Imagine

by Mark Haysom

The party of the sixties is over and what's left is the hangover. It's 1973 - a time of riots, picket lines and unemployment. But it's also a time when you can imagine the stars. Enter the Bird family...

Baxter - the first Bird to go to university. It's fresher's week and a new beginning. Except that his troubled past has followed him right into the lecture hall.

Christie - haunted by what's gone before and held back by heartbreak. But with her son succeeding against the odds perhaps now it's her turn to follow her dreams?

Truman - an absent father and husband for ten years, he now decides he's owed a second chance. And to help him on his way he's found a golden key that will open every door. Or so he believes.

In a story of laughter and tears, Haysom takes us on one family's journey to achieve their dreams. And shows us that, stronger than every lie and secret in every family, is the love that lies within - and the ability to imagine...

Genres: Fiction

544 pages, Paperback

First published March 5, 2015

About the author

After graduating from Leicester University, Mark Haysom had a thirty year career in newspapers during which he rose from trainee journalist on a local weekly to Managing Director of Mirror Group. In 2003 he moved into education as head of a large Government agency. In recent years he has served on the boards of a number of charities dedicated to overcoming poverty, disadvantage and addiction. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Leicester University in 2005 and the CBE in 2008. Mark lives in Brighton with his wife, Ann. LOVE, LOVE ME DO is his first novel.

Reviews

[Paula Sealey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It had everything a story needs to entertain and keep you turning the pages. I didn't realise that the book was a follow on, but not to worry, as it reads beautifully as a stand alone.

When Christie turns up at Nanna Birds house looking for shelter for herself and her three children, Nanna Bird generously takes them in and they spend the next 10 years muddling along together, trying to make ends meet. But Baxter is now ready to go to university, and Christie thinks it may be her time to shine, however an unwelcome appearance by estranged husband Truman sets the cat among the pigeons, and their lives are about to be changed again.

The story is set in the 1970's, and you get a great feel for the era through Haysom's writing. The characters are just superb, you couldn't not want to root for the wonderful Baxter and Christie and boo and jeer pantomime style at Truman, not to mention dear old Nanna Bird with her generous heart! There are some genuinely sad moments in the story and some that had me laughing out loud. So entertaining, and I can't wait to read 'Love love me do', the predecessor to this now. More of the same please Mr Haysom!

*Thank you to the publishers for providing a review copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book – perceptive, touching, well-written and well-paced, authentic characterisation and credible dialogue. The story of an ordinary family, as it says on the cover, engaging and gentle, a real delight, and a book that deserves much more notice than it seems it has so far received. Highly recommended.

[Kerry · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an average read. There were parts were I didn't want to put the book down and other parts where I just couldn't get into it. The characters are diverse but it jumps quite a bit between them and as you start getting into their story it then changes again. The storyline felt a little too contrived and at times it felt like the author was just trying too hard to make the characters interesting which just made them seem a little one dimensional. At the end of the book I wasn't sure what I should take away from it and felt that there was no great story or message behind it. As I said, an average read.

[Naeemnaufer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cool book. At first it seemed like a sad novel, but then it turned out to be very funny. I haven't skipped any paragraph, and I never put the book down out of boredom. Truman is an endearing character, but in the end I'm left wondering what happened to him. I don't like being left wondering, unless you're Christopher Nolan. But I like that the author left something to my imagination.


I'll also leave a bit of character rating here, since I figure every author likes that kind of stuff.

(MC)

1.Truman
2. Strachan
3. Christie
4. Baxter
5. Abby

(SC)

6. Niloc
7. Josh
8. Georgie
9. Rosie
10. Sally
12. Ray

It's a cool book to have on my shelf, thanks 👍🏻

[Tiina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an interesting story, and it launched right away - one was enveloped into the story right away. It was however tedious to read one of the characters' point of view because he was so narcissistic and unpleasant. I would have given more stars if it had not been for him.

[Vickie Taylor-Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it either. It was ok. I liked some of the characters but some felt a bit contrived. Probably wouldn’t read it again.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Title is completely misleading, there isn't really a happy ending. Wasn't so bad that I was forced to give up on it completely.

[Rachel Sargeant · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read that Mark Hayson was writing a sequel to Love, Love Me Do featuring deserted wife Christie and her young son Baxter again I wasn’t sure what I’d make of it. I’d loved the first novel and adored Truman, Christie’s despicable chancer of a husband, and Strachan, the world-weary henchman on his trail to collect on a debt, but been less keen on ineffectual Christie and innocent Baxter. However, when I started Imagine, I discovered that all the key characters were back. Taking centre stage was Baxter, now eighteen, and starting university. He’s still an innocent but very likeable. When bad things happened to him, I cringed my way out of that lecture theatre with him every time.
We also meet a new character, Abby, Baxter’s love interest. I think there’s more to come here, more about the notorious tragedy that blighted her family’s life, and many others’ like them.
Imagine is a story of ordinary people, the tribulations of family life and the small triumphs they strive for. It's a fast-faced page-turner. It’s also very, very funny. I can’t wait for the TV drama; there must surely be one.

[Beverley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having not read the first book in this series ' Love Love Me Do', I was unsure whether I would be able to pick up the threads and read this as a stand alone - I needn't have worried. This is a very entertaining, cleverly written story of an extraordinary family. Loved the 60's/70's setting with all its wonderful shades of nostalgia. Having gone away to uni myself in the 70's it brought many a happy memory flooding back to me!
Wonderful characterisation - utterly believable. Didn't want it to end - hoping there's a third on its way!

[Marie (UK) · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a fast paced novel which moves between several different thens and the now. It examines how events shape our lives but only in a light way. The characters are varied and for the most part likeable. The sort of book that you keep hoping will turn out well.

[Louisa Steel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. I hadn't realised it was a sequel and it didn't matter, but I will go back and read the first. It's full of wonderful characters who take it in turns to tell their story. Heartwarming

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one it was funny and sad and sympathetic to human nature which sometimes does the wrong things but for the right reasons.

The short chapters from various points of view made for a fast paced book, easy to follow and brilliant

[Patrick McGuire · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Love Me Do but, sadly, this was a huge disappointment. Dull, repetitive, hackneyed and clichéd.

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting read, some good character development but felt it could have done the job being a little shorter.

[Rose Sabbeton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it every bit as much as 'Love, Love Me Do'. Made me cry...

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly - the tag line is completely misleading "take an ordinary family and make the impossible possible". Like, honestly it has NOTHING to do with the story! The people in this book are not really what I would have imagined given that tagline. Nor would I say the impossible was made possible either. How odd.

Anyway, let's get to the meat - the book was not hard reading, I sped through it without losing interest. I can't say any of the characters really pulled at me, though the main character Baxter was the most compelling of the bunch. There were some interesting scenes - the set ups in the lecture theater were cute. The protest march was memorable also.

So in conclusion, it was OK. Yeah, it was OK.