Category: reviews

Book review: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

Harold_Fry_coverA simple story that is, for the most part, beautifully told. I felt a genuine sadness for the characters, even the ones that were only there for a few pages. The sense of place is excellent and not overdone; there’s plenty left to the imagination, and a surprising amount of drama for what is, essentially, a very long stroll. The author has a light touch, but the occasional overcooked metaphor interrupted the flow of the story (I don’t think anyone’s breath should ‘wallop’ the air), and that’s my only complaint.I think I was half way through before I put the book down for a day — just so Harold’s journey would last a little bit longer.

A wonderful read that is thoroughly recommended.

Book review: Hanging Hill by Mo Hayder

Mo Hayder’s books should come with a small phial of whiskey sellotaped to the spine; every one I’ve read (the excellent Jack Caffrey series and the brutal Tokyo) is an exercise in dark prose, superb characterisation and roller coaster plot lines.

Hanging_Hill Hanging Hill manages about one-and-a-half out of the three on that score. The story was good (though perhaps a little plodding in places) but seemed to be missing a lot of the edgy and stark prose of the Caffrey series.

Hayder’s writing is usually a lot smoother too, relying less on exposition and more on punchy dialogue and well-crafted action scenes. I wondered if the story is being aimed toward a possible TV drama, which would explain why the story lacked much of the edginess of her earlier work. If that’s the case then it would make one hell of a series; the characterisation is still top notch.

All in all, I was a bit disappointed with Hanging Hill, but then I do hold Mo Hayder to a much higher standard than other shock thriller writers I happen to read.