All Sorts of Possible

by Rupert Wallis

A hauntingly atmospheric novel from the phenomenally talented Rupert Wallis, perfect for readers of Patrick Ness and David Almond.

368 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2015

About the author

Rupert Wallis read Theology at Cambridge University and holds an MFA in Screenwriting and Writing for Television from the University of Southern California. In 2010/11 he was one of five novelists chosen from the South West of England to participate in a mentorship programme funded by the Arts Council. He now lives in Cornwall.

Reviews

[Kirsty · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't say t isn't beautifully written because it is but I'm so confused. 150 pages in and I literally do not have a clue what is going on. Moving on.

[Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was so annoyed that I spent time finishing this book by the time I got to the end of it. I felt that it started off really strong, hence why I decided to borrow it from the library. A few chapters in, it seemed to go in a weird direction that I thought strayed too much and didn't feel properly resolved. My doubts weren't settled by the end and like I said, I feel like I wasted time reading it, which is a shame because I really enjoyed the start. It was a complete U-turn for me.

[Lottie Collett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting - extremely.

[Bart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review first appeared on my blog Bart's Bookshelf.

A year or so back I was at a bloggers event at Simon and Schuster, where Robert’s first book, The Dark Inside was among those being launched, and I got to meet Rupert, who was a thoroughly nice chap. The Dark Inside was pretty well received, but unfortunately I never found the time to read it myself, so when I was offered the chance to take part in the the blog tour for the book and receive a review copy of All Sort of Possible, I jumped at the chance.

My blog tour post (an exclusive extract from the book) went up a few weeks ago, and I actually read the book in plenty of time to review the book at the time, but I’ve been really slack around here and am only just getting around to it now. So yeah, soz about that…

The first part of the story deals with the sink-hole and the accident, and is quite dark and frightening as Daniel tries to escape and save both his and his dad’s life.

Then while visiting his dad’s bedside, things take a paranormal turn when a stranger turn up, suggesting Daniel might have some special powers, special powers that might be able to save his dad. But when a local gangster Mason, finds out, Daniel finds himself in even more trouble.

It the end however, it’s not really a story about the paranormal, gangsters, or sinkholes, but one dealing with worry and grief, finding support in friends, accepting that with good things in life, also comes the bad, and you can’t truly appreciate the former without the latter. Powerful stuff.

I really liked both of Daniel’s friends that we meet during the course of the story, Bennett and Rosie, really help so support and possibly more importantly push Daniel when he needs it, and are just what he needs too come to terms with everything. Bennett especially (like all good best friends) seemed to instinctively know when an arm around the shoulder or a kick up the arse was required.

All Sorts of Possible is definitely one worth sticking with, because when Rupert Wallis starts to weave the strands together, he more than rewards the comitment.

[Valowlie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating this book just by the character Bennett alone would've been 5 stars. Rating it, on the other hand, by everything else...
90% of reading I just kept thinking and saying aloud, "What the heck am I reading? What the heck is this book?" I knew what was happening but I had no idea what was happening. Like it was trying hard to hint at me something that I might have caught, but then it retreats for fear I do catch it. I'm baffled. Given stone and told it's bread. "Not the why but the what", yet my question IS why?
I really don't know.


Edit: WAIT. IS THAT IT? Is it all meant to merely be taunting and enticing? Only what could have happened? Daniel and Bennett COULD HAVE run away together on endless trains? Daniel COULD HAVE been selfish and left his father to die? He COULD HAVE done this or that or NOT done this and that?? Is this why the book's so bloody frustrating?? We're not supposed to wonder why? "All sorts of possible"—indeed!

[Om Manghani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one took a while to read, but it was a nice read. Humble, simple, and full of many life lessons, Wallis was able to accurately show how people and their emotions are changed when they are dealing with loss.

At times, I felt that the book fizzled out from the high intensity that it started with, but had it's climatic moments later on when Daniel started to interact with other people like Mason. I would definitely recommend this read to anyone who loves books full of emotion and lessons that can be learned.

[Noah Short · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book, It was very fast paced and would recommend it for anyone who likes an exciting story.

[Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for a third!!!

[Agnès · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ambitious and tackles serious issues but I found the style a bit preachy and quite heavy, with far too many similes!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a really good book, he start wasn't quite what I was expecting but when I got into it I really enjoyed it.

[Melanie]

F***ing terrible