Scan barcode
A review by bookmarkonthewall
On Hampstead Heath by Marika Cobbold
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
4.5
βπΌ ππ€πͺπ§π£ππ‘ππ¨π© ππ¨ π π¨πππ ππ§ π€π ππ§πͺπ©π, ππ©π¨ πͺπ₯ππ€π‘πππ§ ππ£π πππππ£πππ§. ππ§ π¨π€ π π©ππ€πͺπππ©.β
Thorn Marsh is a journalist and has strong morals to tell the truth. She is passionate about her work at The London Journal, even prioritising that over her marriage. A corporate restructuring of the newspaper finds Thorn moved from the news desk to a midweek supplement that nobody really reads. She is tasked to find heart warming and uplifting stories for The Bright Side segment. In desperation to find a story, Thorn finds herself fabricating a good-news story. This centres on βThe Angel on the Heathβ, an angelic apparition in Hampstead Heath, which goes viral.
From here Thorn finds herself on a journey of truth and discovery behind the fabricated news story, but equally grappling with the desire to continue the lies to further her ambitions.
πI immediately took to the writing style and felt invested in the book after reading Ch 1. The chapters are short, the writing is sharp, which adds to the addictive pace of this novel. I also loved the dark humor (which I really took to and couldnβt help but laugh out loud) that comes from Thorn as well as other characters in this novel. Thorn is a great character: scrupulous, witty, smart, in control of her life but also looking for someone who needs and loves her.
As well as being funny, this book is incredibly perceptive and thoughtful. The narrative describing Thornβs relationship with her mother, for example, is laced with underlying emotion and unspoken words and feelings. I think it is this aspect of Cobboldβs writing; the ability to create such an atmosphere and generate emotions between the characters in this novel that really stood out to me and makes this book such a delightful read.
βοΈ Highly recommend. I already want to go back and reread. I felt so sad when it ended!
Thorn Marsh is a journalist and has strong morals to tell the truth. She is passionate about her work at The London Journal, even prioritising that over her marriage. A corporate restructuring of the newspaper finds Thorn moved from the news desk to a midweek supplement that nobody really reads. She is tasked to find heart warming and uplifting stories for The Bright Side segment. In desperation to find a story, Thorn finds herself fabricating a good-news story. This centres on βThe Angel on the Heathβ, an angelic apparition in Hampstead Heath, which goes viral.
From here Thorn finds herself on a journey of truth and discovery behind the fabricated news story, but equally grappling with the desire to continue the lies to further her ambitions.
πI immediately took to the writing style and felt invested in the book after reading Ch 1. The chapters are short, the writing is sharp, which adds to the addictive pace of this novel. I also loved the dark humor (which I really took to and couldnβt help but laugh out loud) that comes from Thorn as well as other characters in this novel. Thorn is a great character: scrupulous, witty, smart, in control of her life but also looking for someone who needs and loves her.
As well as being funny, this book is incredibly perceptive and thoughtful. The narrative describing Thornβs relationship with her mother, for example, is laced with underlying emotion and unspoken words and feelings. I think it is this aspect of Cobboldβs writing; the ability to create such an atmosphere and generate emotions between the characters in this novel that really stood out to me and makes this book such a delightful read.
βοΈ Highly recommend. I already want to go back and reread. I felt so sad when it ended!