The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
Fiction Book Review Richard Beech Fiction Book Review Richard Beech

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

One of those rare novels that hooks you from the very first page and never lets go.

Told entirely through letters, emails and unsent notes, Virginia Evans' wonderful debut introduces us to Sybil Van Antwerp: intelligent, funny, stubborn, occasionally infuriating, and utterly unforgettable.

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John of John by Douglas Stuart
Fiction Book Review Richard Beech Fiction Book Review Richard Beech

John of John by Douglas Stuart

John of John is a powerful novel about fathers and sons, family secrets, and the struggle to accept who we are while remaining tethered to place, tradition and those we love. Set against the wild beauty of the Hebrides, this is a story rich in atmosphere and emotion.

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The Boy From The Sea by Garrett Carr
Fiction Book Review Richard Beech Fiction Book Review Richard Beech

The Boy From The Sea by Garrett Carr

The Boy From The Sea has the honour of being the very first book chosen for the Teasel & Skylark Book Club — and what a wonderful place to begin. Set in a close-knit Irish coastal community, the novel follows the arrival of a mysterious baby boy from the sea and the ripples his life sends through the town for decades afterwards.

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Growing Pains by Joseph Ball
Fiction Book Review Richard Beech Fiction Book Review Richard Beech

Growing Pains by Joseph Ball

This powerful novel follows eleven-year-old Alexander through his first year at secondary school in the 1990s. It is not always an easy read, as it deals with the emotional abuse and neglect of a child, but it is an important story to tell and one that is handled with care and authenticity.

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