The Burden: A Family Saga

by N.E. David

Frank is a reformed alcoholic. He lives at home with his mother, Elisabeth at least, he did until she went into a nursing home suffering from dementia. He is devoted to her and conversely hates his estranged father, Geoffrey. So when elder sister Pat calls to tell him Dad is dying and wants to meet him, Frank is forced to face up to his demons. But what are they? And how did he acquire them? Every family has its secrets and Frank's is no exception. As much as he tries to forget, something happened a long time ago that has coloured his life ever since - and he can't live in peace until he confronts it. Seen from the perspective of four separate family members, The Burden examines an individual's contrasting relationships and the different emotions they inspire."

339 pages, Paperback

First published April 24, 2015

About the author

N.E.David is my pen name but most people know me as Nick. I tried writing earlier in life but it didn't work out first time round. Older (and presumably wiser) I've taken it up again and had initial success with a series of short novellas. My debut novel, Birds of the Nile, was published by Roundfire in 2013 and quickly became their top-selling title in adult fiction. My second novel, The Burden, came out in April.

I write contemporary fiction and focus on stories of human interest and drama. I'm fascinated by human behaviour and my work attempts to answer the question Why do we act as we do? I have no overt personal or political message to convey but my initial objective is to entertain the reader and I hope this is reflected in my writing.

Besides being a regular contributor to literary events in the North East Region, I'm a founder member of York Authors and formerly co-presented Book Talk on BBC Radio York. I've recently been appointed to the committee of York Literature Festival where I'm enjoying contributing to the literary life of the city.

Reviews

[N.E. David · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Message From The Author

THE BURDEN is my second novel. It’s completely unlike the first except that as with Michael Blake in BIRDS OF THE NILE, it attempts to portray a character.
Frank Johnson is, I suspect, not a particularly likeable person, although I like to think he has at least one redeeming feature in the love he bears his mother. To find out why this is so, we must visit three members of his close family and hear their stories as well as his own. Hopefully we will then understand what formed him and why he turned out as he did.
I’ve always known that my father abandoned my mother and that I spent part of my early childhood living in a caravan. More recently I was shocked to discover it was for a period of four years. So did Frank. He became an alcoholic. Fortunately, I did not. There, but for the Grace of God, go us all.

[Veryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something this book most certainly is not, is a burden. It is quite the opposite - a beautifully crafted, engaging story that was a pleasure to read from beginning to, surprising end. The four main characters, Frank, Elizabeth, Pat and Geoffrey are well developed and richly drawn with each being given a section of the book to tell their part in this family saga from their own point of view. It is very well written and so easily read that I found myself romping through it - a page turner full of humour, insights and surprises, right to the end. I enjoyed it so much that I have just ordered N.E.David's first book -Birds of the Nile, which I can't wait to read. Highly recommended.