Book Count (since 1 January 2012)

Book Count (since 1 January 2014): 30

Monday 9 September 2013

Unexploded by Alison Macleod


Evvie and Geoffrey, a bank manager, live in middle class comfort in a town house in Brighton with their son, Philip.  When the second world war comes, an internment camp is opened on the hills above Brighton and Geoffrey becomes the camps superintendent.  Geoffrey's new role puts increasing pressure on his relationship with Evvie and they each start to question their love for each other.  As his parents are distracted by their complex relationship, Philip is free to roam around Brighton and he gets manipulated by his friend into doing some uncomfortable things.   I did enjoy this book which is easy to read but not as heavyweight as you would expect from a Booker longlist novel.  Philip was the most interesting character, and the way he strives for love and a sense of belonging was very well portrayed.  I found the way Philip would comply with his friend's direction often quite dark particularly as it mirrored Geoffrey's compliance with orders regarding the treatment of the internees.  This is a good book with good writing and a readable plot, but it is not especially memorable.

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