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A review by mandi_m
Freeing Grace by Charity Norman
London, 1990s.
In a hospital ward, Cherie, 16, black, gives birth to Grace Serenity. Shortly afterwards she flees the hospital and dies in a car crash.
David Edmunds, white, parish priest, and his black Nigerian wife, Leila, are finding that their childlessness causes more problems than their mixed marriage. Desperate to have a family, they undergo IVF without success. As the book opens, an adoption process is under way.
Jake Kelly, 40-year-old New Zealander, can’t commit to his relationship with Anna, who wants a child before she gets too old. She decides to end their relationship and asks Jake to move out. On the same day, Jake quits his job as an investment banker. A colleague, Lucy, clever, attractive, invites him to her parents’ home in the country for the weekend. Lucy’s young half-brother, Matt, is into loud music and drugs.
After the shocking opening, we become involved with two families – the Edmunds in their search for a child, and Lucy’s family, the Harrisons, who draw Jake into their convoluted life and the secrets they are hiding. Why has Lucy’s stepmother, Deborah, not returned from an assignment in Africa? Why is 16-year-old Matt so confused and desperate?
Adoption is the theme of this book. The slightly clunky title, Freeing Grace, is explained late in the story during the adoption hearing that forms the climax.
The main characters, with a strong supporting cast, are well drawn, credible and memorable. The story moves between the two families, following parallel paths, until finally they are brought together by baby Grace. The prose flows easily and we are always sure where we are and which thread we are following. Jake tells his story in the first person which further helps to keep the story on track.
The plot is interesting, with many surprises. We go with Jake to Africa, briefly, in strong contrast to the cool, misty weather of the English countryside. The story is moving, funny and absorbing. It’s up to date and relevant with its themes of childlessness, mixed marriage, prejudice, adoption, teenage pregnancy, drugs, alcohol and mental illness.
Thoroughly recommended as an engaging, entertaining read, with enough depth to make you care about the characters. This is Charity Norman’s first novel. I hope she writes more.
Jo Rudd 28/5/2011
In a hospital ward, Cherie, 16, black, gives birth to Grace Serenity. Shortly afterwards she flees the hospital and dies in a car crash.
David Edmunds, white, parish priest, and his black Nigerian wife, Leila, are finding that their childlessness causes more problems than their mixed marriage. Desperate to have a family, they undergo IVF without success. As the book opens, an adoption process is under way.
Jake Kelly, 40-year-old New Zealander, can’t commit to his relationship with Anna, who wants a child before she gets too old. She decides to end their relationship and asks Jake to move out. On the same day, Jake quits his job as an investment banker. A colleague, Lucy, clever, attractive, invites him to her parents’ home in the country for the weekend. Lucy’s young half-brother, Matt, is into loud music and drugs.
After the shocking opening, we become involved with two families – the Edmunds in their search for a child, and Lucy’s family, the Harrisons, who draw Jake into their convoluted life and the secrets they are hiding. Why has Lucy’s stepmother, Deborah, not returned from an assignment in Africa? Why is 16-year-old Matt so confused and desperate?
Adoption is the theme of this book. The slightly clunky title, Freeing Grace, is explained late in the story during the adoption hearing that forms the climax.
The main characters, with a strong supporting cast, are well drawn, credible and memorable. The story moves between the two families, following parallel paths, until finally they are brought together by baby Grace. The prose flows easily and we are always sure where we are and which thread we are following. Jake tells his story in the first person which further helps to keep the story on track.
The plot is interesting, with many surprises. We go with Jake to Africa, briefly, in strong contrast to the cool, misty weather of the English countryside. The story is moving, funny and absorbing. It’s up to date and relevant with its themes of childlessness, mixed marriage, prejudice, adoption, teenage pregnancy, drugs, alcohol and mental illness.
Thoroughly recommended as an engaging, entertaining read, with enough depth to make you care about the characters. This is Charity Norman’s first novel. I hope she writes more.
Jo Rudd 28/5/2011