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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
Seen largely through the eyes of 10-year-olds Grace and Tilly, the residents of The Avenue seem to know something about Mrs Creasy’s disappearance, but don’t seem too upset. In fact, they seem to be hiding something.
A beautifully written novel set in the summer of 1976 that explores the nature of the outsider, how we all have our own crosses to bear, and the public face we all paint on to hide things. There are tender moments from Grace and Tilly, awkwardness when more ‘outsiders’ threaten to bring change to this inward-looking community, and sadness as various characters have their inner demons slowly revealed.
A beautifully written novel set in the summer of 1976 that explores the nature of the outsider, how we all have our own crosses to bear, and the public face we all paint on to hide things. There are tender moments from Grace and Tilly, awkwardness when more ‘outsiders’ threaten to bring change to this inward-looking community, and sadness as various characters have their inner demons slowly revealed.
Wonderful writing, nicely convoluted plot, good characters, but the ending left me unsatisfied.
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I recently re-read Donna Tartt's The Little Friend, so when I saw the blurb about a mystery and coming of age, I thought why not. Now I'm not going to compare the two novels because that would be very hard on Cannon. But I was curious as to how a mystery actually gets solved in this one.
Central character is 12 y.o Grace, along with her younger and fragile best friend Tilly.
Her neighbour, Mrs Creasy has just disappeared overnight.
Grace comes across as clever and wry, and yet after speaking to the vicar she decides she has to find God on her street so that her neighbour returns. Err, OK. Let's go with this...
So we then proceed to meet everyone who lives on the street. Chapters alternate between Grace's point of view and that of the neighbours concerned. Each have their own secrets to hide, and there's a mystery about a fire that killed misfit neighbour Walter Bishop's mother 9 years ago that unites pretty much everyone on the street.
This is set during the heatwave of 1976. You are not allowed to forget that, and the fact that the heat makes people do odd things. Also this was the 70s, so kids had loads of Angel Delight, and the brand dropping is absolutely constant and annoying. They wash their hands in Fairy Liquid, eat Rice Krispies for breakfast, and Mrs Roper asks her son to pass the Milk tray. At least when it's Grace narrating, I can understand why the distinction between garibaldis and custard creams can matter, but most of the time those details are completely unnecessary.
And this was the 70s so people didn't like outsiders and were a bit racist. To show that, an Indian family moves into a house on the street halfway through the novel. They bring absolutely nothing to the narrative.
There were some bits I liked. The psychology of some of the neighbours was well done. Sheila Dakin, Eric Lamb, John Creasy in particular. Even Mrs Morton. The relationship between the Forbeses was also interesting, but let down by the final reveal.
Some of the lines by the kids felt out of place - usually from Grace, though the weirdest one for me was a very witty reply from 6 y.o Keithie. But I enjoyed the friendship between Grace and Tilly and the strains upon it. It was quite nice and sweet without being overly sweet either. Grace thinks she always knows best than her younger friend, but quiet Tilly often has the best insights.
But overall, too many problems. The side-story about the stain in the shape of Jesus is just crazy - neighbours waiting for weeks upon it and two grown women fighting for the best seat next to it.
And while many of the secrets help explain some of the neighbours' frame of mind, others serve little or no purpose ().
The "resolution" isn't really one either and opens up more questions than it closes.
Central character is 12 y.o Grace, along with her younger and fragile best friend Tilly.
Her neighbour, Mrs Creasy has just disappeared overnight.
Grace comes across as clever and wry, and yet after speaking to the vicar she decides she has to find God on her street so that her neighbour returns. Err, OK. Let's go with this...
So we then proceed to meet everyone who lives on the street. Chapters alternate between Grace's point of view and that of the neighbours concerned. Each have their own secrets to hide, and there's a mystery about a fire that killed misfit neighbour Walter Bishop's mother 9 years ago that unites pretty much everyone on the street.
This is set during the heatwave of 1976. You are not allowed to forget that, and the fact that the heat makes people do odd things. Also this was the 70s, so kids had loads of Angel Delight, and the brand dropping is absolutely constant and annoying. They wash their hands in Fairy Liquid, eat Rice Krispies for breakfast, and Mrs Roper asks her son to pass the Milk tray. At least when it's Grace narrating, I can understand why the distinction between garibaldis and custard creams can matter, but most of the time those details are completely unnecessary.
And this was the 70s so people didn't like outsiders and were a bit racist. To show that, an Indian family moves into a house on the street halfway through the novel. They bring absolutely nothing to the narrative.
There were some bits I liked. The psychology of some of the neighbours was well done. Sheila Dakin, Eric Lamb, John Creasy in particular. Even Mrs Morton. The relationship between the Forbeses was also interesting, but let down by the final reveal
Spoiler
(I simply can't believe that Dorothy would've set that fire thinking there were people inside the house)Some of the lines by the kids felt out of place - usually from Grace, though the weirdest one for me was a very witty reply from 6 y.o Keithie. But I enjoyed the friendship between Grace and Tilly and the strains upon it. It was quite nice and sweet without being overly sweet either. Grace thinks she always knows best than her younger friend, but quiet Tilly often has the best insights.
But overall, too many problems. The side-story about the stain in the shape of Jesus is just crazy - neighbours waiting for weeks upon it and two grown women fighting for the best seat next to it.
Spoiler
It turns that Walter Bishop has done nothing awfully wrong and is just a bit of a weirdo who doesn't know how to fit. Err but he's still a weirdo who spends way too much time watching kids playing?? Not sure he deserves absolution here.And while many of the secrets help explain some of the neighbours' frame of mind, others serve little or no purpose (
Spoiler
Grace's dad financial problems eg. or the fact Sheila Dakin had an abortion, we already knew she had been abusedThe "resolution" isn't really one either and opens up more questions than it closes.
Spoiler
Mrs Creasy disappeared because she needed time to "work things out". From all we learn about her, why would she just leave her OCD over-anxious husband just like that without taking her shoes?.. No clue. And the things she had to work out surely were about all the secrets and mysteries and it's mentioned she talked to the police before getting the bus back. And the novel concludes as she steps down the bus. Errr what next?!
Loved this book from the start. Just not so sure about the ending.
I hope another book is coming soon from Joanna Cannon
I hope another book is coming soon from Joanna Cannon
Another fine recommendation from my library.
This starts off like a girl-detective book, set in 1976 England, but turns dark with a secret that the neighbors hold.
The parts of the book narrated by Grace, a ten-year old, do a great job of looking at the world through a girl's eyes, with hopes, dreams, schemes, and the boredom of a hot summer. Occasionally, the book takes a more omniscient view as we look at what the adults of the neighborhood are thinking and fearing. The story dances around the secret, never quite revealing it until the end, and even then not in a particularly explicit way.
This was difficult to read at times, because you just know that the story will result in the loss of innocence for our heroine, and the story does not fit neatly into any particular genre. However, it is a good read, and worth a look.
This starts off like a girl-detective book, set in 1976 England, but turns dark with a secret that the neighbors hold.
The parts of the book narrated by Grace, a ten-year old, do a great job of looking at the world through a girl's eyes, with hopes, dreams, schemes, and the boredom of a hot summer. Occasionally, the book takes a more omniscient view as we look at what the adults of the neighborhood are thinking and fearing. The story dances around the secret, never quite revealing it until the end, and even then not in a particularly explicit way.
This was difficult to read at times, because you just know that the story will result in the loss of innocence for our heroine, and the story does not fit neatly into any particular genre. However, it is a good read, and worth a look.
A claustrophobic community of adults as seen through the eyes of two 10 year old girls in the long hot summer of 1976.
What worked for me
What worked for me
- The stultifying, net curtain twitching atmosphere of 70s suburbia was well realised.
- The author was very good at depicting the inner lives of the characters, particularly the women.
- The domesticity - the folding of a tea towel is a key plot point.
- The humour (see quotes).
- The instigator of the plot is absent for 90% of the book (when I heard that the author's favourite book is Rebecca, it all made sense).
What didn't work for me
- The arrival of a British Asian family to the avenue offered some squirm inducing moments that were played for humour, but they fell out of the story quickly confirming that their only purpose was to highlight the prejudice and ignorance of the white characters.
- The plot was contrived and weak - I just didn't believe that two 10 year old girls in 1976 would be searching for God in their cul de sac.
- The abrupt, ambiguous ending left me feeling unsatisfied.
Quotes:
My mother said I was at an awkward age. I didn't feel especially awkward, so I presumed she meant that it was awkward for them.
Tilly's mum thought everyone was old-fashioned. Tilly's mum owned long earrings and drank Campari, and only ever wore cheesecloth. In cold weather, she just wore more cheesecloth, layering it around herself like a shroud.
I thought about my parents. They fibbed about the amount of time it would take to get somewhere and exactly how long my tea would be, and although my mother always said my presents were from both of them, when I opened each one on Christmas morning, my father always looked as surprised as I did.
Mystery in a small neighborhood told from the point of view of a small girl. Laughed out loud at some bits.
I really liked the writing and wanted to give it a higher rating, but the story felt incomplete and some of the characters felt incomplete. I loved Grace and Tilly, though.