#11 Catherine Ryan Hyde - ‘Pay It Forward’
I picked this book up from the library as I felt in need of an easy, feelgood read; the literary equivalent of a Hollywood rom-com. Set in California in the early 90s the novel tells the story of ‘The Movement’, a philosophy based on doing large favours for people (the novel’s child protagonist kickstarts the idea by giving his paper round wage to a homeless man to help him get back on his feet and find work). The recipients of these favours, instead of repaying the deed to the giver, then pay it forward to three more.
‘The Movement’ quickly gathers speed and covers more land area, but the centrepoint of action in ‘Pay It Forward’ remains in protagonist Trevor’s hometown, exploring the relationship developing between his mother and one of his teachers. I felt one of the book’s main faults was the author’s reluctance to step out of this small world, especially when the novel ostensibly set out to deal with a worldwide movement. Much is made of the fact “people won’t pay it forward, they’ll just take and run” in the book, probably as it is such an obvious criticism, although frustratingly there is no explanation beyond a faith in human nature to explain why this doesn’t happen.
I enjoyed ‘Pay It Forward’ despite these faults, it was a quick lightweight read with believable and often well-developed characters and the central idea was uplifting, if essentially unconvincing. Rather like a feelgood movie (which the novel has apparently been made into, although I’ve never see it released here in the UK), ‘Pay It Forward’ works well as long as you avoid thinking too deeply about it.
#12 Janni Visman - ‘Sex Education’
A short and rather obscure British novel based in London, ‘Sex Education’ centres around the story of two female friends (Maddy & Selina) who have something of a rocky relationship. The book appears to want to occupy a similar mindspace as Margaret Atwood’s ‘Cat’s Eye’ and Helen Cross’ ‘My Summer Of Love’ but in skimming over 20 years’ worth of time it falls flat. The earlier sections focusing on the women’s schooldays are worth reading, if only for their well-written evocations of 70s London (not that I was there, but I’d have liked to have been) but as the book continues time is sped up so that entire decades are given barely more than a few pages’ worth of space until we reach a longer, closing section focusing on the (inevitable) death of one of the characters.
Competitiveness and jealousy in female friendships is something that will interest many women as most of us have experienced it at some point; however Janni Visman sadly fails to give either character much depth. Selina is portrayed as manipulative and exploitative throughout the novel but we are never shown why Maddy continues to forgive her (unless the fact they have grown up on the same street is intended to suffice). Even in destructive friendships there has to be some good on both sides to prevent one or both parties from simply walking away. I believe ‘Sex Education’ would have worked better as a teen novel, staying in the time when the girls were in high school and fleshing out the plot there; or as a far longer adult novel.
#13 Louise Welsh - ‘The Cutting Room’
Other reviewers like to class ‘The Cutting Room’ as a crime thriller, and such a genre would not normally interest me; however I enjoyed this novel considerably. Set in Glasgow, it follows the progress of auctioneer Rilke after he discovers a stash of pornography of questionable legality in an attic of a house he is clearing. Unable to resist finding out the truth behind his discovery he refuses to destroy the evidence as the ex-owner’s next of kin wishes or to go to the police, and instead follows his own trail through the seedier side of Glasgow.
Welsh’s writing style is instantly capturing; detailed and intelligent whilst flowing with ease and Scottish witticisms. She adds a beauty to the dark places the book transports the reader, and Rilke, to, and does not shy away from controversial topics such as hard drugs and sex. I also appreciated the author’s decision to “cast” a highly flawed character at the novel’s centre - Rilke was thus a very believable character and one I cared about more than I would a stereotypical model of perfection.
The only criticisms I have of the book are that the plot seemed to lose momentum and its way before then end; and that the novel’s climax (the essential solving of the mystery) comes rather suddenly and isn’t entirely believable. Well worth a read nevertheless, especially if you like to explore the darker side of life from the comfort of the printed page.
*****
In my next post: Review of Clare Morrall - ‘The Language Of Others’.
