Books 2014 - The Shell House by Linda Newberry

[byslantedlight]

This is one of those books that's two stories in one - about a teenager called Greg, who's doing his A-levels, and finding out about life and who he is, and about another man, not very much older, who went away to fight in the first world war. Whilst at the front, Edward met Alex, and the two began a love affair. All Greg knows about Edward is that the stately home he lived in burned down in 1917, and that Edward "died around the same time". The ambiguity of that statement grabs his attention and his imagination, and he begins trying to find out what happened to him.

At the same time he's discovering things about himself too, partly through new friends he's made, Jordan (who Greg is confused to find himself feeling very differently about than he thinks he should) and Faith (who is a committed Christian in the face of Greg's own generally agnostic beliefs). Tanya just seems to get in the way of all this confusion, but then sex always does...

I really liked this, though I felt there was a bit too much about the religious issues, and I'd have liked to read more about Edward and Alex in particular, and about Greg and Jordan too - not just because I find it interesting in general, but because I do think that was where the heart of the book was, and the religious side seemed a little more debate-y, and was reminiscent of Antonia Forest's treatment of religion in the Marlow family books - all very wondering and philosophical. Do teenagers still think and wonder like that, I wonder? Maybe so and we just don't hear about it enough, in which case well done Newberry! This side of the book almost seemed a little forced though, compared to what seemed like the more fluid confusion Greg felt about Jordan and Tanya and Faith as a girl/friend, and I wish the balance had tipped more the other way.

But it was good, and I can see why it was nominated for an award (I think, but now I can't find where I read that - maybe it's on the cover of the book, which I don't have beside me as I write this!), and very much worth reading! I liked the ending too... *g*

Comments

[caffyolay.livejournal.com]

This is completely new to me, not heard of it before. I'm constantly amazed at how many books and authors I've never heard of. Shocking really. Glad you enjoyed it, not sure it would be for me even though I'm one of those weird athiests who actually enjoys reading about religion and why people believe what they do.

And on an entirely different note I just finished The Last Continent by Terry Pratchett and have discovered at long last which of his books the 'black leather' quote in my icon comes from. Just thought you might like to know that. *G*

Glad you're having such a brilliant time on your hols.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

Heeeee for the black leather quote! *vbg* Excellent advice too, I suspect... *g*

I know what you mean about being surprised by authors you've not heard of - I get that too, all the time.., and yet there are so many authors, how could we possible have heard of even most of them....? I'm curious though - what makes you think this wouldn't be for you, even though you'd like a large part of it?!

And thank you - not reading or writing nearly as much as I wanted, but that does tend to happen when I travel. My balance all fails in favour of traveltraveltravel, gogogo! Which is fun too... *g*

[caffyolay.livejournal.com]

You're right of course, we can't possibly know every author, but somehow I expect to. LOL!

I think it's your comment that there was a bit too much about the religious issues and not quite enough about the four men that makes me think I'll give it a miss. But you never know... never say never, if I see it in the library I may grab it just because it's a bit different and you liked it, which makes me think I might too.

Lessee, I was going to recommend a non-fiction about a chappy who cycled around the coast and had such a fab time on the Scottish leg, including the islands, because your last two LJ posts reminded me strongly of it. It's called One Man and His Bike by Mike Carter. Goodreads page here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11745460-one-man-and-his-bike?ac=1