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A review by nina_reads_books
Small Hours by Bobby Palmer
4.0
Isaac and the Egg was author Bobby Palmer's debut novel in 2022 and it was such a lovely, quirky portrayal of grief. I was therefore absolutely delighted to receive an early copy of the follow up novel Small Hours.
The story is focused on the Penwick's family. Jack has just lost his job when he is called home by his sister to help when their mother is suddenly missing. His father Gerry whose health is in decline is
of no help. Jack and Gerry had a difficult relationship during Jack's childhood and Jack has distanced himself further from his father and the rest of his family. His missing mother becomes an opportunity to heal the rift. And in amongst all of this is a talking fox that stands between Jack and Gerry.
What makes the Small Hours so special is the author's ability to inject a sense of magic and whimsy into a story with quite a lot of heavy themes in it. There is the fox which talks to both Jack and Gerry. What a great character! And Gerry's wonderful rambling inner monologue which shows just how much his memory and mental functions are declining but also demonstrates an understanding of how differently he has approached life over the years - for good and bad. His affinity with the woods around his home and the animals within it was lovely.
I loved also how, as with Isaac and the Egg, this was a book that focussed on men and their feelings in such a sensitive way. Grief, memory, connections and emotions were all wrapped up in this story that became a journey of seeking family (literally and figuratively).
Overall this was a book full of symbolism and the natural world and I really enjoyed it. My one small criticism was that I felt it was a little long as partway through the story dragged just a little. But honestly this was a lovely and sad and funny story that is
well worth the read. Doesn't quite match up with the uniqueness and wonder that was Isaac and the Egg but Bobby Palmer is now an author I will definitely always read.
Thank you to @hachetteaus for my #gifted copy and thank you also to @netgalley for the e-book version I received.
The story is focused on the Penwick's family. Jack has just lost his job when he is called home by his sister to help when their mother is suddenly missing. His father Gerry whose health is in decline is
of no help. Jack and Gerry had a difficult relationship during Jack's childhood and Jack has distanced himself further from his father and the rest of his family. His missing mother becomes an opportunity to heal the rift. And in amongst all of this is a talking fox that stands between Jack and Gerry.
What makes the Small Hours so special is the author's ability to inject a sense of magic and whimsy into a story with quite a lot of heavy themes in it. There is the fox which talks to both Jack and Gerry. What a great character! And Gerry's wonderful rambling inner monologue which shows just how much his memory and mental functions are declining but also demonstrates an understanding of how differently he has approached life over the years - for good and bad. His affinity with the woods around his home and the animals within it was lovely.
I loved also how, as with Isaac and the Egg, this was a book that focussed on men and their feelings in such a sensitive way. Grief, memory, connections and emotions were all wrapped up in this story that became a journey of seeking family (literally and figuratively).
Overall this was a book full of symbolism and the natural world and I really enjoyed it. My one small criticism was that I felt it was a little long as partway through the story dragged just a little. But honestly this was a lovely and sad and funny story that is
well worth the read. Doesn't quite match up with the uniqueness and wonder that was Isaac and the Egg but Bobby Palmer is now an author I will definitely always read.
Thank you to @hachetteaus for my #gifted copy and thank you also to @netgalley for the e-book version I received.