The bleak landscape of The Loney dominates Andrew Michael Hurley's debut novel
Andrew Michael Hurley's The Loney certainly gave Tyneside Book Club members an unseasonal chill in June's meeting.
His debut novel did though get a generally warm reception during the latest virtual discussion.
Many found it unsettling and atmospheric, a page-turner which intrigued but refused to neatly tie up strands. Members were left with questions by the end of the book; and some had reached different conclusions about what exactly had happened.
Members were particularly struck by its sense of place, conveying the menace, but also bleak beauty of a landscape of The Luney which - a location based on Morecambe Bay and the coastal area between Cumbria and Lancashire.
The characters were engaging and often intriguing. They ranged from the unpleasant - Mummer and Father Wilfred - to the sympathetic - Smith, Hanny and Father Bernard. The cast of was well-drawn. with even the supporting characters feeling real.
Members also enjoyed the creeping sense of menace, and Hurley's decision not to over-explain. It exposed the dark side of religious belief and superstition, but also avoided lazy caricature through the more appealing character of Father Bernard.
Some felt the eventual pay-off perhaps didn't quite deliver, and found some elements implausible. For some, it felt more like a winter than a spring or summer read.
Overall though there was a lot of praise for a novel that gripped and disturbed. Members agreed that it was a strong debut, which avoided many of the pitfalls first-time novelists can fall into. Most members said they would be happy to read more by the author.
His debut novel did though get a generally warm reception during the latest virtual discussion.
Many found it unsettling and atmospheric, a page-turner which intrigued but refused to neatly tie up strands. Members were left with questions by the end of the book; and some had reached different conclusions about what exactly had happened.
Members were particularly struck by its sense of place, conveying the menace, but also bleak beauty of a landscape of The Luney which - a location based on Morecambe Bay and the coastal area between Cumbria and Lancashire.
The characters were engaging and often intriguing. They ranged from the unpleasant - Mummer and Father Wilfred - to the sympathetic - Smith, Hanny and Father Bernard. The cast of was well-drawn. with even the supporting characters feeling real.
Members also enjoyed the creeping sense of menace, and Hurley's decision not to over-explain. It exposed the dark side of religious belief and superstition, but also avoided lazy caricature through the more appealing character of Father Bernard.
Some felt the eventual pay-off perhaps didn't quite deliver, and found some elements implausible. For some, it felt more like a winter than a spring or summer read.
Overall though there was a lot of praise for a novel that gripped and disturbed. Members agreed that it was a strong debut, which avoided many of the pitfalls first-time novelists can fall into. Most members said they would be happy to read more by the author.
RSS Feed