BOOK REVIEW
Akin
Author: Emma Donoghue
Synopsis:
In her first contemporary novel since “Room”, best selling author Emma Donoghue returns with her next masterpiece, a brilliant tale of love, loss and family. A retired New York professor’s life is thrown into chaos when he takes his great-nephew to the French Riviera, in hopes of uncovering his own mother’s wartime secrets.
Noah is about to celebrate his 80th birthday and his plan is to do so on the French Riviera. He has another reason for choosing this location. His parents lived in France and during the second world war his mother was involved in activities which Noah needs to explore.
Shortly before his departure Noah is contacted by a welfare officer informing him that his great nephew, Michael, is in need of care as his mother has been imprisoned and, as his father is deceased, it appears Noah is his only surviving relative capable of taking on this task.
This is not something Noah is prepared for, nor indeed, met with enthusiasm. However, with Michael in need of immediate care Noah decides he has no option but to agree. It means that he now has a companion on his journey to France.
Michael is a very ‘street wise’ and unhappy 11 year old and Noah senses that this journey is not going to be smooth.
As they share a hotel room they begin to learn a lot about each other. There are moments of sadness, frustration and humour.
Together they uncover answers to Noah’s mother’s past and gradually close the two generational gap which exists between them.
This story is moving on so many levels. Noah is a learned elderly gentleman who has recently lost his wife to cancer but has all the comforts of home whereas Michael’s young life has been nothing but chaos.
This is a very convincing read where Emma Donoghue has once again drawn her characters from an unusual and debilitating circumstance.
ROSALIE HOWARTH
Author: Emma Donoghue
Synopsis:
In her first contemporary novel since “Room”, best selling author Emma Donoghue returns with her next masterpiece, a brilliant tale of love, loss and family. A retired New York professor’s life is thrown into chaos when he takes his great-nephew to the French Riviera, in hopes of uncovering his own mother’s wartime secrets.
Noah is about to celebrate his 80th birthday and his plan is to do so on the French Riviera. He has another reason for choosing this location. His parents lived in France and during the second world war his mother was involved in activities which Noah needs to explore.
Shortly before his departure Noah is contacted by a welfare officer informing him that his great nephew, Michael, is in need of care as his mother has been imprisoned and, as his father is deceased, it appears Noah is his only surviving relative capable of taking on this task.
This is not something Noah is prepared for, nor indeed, met with enthusiasm. However, with Michael in need of immediate care Noah decides he has no option but to agree. It means that he now has a companion on his journey to France.
Michael is a very ‘street wise’ and unhappy 11 year old and Noah senses that this journey is not going to be smooth.
As they share a hotel room they begin to learn a lot about each other. There are moments of sadness, frustration and humour.
Together they uncover answers to Noah’s mother’s past and gradually close the two generational gap which exists between them.
This story is moving on so many levels. Noah is a learned elderly gentleman who has recently lost his wife to cancer but has all the comforts of home whereas Michael’s young life has been nothing but chaos.
This is a very convincing read where Emma Donoghue has once again drawn her characters from an unusual and debilitating circumstance.
ROSALIE HOWARTH
