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Charcoal
"Jess is dead, and it's my fault." Anna Macbeth has spent her whole life trying to escape from her past. She left the rural Yorkshire village where she grew up for life as a family lawyer in London, but what secrets did she take with her? When a familiar voice telephones her with tragic news, Anna knows that running away is no longer an option, and that she has to return to face her demons. What led Anna to flee from her home, and what is it that causes her to return? "Charcoal" unfolds a dramatic sequence of events that demonstrate the consequences of desires.
- GenresFictionContemporary
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2012
46 people are currently reading
787 people want to read
About the author
J.E. Rowney
43 books850 followersWriter.
Visit my website for previews, further information.
http://www.jerowney.com/
"I always dreamed of being a writer, until I realised that I was. Then I started to write."
Visit my website for previews, further information.
http://www.jerowney.com/
"I always dreamed of being a writer, until I realised that I was. Then I started to write."
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 14, 2012
Jayne Rowney's "Charcoal” is a dramatic story about how one bad decision can affect one’s entire existence and those closest to them. The plot is easy to follow and easy to relate too. It is something that could and I am sure has, happened before. The imagery is a beautiful sight for the mind’s eye. While the characters are written as though, they could be someone from your life. The author brought drama and passion to the story with her flowing words.
I enjoyed reading Jayne Rowney’s “Charcoal”. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys good writing and a good drama.
I enjoyed reading Jayne Rowney’s “Charcoal”. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys good writing and a good drama.
August 1, 2014
I sometimes struggle with books that begin at the end , which is exactly what J.E Rowney has done in Charcoal ....perfectly .
Okay , now I am the one beginning at the end - oops ! I found the first few chapters to be somewhat YA , which I also sometimes struggle with . I kept reminding myself that I went into this book with very few expectations ( don't know why honestly ) , and continued to read . I soon found myself engrossed in the characters , the emotions , the events and the drama . I held my breath waiting to see what would happen next and what the outcome of poor choices would be. As the true end of the book came near , I alternated between trying to devour the last few chapters and looking away from the written page to think about everything this book brings to mind .
This really is an amazing look at ordinary people making ordinary (although poor)choices and the effects it has not only on themselves , but others . Very true to life - well written .
The End.
Okay , now I am the one beginning at the end - oops ! I found the first few chapters to be somewhat YA , which I also sometimes struggle with . I kept reminding myself that I went into this book with very few expectations ( don't know why honestly ) , and continued to read . I soon found myself engrossed in the characters , the emotions , the events and the drama . I held my breath waiting to see what would happen next and what the outcome of poor choices would be. As the true end of the book came near , I alternated between trying to devour the last few chapters and looking away from the written page to think about everything this book brings to mind .
This really is an amazing look at ordinary people making ordinary (although poor)choices and the effects it has not only on themselves , but others . Very true to life - well written .
The End.
July 1, 2012
There is much about this story that doesn't fit into the mold of how a story is supposed to be written. It has a great deal of telling and some head-hopping. However, if I wasn't a writer or an avid reader, I would never have noticed. It's really beautifully done. For the plot of this story is about ordinary people, living ordinary lives, and the consequences of their choices with each other. It's about falling flat on your face and somehow picking yourself back up again. The scene setting is masterfully described. I've never read a book with so little dialogue that made me feel more like I could see a place, could know what its characters were thinking. I find myself inspired to try harder with my own writing. The story does have some language and adult scenes in it, but they do not detract from the true powerful nature of the story. If you want a book to make you think, this is the book for you. A great read.
July 14, 2012
A moving story exploring friendship, betrayal, love and loss this book explores the flaws in people and the consequences of their actions. Very well written and hard to put down. I enjoyed the reality of the situation, the fact there were no easy, unrealistic solutions and that the conclusion to this story was bittersweet. With no artificiality to make it saccharin sweet, this story has real bite.
September 1, 2014
Loved this book. Had me gripped from the first page, and kept me gripped. Highly recommend.
April 27, 2014
Oh god, you're all going to hate me.
There are lots of things I disliked about this book, I won't lie. I found its head-hopping from Anna to Tim to Jess to be a bit distancing for the reader, as we're reminded over and over that this isn't an imaginary friend telling us about their struggles, this is a work of fiction by somebody with strict plans, plans that won't get pulled off unless we know something that that other character is doing or thinking or saying right now.
I found the way in which we know the ending immediately to be a bit of a deterrent, too. Jess is dead. Jess is dead and it's all her fault. She hasn't seen Tim in years. That the whole novel is an elaboration of how Jess is dead, of how it's her fault and of why Tim and Anna haven't met up in so long is personally not something I feel I can get emotionally invested in. I know Jess is dead. Therefore I will not attempt to love her. I know Tim and Anna don't reconcile, therefore I do not plump for them when we read about the way in which their romance initially blossomed.
The crux of my dislike for this book, however, lies in the fact that the moral is just so darn bloody blatant. I won't go into detail, but I will spoil: Surely it is obvious that if you have a best friend, you do not sleep with her boyfriend. If you have a baby, giving them up will hurt. If you spend years lying to your best friend about something so incredibly close to her heart, one way or another, you will lose them. I guess I just didn't feel I had time to read an exploration of the human psyche when even in my darkest or drunkest hour, I think I'd still know that ruining my best friend's life would ruin my own.
I'm sure an army of people will come to Anna's aid and say that she was preconditioned to make the mistakes she made, because of the things she was exposed to as a child. I'm sure they'd be right, and maybe it was the things I was exposed to as a child that make me see it differently, but overall, I just didn't get the moral, let alone the purpose of this book.
One thing I did love, though, was the description. I remember the scene of Anna looking out of the train window, between London and her home, and the images of lush green grass were brilliantly constructed in my mind. I thought the author did an amazing job on that front. The 'Shrivelled pear' (I think) of Jess's womb, too, was flawless, and I did think that the last scene, with Anna feeding the dust of mud through her fingers was full of cathartic pathos.
In a line, I thought the bare writing was capable, but the plot was patchy and the motivations confusingly empty.
Please don't all hate me.
There are lots of things I disliked about this book, I won't lie. I found its head-hopping from Anna to Tim to Jess to be a bit distancing for the reader, as we're reminded over and over that this isn't an imaginary friend telling us about their struggles, this is a work of fiction by somebody with strict plans, plans that won't get pulled off unless we know something that that other character is doing or thinking or saying right now.
I found the way in which we know the ending immediately to be a bit of a deterrent, too. Jess is dead. Jess is dead and it's all her fault. She hasn't seen Tim in years. That the whole novel is an elaboration of how Jess is dead, of how it's her fault and of why Tim and Anna haven't met up in so long is personally not something I feel I can get emotionally invested in. I know Jess is dead. Therefore I will not attempt to love her. I know Tim and Anna don't reconcile, therefore I do not plump for them when we read about the way in which their romance initially blossomed.
The crux of my dislike for this book, however, lies in the fact that the moral is just so darn bloody blatant. I won't go into detail, but I will spoil: Surely it is obvious that if you have a best friend, you do not sleep with her boyfriend. If you have a baby, giving them up will hurt. If you spend years lying to your best friend about something so incredibly close to her heart, one way or another, you will lose them. I guess I just didn't feel I had time to read an exploration of the human psyche when even in my darkest or drunkest hour, I think I'd still know that ruining my best friend's life would ruin my own.
I'm sure an army of people will come to Anna's aid and say that she was preconditioned to make the mistakes she made, because of the things she was exposed to as a child. I'm sure they'd be right, and maybe it was the things I was exposed to as a child that make me see it differently, but overall, I just didn't get the moral, let alone the purpose of this book.
One thing I did love, though, was the description. I remember the scene of Anna looking out of the train window, between London and her home, and the images of lush green grass were brilliantly constructed in my mind. I thought the author did an amazing job on that front. The 'Shrivelled pear' (I think) of Jess's womb, too, was flawless, and I did think that the last scene, with Anna feeding the dust of mud through her fingers was full of cathartic pathos.
In a line, I thought the bare writing was capable, but the plot was patchy and the motivations confusingly empty.
Please don't all hate me.
July 15, 2012
This book deals with issues of family and love and causes the reader to think about how one would react in similar circumstances. J.E. Rowney is a very descriptive writer and you are definitely put into the time period and setting of the novel early on. The tale follows two school friends, Anna and Jess, as they grow into adults and have to deal with very mature decisions. What happens as the result of those decisions is the catalyst for an unseen ending. A good read!
August 6, 2012
A rather sad story of damaged relationships, this was a quick read and kept me turning pages. There were a few inconsistencies and it would have benefited from more editing but on the whole well-written.
June 30, 2017
The book opens with the death of a best friend and looks back at the deceit and betrayal between them. At the same time it raises questions about their lives and how they see each other. Easy to read and characters which provoke like/dislike due to their actions.
July 28, 2012
Great first novel!
August 21, 2012
Formatting was so poor that this work was unreadable.
September 4, 2012
A tale of betrayal and how one mistake can lead to may more. An easy to read story of friendship that changes to end in sorrow that is hard to read about. Three and a half stars.
April 21, 2022
CHARCOAL will grip you by the throat from the very first chapter -- tragedy strikes, questions rise, and the scene-building is nothing short of evocative. I really liked getting a taste of Rowney's sense of England. I equally enjoyed her masterful portrayal of emotions and situations that are universal, not exclusive to any one setting or type of person. While I think some scenes could have been livened up more with dialogue, the predicaments and pain are often palpable on the page, in part perhaps because these triggering themes are so relatable.
While the story is enticing and the writing is vivid, the tug-of-war of past and present on the page kept tripping me up. While I could follow the narrative from present to past and back again, I think these transitions could have been much smoother. There are also some idioms that tripped me up ("pixie bobbed", "had fallen pregnant"), but I assume a reader better versed in British English wouldn't be bothered.
Spoiler: But it's also well-written and a thorough character study. Anna is a fascinating anti-hero, a solitary and sad girl haunted by a past that often justifies her ongoing misgivings and mistakes in life, who somehow manages to push everyone she loves away. Many scenes are memorable, peppered with beautifully unique details, character-revealing, and vivid, from the first scuffle over a porcelain green frog to the ongoing tug-of-war of preserving a friendship versus vying for romantic love to the crushing betrayal and tragedies that ultimately threaten to shatter it all.
While the story is enticing and the writing is vivid, the tug-of-war of past and present on the page kept tripping me up. While I could follow the narrative from present to past and back again, I think these transitions could have been much smoother. There are also some idioms that tripped me up ("pixie bobbed", "had fallen pregnant"), but I assume a reader better versed in British English wouldn't be bothered.
Spoiler: But it's also well-written and a thorough character study. Anna is a fascinating anti-hero, a solitary and sad girl haunted by a past that often justifies her ongoing misgivings and mistakes in life, who somehow manages to push everyone she loves away. Many scenes are memorable, peppered with beautifully unique details, character-revealing, and vivid, from the first scuffle over a porcelain green frog to the ongoing tug-of-war of preserving a friendship versus vying for romantic love to the crushing betrayal and tragedies that ultimately threaten to shatter it all.
August 22, 2020
Anna, Jess and Tim are forever locked in a devastating saga.
Anna came from a broken home. Her course in life was permanently altered from the beginning. She was a broken mess who wanted to protect herself from the home life she had known first.
Enter Jess. Jess is sweet, loving and full of life. Her family had become a safe haven for Anna. The girls were inseparable in everything and had even become blood sisters, though not with the big knife Anna had lead with.
As they grew, they began to change into their own women. One day, Tim enters the picture. Anna is on guard and has no trust for his "games". Jess is loves him, despite Anna's preconceptions.
Life goes it's own way and they all grew apart. Then they begin to grow together, in all the wrong ways. Some roads are easy to go down, but are impossible to reverse.
The story starts at the end and seamlessly wraps around to the to finish where it began. The devastation is beautifully craft and rends the heart in twain effortlessly.
I will never forget this book, it's details etched into my memory forever. It is a beautiful story and is a definite one to read.
I received a free copy from the author in return for an honest review.
Anna came from a broken home. Her course in life was permanently altered from the beginning. She was a broken mess who wanted to protect herself from the home life she had known first.
Enter Jess. Jess is sweet, loving and full of life. Her family had become a safe haven for Anna. The girls were inseparable in everything and had even become blood sisters, though not with the big knife Anna had lead with.
As they grew, they began to change into their own women. One day, Tim enters the picture. Anna is on guard and has no trust for his "games". Jess is loves him, despite Anna's preconceptions.
Life goes it's own way and they all grew apart. Then they begin to grow together, in all the wrong ways. Some roads are easy to go down, but are impossible to reverse.
The story starts at the end and seamlessly wraps around to the to finish where it began. The devastation is beautifully craft and rends the heart in twain effortlessly.
I will never forget this book, it's details etched into my memory forever. It is a beautiful story and is a definite one to read.
I received a free copy from the author in return for an honest review.
February 22, 2021
The story starts out with the heartbreaking outcome. Then we learn the complete story starting from when Anna and Jess are just young girls all the way through adulthood. A very realistic story that could hit very close to home for some people.
I was surprised at how well J.E. Rowney was able to bring out the full range of emotions with her writing. I knew from the opening paragraphs that there wasn’t going to be a happy ending, but I had a much stronger emotional response than I expected. Such a tragic story.
Teresa-May Whittaker did this story justice with her narration. I was so drawn into the performance, it was like I was watching the events unfold around me.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
I was surprised at how well J.E. Rowney was able to bring out the full range of emotions with her writing. I knew from the opening paragraphs that there wasn’t going to be a happy ending, but I had a much stronger emotional response than I expected. Such a tragic story.
Teresa-May Whittaker did this story justice with her narration. I was so drawn into the performance, it was like I was watching the events unfold around me.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.
March 6, 2021
I am a fan of "feel good" stories. This is NOT one. This is a "this is what happens," a "true to life" story. Domestic abuse has far reaching effects. This story is.....Friendship. Promises. Choices. Bad decisions. Cheating. Lies. Life.
I was gifted an Audible version of this book from the author through Story Origin at my request. I enjoyed the narrator's reading, but it did take some getting use to. She has a strong accent and I couldn't understand some words. She read in almost a cadence, almost sing song voice. But I was able to fully feel the characters in the story. So it worked for me.
This my honest, voluntary review.
I was gifted an Audible version of this book from the author through Story Origin at my request. I enjoyed the narrator's reading, but it did take some getting use to. She has a strong accent and I couldn't understand some words. She read in almost a cadence, almost sing song voice. But I was able to fully feel the characters in the story. So it worked for me.
This my honest, voluntary review.
February 2, 2021
A beautifully written story of mistakes and bad decisions. Full of heartbreaking moments, this read follows the lives of Anna and Jess from childhood to adulthood. Secrets, lies, deception and deceit around eve egg y turn and selfish wants make for poor decisions. This is such a good read/listen is the most tragic of ways. Narration was well done, smooth and consistent.
I received a free copy of this book at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read
I received a free copy of this book at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read
March 21, 2021
DNF 25% Let me start by saying it was extremely hard for me to get into this book. I honestly feel the author should note trigger warnings in the purchase description. Although the topics in this book didn’t trigger me, I work in a profession that sees a ton of domestic abuse and could trigger a reader. This book, in general, deals with so many real life traumas like domestic abuse, cheating, and loss of friendships that it was a bit depressing. There is no happily ever after in this book and so if that’s what your looking for, look somewhere else because this is not the book for you!
April 4, 2021
This book groups you from the beginning. Her old friend Tim is on the phone, someone she hasn’t spoke to in 10 years telling her that her best friend Jess is dead and that she must come home right away. She left 10 years before putting time and distance between them but it seems it wasn’t for enough and long enough. This book is so good and as I said from the beginning you are hooked and it doesn’t ease up it just gets better and better. Not to mention I absolutely love this narrator she has such a sweet and soothing voice. This book was awesome all around.
July 4, 2020
I received this title as an audio book in exchange for a review. Although I listened to it as frequently as I could, I found it very sad. The main character Anna regretted her life choices, made on top of a difficult childhood. She shouldered the blame and planned to live, life in the present from then on. I could see that her childhood had formed her and led to those decisions.
February 13, 2021
***spoiler alert***
As I've been cheated on, this made things hard for me to relate and connect with the characters. for me - nothing excuses cheating.
I felt the author touched both sides, and at times explained their reasonings, but I couldn't relate.
It's a good woman-fiction book, but it wasn't for me.
I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
As I've been cheated on, this made things hard for me to relate and connect with the characters. for me - nothing excuses cheating.
I felt the author touched both sides, and at times explained their reasonings, but I couldn't relate.
It's a good woman-fiction book, but it wasn't for me.
I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 26, 2022
This was an excellent story about how our family affects each of us and then who we become because of that.Anna and Jess are friends forever,until that changes. Teresa-May Whittaker was a very good narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
March 10, 2021
Two best friends. A young and broken pact to not date a boy ever and stay together. And big secret keep hidden between them that will bring them sadness and tragedy. Great audiobook
March 14, 2023
Excellent book!!!
October 19, 2012
Was an ok read, but somewhat predictable. Can't think of much else to say really, it didn't move me either way...
kindle-i-own-to-read
December 1, 2012Amazon Freebie 12/1/2012
February 13, 2013
I thought this was a really great story about choices and facing up to responsibility.
December 19, 2013
Another author I've discovered this year via Twitter. The story is just the sort of twisty yarn I enjoy.
Ultimately heart rending though...
And perfectly titled.
Ultimately heart rending though...
And perfectly titled.
Want to Read
February 15, 2016england, that demonstrate the consequences of desires, running all her life to escape her past, sequence of events
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews