This
is an intriguing and highly unusual novel written entirely in verse. It is
quite unlike anything else being published for teenagers at the moment. The
book tells the story of Kasienka who has arrived with her mother from Poland in
search of her father. He has left their home and travelled to England for a new
life. Through the poems we are given an insight into how Kasienka perceives her
mother's depression and obsession with finding her husband as they wear their
boots out searching Coventry for Tata (Father). We also learn of Kasienka's
problems adjusting to life in an English school as she encounters prejudice,
bullying and finally friendship. Through a friendly neighbour Tata is found and
Kasienka learns that she has a stepmother and a baby half-sister. She is now
torn between two families. Swimming becomes her refuge and not only is it fun
she is also very good at it and winning gives her a new found confidence. The
book's greatest strength is as a poignant portrait of the loneliness of a child
who has reached puberty and feels not only the weight of her own worries but
all the responsibility for her parent’s happiness. Sarah Crossan is a talented
author who has already completed her second novel for teens Breathe which is the
first of a dystopian trilogy. The Weight of Water is enjoyable and unique and
will appeal to children aged eleven and over especially fans of Sita
Brahmachari and Annabel Pitcher.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
The Spinning Heart by Donal Ryan
Donal Ryan won both best newcomer and best book at this year’s
Irish Book Awards no small achievement for a debut author but it will have come
as no surprise to those who have read this small but very powerful novel. This
is the first attempt in fiction to examine the aftermath of the financial crash
on the ordinary Irish people. The book is divided into twenty one individual first
person narratives from interconnected characters. Rather than try to paint a
broad picture of the aftermath of the housing boom and bust Ryan has instead
opted to concentrate on the impact on one small Tipperary town. The voices are unique but share a bitterness and
bewilderment at their circumstances. The mood of depression and anger is
palpable and violence simmers below the surface throughout before finally exploding.
There are echoes of Patrick Kavanagh in the writing style and Ryan joins the
ranks of talented young writers now emerging in Ireland, including Kevin Barry,
Paul Murray and Joe Murphy. Despite the anger which leaps off the page the
unifying thread in this compelling story is love and the search for love as
Triona the final voice in the novel states “What matters only love?”
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