picked it at the English Book Swap :)

Lewis Aldridge is ten when his inebriated mother dies by drowning, as they went to swim together. His estranged father somehow never can forgive him, sees always the dead woman in his son's face and shuns the boy. Lewis grows up as outcast from the beginning and develops agressivity which bursts out in fits of property damage. When he burned down the church, he is sent to jail for two years. The book starts with 19 year old Lewis who is released and returns to his village. But nothing changed, he is still the outcast, people don't dare to look him in the eyes ...

It's a gloomy portrayal of the Fifties in a London suburb, where all grown ups are heavy drinkers. Two of the main characters are child abusers, one beats his daughter, the other (Lewis' father) is an emotional cripple who only shows scorn and rejection to his son.

The writing is appealing, a good read actually ... if only she would have made the story less depressing. Although it has a happy end, I think poor Lewis would have deserved some light moments too. I would have given this first novel more stars if it would not wallow so much in misery.

on the shelf


Dear finder

Thank you for looking up Bookcrossing and entering the number. Please, kindly write a short journal entry, that you own the book now. You can do this anonymously, but it's much more fun if you'll become a member and write under your nick name. It's still anonymous, but you'll get a notification every time somebody writes a new entry. You are able to follow the book's voyage and read the opinions of other readers. Bookcrossing is fun, it's free and free of spam. Try it, it might change your life. Or at least your bookshelf ;)

happy reading
=^,^= spy

Picked up at the Cafe Gloria shelf on its last day - After reading spys review I am hesitant to immerse myself in this tragic story - therefore I shall release it soon.

Du hast ein Buch gefunden, willkommen bei Bookcrossing! Es wird Dir hoffentlich gefallen. Behalte es solange Du willst, und lass es wieder frei, wenn es gelesen ist. Wir freuen uns auf jeden Eintrag, möchten wissen, wie es dem Buch geht, wo es sich gerade befindet. (Anonyme Eintrage sind ok, oder denk Dir einen lustigen Namen aus und werde Mitglied unserer grossen weltweiten BC-Gemeinschaft.)

*****************
You found this book, I hope you enjoy it. Make a journal entry and let us know where you found it and how you'd liked it - and maybe what you plans are with it (anonymous is ok - or think of a cute name and sign up for free and become part of our great bookcrossing community). Bookcrossing is free and it's great fun!