Acting Up

by Libby Purves

The Andersons are a military family with honours and traditions stretching back two hundred years. When the second Iraq war breaks out, it is only natural that their newest generations should be represented in the ranks of British at 24, Lieutenant Susie Anderson delays her wedding to handsome fellow-officer Callum and joins her regiment on the hot sands of Kuwait. Brother Francis, meanwhile, continues his cabaret career as Madam Fanny Fantoni, drag chanteuse and net-stockinged vamp, with a stinging line in repartee and the most remarkable falsetto top C in Clapham. As the neighbours agree, it must be terribly difficult for their poor parents, especially the General. Real difficulties come, though, when Callum comes home injured, altered and bitter, and Susie and her family feel as though their lives are shattered. The solution to this tangle comes from the most unlikely source of all.Set against a background of desert war, seedy clubs, a hippie sailing-ship and quiet English village life, Libby Purves' latest novel is a commentary on changing social roles, the nature of courage and the futility of prejudice.

Genres: Fiction

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2004

About the author

Libby Purves is a journalist and author who has been writing for The Times since 1982. A previous columnist of the year and author of 12 novels and non-fiction books, she was for 40 years a BBC Radio 4 broadcaster after becoming the Today programme’s first woman and youngest presenter.

Reviews

[Hjwoodward · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the way Purves describes the different characters' outlooks with no bias towards one way of thinking as opposed to another. I mean, it was strange to get into the heads of soldiers during the Iraqi war, not something I expected to feel sympathetic about. And I loved the love and acceptance between the brother and sister, the soldier and the actor. Very good. I found it touching and a pleasant well-written read.

[Nicolas Chinardet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit of a slow burn for me but I eventually got into it. The plot is reasonably interesting although, objectively not that much happens and the characters are likable. Sadly the gays get short-changed, as per...

[Carmel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Characters who feel real, and that you get to care about, even if you know how it will end. Nicely shows how honour, and bravery can take many forms.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful writing
Just love this writer's work

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about two soldiers, Callum and Susie, who postpone their wedding to go and join the British Forces in Iraq. Military stories don't generally interest me at all, so I found myself skimming some of the army talk; nonetheless I felt I had a better understanding of what would make people go to war in this kind of way. Purves doesn't take any clear point of view for or against the war, which I felt was helpful; she simply portrays it the way various types of people see it.

The plot is enlivened by Susie's brother Francis, who is making a name for himself in an unusual career. I found Francis to be perhaps the most sympathetic character in the book, despite his lifestyle being far removed from mine!

There are no great shocks, no unexpected developments of the sort I often find with this author, but it was quite readable in typical terse but well-written style. Not my favourite Purves novel, but still one that I will doubtless read again in a few years.

Longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read other Libby Purves novels, but could not get really into this one. The background of the Iraq War was a different one and one I am sure is worth exploring, but I could not be bothered with the military scenes and skipped over them. The characters I found rather shadowy, expecially Susie. Her brother Francis, drag actor/singer is more strongly portrayed and I enjoyed the scenes in Edinburgh. A couple of irriating misfacts - you cannot hear the traffic from the Forth Road Bridge at Leith and Granton harbour is not below the Forth Bridge.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed with this book, not one of Libby Purves's best by a long way! The only bits I really enjoyed were near the end when Francis and Arnie were in Edinburgh, the rest is easily forgetable.

[Ranmalee Gamage]

Was fascinated by Francis. Other characters had their flows. A good book but not sure if want to re-read it.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

A better journalist [and critic] than a novelist, I feel. Though this was an enjoyable, and sometimes exciting, read, with some credible characters and an unusual clash of cultures.

[Tarquilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story and a Brixham trawler. What more could you want. Libby Purves has a deep understanding of people which always shows in her books.