My Family and Other Skaters

by Fiorella De Maria

With both realism and humor, this compelling and heartwarming novel describes, in first-person narrative, the joys and the challenges of a modern English family. They are unique in many ways—for one thing, all of the six children are competitive figure skaters, and for another, they have a pet alpaca. Yet, they weather the storms of life with the same, sometimes clumsy attempts at patience and understanding found in most families.

176 pages, Paperback

Published September 11, 2023

About the author

Fiorella De Maria is an Anglo-Maltese writer, born in Italy and currently living in Surrey. She grew up in rural Wiltshire and attended Cambridge University, where she received a BA in English Literature and an MPhil in Renaissance Literature. A winner of the National Book Prize of Malta, she has published nine novels, specialising in historical and crime fiction. Fiorella’s novels have received endorsements from veteran author and journalist, Piers Paul Reid, and her most recent novel was described as “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie meets I Capture the Castle.”

Besides writing novels, Fiorella is a qualified English Language teacher and a respected bioethicist. She has delivered lectures and papers at conferences all over the world. Her book The Abolition of Woman was described by former Cosmopolitan journalist Sue Ellen Browder as “a daring revelation of the shocking exploitation of women around the world”. Fiorella has appeared on British radio and TV programmes such as ITN 24-Hour News, BBC Woman’s Hour and Premier Radio’s Woman 2 Woman. Fiorella lives with her husband, four children and a dog called Montgomery (Monty).

Reviews

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sixteenth time I have read a work by Fiorella De Maria. I have read all of her works but one of her non-fictions and I have read a couple of them more than once. This is the first in a new series jointly published by Ignatius Press and Mangificat. The category lists it as good for readers 9-18 making it tween, teen and young adult. But to be honest it is a great novel for readers of any age. It is the first in a series and if the offer offerings are as good as this one we are in for some excellent reads.

The description of the book is:

“With both realism and humor, this compelling and heartwarming novel describes, in first-person narrative, the joys and the challenges of a modern English family.

They are unique in many ways--for one thing, all of the six children are competitive figure skaters, and for another, they have a pet alpaca. Yet, they weather the storms of life with the same, sometimes clumsy attempts at patience and understanding found in most families.
“
And the author bio states:

“Fiorella De Maria, an Anglo-Maltese writer living in Surrey, England, studied English Literature at the University of Cambridge. A winner of the National Book Prize of Malta, she has published eight other books with Ignatius Press, including A Most Dangerous Innocence, We'll Never Tell Them, and the Father Gabriel Mystery series.”

This story tells the tale of a family of figure skaters. They live walking distance to the rink, where they practice, are tested and put on shows. They family is close knit. They do not have a lot of extra money but they get by and live in a large home that was willed to them because of the kindness of their mother. You find out about that story in the story. We follow the family through the year from practice to nation testing, to competition to showcase. We spend the holidays with the family, including an unexpected guest that Rose invited. We witness ups and downs, successes and failures. We encounter Paddington their pet alpaca. We encounter their friends and even some adversaries.

The characters are masterfully written. You will fall in love with this family and rejoice in their victories and feel sorry for their difficulties. The family and family dynamics are wonderfully written. As the oldest of three there was much I could relate to. Except for 2 of us were the hockey players on the ice before the figure skaters. But I have known many skaters over the years and this book captures many stories I heard from friends.

This novel really reminded me so much of Madeleine L’Engle’s Chromos novels. In that it is realtime, realistic experiences of the somewhat old-fashioned family. This could be a family you know from school, church or the rink. It could also be your family or part of your extended family.

This is an excellent novel. I gave away a copy to my boss and his family, for his daughter is a skater. I plan on giving a copy to our youngest daughters school library as well. This is a volume that would be great on any church, school, or home library. It is story that I can easily recommend. And it will leave you wanting more. When I checked with Fiorella she indicated book 2 will be out later this year it has a working title of The Second Skater of the Apocalypse. I cannot wait! I can easily recommend this book. And keep your eyes out for future books from the pen of Fiorella.

This book is part of a series of reviews: 2024 Catholic Reading Plan!

[Faith Elizabeth Hough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t say how many times I’ve wished for more contemporary books like Hilda van Stockum’s The Mitchells—books with big, Catholic families having fun, doing interesting things, loving one another fiercely, and extending the love they learn at home to their wider community. Specific, much? Maybe a little. But one can hope (and get up early to write that kind of book yourself...).

I think I clicked “Buy now” on My Family and Other Skaters, by Fiorella De Maria before I finished reading the description. Big Catholic family—check. Fun and adventures—check. Love at home and love for others—check and double check. Add to that the fact that the family in question is obsessed with figure skating, have a pet alpaca, and start an at-home cafe to feed the parents of their fellow skaters, and you’ve got the recipe for a story that fits right in with Noel Streatfeild and Hilda van Stockum. The first person narrator is Rosaria, the oldest daughter of a British accountant and an immigrant writer from “a sunny island where everyone grew up believing that the British wear bowler hats, drink Earl Grey tea out of little china teacups, and recite Wordsworth poems to each other.” The voice is casual and humorous, which makes it seem decidedly contemporary—I think my personal taste leans toward the classic feel of third person narration as in van Stockum and Streatfeild, but I’m certain there will be some readers (and probably many children) who prefer the immediacy and humor.

Much of My Family and Other Skaters takes place during Advent and Christmas, and revolves around the skating pantomime the children perform, making it a perfect choice for a family Advent readaloud.

[Mariangel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rosie and her five siblings are skaters and live next door to the ring.
Their mother loves cooking and entertaining, so their house becomes busy with other skater's paretns during training and rehearsals. Rosie's life is busy with competition, putting on the skating Christmas show, enjoying her lovely big family, and making plans for her future...

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so fun! It was set in England, in a really cool house, with a really cool big Catholic family! Also, the all the siblings ice skate! It is a cosy wintry, Christmassy read with a great scene at the end that captures the nostalgia of the season and the true meaning of the holiday. I am looking forward to reading the next one! Also, the characterization for the main character was done well. I also appreciate the representation of dwarfism. Her mother was amazing!! Overall, a great read and one I hope many kids (Catholic and non-Catholic alike) will read and enjoy. (The title's reference to Gerald Durrell's book was much appreciated as well and kind of points to British literary heritage.)

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read-aloud with Molly. She enjoyed this gentle story, perfect for Christmastide.