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The Death of an Owl
Andrew Langford is driving home one night, along a dark country lane, when a barn owl flies into his windscreen. It is an accident, nothing more. However Andrew is in line to be the country's next prime minister. And he has recently been appointed to a select committee concerned with the Wildlife Crimes Act. Barn Owls are protected species, and it is a crime to kill one. If Andrew acknowledges that he has killed the owl, he could be risking his political career. With Andrew in the car is his old Oxford friend and political adviser, Charles Fryerne. An expert in communications, Charles has just joined the team that is masterminding Andrew's route to the Tory Party leadership, and from there to No 10 Downing Street. He has spent many years quietly building up a very successful career as a strategist. But the death of the owl threatens to destroy not only Andrew's career, but everything that Charles has worked for too. Should they come clean, or hide the story and hope it goes away?
304 pages, Paperback
First published November 10, 2016
18 people are currently reading
579 people want to read
About the author
Piers Torday
39 books222 followersPiers Torday is an award-winning and best-selling children's writer. Books include The Last Wild, The Dark Wild, The Wild Beyond, The Wild Before, There May Be a Castle, The Lost Magician, and The Frozen Sea, with his latest one, Midnight Treasure, out in September 2024. His work has been translated into 14 languages.
His plays include The Box of Delights (Wilton’s/RSC), Christmas Carol, The Child in the Snow, and The Wind in the Wilton’s (Wilton’s Music Hall). The Little Angel Theatre has adapted his book There May Be a Castle for the stage.
The son of Paul Torday (Salmon Fishing in the Yemen), he completed his father’s final unfinished novel, The Death of an Owl and co-founded the Paul Torday Memorial Prize for Debut Novelists over 60.
He has contributed short stories to Winter Magic, Scoop, and Return to Wonderland, nonfiction pieces for The Book of Hopes, The Writer’s Map, and Swallowed by a Whale, reviewed books for The Guardian, The Literary Review, and The Spectator, and judged The Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, The Costa Book Awards, and the British Book Awards.
Piers is also Chair of the Society of Authors Sustainability Steering Committee, a trustee of The Unicorn Theatre, Patron of Shrewsbury Book Fest and an Artistic Associate at Wilton’s Music Hall.
His plays include The Box of Delights (Wilton’s/RSC), Christmas Carol, The Child in the Snow, and The Wind in the Wilton’s (Wilton’s Music Hall). The Little Angel Theatre has adapted his book There May Be a Castle for the stage.
The son of Paul Torday (Salmon Fishing in the Yemen), he completed his father’s final unfinished novel, The Death of an Owl and co-founded the Paul Torday Memorial Prize for Debut Novelists over 60.
He has contributed short stories to Winter Magic, Scoop, and Return to Wonderland, nonfiction pieces for The Book of Hopes, The Writer’s Map, and Swallowed by a Whale, reviewed books for The Guardian, The Literary Review, and The Spectator, and judged The Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, The Costa Book Awards, and the British Book Awards.
Piers is also Chair of the Society of Authors Sustainability Steering Committee, a trustee of The Unicorn Theatre, Patron of Shrewsbury Book Fest and an Artistic Associate at Wilton’s Music Hall.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
March 18, 2016
I have always enjoyed Paul Torday’s novels and was saddened by his death. This, his last novel, was completed by his son, Piers, and I am sure that his father would have been pleased it made it into print. The book begins in 1981, when Charles Freyne returned to England with his ex-pat parents. Charles comes from a large, but somewhat scattered, family; although they make great efforts to meet up for important events. At one such event, he first meets his distant American cousin, Caroline Woodchester.
Charles is soon at Oxford, where he is invited to join Merlin’s, a rather exclusive dining club, and meets the ‘College Swan,’ Andrew Landford. The nickname comes from Andrew’s cool and collected outward demeanour, where everything he does looks effortless, while he is desperately paddling away beneath the surface… Despite others reservations, Charles likes Andrew, and they meet up again some years later when, to his surprise, Charles finds that Andrew and Caroline are romantically involved.
I really liked the beginning of this book. The relationships between Charles and Andrew and Charles and Caroline worked really well. I was totally engrossed at the rise of Charles and his successful career and, in the background, Andrew’s rise to Deputy Leader of the Opposition and possible next Prime Minister. Of course, though, the whole novel revolves around the death of an owl – as the very title tells us. This takes place years after we meet the characters when Charles and Andrew, plus their respective wives, are going for a weekend at Andrew’s family home.
Throughout the years, Andrew has acted as an advisor for Charles and is renowned for his honesty. However, when Andrew is driving he hits, then kills, an owl. A minor tragedy, you might feel, but in Paul Torday’s hands, this event is cleverly played. Andrew Landford is on a parliamentary committee which recently toughened up the Wildlife and Countryside Act; making it a criminal offence to kill an owl, even by accident. Now, Andrew finds himself in an awkward position and, when a neighbour finds the bird and reports the offence to the police, the situation begins to spiral out of control.
I found the end of this book quite disappointing, especially after a strong start. I know Piers Torday completed the novel, so wonder whether that was why the ending felt so wrong, or whether he followed notes his father had made on where the book was going? Either way, it did feel the novel derailed slightly, but I am still glad that I read it and I enjoyed the beginning and middle enough that I will overlook the weak ending and give Paul Torday both the benefit of the doubt and my thanks for writing so many great novels for us to enjoy. Lastly, I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review. Rated 3.5.
Charles is soon at Oxford, where he is invited to join Merlin’s, a rather exclusive dining club, and meets the ‘College Swan,’ Andrew Landford. The nickname comes from Andrew’s cool and collected outward demeanour, where everything he does looks effortless, while he is desperately paddling away beneath the surface… Despite others reservations, Charles likes Andrew, and they meet up again some years later when, to his surprise, Charles finds that Andrew and Caroline are romantically involved.
I really liked the beginning of this book. The relationships between Charles and Andrew and Charles and Caroline worked really well. I was totally engrossed at the rise of Charles and his successful career and, in the background, Andrew’s rise to Deputy Leader of the Opposition and possible next Prime Minister. Of course, though, the whole novel revolves around the death of an owl – as the very title tells us. This takes place years after we meet the characters when Charles and Andrew, plus their respective wives, are going for a weekend at Andrew’s family home.
Throughout the years, Andrew has acted as an advisor for Charles and is renowned for his honesty. However, when Andrew is driving he hits, then kills, an owl. A minor tragedy, you might feel, but in Paul Torday’s hands, this event is cleverly played. Andrew Landford is on a parliamentary committee which recently toughened up the Wildlife and Countryside Act; making it a criminal offence to kill an owl, even by accident. Now, Andrew finds himself in an awkward position and, when a neighbour finds the bird and reports the offence to the police, the situation begins to spiral out of control.
I found the end of this book quite disappointing, especially after a strong start. I know Piers Torday completed the novel, so wonder whether that was why the ending felt so wrong, or whether he followed notes his father had made on where the book was going? Either way, it did feel the novel derailed slightly, but I am still glad that I read it and I enjoyed the beginning and middle enough that I will overlook the weak ending and give Paul Torday both the benefit of the doubt and my thanks for writing so many great novels for us to enjoy. Lastly, I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review. Rated 3.5.
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July 1, 2023I was a big fan of Paul Torday and very much liked his novels, ‘Salmon Fishing in the Yemen’, ‘Girl on the Landing’, ‘The Irresistible Inheritance of Wilberforce’, and ‘The Hopeless Life of Charlie Summers’. I was saddened to learn in 2013 of his death from cancer. It turned out that in his last year of life he was working on a novel and he died before finishing it. His son, Piers Torday, who writes children’s books, decided to finish it. I do not know where the father left off and the son took on the rest of the novel but perhaps that is irrelevant because I could only get through ~100 pages of the 287-page novel before throwing in the towel. Very bad and sophomoric writing at times. Certainly not the work I want to remember Paul Torday by.
Before throwing in the towel, I looked at the median and range of ratings of Goodreads readers and there was some variability (as it is in most cases) in reviewers’ ratings. But seeing 1- and 2-star ratings was just the impetus I needed to move on to something else.
I would recommend to Goodreads readers the novels I listed at the beginning of this review. He really is good. 🙂
Reviews (1st and 3rd reviewer liked it bunches...2nd reviewer liked it but had some problems with it):
• https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/bo...
• https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...
• http://bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2...
Before throwing in the towel, I looked at the median and range of ratings of Goodreads readers and there was some variability (as it is in most cases) in reviewers’ ratings. But seeing 1- and 2-star ratings was just the impetus I needed to move on to something else.
I would recommend to Goodreads readers the novels I listed at the beginning of this review. He really is good. 🙂
Reviews (1st and 3rd reviewer liked it bunches...2nd reviewer liked it but had some problems with it):
• https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/bo...
• https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...
• http://bluebookballoon.blogspot.com/2...
March 24, 2016
I came to this book as a fan of Piers Torday. I adored his Last Wild trilogy and then read that he had completed his father's unfinished manuscript. The story (of writing the book) and the story (contained within the book) were too intriguing to ignore. In case you don't know, when Paul Torday died, his family found that the first two-thirds of the book he had been working on but the last act had not been written. Paul Torday had left a short synopsis and some notes and so Piers was asked by his father's publisher if he wanted to try and finish the story. Happily he did and the result is an electrifying and delicious examination of political power, spin and the awkward and difficult alliances that politicians make. A man with ambitions to lead the Conservative party accidentally runs over an owl (a protected species) and lies about it. Unfortunately his political advisor is a man compelled to tell the truth. I loved it and commend it to the house.
January 27, 2018
I'm going to have to let this one percolate a bit before I really know how I feel about it. On the one hand, I enjoyed most of the second half and was satisfied by the way the main arc of the story was concluded. On the other, I was somewhat put off by the large amount of setup that came before the plot really got going, as the first 48% or so felt like the introduction to a movie featuring characters I didn't particularly like. Likewise, I enjoyed the vengeance-of-the-endangered-species element, but I didn't feel like the book went far enough in developing that plotline (habitat loss etc.). Perhaps because I was expecting more on that front, I felt like I'd missed something when I read the ending. This should make for an interesting book club discussion. P.S., the owl on the cover of my edition is the wrong kind of owl!
March 7, 2018
I hated this book so much. unsympathetic characters, super weird structure and story line with literally 50% of the book foreshadowing the event that is in the title so it is not a surprise. then it tries to dabble in horror/fantasy or something with the owls? I don't even know. I kept assuming that there was supposed to be some metaphor or something that I just wasn't seeing but I would never get there because I was so mad at how ridiculous and just dumb the plot was. Definitely wouldn't have made it past the first few chapters if it wasn't for book club and am very glad that I get to rant about it at book club. Do not recommend.
December 11, 2018
After author Paul Torday died, his son Piers found his father's last manuscript, which was supposed to become his ninth novel. Piers decided to complete this unfinished work to honor his father's memory. Read my review of this unintentional collaborative effort here.
https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2017/04/0...
https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2017/04/0...
June 26, 2018
At page 100 gave up waiting for the owl to meet it's fate and the book to begin. Instead of the blurb on the back that suggested a wacky and witty farce, it seemed to be a boring non-romance between Charles and Caroline.
April 4, 2016
I was sad to hear the news of Torday's death, and the poignant story that his son had completed his last novel before publication. I've loved the other Torday books I've read and wanted to see his final piece. At no point in reading did I think "There, that's where he stopped", I got to the end and realised I'd finished without spotting a join, or noticing a change in style, tone or direction. It is very well done, and a very engaging story. Quite a way to finish.
I'm often dubious about political books, I tend to glaze over if they get too technical, however this kept me interested from start to finish with its slow build up to the event of the title and the far-reaching consequences (reminded me of the gradual all-encompassing Mr Tickel scandal from The Thick of It).
Starting from their college days, we meet Charles Frayne at Oxford, in the middle of his studies as he meets the enigmatic and brilliant Andrew Langford. Going their separate ways, we then follow Charles on a career ladder that takes decades to rise from writing hack to respected political advisor (a fascinating journey in itself, through 1980s Britain). The two meet again before Langford prepares for a fight for party leadership and a shot at becoming Prime Minister.
But then of course, is The Incident. A barn owl flies into their car, the owl dies, Andrew Langford (on a Wildlife preservation committee) does not report it. You can guess that the story does not stay buried. Though you might not be able to guess just how the story comes back to bite him. Who would be pulled into a possible scandal?
I loved the structure, with a long build up to present day through Charles's adolescent years, his meeting of a woman to be important to both men, the social-historical background I remember from vaguely from my own childhood, even the political narrative.
Andrew, I never felt I really knew - he's very much a Tony Blair ("one may smile and smile and be a villain") - a politician forever, whose mask never really slips. Charles, who we can identify with, takes both a back seat to the story of the Owl and the Prime Minister and has his own life story - his career, faltering marriage, his own choices to make about honesty and the good of the country. The ladies of the story I didn't feel came across as strongly - it felt like a man's world, they either got on with their own lives or complemented their husband's.
The owl storyline, I wonder how much influence Piers had on the ending, it did feel, in retrospect as though he may have had control there. I quite enjoyed the arc of the story, the ultimate final resting place of Andrew's scandal, it felt both outrageously ridiculous and also just.
Rather fascinating tale, enjoyed the whole story (it may feel a little slow to some readers, but I loved the period detail and background), and as a swansong (I can't really think of an owl-related descriptor!), it's worthy of its primary author.
Review of a Netgalley advance copy.
I'm often dubious about political books, I tend to glaze over if they get too technical, however this kept me interested from start to finish with its slow build up to the event of the title and the far-reaching consequences (reminded me of the gradual all-encompassing Mr Tickel scandal from The Thick of It).
Starting from their college days, we meet Charles Frayne at Oxford, in the middle of his studies as he meets the enigmatic and brilliant Andrew Langford. Going their separate ways, we then follow Charles on a career ladder that takes decades to rise from writing hack to respected political advisor (a fascinating journey in itself, through 1980s Britain). The two meet again before Langford prepares for a fight for party leadership and a shot at becoming Prime Minister.
But then of course, is The Incident. A barn owl flies into their car, the owl dies, Andrew Langford (on a Wildlife preservation committee) does not report it. You can guess that the story does not stay buried. Though you might not be able to guess just how the story comes back to bite him. Who would be pulled into a possible scandal?
I loved the structure, with a long build up to present day through Charles's adolescent years, his meeting of a woman to be important to both men, the social-historical background I remember from vaguely from my own childhood, even the political narrative.
Andrew, I never felt I really knew - he's very much a Tony Blair ("one may smile and smile and be a villain") - a politician forever, whose mask never really slips. Charles, who we can identify with, takes both a back seat to the story of the Owl and the Prime Minister and has his own life story - his career, faltering marriage, his own choices to make about honesty and the good of the country. The ladies of the story I didn't feel came across as strongly - it felt like a man's world, they either got on with their own lives or complemented their husband's.
The owl storyline, I wonder how much influence Piers had on the ending, it did feel, in retrospect as though he may have had control there. I quite enjoyed the arc of the story, the ultimate final resting place of Andrew's scandal, it felt both outrageously ridiculous and also just.
Rather fascinating tale, enjoyed the whole story (it may feel a little slow to some readers, but I loved the period detail and background), and as a swansong (I can't really think of an owl-related descriptor!), it's worthy of its primary author.
Review of a Netgalley advance copy.
January 29, 2017
"The birds demanded justice and would not be appeased until it was done".
This book began as a slow burn and developed into a web of intrigue and ethics. How much are you prepared to give up to tell the truth and does this make you a better person? And does the truth affect people's concept of you? All valid questions, which are open to your particular set of values.
The political career of up and coming Prime Minister Andrew Landford is put on the line, on a late night drive home, when an owl crashes into his windscreen. More concerned with the damage done to his brand new car than with the owl's wellbeing, this is the turning point in the novel, that sets the tone for the above questions. I was horrified with the violence, and not expecting it. I'd assumed that the owl in question had been run over and killed on impact, but the cruelty of its' demise shocked me.
This scene put Andrew Landford's character in the spotlight, and reveals his true character. An ambitious man who expects total loyalty from those around him, whether or not it is deserved. The death of the owl is an inconvenience for him, with the great irony being that he is part of a wildlife taskforce which has been created for the protection of owls and other species. The remainder of the novel deals with the fallout of this event, and how the characters who were in the car with him deal with the after effect.
I don't know what genre this could be classed under. Political, ethical, suspense, gothic? It fits into all. It was also interesting in that I couldn't discern at what point Piers Torday continued with the novel, the change of Author for me was seamless.
A gem of a novel. Definitely a must read.
This book began as a slow burn and developed into a web of intrigue and ethics. How much are you prepared to give up to tell the truth and does this make you a better person? And does the truth affect people's concept of you? All valid questions, which are open to your particular set of values.
The political career of up and coming Prime Minister Andrew Landford is put on the line, on a late night drive home, when an owl crashes into his windscreen. More concerned with the damage done to his brand new car than with the owl's wellbeing, this is the turning point in the novel, that sets the tone for the above questions. I was horrified with the violence, and not expecting it. I'd assumed that the owl in question had been run over and killed on impact, but the cruelty of its' demise shocked me.
This scene put Andrew Landford's character in the spotlight, and reveals his true character. An ambitious man who expects total loyalty from those around him, whether or not it is deserved. The death of the owl is an inconvenience for him, with the great irony being that he is part of a wildlife taskforce which has been created for the protection of owls and other species. The remainder of the novel deals with the fallout of this event, and how the characters who were in the car with him deal with the after effect.
I don't know what genre this could be classed under. Political, ethical, suspense, gothic? It fits into all. It was also interesting in that I couldn't discern at what point Piers Torday continued with the novel, the change of Author for me was seamless.
A gem of a novel. Definitely a must read.
August 22, 2016
I've always thought that Salmon Fishing in the Yemen was rather over-rated but I've still been happy to give a few more of Paul Torday's books a read. Sadly, with his death before this book was completed, we won't get anything new from him so it's inevitable that his fate hangs over this book in a slightly strange way.
I enjoyed a lot of this book. The time at Oxford (I was a few years behind the characters but it was still very recognisable) was well painted and Charles' life in London drifting between journalistic jobs and into 'honest' PR was also well written. It's when we get into the manipulation and finagling of the determinedly ambitious Andrew that things get complicated.
The death of the owl as a mechanism for examining how far an ambitious man will go to get what he wants, is a fascinating part of the book. The twisting of facts and manipulation of others is intriguing and compelling. What I didn't like at all was the injection of a bit of 'supernatural nonsense' in which the owl community was taking its revenge. I found all of that utterly unnecessary and it should have been the characters consciences that were haunting them, not a bunch of mystical birds. Similarly the eventual 'punishment' of the bad guy by the birds was just plain silly and the eventual cause of his downfall at the hands of trusted people was a little too convenient.
With Torday's son finishing off the book after his father's death, I guess we'll never know if the final chapters were as Paul Torday intended or not but it's still a good read if you can suspend your disbelief at the Hitchcockian birds.
I enjoyed a lot of this book. The time at Oxford (I was a few years behind the characters but it was still very recognisable) was well painted and Charles' life in London drifting between journalistic jobs and into 'honest' PR was also well written. It's when we get into the manipulation and finagling of the determinedly ambitious Andrew that things get complicated.
The death of the owl as a mechanism for examining how far an ambitious man will go to get what he wants, is a fascinating part of the book. The twisting of facts and manipulation of others is intriguing and compelling. What I didn't like at all was the injection of a bit of 'supernatural nonsense' in which the owl community was taking its revenge. I found all of that utterly unnecessary and it should have been the characters consciences that were haunting them, not a bunch of mystical birds. Similarly the eventual 'punishment' of the bad guy by the birds was just plain silly and the eventual cause of his downfall at the hands of trusted people was a little too convenient.
With Torday's son finishing off the book after his father's death, I guess we'll never know if the final chapters were as Paul Torday intended or not but it's still a good read if you can suspend your disbelief at the Hitchcockian birds.
March 25, 2016
Andrew Langford is driving home one night along a country lane, when a barn owl flies into his windscreen. It is an accident, nothing more. However, Andrew is in line to be the country's next prime minister and he has recently been appointed to a select committee concerned with the Wildlife and Countryside Act. With Andrew in the car is his old Oxford friend and political adviser Charles Fryerne. An expert in communications, Charles has just joined the team and is masterminding Andrew's route to the Tory Party leadership. However, the death of the owl threatens to destroy not only Andrew's career, but everything that Charles has worked for too.
The basic premise of the book is truthfulness and at the end of the day, Charles could not do anything other than tell the truth even though he knows it would cause Andrew's downfall.
The book remained uncompleted at the time of Paul Torday's death but his son Piers stepped into the breach and finished it off. The change of author was seamless. Am sure Paul Torday would be proud of his son and well done to both for a 'good read'.
The basic premise of the book is truthfulness and at the end of the day, Charles could not do anything other than tell the truth even though he knows it would cause Andrew's downfall.
The book remained uncompleted at the time of Paul Torday's death but his son Piers stepped into the breach and finished it off. The change of author was seamless. Am sure Paul Torday would be proud of his son and well done to both for a 'good read'.
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December 23, 2016An interesting book, not least because it is mostly written by Paul Tordey but completed by his son Piers on his death. There's a note from Piers at the start which explains that the majority was written and notes were made for the ending. A wonderful act of love, this book coming to fruition.
It's the first book of Paul's I've read and I really enjoyed his style. Laid back and relaxed. I found I'd read more than I thought without realising it.
This is a fascinating look at relationships, human nature and politics (a little) with a brilliant concept of an owl thrown in. (Though the owl doesn't appear until later in the book than I'd have expected.) It really is a great way to examine the above topics (with an owl incident). What an imagination!
It's the first book of Paul's I've read and I really enjoyed his style. Laid back and relaxed. I found I'd read more than I thought without realising it.
This is a fascinating look at relationships, human nature and politics (a little) with a brilliant concept of an owl thrown in. (Though the owl doesn't appear until later in the book than I'd have expected.) It really is a great way to examine the above topics (with an owl incident). What an imagination!
March 31, 2017
'Through its death, a single owl had created more devastation than it was possible to imagine. Andrew's career. My reputation. My marriage.
Andrew Lansford is in line to be the next Prime Minister and is on a parliamentary committee concerned with the Wildlife and Countryside Act when he kills a Barn Owl, a protected species and so a potential crime. In the car with Andrew is his old Oxford friend and political adviser, Charles Fryerne, an expert in communications who values honesty and the truth and has built his own career on these values. Caught up in the political scandal following the death of an owl, the spin is inevitable and A web of lies is spun.
An entertaining political satire with a clear message regarding honesty being the best policy!
Andrew Lansford is in line to be the next Prime Minister and is on a parliamentary committee concerned with the Wildlife and Countryside Act when he kills a Barn Owl, a protected species and so a potential crime. In the car with Andrew is his old Oxford friend and political adviser, Charles Fryerne, an expert in communications who values honesty and the truth and has built his own career on these values. Caught up in the political scandal following the death of an owl, the spin is inevitable and A web of lies is spun.
An entertaining political satire with a clear message regarding honesty being the best policy!
September 12, 2018
This was good, enjoyable.
This was started way back before the blurb describes. Halfway through the attack of the owl happens, and i think the paranormal side to this could be developed more to bring a more significant impact upon the story. Not too bogged down in politics which it could have been.
Caroline and charles' relationship was something i was invested in, i'd have liked to see more of andrews relationship with her and then his relationship with helen and her issues. Caroline needed to be more of a focus in the hardship that comes.
The ending is suficient, we're waiting for just deserts to be served and they do.
andrew is well portrayed as a powerful politician style figure.
This was started way back before the blurb describes. Halfway through the attack of the owl happens, and i think the paranormal side to this could be developed more to bring a more significant impact upon the story. Not too bogged down in politics which it could have been.
Caroline and charles' relationship was something i was invested in, i'd have liked to see more of andrews relationship with her and then his relationship with helen and her issues. Caroline needed to be more of a focus in the hardship that comes.
The ending is suficient, we're waiting for just deserts to be served and they do.
andrew is well portrayed as a powerful politician style figure.
August 26, 2016
Death of an Owl is a political drama set initially in the late 70s, early 80s and early 90s (and the demise of Margaret Thatcher) and ends in the 2010s with an Owl being killed by an up-and-coming Conservative MP.
I liked this booked, with it's links to Oxford (my Alma-Mater) and following through some important political events in the UK during the 80s,90s and new milleninium. More politics than anything about animals, or owls, so beware but I will definitely keep an eye out for the Torday's other books in the future.
I liked this booked, with it's links to Oxford (my Alma-Mater) and following through some important political events in the UK during the 80s,90s and new milleninium. More politics than anything about animals, or owls, so beware but I will definitely keep an eye out for the Torday's other books in the future.
March 9, 2017
A bit slow to start and too much 'One does this' etc but once it got ģoing it was a delight. Torday's son did a great job of finishing it....wonder where he took over. There is that wonder and wickedness that I so loved in his other books especially Salmon Fishing. so much to say about politics and that world. Lots of fake news. In the end the lesson is to not believe anything you read in the papers etc.
May 16, 2017
A book of two halves but with two authors, father and son, not surprising. Beautifully written and absorbing first half. Second half sadly just becomes more ridiculous and maddening to the extent that I needed to flick rapidly to the end with no real enjoyment.
September 26, 2018
Great idea for a book and topical at the time. However their was an unbelievable theme throughout the book that distracted me from the story. I’m a huge Torday fan, but this is not one of his better ones.
July 6, 2016
Was expecting the quirky humour of his earlier books. This book was finished by his son and lacks the warmth and wit. Unfortunately.
January 1, 2023
3.5, enjoyable, interesting, easy to read
April 14, 2016
I read an advance proof copy of this book.
I enjoyed Paul Torday's very English series of books about politicians, financiers, farmers, ex-soldiers and other (apparently) plain men (largely) navigating the late 20th and early 21st centuries and encountering, sometimes even being, the odd cad or bounder. A dash of CP Snow, a touch of Buchan, the odd spooky touch, served up with Torday's knack for making a rattling good story out of the most seemingly unpromising idea. So I was glad to see there would be a final book, finished by his son Piers, also a writer.
And this one is fun, easily up to the standard of the earlier novels, showing no sign of being a composite production: my only slight qualm would be that its political background is pretty clearly 2010 or 11, when, presumably, it was started. (How much has changed since then!)
Charles Fryerne is a classic Torday figure, a bit of a technocrat but solidly rooted in a wealthy (though not super wealthy) and influential (but not ruling) stratum of British - or I had better say English - society. Brought up as a citizen of the world, Charles lives in New York, Switzerland and other such glamorous places as his father moves around working for a multinational pharmaceutical firm.
Returning "home" Charles tries to fit in - studying (of course) at Oxford where he joins an exclusive dining club, punts amiably, gets together with the odd girlfriend - but he always seems an observer, an outsider, something that emphasised when his parents die, one soon after the other, seemingly of disappointment that the country they remembered had gone forever. Charles takes up a career as first a journalist then a "strategic communications adviser", famous (and successful) for his honest approach. Still, though, an outsider, an interpreter of us to ourselves rather than someone in his own right. The lack of identity is highlighted by Charles's "title", inherited from his Dad: "The Fryerne of Fryerne Court". Fryerne Court is long sold to pay debts from ill-advised investments, but the extended family still gather - from around the world - for significant family events.
While this may sound far-fetched, it's really not. My wife is a vicar, and in one of her previous parishes, descendants of a former prominent local family (house sold, again, in the 1920s) would occasionally appear on the Vicarage doorstep, anxious to know if the family plot in the churchyard was being kept up as it should. Im sure they all had families, lives to go back to, but a key part of their identity was in a village hundreds - or thousands - of miles from where they had settled. Torday portrays the dislocation of such people well: it's a theme he often turns to in his books but nowhere, I think, does he nail it quite so well as with Charles Fryerne.
Fryerne's real trial comes, of course, with the death of the titular owl. This doesn't come in till nearly half way through the book, and brings Torday's political sub-plot up against darker, older, forces, but by then Fryerne is established as a vivid, if slightly annoying, character and this serves the second part of the book well. (Yes, I did find myself questioning the man's oft-repeated claim to straight dealing and truthtelling. That's what he tells you, but what we're shown is him behaving in a decidedly twisty way - not just professionally but personally too - just like all those other spin doctors).
By then, Fryerne has, finally, tried to move to the centre of things, advising an up-an-coming Tory MP who aims to be the next Party leader. (In this parallel world, which, as I said earlier, Torday must have begun sketching out soon after the 2010 election, the Conservatives are in Opposition and their leader - never named - is about to be brought down as a result of his failure to win a majority).
It all starts to go wrong, of course, and both Fryerne and Landford begin to disintegrate. Of the two, Fryerne is the more interesting character - the book mostly follows him and we see things form his perspective - and there's a real jeopardy for him and for his wife Caroline. Whether it's Paul, Piers or both, the writing really makes the reader care about what happens: and the outcome is ambiguous, provisional.
As a final slice of Torday's take both on the dishonesty of the world of business and affairs, and on that beautiful Northumbrian country his books so often return to, this deserves to be widely read and will certainly be devoured by his fans.
If you're new to his works I wouldn't though begin with this one: start at the beginning with Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and read them all in order (they build up one on another) and save this till last.
I enjoyed Paul Torday's very English series of books about politicians, financiers, farmers, ex-soldiers and other (apparently) plain men (largely) navigating the late 20th and early 21st centuries and encountering, sometimes even being, the odd cad or bounder. A dash of CP Snow, a touch of Buchan, the odd spooky touch, served up with Torday's knack for making a rattling good story out of the most seemingly unpromising idea. So I was glad to see there would be a final book, finished by his son Piers, also a writer.
And this one is fun, easily up to the standard of the earlier novels, showing no sign of being a composite production: my only slight qualm would be that its political background is pretty clearly 2010 or 11, when, presumably, it was started. (How much has changed since then!)
Charles Fryerne is a classic Torday figure, a bit of a technocrat but solidly rooted in a wealthy (though not super wealthy) and influential (but not ruling) stratum of British - or I had better say English - society. Brought up as a citizen of the world, Charles lives in New York, Switzerland and other such glamorous places as his father moves around working for a multinational pharmaceutical firm.
Returning "home" Charles tries to fit in - studying (of course) at Oxford where he joins an exclusive dining club, punts amiably, gets together with the odd girlfriend - but he always seems an observer, an outsider, something that emphasised when his parents die, one soon after the other, seemingly of disappointment that the country they remembered had gone forever. Charles takes up a career as first a journalist then a "strategic communications adviser", famous (and successful) for his honest approach. Still, though, an outsider, an interpreter of us to ourselves rather than someone in his own right. The lack of identity is highlighted by Charles's "title", inherited from his Dad: "The Fryerne of Fryerne Court". Fryerne Court is long sold to pay debts from ill-advised investments, but the extended family still gather - from around the world - for significant family events.
While this may sound far-fetched, it's really not. My wife is a vicar, and in one of her previous parishes, descendants of a former prominent local family (house sold, again, in the 1920s) would occasionally appear on the Vicarage doorstep, anxious to know if the family plot in the churchyard was being kept up as it should. Im sure they all had families, lives to go back to, but a key part of their identity was in a village hundreds - or thousands - of miles from where they had settled. Torday portrays the dislocation of such people well: it's a theme he often turns to in his books but nowhere, I think, does he nail it quite so well as with Charles Fryerne.
Fryerne's real trial comes, of course, with the death of the titular owl. This doesn't come in till nearly half way through the book, and brings Torday's political sub-plot up against darker, older, forces, but by then Fryerne is established as a vivid, if slightly annoying, character and this serves the second part of the book well. (Yes, I did find myself questioning the man's oft-repeated claim to straight dealing and truthtelling. That's what he tells you, but what we're shown is him behaving in a decidedly twisty way - not just professionally but personally too - just like all those other spin doctors).
By then, Fryerne has, finally, tried to move to the centre of things, advising an up-an-coming Tory MP who aims to be the next Party leader. (In this parallel world, which, as I said earlier, Torday must have begun sketching out soon after the 2010 election, the Conservatives are in Opposition and their leader - never named - is about to be brought down as a result of his failure to win a majority).
It all starts to go wrong, of course, and both Fryerne and Landford begin to disintegrate. Of the two, Fryerne is the more interesting character - the book mostly follows him and we see things form his perspective - and there's a real jeopardy for him and for his wife Caroline. Whether it's Paul, Piers or both, the writing really makes the reader care about what happens: and the outcome is ambiguous, provisional.
As a final slice of Torday's take both on the dishonesty of the world of business and affairs, and on that beautiful Northumbrian country his books so often return to, this deserves to be widely read and will certainly be devoured by his fans.
If you're new to his works I wouldn't though begin with this one: start at the beginning with Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and read them all in order (they build up one on another) and save this till last.
April 22, 2016
Remember THE BIRDS? Now it’s THE OWLS!
Charles Fryerne first met his cousin, Caroline Woodchester at his uncle Roland’s funeral. That day, his dad took on the grand title of Charles Fryerne of Fryerne’s Court, not that there was a house or estate to go with it as the family house and land, given to them after the events at Bosworth Field in 1485, had been bought by developers after WWII and changed into a housing estate. However, there was a pub called the Fryerne Arms and this was where the Fryernes from around the world had gathered to remember Roland and hold a wake in his honour. This day would be memorable for another reason, because Charles and Caroline would marry.
But I’m jumping ahead of myself in the story, because shortly after this wake, Charles leaves his family home to study Politics at Oxford. It is here at his college that he meets Maldwyn Christie and Andrew Landford. Their three lives would become entangled as Charles helps Andrew Landford fight to become leader of the Conservative party. Maldwyn Christie would be his chief opposition to the position. What none of them foresaw was how everything from those halcyon days would turn out in the end, thanks to the death of an owl.
It’s Charles Fryerne who narrates this complicated plot to us. One can relate to all the characters and visualise with ease. I don’t think I really liked any of them much, but I’m not sure one is meant to, the story wouldn’t flow with the depth that it has if they were portrayed in any other way. It is up to the reader’s perception of owls taking on humanity to right a wrong that one needs to concentrate on.
I’ve always loved owls. In fact, at one stage I even had a pet barn owl and have always thought of them as mystical creatures and this book re-enforced that idea; mystical and able to take vengeance on those who don’t see this special quality; their power being so great that they can wreak havoc on people’s lives for not believing in them.
Unfortunately, Paul Torday passed away before he could complete the book, but his son Piers found the manuscript and thankfully for us, finished writing it. The point where he took over is not visible and the storyline flows like a torrent stream full of boulders, almost drowning the protagonists, but somehow they manage to reach the safety of the bank just in time. Will they carry scars from being bounced against boulders? Well, that’s why you need to read this book to make your own decision!
This is a truly quirky tale not just because of the owls but also because of how the game of politics gets played out without the public ever really knowing what goes on behind closed doors!
Treebeard
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Charles Fryerne first met his cousin, Caroline Woodchester at his uncle Roland’s funeral. That day, his dad took on the grand title of Charles Fryerne of Fryerne’s Court, not that there was a house or estate to go with it as the family house and land, given to them after the events at Bosworth Field in 1485, had been bought by developers after WWII and changed into a housing estate. However, there was a pub called the Fryerne Arms and this was where the Fryernes from around the world had gathered to remember Roland and hold a wake in his honour. This day would be memorable for another reason, because Charles and Caroline would marry.
But I’m jumping ahead of myself in the story, because shortly after this wake, Charles leaves his family home to study Politics at Oxford. It is here at his college that he meets Maldwyn Christie and Andrew Landford. Their three lives would become entangled as Charles helps Andrew Landford fight to become leader of the Conservative party. Maldwyn Christie would be his chief opposition to the position. What none of them foresaw was how everything from those halcyon days would turn out in the end, thanks to the death of an owl.
It’s Charles Fryerne who narrates this complicated plot to us. One can relate to all the characters and visualise with ease. I don’t think I really liked any of them much, but I’m not sure one is meant to, the story wouldn’t flow with the depth that it has if they were portrayed in any other way. It is up to the reader’s perception of owls taking on humanity to right a wrong that one needs to concentrate on.
I’ve always loved owls. In fact, at one stage I even had a pet barn owl and have always thought of them as mystical creatures and this book re-enforced that idea; mystical and able to take vengeance on those who don’t see this special quality; their power being so great that they can wreak havoc on people’s lives for not believing in them.
Unfortunately, Paul Torday passed away before he could complete the book, but his son Piers found the manuscript and thankfully for us, finished writing it. The point where he took over is not visible and the storyline flows like a torrent stream full of boulders, almost drowning the protagonists, but somehow they manage to reach the safety of the bank just in time. Will they carry scars from being bounced against boulders? Well, that’s why you need to read this book to make your own decision!
This is a truly quirky tale not just because of the owls but also because of how the game of politics gets played out without the public ever really knowing what goes on behind closed doors!
Treebeard
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
June 26, 2018
As a fairly easy read this didn't require much effort to get through and it had its charms, but for a generally light-hearted book there was surprisingly little comedy and I felt the central 'problem' was flawed given how the protagonist Charles had acted previously.
The novel is pretty much split into two parts, one which gives a brief autobiography of the narrator's path through Oxford to left-wing periodical journalist to political spin doctor, and one which chronicles the event in the title, where a starlet politician runs into an owl before bludgeoning it to death. The charming psychopathic politician then blames the incident on the morally scrupulous spin doctor whose reluctance to stand up for himself puts his marriage into further trouble.
The problem with this is that the defining characteristic of Charles is that he always tells the truth. That was his niche and how he became successful in his job and yet he was reluctant to tell the truth on the basis that his long-time acquaintance and current employer would make a Good PM This Country Needs. This from a man who had no party loyalty and felt uncomfortable playing to the editorial line in his early journalist days. It just didn't really seem plausible based on the rather unexciting biography we'd been given to set the scene. It wasn't really clear how his marriage was meant to be believable either.
This makes it sound like a terrible read, which would be unfair, but a key part of reading is the sense that while fictional, you at least feel immersed in a believable story to root for the characters, and I always felt a step below that. It had some reasonable political observations without being political but wasn't funny enough to paper over the cracks.
The novel is pretty much split into two parts, one which gives a brief autobiography of the narrator's path through Oxford to left-wing periodical journalist to political spin doctor, and one which chronicles the event in the title, where a starlet politician runs into an owl before bludgeoning it to death. The charming psychopathic politician then blames the incident on the morally scrupulous spin doctor whose reluctance to stand up for himself puts his marriage into further trouble.
The problem with this is that the defining characteristic of Charles is that he always tells the truth. That was his niche and how he became successful in his job and yet he was reluctant to tell the truth on the basis that his long-time acquaintance and current employer would make a Good PM This Country Needs. This from a man who had no party loyalty and felt uncomfortable playing to the editorial line in his early journalist days. It just didn't really seem plausible based on the rather unexciting biography we'd been given to set the scene. It wasn't really clear how his marriage was meant to be believable either.
This makes it sound like a terrible read, which would be unfair, but a key part of reading is the sense that while fictional, you at least feel immersed in a believable story to root for the characters, and I always felt a step below that. It had some reasonable political observations without being political but wasn't funny enough to paper over the cracks.
November 19, 2019
I’m a big Torday fan, and this, no doubt, colours my views. However, I see from the reviews on Amazon that my opinions are shared. In common with many of his novels, it is often difficult to know what’s going to happen next, and that adds to the fun.
The owl makes a late entrance, and wondering when it was going to come in sort of took a bit of the shine off the start. I wondered if I’d missed an allegory or intriguing signpost.
It’s rather critical of politicians, so if you’re one, I shouldn’t bother. For the rest of us, their punctured self-importance can be fun.
The love interest is rather pointless, and there are little hints at subplots that disappear. One part of the main plot is the press outing someone who is gay, and Torday’s son, Piers, who co-authored (finished we are told) the book might have spent a bit longer in putting a more believable reason into the story. It seems, in these days of rugby players coming out without problem, rather old-fashioned.
It required a wee bit of concentration, so not a book to read on a train, perhaps, but satisfying. That is, all but the ending, which seemed a fit forced and grated with the rest of the book.
The plot of the book, that one minor mistake, a slight error, or a bit of panic, can change a life is very true. I was a police officer for 30 years, and can remember where lives have been changed for the worse by, maybe, a decision taken in a hurry, in anger, or with little concern.
I enjoyed the book. It was fun, if a little slow at times. Typically Torday I think, and rather poignant when one realises it was his final novel. I’ve only got Light Shining in the Forest to go now. Shame he started last in life as an author, and died in his 60s. Commiserations to Piers.
The owl makes a late entrance, and wondering when it was going to come in sort of took a bit of the shine off the start. I wondered if I’d missed an allegory or intriguing signpost.
It’s rather critical of politicians, so if you’re one, I shouldn’t bother. For the rest of us, their punctured self-importance can be fun.
The love interest is rather pointless, and there are little hints at subplots that disappear. One part of the main plot is the press outing someone who is gay, and Torday’s son, Piers, who co-authored (finished we are told) the book might have spent a bit longer in putting a more believable reason into the story. It seems, in these days of rugby players coming out without problem, rather old-fashioned.
It required a wee bit of concentration, so not a book to read on a train, perhaps, but satisfying. That is, all but the ending, which seemed a fit forced and grated with the rest of the book.
The plot of the book, that one minor mistake, a slight error, or a bit of panic, can change a life is very true. I was a police officer for 30 years, and can remember where lives have been changed for the worse by, maybe, a decision taken in a hurry, in anger, or with little concern.
I enjoyed the book. It was fun, if a little slow at times. Typically Torday I think, and rather poignant when one realises it was his final novel. I’ve only got Light Shining in the Forest to go now. Shame he started last in life as an author, and died in his 60s. Commiserations to Piers.
March 17, 2016
It took a good 100 pages to really get into Death of an Owl, but it turned out to be worth the wait. Although I haven't read much of Paul Torday, it seems to be his thing that the plot ramps up and starts twisting and turning more towards the second half than the first (speaking of which, it's a testament to his son Piers that I really couldn't tell where the older Torday had left off in the story and he had picked up).
I'm not sure whether to classify Death of an Owl as political satire or psychological thriller (of the gentler kind). Things certainly get very creepy in places, as we journey with Charles Fryerne into the politician Andrew Langford's inner circle. The characterisation was beautifully subtle and spot on, from Charles to Andrew, to their respective wives and the various side characters. You got a feel for these people, and by the end I really did just want to know how it all turned out. Who knew running over an owl could be such a gripping plotline?
Overall, Death of an Owl was a very enjoyable read and well worth 4 stars. It doesn't quite get to five, because those first 100 pages were very slow, and on the whole I think it's one of those books that I enjoy at the time, but doesn't stick in my memory forever.
*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this title thanks to the Goodreads First Reads programme. I did not receive any other form of compensation and was not obligated to write a review*
I'm not sure whether to classify Death of an Owl as political satire or psychological thriller (of the gentler kind). Things certainly get very creepy in places, as we journey with Charles Fryerne into the politician Andrew Langford's inner circle. The characterisation was beautifully subtle and spot on, from Charles to Andrew, to their respective wives and the various side characters. You got a feel for these people, and by the end I really did just want to know how it all turned out. Who knew running over an owl could be such a gripping plotline?
Overall, Death of an Owl was a very enjoyable read and well worth 4 stars. It doesn't quite get to five, because those first 100 pages were very slow, and on the whole I think it's one of those books that I enjoy at the time, but doesn't stick in my memory forever.
*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this title thanks to the Goodreads First Reads programme. I did not receive any other form of compensation and was not obligated to write a review*
December 28, 2022
Angry birds; The Death of an Owl plays with the ‘wings-of-a-butterfly-in-the-form-of-one-human-life’ aka the ‘those whom the gods wish to destroy’ formula quite successfully, and given the events of 2022, you might think the late Paul Torday was remarkably prescient: a deputy leader rejected by the Conservative selectorate served up as the replacement when the leader they did elect self-immolates so spectacularly?
I wish I’d read this when it came out as it would have benefitted from not having yet been overtaken by events, resulting in a slightly stale feel. But the tale of Charles Fryern, last scion of an old family that gained its place among the landed gentry through an act of treachery and has produced a lineage of nonentities and underachievers ever since, is modestly compelling, even if it never quite addresses the reason the upper middles stay loyal no matter how much of a shit an individual may be - the protection of privilege is a powerful driver.
Apparently inconsequential events end up destroying the mighty. Even written as it was before the shambles we’ve recently had to live through, it’s a timeless trope. But whether our recent failed PMs have been harassed to madness by annoyed owls is pure speculation.
I wish I’d read this when it came out as it would have benefitted from not having yet been overtaken by events, resulting in a slightly stale feel. But the tale of Charles Fryern, last scion of an old family that gained its place among the landed gentry through an act of treachery and has produced a lineage of nonentities and underachievers ever since, is modestly compelling, even if it never quite addresses the reason the upper middles stay loyal no matter how much of a shit an individual may be - the protection of privilege is a powerful driver.
Apparently inconsequential events end up destroying the mighty. Even written as it was before the shambles we’ve recently had to live through, it’s a timeless trope. But whether our recent failed PMs have been harassed to madness by annoyed owls is pure speculation.
April 8, 2016
Sadly Paul Torday died before finishing his last book, but his son has completed it and so expertly that you can’t see the join. It’s a very enjoyable political satire, with many twists and turns, well-plotted and well-paced and I nodded knowingly on quite a few occasions, as it skewers political correctness and political self-serving with some biting and acerbic comments. It all starts when a barn owl flies into the windscreen of a car driven by a Conservative MP, and the ramifications of this unfortunate but unavoidable accident have far-reaching consequences. A simple enough premise but a pertinent one at showing how quickly such a small incident can spiral out of control. And there’s a bit of gothic fantasy thrown into the mix, which blends in surprisingly well in an otherwise realistic novel and seems perfectly plausible in a strange sort of way. What a loss Paul Torday is to us.
July 31, 2016
A last and quite brilliant addition to the legacy of works by Paul Torday.
This book was left unfinished at Torday's death but was subsequently completed by his eldest son Piers. I found the book both an accurate satire on politics but also a humorous poke at political life in general and the simple things that can derail a political career. In this case the death of a Barn Owl. I liked that this for the most part seemed utterly plausible, but perhaps the only weakness was the slightly supernatural vengeance of owls in general. While you might wish to interpret the ending more as a descent into madness, if you read too literally you may be less convinced, at the end of what is otherwise a brilliantly written and perfectly believable tale.
One to relish and perhaps one day good enough to become a movie like "Salmon fishing..."
This book was left unfinished at Torday's death but was subsequently completed by his eldest son Piers. I found the book both an accurate satire on politics but also a humorous poke at political life in general and the simple things that can derail a political career. In this case the death of a Barn Owl. I liked that this for the most part seemed utterly plausible, but perhaps the only weakness was the slightly supernatural vengeance of owls in general. While you might wish to interpret the ending more as a descent into madness, if you read too literally you may be less convinced, at the end of what is otherwise a brilliantly written and perfectly believable tale.
One to relish and perhaps one day good enough to become a movie like "Salmon fishing..."
September 27, 2017
This book held a lot of promise initially. I loved this book till the accident actually took place. Then everything went downhill, from the prose, the characters, the dialogues, and the themes, this book violently changed direction midway. I couldn't understand why all the characters became intolerable and the plot so predictable. After I reluctantly finished the book, I read that the book was started off by Paul Torday, who passed away before the book was completed, and then completed by his son, Piers Torday, an award-winning children's book author. This explained a lot as midway, this book transformed from literary fiction to a young adult saga.
January 5, 2017
Disclaimer: Thanks to Hachette Book Group, which supplied me with a complimentary copy in exchange for a fair review.
Never having read Paul Torday, I was in for a wonderful surprise. Subtle humour, satire, warm humanity, and truth!
And because this book is all about truth, I have to come clean.
I loved the first half of the book, maybe even two-thirds. But even though the ending was well written, I feel it lost the connection with the first half of the book.
Still, worth a read, especially for lovers of House of Cards.
I will definitely be reading more Paul Torday.
Never having read Paul Torday, I was in for a wonderful surprise. Subtle humour, satire, warm humanity, and truth!
And because this book is all about truth, I have to come clean.
I loved the first half of the book, maybe even two-thirds. But even though the ending was well written, I feel it lost the connection with the first half of the book.
Still, worth a read, especially for lovers of House of Cards.
I will definitely be reading more Paul Torday.
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