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Letterbox
At approximately 09.00hrs on the 15th June 1996, an unassuming white lorry was parked on Corporation Street in the city centre of Manchester, England; it contained over 3000 pounds of high explosive.
At 11.15hrs the same day, Manchester witnessed the detonation of the largest device on the British mainland since the second World War ... The Irish Republican Army claimed responsibility for the attack.
Based around actual events, LETTERBOX tells the story of Liam Connor, an ordinary boy brought up in Manchester by a seemingly ordinary family. He goes to the local school, loves football and has a best friend called Sean ... an ordinary life!
Unbeknown to Liam, his father, Michael Connor, harbors a dark historic secret, following a life a lot less ordinary ... as a furtive, yet high ranking soldier within the IRA.
As a result of extraordinary circumstances, Liam’s innocent and carefree world is shattered when he is exposed to the truth about his family’s heritage and then learns about the tragic death of his father at the hands of the SAS.
Consumed with both hate and the need to seek retribution, Liam is taken to Ireland where he is intensively trained to become a highly skilled and efficient soldier within the Irish Republican Army ... He is 16 years old!
Some years later, following the drug-induced death of his beloved sister, Liam is given the opportunity to exact his revenge on those he believed should truly be blamed for the tragedies in his life ... The British Government!
Thus, on the 15th June 1996, it was Liam’s responsibility to drive the bomb laden lorry into the unsuspecting city of Manchester and let the voice of the IRA be clearly heard ... And listened to!!
At 11.15hrs the same day, Manchester witnessed the detonation of the largest device on the British mainland since the second World War ... The Irish Republican Army claimed responsibility for the attack.
Based around actual events, LETTERBOX tells the story of Liam Connor, an ordinary boy brought up in Manchester by a seemingly ordinary family. He goes to the local school, loves football and has a best friend called Sean ... an ordinary life!
Unbeknown to Liam, his father, Michael Connor, harbors a dark historic secret, following a life a lot less ordinary ... as a furtive, yet high ranking soldier within the IRA.
As a result of extraordinary circumstances, Liam’s innocent and carefree world is shattered when he is exposed to the truth about his family’s heritage and then learns about the tragic death of his father at the hands of the SAS.
Consumed with both hate and the need to seek retribution, Liam is taken to Ireland where he is intensively trained to become a highly skilled and efficient soldier within the Irish Republican Army ... He is 16 years old!
Some years later, following the drug-induced death of his beloved sister, Liam is given the opportunity to exact his revenge on those he believed should truly be blamed for the tragedies in his life ... The British Government!
Thus, on the 15th June 1996, it was Liam’s responsibility to drive the bomb laden lorry into the unsuspecting city of Manchester and let the voice of the IRA be clearly heard ... And listened to!!
268 pages, Paperback
First published December 22, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 14, 2018
EXCERPT: For the first time since being in the room, the dark figure leant into the light revealing a large, bulldog looking face sat upon a thick neck. His nose looked like it had been broken several times, no doubt the result from years of street fighting and a three inch scar ran up his left cheek, the legacy of an inaccurate gunman. His dark piercing eyes shone in the bright glow and remained unblinking as he stared at the man across the table. When he spoke this time, the tone of his voice was like a low growl, demanding an answer to his question. 'Have y'bin turned?'
ABOUT THIS BOOK: At approximately 09.00hrs on the 15th June 1996, an unassuming white lorry was parked on Corporation Street in the city centre of Manchester, England; it contained over 3000 pounds of high explosive.
At 11.15hrs the same day, Manchester witnessed the detonation of the largest device on the British mainland since the second World War ... The Irish Republican Army claimed responsibility for the attack.
Based around actual events, LETTERBOX tells the story of Liam Connor, an ordinary boy brought up in Manchester by a seemingly ordinary family. He goes to the local school, loves football and has a best friend called Sean ... an ordinary life!
Unbeknown to Liam, his father, Michael Connor, harbors a dark historic secret, following a life a lot less ordinary ... as a furtive, yet high ranking soldier within the IRA.
As a result of extraordinary circumstances, Liam’s innocent and carefree world is shattered when he is exposed to the truth about his family’s heritage and then learns about the tragic death of his father at the hands of the SAS.
Consumed with both hate and the need to seek retribution, Liam is taken to Ireland where he is intensively trained to become a highly skilled and efficient soldier within the Irish Republican Army ... He is 16 years old!
Some years later, following the drug-induced death of his beloved sister, Liam is given the opportunity to exact his revenge on those he believed should truly be blamed for the tragedies in his life ... The British Government!
Thus, on the 15th June 1996, it was Liam’s responsibility to drive the bomb laden lorry into the unsuspecting city of Manchester and let the voice of the IRA be clearly heard ... And listened to!!
MY THOUGHTS: If you had told me that I was going to love a book about the 1996 Manchester bombing, I would have laughed at you. 'Not my thing,' I would have stated confidently. It was something I would have passed to my husband, probably rolling my eyes while doing so.
When Caroline Vincent (Bits About Books) asked me to read Letterbox by P.A.Davies she very cleverly didn't tell me what it was about, just that she thought that I might enjoy it. She was right.
I can't think of anyone who doesn't have preconceived ideas about the IRA. I can't imagine having to live through that era on either side. I can remember being horrified at the violence and the waste of life by both sides. Wonderered why they couldn't just sit around the table and sort it. Which, eventually, they did. While I don't condone the actions of either side, I now have a deeper understanding.
Author P. A. Davies does a great job of providing a balanced view of the bombing in this powerfully written, enthralling piece of 'historical faction'. I, quite unexpectedly, found myself drawn into the Connor family, enjoying watching Liam grow up, experiencing his anger when he finds out the truth about his father, his devastation at his father's death, and his subsequent indoctrination into the IRA. I loved his sense of loyalty, his need to protect his best friend. I wept for Margaret, for the treatment she received both from her family and the SAS, and then her senseless death at the hands of an enemy far more lethal and widespread than the IRA and the British Army combined.
Letterbox was an unexpected pleasure. One I won't hesitate to recommend.
Thank you to author P. A. Davies and Bits About Books Caroline Vincent for providing a digital copy of Letterbox for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
ABOUT THIS BOOK: At approximately 09.00hrs on the 15th June 1996, an unassuming white lorry was parked on Corporation Street in the city centre of Manchester, England; it contained over 3000 pounds of high explosive.
At 11.15hrs the same day, Manchester witnessed the detonation of the largest device on the British mainland since the second World War ... The Irish Republican Army claimed responsibility for the attack.
Based around actual events, LETTERBOX tells the story of Liam Connor, an ordinary boy brought up in Manchester by a seemingly ordinary family. He goes to the local school, loves football and has a best friend called Sean ... an ordinary life!
Unbeknown to Liam, his father, Michael Connor, harbors a dark historic secret, following a life a lot less ordinary ... as a furtive, yet high ranking soldier within the IRA.
As a result of extraordinary circumstances, Liam’s innocent and carefree world is shattered when he is exposed to the truth about his family’s heritage and then learns about the tragic death of his father at the hands of the SAS.
Consumed with both hate and the need to seek retribution, Liam is taken to Ireland where he is intensively trained to become a highly skilled and efficient soldier within the Irish Republican Army ... He is 16 years old!
Some years later, following the drug-induced death of his beloved sister, Liam is given the opportunity to exact his revenge on those he believed should truly be blamed for the tragedies in his life ... The British Government!
Thus, on the 15th June 1996, it was Liam’s responsibility to drive the bomb laden lorry into the unsuspecting city of Manchester and let the voice of the IRA be clearly heard ... And listened to!!
MY THOUGHTS: If you had told me that I was going to love a book about the 1996 Manchester bombing, I would have laughed at you. 'Not my thing,' I would have stated confidently. It was something I would have passed to my husband, probably rolling my eyes while doing so.
When Caroline Vincent (Bits About Books) asked me to read Letterbox by P.A.Davies she very cleverly didn't tell me what it was about, just that she thought that I might enjoy it. She was right.
I can't think of anyone who doesn't have preconceived ideas about the IRA. I can't imagine having to live through that era on either side. I can remember being horrified at the violence and the waste of life by both sides. Wonderered why they couldn't just sit around the table and sort it. Which, eventually, they did. While I don't condone the actions of either side, I now have a deeper understanding.
Author P. A. Davies does a great job of providing a balanced view of the bombing in this powerfully written, enthralling piece of 'historical faction'. I, quite unexpectedly, found myself drawn into the Connor family, enjoying watching Liam grow up, experiencing his anger when he finds out the truth about his father, his devastation at his father's death, and his subsequent indoctrination into the IRA. I loved his sense of loyalty, his need to protect his best friend. I wept for Margaret, for the treatment she received both from her family and the SAS, and then her senseless death at the hands of an enemy far more lethal and widespread than the IRA and the British Army combined.
Letterbox was an unexpected pleasure. One I won't hesitate to recommend.
Thank you to author P. A. Davies and Bits About Books Caroline Vincent for providing a digital copy of Letterbox for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
December 30, 2017
Letterbox is strong, powerful, emotive. A harrowing novel about the 1996 Manchester IRA bombing – what a haunting tale and heartbreaking insight into the lives of those, responsible for the bombings and of those, who by their very being had no choice but to be implicated in it… their lives will never be the same…
| Introduction |
Liam Connor has it all: a loving father and mother, a sibling, his sister, Margaret, a carefree life so it seems. But unbeknownst to him, he is part of something bigger – so all-consuming that it will change everything he believed in and replace it with a strong bond to his roots, to honour his family’s heritage. First of all, Liam is a boy with a best friend, Sean. Growing up in Manchester in the 70s is made easier for Liam because he has Sean on his side – anyone who dares to confront Liam with his Irish background, has to answer to Sean. But then it is all changed dramatically by a force beyond them – how will it affect their friendship and what will Liam’s response be? Conscience or loyalty?
| Storyline |
The opening chapter of ‘Letterbox’ shows us the devastating effects of the 1996 Manchester bombing. It is still the very day of the explosion, June 15th, and slowly, the inhabitants of Manchester start to grasp what has happened in and to their beloved city. For one man, June 15, 1996, is the second, and no doubt the most important turning point in his life. The day Liam Connor stood for a most difficult choice. The day he “had finally become a man.” How and why? Let us retrace our steps to the morning of that fateful day when Liam, walking through the streets of Manchester and trying to blend in with the shopping masses, hears someone call his name. On this day of all days, it is the last thing he needs. Liam tries to ignore the voice but he knows who it belongs to, his once best friend, Sean. Somehow, this chance meeting makes all the difference but how did they get from being the closest of (childhood) friends to seemingly strangers in the present day, 1996?
For that, we go back even further, to the Irish Connor family. a family living for ‘the cause’, the strive for full independence. When you are born in the Catholic part of Belfast just after WWII, a hatred against the British regime comes with growing up in a neighbourhood where everyone is “filled with unprecedented support and loyalty for their own.” The IRA is as embedded in the lives of the Connor family as is their daily bread and Michael Connor (Liam’s father) learned fast about the ‘deceptive’ wish for peace and the only ‘right’ way to gain independence for Northern Ireland: by violence. Does he have a choice? Does his brother have one or, for that matter, are his children free to find their own destiny?
This fact-based novel presents us with fascinating insights into growing up in the 1980s in Manchester, the lives of the Irish activists, and the UK Police force who are struggling to catch those, responsible for innocent deaths. The event that would be the first life-changing moment for Liam but is also an eye-opener for the Police is shocking. Very shocking. We perceive the turmoil of emotions within the police force and realise, although we condemn some actions, that they are strained and, under enormous pressure, somehow have to find a way to cope with it all – there are more layers behind their conduct. Then there are those, who stood on the sideline, who, without having anything to say in it, became involved. They saw their lives reduced to being subordinate to the ‘higher cause’ and their consequent sufferings were never taken into consideration. Until it is too late.
| My Thoughts |
Wow, what can I say? I am totally blown away (a terrible punch, I know) by Letterbox – P.A. Davies’ gripping novel (faction as he calls it – fact-based fiction) evokes strong feelings and engagement in the reader – the author takes the reader with him on a journey through time where nothing is what it seems. The Police are not the protectors of society but all the more human, and the individual IRA members are not the heartless terrorists but then again, no saints. This well-written novel shows us real-life characters without judgment or prejudice – but also, gives us fascinating insights into the IRA organisation and the people behind it. There is no carefree growing up for those children, who are born in IRA families and the hierarchy could well be suffocating. It feels like a Mafia family: once you are in you can never get out. Even the paranoia is the same. After reading Letterbox, many thoughts hurdled through my mind – sharing with you only this thought: Can you ever justify sacrificing innocent lives?
Without giving away too much of the story (obviously, everyone will have heard about the 1996 Manchester bombing but I refer to the fiction part of this novel), such as the characters, expertly described by the author in a way that you feel you have come to know them, there are certain aspects that stayed with me such as the staggering conduct of the police (at one point) that made me cringe as did the mother who was willing to sacrifice her children to a cause sending them on a path of destruction. My heart went out to the little girl, trapped in her role – but I will say no more. Letterbox is an excellently researched, engrossing, fact-based novel that captivates the reader from the start. A compelling debut novel by author P.A. Davies. A must-read I highly recommend.
For the full review and the factual background of the 1996 Manchester bombing, go to my website: https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/letter...
| Introduction |
Liam Connor has it all: a loving father and mother, a sibling, his sister, Margaret, a carefree life so it seems. But unbeknownst to him, he is part of something bigger – so all-consuming that it will change everything he believed in and replace it with a strong bond to his roots, to honour his family’s heritage. First of all, Liam is a boy with a best friend, Sean. Growing up in Manchester in the 70s is made easier for Liam because he has Sean on his side – anyone who dares to confront Liam with his Irish background, has to answer to Sean. But then it is all changed dramatically by a force beyond them – how will it affect their friendship and what will Liam’s response be? Conscience or loyalty?
| Storyline |
The opening chapter of ‘Letterbox’ shows us the devastating effects of the 1996 Manchester bombing. It is still the very day of the explosion, June 15th, and slowly, the inhabitants of Manchester start to grasp what has happened in and to their beloved city. For one man, June 15, 1996, is the second, and no doubt the most important turning point in his life. The day Liam Connor stood for a most difficult choice. The day he “had finally become a man.” How and why? Let us retrace our steps to the morning of that fateful day when Liam, walking through the streets of Manchester and trying to blend in with the shopping masses, hears someone call his name. On this day of all days, it is the last thing he needs. Liam tries to ignore the voice but he knows who it belongs to, his once best friend, Sean. Somehow, this chance meeting makes all the difference but how did they get from being the closest of (childhood) friends to seemingly strangers in the present day, 1996?
For that, we go back even further, to the Irish Connor family. a family living for ‘the cause’, the strive for full independence. When you are born in the Catholic part of Belfast just after WWII, a hatred against the British regime comes with growing up in a neighbourhood where everyone is “filled with unprecedented support and loyalty for their own.” The IRA is as embedded in the lives of the Connor family as is their daily bread and Michael Connor (Liam’s father) learned fast about the ‘deceptive’ wish for peace and the only ‘right’ way to gain independence for Northern Ireland: by violence. Does he have a choice? Does his brother have one or, for that matter, are his children free to find their own destiny?
This fact-based novel presents us with fascinating insights into growing up in the 1980s in Manchester, the lives of the Irish activists, and the UK Police force who are struggling to catch those, responsible for innocent deaths. The event that would be the first life-changing moment for Liam but is also an eye-opener for the Police is shocking. Very shocking. We perceive the turmoil of emotions within the police force and realise, although we condemn some actions, that they are strained and, under enormous pressure, somehow have to find a way to cope with it all – there are more layers behind their conduct. Then there are those, who stood on the sideline, who, without having anything to say in it, became involved. They saw their lives reduced to being subordinate to the ‘higher cause’ and their consequent sufferings were never taken into consideration. Until it is too late.
| My Thoughts |
Wow, what can I say? I am totally blown away (a terrible punch, I know) by Letterbox – P.A. Davies’ gripping novel (faction as he calls it – fact-based fiction) evokes strong feelings and engagement in the reader – the author takes the reader with him on a journey through time where nothing is what it seems. The Police are not the protectors of society but all the more human, and the individual IRA members are not the heartless terrorists but then again, no saints. This well-written novel shows us real-life characters without judgment or prejudice – but also, gives us fascinating insights into the IRA organisation and the people behind it. There is no carefree growing up for those children, who are born in IRA families and the hierarchy could well be suffocating. It feels like a Mafia family: once you are in you can never get out. Even the paranoia is the same. After reading Letterbox, many thoughts hurdled through my mind – sharing with you only this thought: Can you ever justify sacrificing innocent lives?
Without giving away too much of the story (obviously, everyone will have heard about the 1996 Manchester bombing but I refer to the fiction part of this novel), such as the characters, expertly described by the author in a way that you feel you have come to know them, there are certain aspects that stayed with me such as the staggering conduct of the police (at one point) that made me cringe as did the mother who was willing to sacrifice her children to a cause sending them on a path of destruction. My heart went out to the little girl, trapped in her role – but I will say no more. Letterbox is an excellently researched, engrossing, fact-based novel that captivates the reader from the start. A compelling debut novel by author P.A. Davies. A must-read I highly recommend.
For the full review and the factual background of the 1996 Manchester bombing, go to my website: https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/letter...
June 18, 2018
I knew that this was going to be a hard read before I opened the book as I could remember this time in history all too clearly. I remember thinking that this just could not be justified, not the senseless loss of innocent lives and I have read this book and it is extremely well written but I see couldn’t justify it. It hasn’t changed my mind but it doesn’t mean that I can’t appreciate a brilliantly written story because this feels raw and honest of how one man was affected by the political decisions that were made. This is one voice. It is about how he justifies what he does, I didn’t have to agree but I did understand.
It seemed very strange reading a story written from the other side of the coin. Liam was like me really as none of the atrocities that were happening, just across a few miles water, really affected him, not directly. He lived in a cocoon with it all being background noise. That was until the day his father was arrested for his involvement as a former top IRA soldier. Liam and his sister had no idea of the things he had done in his role of terrorist. When the family were told he had been killed, Liam became a weapon of vengeance and his sister a victim of a darker substance.
This is the author’s first book and well it is extremely addictive with a perfect balance of fact and fiction woven in seamless chapters. Now here is where it got me, I had got to know this likable lad who was at an impressionable age. It just took the wrong person to whisper in his ear at the right time. I loved how I became privy to Liam’s most private thoughts. His reasoning, intense hatred and at times how he could cut his self off from his mission to feel the devastation first hand. An instigator of life and death, the taker and giver of life in a surreal state of mind. A strange combination as he was on the inside looking out and I on the outside looking in. It was like we had swopped roles or at least the eyes we both looked through. He understood the horror and I felt I understood the why.
An emotional piece of history made very personal. Highly recommended!
It seemed very strange reading a story written from the other side of the coin. Liam was like me really as none of the atrocities that were happening, just across a few miles water, really affected him, not directly. He lived in a cocoon with it all being background noise. That was until the day his father was arrested for his involvement as a former top IRA soldier. Liam and his sister had no idea of the things he had done in his role of terrorist. When the family were told he had been killed, Liam became a weapon of vengeance and his sister a victim of a darker substance.
This is the author’s first book and well it is extremely addictive with a perfect balance of fact and fiction woven in seamless chapters. Now here is where it got me, I had got to know this likable lad who was at an impressionable age. It just took the wrong person to whisper in his ear at the right time. I loved how I became privy to Liam’s most private thoughts. His reasoning, intense hatred and at times how he could cut his self off from his mission to feel the devastation first hand. An instigator of life and death, the taker and giver of life in a surreal state of mind. A strange combination as he was on the inside looking out and I on the outside looking in. It was like we had swopped roles or at least the eyes we both looked through. He understood the horror and I felt I understood the why.
An emotional piece of history made very personal. Highly recommended!
June 20, 2018
The story begins with two old friends meeting up by chance just before the explosion, they have not seen each other for years. I was then taken back as these two characters as they grew up. Liam and Sean become best friends and I got to experience their childhood antics and the taunts towards Liam from other children. Liam’s family is a one of the father being away working a lot, with Liam not knowing exactly what his father does. This all changes one night and suddenly opens up a world that challenges everything Liam believes in.
The first part of the story is actually the main bulk of the book and deals with Liam, Sean and their lives. Then towards the end of the book is the shorter Part Two, and I got to learn a little bit about Liam’s sister. Even though she has been in the story, she is often only a brief mention, it is in this part of the story that I finally got to learn about her, and how events have affected her on a personal level. The often forgotten and older of the two siblings.
The story also incorporates little bits of history from the 1916 Easter Uprising against British rule in the Irish Republic, and the IRA. This gave a different perspective to the Manchester bombing. Though there are political reasons for why this happened, the author has not gone into the politics too much. He has kept the story about the friendship of two boys, about their family and also their belief.
The author, for me has done a wonderful job of setting out this story. I was hooked pretty quickly and as I was slowly drawn deeper in. I got a real sense of family and friendship from the lives of the boys. As they got older and events unfolded the speed gradually increased and I was flipping pages faster, it was if it had taken on an urgency as I turned the pages quicker.
The bombing is described and the author has in my opinion dealt with it well. I felt that he hadn’t over dramatised the event, but had shown a side of an event from the perspective of a characters personal point of view.
This is a book that I would definitely recommend to readers. It is an emotional, strong, fact based book.
I would also advise reading the Epilogue. I know many readers do this, but for those that don’t, you will find just a couple of pages of very interesting facts of Manchester before and also after the bombing.
The first part of the story is actually the main bulk of the book and deals with Liam, Sean and their lives. Then towards the end of the book is the shorter Part Two, and I got to learn a little bit about Liam’s sister. Even though she has been in the story, she is often only a brief mention, it is in this part of the story that I finally got to learn about her, and how events have affected her on a personal level. The often forgotten and older of the two siblings.
The story also incorporates little bits of history from the 1916 Easter Uprising against British rule in the Irish Republic, and the IRA. This gave a different perspective to the Manchester bombing. Though there are political reasons for why this happened, the author has not gone into the politics too much. He has kept the story about the friendship of two boys, about their family and also their belief.
The author, for me has done a wonderful job of setting out this story. I was hooked pretty quickly and as I was slowly drawn deeper in. I got a real sense of family and friendship from the lives of the boys. As they got older and events unfolded the speed gradually increased and I was flipping pages faster, it was if it had taken on an urgency as I turned the pages quicker.
The bombing is described and the author has in my opinion dealt with it well. I felt that he hadn’t over dramatised the event, but had shown a side of an event from the perspective of a characters personal point of view.
This is a book that I would definitely recommend to readers. It is an emotional, strong, fact based book.
I would also advise reading the Epilogue. I know many readers do this, but for those that don’t, you will find just a couple of pages of very interesting facts of Manchester before and also after the bombing.
June 16, 2018
Letterbox is centred around the 1996 Manchester IRA bomb.
The day the bomb went off in what I class as my home town of Manchester having worked in the city for a number of years and still work in the city to this day, as well as having and still socialising in the city, is a day I will never forget, even more so as I was planning on going into Manchester that day and for some reason I now can’t remember didn’t end up going in. (Maybe that was fate or maybe one of my guardian angels was looking down on me that day). During my commute to and from my current place of work, means that I am on a tram that bypasses the site of where the bomb was detonated and whilst reading this book on my daily commute was able to vividly remember the carnage that was left on that eventful day that unfortunately made history.
Before moving on to my thoughts about the book, I must confess to feeling ashamed to say that this book as been in my never ending TBR (to be read) pile since 16 June 2014 (a record number of 4 years and strangely enough the day after one of the anniversary’s), and I am afraid that without Caroline offering me the chance to participate in this tour may have lay there for a further few years, and I would never have realised what a FANTASTIC book this was.
The books is a tale of that eventful day, the years leading up to it and a few days after and through this book we learn what made the character Liam O’Connor do what he did.
We meet Liam as he moves into his new home and meets what becomes his best friend Sean. We follow the lives of Liam who is a seemingly innocent child going about his everyday life of school, girls and hanging around with this best friend, unaware what is happening behind closed doors and what his extended family are involved in.
We learn the fiction based tale of how Liam became a member of the IRA and what the events were that led up to that fateful day on 15 June 1996 when a bomb was planted in the city centre of Manchester and how things transpired from there, how Liam ended up being in the centre that day and the things that he was compelled to do as well.
To go into too much detail about the story would to me give away the things that the author is trying to portray and the feelings that have gone into writing what to me is a book that brought back so many memories of what happened and yet the city of Manchester is strong and resilient and built itself back up as it has done again recently.
P A Davies has written a gripping fiction based novel with a some aspects of the truth in it and no doubt had to do a lot of research to understand the effects of the day that was etched in history 22 years ago today.
The day the bomb went off in what I class as my home town of Manchester having worked in the city for a number of years and still work in the city to this day, as well as having and still socialising in the city, is a day I will never forget, even more so as I was planning on going into Manchester that day and for some reason I now can’t remember didn’t end up going in. (Maybe that was fate or maybe one of my guardian angels was looking down on me that day). During my commute to and from my current place of work, means that I am on a tram that bypasses the site of where the bomb was detonated and whilst reading this book on my daily commute was able to vividly remember the carnage that was left on that eventful day that unfortunately made history.
Before moving on to my thoughts about the book, I must confess to feeling ashamed to say that this book as been in my never ending TBR (to be read) pile since 16 June 2014 (a record number of 4 years and strangely enough the day after one of the anniversary’s), and I am afraid that without Caroline offering me the chance to participate in this tour may have lay there for a further few years, and I would never have realised what a FANTASTIC book this was.
The books is a tale of that eventful day, the years leading up to it and a few days after and through this book we learn what made the character Liam O’Connor do what he did.
We meet Liam as he moves into his new home and meets what becomes his best friend Sean. We follow the lives of Liam who is a seemingly innocent child going about his everyday life of school, girls and hanging around with this best friend, unaware what is happening behind closed doors and what his extended family are involved in.
We learn the fiction based tale of how Liam became a member of the IRA and what the events were that led up to that fateful day on 15 June 1996 when a bomb was planted in the city centre of Manchester and how things transpired from there, how Liam ended up being in the centre that day and the things that he was compelled to do as well.
To go into too much detail about the story would to me give away the things that the author is trying to portray and the feelings that have gone into writing what to me is a book that brought back so many memories of what happened and yet the city of Manchester is strong and resilient and built itself back up as it has done again recently.
P A Davies has written a gripping fiction based novel with a some aspects of the truth in it and no doubt had to do a lot of research to understand the effects of the day that was etched in history 22 years ago today.
September 12, 2012
I never normally write reviews about books but there again, I would never normally read a book by an unknown author either. So this will be a first on both accounts.
When a friend of a friend told me that I should read ‘Letterbox’ by P.A.Davies, I must be honest, I courteously dismissed the recommendation as I like to stick to ‘established’ writers! When that same friend leant me a copy of the book, I eventually conceded with the thought of “what the hell, it’s a free read!”
Having now read it, here is my opinion.
I finished reading this book (which I understand is the author’s first offering) in 2 days. And why? Because I actually couldn’t put it down! The novel is written in such a way that, at the end of each chapter, I truly wanted to know what happened next and the style of writing makes it very easy to follow.
There has obviously been a lot of research done for the ‘factual’ parts of this book and this sits well within the main fictional part which is gripping, funny and sad. In fact, (not wanting to give anything away) some of the chapters describing the main character’s school years, brought back memories of my own school days and actually made me smile!
All the characters within the story are wholly believable because they are portrayed as normal people (not superheroes or rags to riches types) and considering that the actual real life details leading up to the Manchester bombing are publicly unknown, the chronological build up within the story is extremely credible! Made me wonder if the author had some inside information!
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read which I would certainly recommend to anybody looking for an alternative to mainstream books. My only criticisms (and these are only my opinions) are that A) some of the sub plots could possibly have been expanded upon and B) some of the characters that featured strongly within the story, suddenly faded away leaving me wondering what happened to them. But maybe this was the idea?!
And my final comment (although I can’t take credit for noticing it as it was pointed out to me) is the very clever use of the number on the classroom door!! If you manage to get a copy of the book, keep your eyes peeled for this number and research it! A small but nicely poignant touch I think!
Thank you.
When a friend of a friend told me that I should read ‘Letterbox’ by P.A.Davies, I must be honest, I courteously dismissed the recommendation as I like to stick to ‘established’ writers! When that same friend leant me a copy of the book, I eventually conceded with the thought of “what the hell, it’s a free read!”
Having now read it, here is my opinion.
I finished reading this book (which I understand is the author’s first offering) in 2 days. And why? Because I actually couldn’t put it down! The novel is written in such a way that, at the end of each chapter, I truly wanted to know what happened next and the style of writing makes it very easy to follow.
There has obviously been a lot of research done for the ‘factual’ parts of this book and this sits well within the main fictional part which is gripping, funny and sad. In fact, (not wanting to give anything away) some of the chapters describing the main character’s school years, brought back memories of my own school days and actually made me smile!
All the characters within the story are wholly believable because they are portrayed as normal people (not superheroes or rags to riches types) and considering that the actual real life details leading up to the Manchester bombing are publicly unknown, the chronological build up within the story is extremely credible! Made me wonder if the author had some inside information!
Overall, this was a very enjoyable read which I would certainly recommend to anybody looking for an alternative to mainstream books. My only criticisms (and these are only my opinions) are that A) some of the sub plots could possibly have been expanded upon and B) some of the characters that featured strongly within the story, suddenly faded away leaving me wondering what happened to them. But maybe this was the idea?!
And my final comment (although I can’t take credit for noticing it as it was pointed out to me) is the very clever use of the number on the classroom door!! If you manage to get a copy of the book, keep your eyes peeled for this number and research it! A small but nicely poignant touch I think!
Thank you.
May 12, 2013
I don't think a review by me can really do justice to such a wonderfully well written first novel. From the get go I found LETTERBOX to be funny, interesting and completely absorbing.
I found myself grinning at the cleverly written plot and happily reminiscing as the story brought back to life many great childhood memories.
If you're put off reading anything by new novelists, rest assured that this book will not let you down.
I found myself grinning at the cleverly written plot and happily reminiscing as the story brought back to life many great childhood memories.
If you're put off reading anything by new novelists, rest assured that this book will not let you down.
May 30, 2013
This book, was both entertaining and yet educational, the author managed to tell the story in such a way it had me hooked and a genuine "could not put down" read
The sympathetic and yet honest descriptions of such an atrocity was a fantastically balanced approach from the author.
Cannot believe this was his first book and have already ordered his second novel on the back of it.
Highly recommended
The sympathetic and yet honest descriptions of such an atrocity was a fantastically balanced approach from the author.
Cannot believe this was his first book and have already ordered his second novel on the back of it.
Highly recommended
May 30, 2013
There aren't many books I can't put down, however I felt like I was truly involved in Liam Connors struggles! I just wonder what happened to him in the end!
As an adopted Manc as well as entertaining, I found it extremely educational!
An excellent read! Am looking forward to further books by PA Davies!
As an adopted Manc as well as entertaining, I found it extremely educational!
An excellent read! Am looking forward to further books by PA Davies!
June 22, 2014
Loved this book!
June 23, 2018
LetterBox is a fictionalised account of a true event, that of the IRA bombing in Manchester in 1996. You are aware of who the bomber is straight away but then the novel goes back to his childhood and shows how he grows from a normal innocent child into a killing machine.
It is hard to review a book that justifies an act without judgement but the author does a great job of showing the more likeable side to Liam. He shows that he does have a conscience, he misses his father, wants to protect his mother and sister but has been brainwashed into blaming the English by family and friends.
I liked the friendship between Liam and Sean and the budding romances between the two boys and Louise and Jen.
Much of his back story is in part one, where the reader sees what happens to Liam whilst he is at school and his family, until the events happen that determines his future life. I can imagine that there were events like this. There were a few occasions where you could see the threat but not often.
Part two was completely different. There was guilt and regret but this was all about revenge and the cause.
I am a few years older than Liam was in the novel and I am English. I have memories of living near Irish families whilst I was growing up and them being treated like Liam was by a handful of people. But until the Brighton and Hyde Park bombings I had no knowledge of the IRA. I don’t know if the treatment they received was because of the IRA or just because they spoke differently to everybody else, nor do I remember it being as volatile.
I visited Manchester a week after the bombing. Nothing you see on television prepares you for who what it like in real life. I remember standing with my back to the Royal Exchange Theatre looking over shops with damaged frontages, and just grateful that nobody died. You could have heard a pin drop. It doesn’t seem like 22 years ago. The post box on the cover is probably one of the most famous landmarks in the city cent
It is hard to review a book that justifies an act without judgement but the author does a great job of showing the more likeable side to Liam. He shows that he does have a conscience, he misses his father, wants to protect his mother and sister but has been brainwashed into blaming the English by family and friends.
I liked the friendship between Liam and Sean and the budding romances between the two boys and Louise and Jen.
Much of his back story is in part one, where the reader sees what happens to Liam whilst he is at school and his family, until the events happen that determines his future life. I can imagine that there were events like this. There were a few occasions where you could see the threat but not often.
Part two was completely different. There was guilt and regret but this was all about revenge and the cause.
I am a few years older than Liam was in the novel and I am English. I have memories of living near Irish families whilst I was growing up and them being treated like Liam was by a handful of people. But until the Brighton and Hyde Park bombings I had no knowledge of the IRA. I don’t know if the treatment they received was because of the IRA or just because they spoke differently to everybody else, nor do I remember it being as volatile.
I visited Manchester a week after the bombing. Nothing you see on television prepares you for who what it like in real life. I remember standing with my back to the Royal Exchange Theatre looking over shops with damaged frontages, and just grateful that nobody died. You could have heard a pin drop. It doesn’t seem like 22 years ago. The post box on the cover is probably one of the most famous landmarks in the city cent
June 19, 2018
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This is an excellent story - very well written and it really packed a punch bringing history to life.
I don't really remember much about the incident happening due to my age at the time but I was immediately intrigued by the book and wanted to learn more about what happened. It was highly recommended and I have to say I know why it was having read it - it is an addictive read and the subject is dealt with very well - it is well balanced too.
Five stars from me - very highly recommended - an excellent read!
This is an excellent story - very well written and it really packed a punch bringing history to life.
I don't really remember much about the incident happening due to my age at the time but I was immediately intrigued by the book and wanted to learn more about what happened. It was highly recommended and I have to say I know why it was having read it - it is an addictive read and the subject is dealt with very well - it is well balanced too.
Five stars from me - very highly recommended - an excellent read!
September 6, 2016
Great book
Held my attention throughout the pages. I recommend it to people who want to read stories about the turbulent 80's & 90's between the IRA &England.
Held my attention throughout the pages. I recommend it to people who want to read stories about the turbulent 80's & 90's between the IRA &England.
February 6, 2019
Fantastic read
Really enjoyed this book. A great insight to what went on behind the scenes within the IRA. Would definitely recommend
Really enjoyed this book. A great insight to what went on behind the scenes within the IRA. Would definitely recommend
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