young homeless man Jimmy on the streets of an unnamed british city (probably London, but could equally be Birmingham or somewhere). He meets a new homeless woman Betwa; they soon strike a fast friendship but she one day goes completely missing. He then follows some half-remembered directions to the area of Shifnal Road, where he searches for her. The book then branches out to explore the lives of the inhabitants of Shifnal Road, past and present.
All of these narratives are presented with deep empathy; really letting us in to the hearts of this ragtag group of strangers. It's very well done- a significant number of these people are pretty awful; to themselves and each other. But you udnerstand them, and you can see why they are the way they are. It's doubly heartbreaking when two characters, both of whose viewpoints we've inhabited, clash against each other. You know that all either needs is a bit of kindness, and someone to reach out to them; but neither of them are capable of doing so, and the heartache compunds on itself.
In terms of active plot there's not a huge amount going on, it's really just a rather emotional slice-of-life, exploring the issues of immigration to the UK, multiculturalism, and class divides in a deft and realistic manner. Weirdly then, some of the dialogue holds it back from being a truly excellent book- some of it feels distinctly stilted and unnatural.
On the whole, a good read, with authentic modern characters and their moving stories.
alyson170's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
ramblingbeth's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
finnleyfrog17's review against another edition
5.0
A fantastic read about a beautifully weaved web of people
suffolkbadger's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
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? Yes
4.0
I nearly gave up on this book in the first 50 pages but I am glad I didn't: the characters develop and become woven together. You get to see each characters lives from their tale; it brings to mind 'A fine balance' by Rohinton Mistry (an excellent read in my opinion) The main character is homeless and from there you see how his touches others. The main plot appears to me as a background thread that holds it all together. Moving and enjoyable read.