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A review by portybelle
A Keeper by Graham Norton
5.0
With his latest novel, A Keeper, Graham Norton proves that, not only is he one of the nation's most popular presenters, but that he's a blooming good writer as well.
Elizabeth Keane has returned to her childhood home in Buncarragh following the death of her mother. She left many years before for New York and had put her early childhood behind her. Not that she had a bad childhood, but as the only daughter of a single parent in small town rural Ireland, life was perhaps not the easiest. She expects to do nothing more than complete the legal formalities then head home. This all changes when she discovers a small pile of romantic letters from the father she never knew to her mother. She decides that she must find out a bit more about him before she returns home. As she begins to discover more about her parents' life, we also hear from her mother Patricia in chapters entitle 'Then'. They paint a rather different picture than that which the heartfelt letters suggest.
This is such a well-written book. Graham Norton moves between Now and Then revealing just enough each time to make you want to keep reading. The story in the past reflects what Elizabeth is starting to uncover in the present, but adds so much more to what was really going on. As well as coming to terms with many revelations about her parents, she also has a lot going on in her own personal life to contend with which is very stressful when she is thousands of miles from home.
Only when you are reading the book do you realise the significance of the title. Secrets are closely kept throughout by so many characters and there is another meaning to the word 'Keeper' too which I can't reveal or it would spoil some of the plot.
A compelling read, A Keeper is full of suspense and atmosphere, disappointments and revelations. It's also a really interesting exploration of mental health issues and overprotective mother/child relationships. There may be darkness in this book but ultimately it provides a hopeful ending.
Elizabeth Keane has returned to her childhood home in Buncarragh following the death of her mother. She left many years before for New York and had put her early childhood behind her. Not that she had a bad childhood, but as the only daughter of a single parent in small town rural Ireland, life was perhaps not the easiest. She expects to do nothing more than complete the legal formalities then head home. This all changes when she discovers a small pile of romantic letters from the father she never knew to her mother. She decides that she must find out a bit more about him before she returns home. As she begins to discover more about her parents' life, we also hear from her mother Patricia in chapters entitle 'Then'. They paint a rather different picture than that which the heartfelt letters suggest.
This is such a well-written book. Graham Norton moves between Now and Then revealing just enough each time to make you want to keep reading. The story in the past reflects what Elizabeth is starting to uncover in the present, but adds so much more to what was really going on. As well as coming to terms with many revelations about her parents, she also has a lot going on in her own personal life to contend with which is very stressful when she is thousands of miles from home.
Only when you are reading the book do you realise the significance of the title. Secrets are closely kept throughout by so many characters and there is another meaning to the word 'Keeper' too which I can't reveal or it would spoil some of the plot.
A compelling read, A Keeper is full of suspense and atmosphere, disappointments and revelations. It's also a really interesting exploration of mental health issues and overprotective mother/child relationships. There may be darkness in this book but ultimately it provides a hopeful ending.