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A review by kate66
Wild Houses by Colin Barrett
5.0
I can honestly say this is a book I've been waiting for without realising it. I read Young Skins last year and loved Barrett's style. His use of the Irish landscape and those inhabitants who are on the periphery of life is visceral at times. The short stories in Young Skins are a stark look at rural/small town life and I definitely wanted more of the same. Mr Barrett must have been listening.
Wild Houses is a reference to those homes where parties, drugs and general wildness occurs. In this book the Wild House belongs to Cillian English, one-timer dealer but now calmed down and living with his girlfriend, Sara. On Friday night Cillian's brother, Doll, his girlfriend Nicky arrive and the four head out to party. But halfway through the night Nicky (who has college ambitions) argues with Doll and the two part ways. Feeling contrite later Nicky goes looking for Doll at home but he is missing and he's not answering his phone.
Unfortunately for Doll he has fallen into the hands of Gabe and Sketch Ferdia who have a beef with Cillian. Doll ends up at the home of the quiet, shambling Dev, who only wants some peace in his life.
As the story develops we learn the reason for Doll's kidnap, why Dev just wants some peace and Nicky's part in a rescue mission.
What Colin Barrett does so well is this slow burn, underlying violence that roars into life when you least expect it. Having read Skins and watched Calm with Horses I spent most of the latter part of this book with my heart in my mouth on fear for the characters. You're certainly not guaranteed a happy ending with Barrett's characters.
I loved this book. I love a well written short story but sometimes you find a writer who leaves you thinking "but what now", "what happened to them then". To be fair, Colin Barrett could have extended this book another hundred pages and I'd still have wanted more. He either has a sixth sense (or some fine editor) to know just where to leave your audience wanting more.
Highly recommended. If you enjoy Irish lit fiction in general you'll enjoy this.
Thanks very much to Netgalley and Vintage Digital for the advance review copy.
Wild Houses is a reference to those homes where parties, drugs and general wildness occurs. In this book the Wild House belongs to Cillian English, one-timer dealer but now calmed down and living with his girlfriend, Sara. On Friday night Cillian's brother, Doll, his girlfriend Nicky arrive and the four head out to party. But halfway through the night Nicky (who has college ambitions) argues with Doll and the two part ways. Feeling contrite later Nicky goes looking for Doll at home but he is missing and he's not answering his phone.
Unfortunately for Doll he has fallen into the hands of Gabe and Sketch Ferdia who have a beef with Cillian. Doll ends up at the home of the quiet, shambling Dev, who only wants some peace in his life.
As the story develops we learn the reason for Doll's kidnap, why Dev just wants some peace and Nicky's part in a rescue mission.
What Colin Barrett does so well is this slow burn, underlying violence that roars into life when you least expect it. Having read Skins and watched Calm with Horses I spent most of the latter part of this book with my heart in my mouth on fear for the characters. You're certainly not guaranteed a happy ending with Barrett's characters.
I loved this book. I love a well written short story but sometimes you find a writer who leaves you thinking "but what now", "what happened to them then". To be fair, Colin Barrett could have extended this book another hundred pages and I'd still have wanted more. He either has a sixth sense (or some fine editor) to know just where to leave your audience wanting more.
Highly recommended. If you enjoy Irish lit fiction in general you'll enjoy this.
Thanks very much to Netgalley and Vintage Digital for the advance review copy.