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About the author and blogger ...

Anne Goodwin writes entertaining fiction about identity, mental health and social justice. She has published three novels and a short story collection with Inspired Quill. Her debut, Sugar and Snails, was shortlisted for the Polari First Book Prize. Her new novel, Matilda Windsor Is Coming Home, is rooted in her work as a clinical psychologist in a long-stay psychiatric hospital.

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Blame by Paul Read

28/4/2017

6 Comments

 
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Lucas is slightly inebriated when he calls in at a funeral parlour to discuss the disposal of his father’s remains. His intoxication might account for his making a pass at the mortician when it’s Mariana, the IT expert at the pharmaceutical company where he works as a researcher, he’s most keen to impress. But it’s hard to engage in romantic pursuits when everyone thinks he should be grieving. And so he is, although not for his father’s passing but for the terrible event he witnessed in the summer of 1989 that tore his family apart.

Blame works as both a romantic quest and a mystery, and resolving both serves, for Lucas, as a belated coming-of-age. Of course he knows what happened during the summer he was eleven, and even has his diary, complete with lovely quirky illustrations, to remind him. But, as anyone who likes to read must know, there’s a gap between the events on the page and what actually occurred. Not only that, there’s a gap between an adult and child’s understanding which raises the question of how much his father really was to blame.

Meanwhile, granted compassionate leave from work, Lucas accompanies Mariana on a visit to her parents in New York. Although introduced as a friend, there’s the promise of something deeper until a random act of kindness towards a stranger backfires and threatens to tarnish his prospects as a partner and potential son-in-law with the shadow of his addictive past.

Paul Read’s second novel is about friendship, family and fatherhood and the possibility of redemption. Tightly plotted, and gently humorous in tone, it’s an engaging read, although I’m not sure I’d have given it the literary fiction tag. You can compare my reflections with that of others on the blog tour – it looks as if I’m right at the end. Thanks to Legend Press for the copy and the invitation to join.

And talking of blog tours for second novels  with slightly unreliable male narrators with father issues, mine kicks off in a couple of weeks. More details on the way!
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Thanks for reading. I'd love to know what you think. If you've enjoyed this post, you might like to sign up via the sidebar for regular email updates and/or my quarterly Newsletter.
6 Comments
sarah link
28/4/2017 10:49:09 pm

Maybe not "literary fiction" but intriguing nonetheless. I do love my fiction with a bit of family drama, secrets... Thanks for the introduction to this one. I'm going to check it out. And looking forward to your blog tour! Almost exactly one month for release, right? :-)

Reply
Annecdotist
1/5/2017 12:50:57 pm

Thanks, Sarah, I’m glad it intrigued you. And, yes, publication is set for 25th of this month.

Reply
Norah Colvin link
30/4/2017 12:09:58 pm

I quite like the sound of this one, Anne. I'm intrigued by the secret and Lucas's response to his father's death. It might have to wait a while, though. I began listening to The Stolen Child this week and am loving it so far. Thanks for the recommendation.

Reply
Annecdotist
1/5/2017 12:54:22 pm

Thanks, Norah, I’m glad you’re also intrigued. Also delighted to hear you are enjoying The Stolen Child – especially as the last book you picked up on my recommendation didn’t work out for you!

Reply
Charli Mills
2/5/2017 07:01:25 pm

So it seems scattering ashes, or the dilemma of what to do with them, is a grand opening for reflection and resolution, but with the twist of an unreliable narrator.

Reply
Annecdotist
3/5/2017 07:37:03 am

Indeed! Thanks, Charli.

Reply



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    entertaining fiction about identity, mental health and social justice
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    My debut novel shortlisted for the 2016 Polari First Book Prize
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    Anne Goodwin's books on Goodreads
    Sugar and Snails Sugar and Snails
    reviews: 32
    ratings: 52 (avg rating 4.21)

    Underneath Underneath
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    ratings: 60 (avg rating 3.17)

    Becoming Someone Becoming Someone
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    ratings: 9 (avg rating 4.56)

    GUD: Greatest Uncommon Denominator, Issue 4 GUD: Greatest Uncommon Denominator, Issue 4
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    ratings: 9 (avg rating 4.44)

    The Best of Fiction on the Web The Best of Fiction on the Web
    reviews: 3
    ratings: 3 (avg rating 4.67)

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