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Tying Down the Lion
It is the summer of 1967 and the Bishop family are departing their UK home for a continental road trip. Their destination: Berlin, a gritty city recovering from the bombs of 1939—45 and now sliced in two by the Cold War. Will the journey unite the Anglo-German family, or forever rip them apart?
Grandma Nell loathes foreigners, especially German daughter-in-law Bridget. She’s none too pleased about son Roy jamming the whole family into an ageing Morris Traveller car for the duration. Granddaughter Jacqueline observes the trip–and the resultant spillage of family secrets–with a keen eye and a notepad in which to pen it all.
This is a story of ordinary people in an extraordinary situation, and the discovery of how something divided can be more revealing than a perfect whole. It is a quest for a family who build walls in their minds as they try to discover who they are and where they belong.
Grandma Nell loathes foreigners, especially German daughter-in-law Bridget. She’s none too pleased about son Roy jamming the whole family into an ageing Morris Traveller car for the duration. Granddaughter Jacqueline observes the trip–and the resultant spillage of family secrets–with a keen eye and a notepad in which to pen it all.
This is a story of ordinary people in an extraordinary situation, and the discovery of how something divided can be more revealing than a perfect whole. It is a quest for a family who build walls in their minds as they try to discover who they are and where they belong.
210 pages, Paperback
First published June 15, 2015
4 people are currently reading
543 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Campbell
17 books26 followersInstructions for the Working Day published by Fairlight Books. Shortlisted for the Rubery International Book Award and for Book of the Month by The Independent
Prize-winning short story collection, When Planets Slip Their Tracks, shortlisted for Rubery International Book Award and long-listed for Edge Hill Short Story Prize
Novella-in-flash, Sybilla, published by National Flash Fiction Day 2022
Top fifty 2021 BBC National Short Story Award
Winner of the London Short Story Prize
Prize-winning short story collection, When Planets Slip Their Tracks, shortlisted for Rubery International Book Award and long-listed for Edge Hill Short Story Prize
Novella-in-flash, Sybilla, published by National Flash Fiction Day 2022
Top fifty 2021 BBC National Short Story Award
Winner of the London Short Story Prize
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 9, 2015
I'm proud to say that I was one of the first people to publish Joanna's short stories in a magazine called The Yellow Room (which has since folded). I can honestly say I've loved every short story she's ever written and knew she was destined for great things. I was delighted to hear Jo had written a novel and I was lucky enough to be able to attend her launch party for Tying Down The Lion at Waterstones in Bath back in July. I took the novel on holiday with me and read for most of the journey down to Wales. It was really quite something reading about a road trip while on a road trip! I don't think Joanna will mind me saying that I thought the first few pages were over-written. There was also far too much period detail crammed into those first few pages. I feel a good editor should have spotted this. Don't let this put you off, because once the Bishop family set off on their journey to a divided Berlin, you won't be able to put the book down. I fell in love with all the characters and once I'd settled into the rather hectic writing style, which accurately reflects the chaos and claustrophobia of the car journey, I was hooked. For all the humour, this is a serious novel about family secrets, closed minds and making the most of a seemingly bad situation. Throughout Joanna uses the metaphor of a spider spinning a web and making a home, which no matter how often it gets destroyed, it will always rebuild. The strength of the silk is enough to tie down a lion. And so, in difficult times family bonds are equally as strong. This will no doubt become one of the best and most accessible novels ever written about the Cold War and The Berlin Wall.
August 13, 2015
I've been following Joanna Campbell's short story career for years - as we've featured on many a shortlist together (she usually won!) - and have always admired her excellent writing. Her debut novel doesn't disappoint and lives up to expectation. Well written and surprisingly funny throughout. Joanna knows how to weave tragedy and comedy together to create an incredibly satisfying and lingering read. I loved spending time with the Bishop family, particularly Nell the Gran with attitude - I think we all know a few old ladies like Nell. Also enjoyed the 1967 setting, which brought back many early childhood memories of Woolworths / Angel Delight / Twinkle magazine and many more ... Longlisted for the Not-the-Booker-Prize 'Tying down the Lion' is a brilliant debut and I can't wait for Joanna's next novel.
July 16, 2015
I've been reading some well-crafted novels of late. One of the best was released in June by UK-based Brick Lane Publishing.
The author, Joanna Campbell, is a prize-winning short story writer. "Tying Down the Lion" is her debut novel. I am so grateful for having stumbled upon it.
The first scene pulled me in and then before I knew it, I was in the old Morris Traveller together with the Bishop family headed for 1967 Berlin to visit Bridget's sisters. No cup holders, movies, or electronic entertainment, mind you. Grandma Nell is a hoot. In chapter 4, we reach Checkpoint Alpha, where engine trouble causes quite a scene. "This is worse than Daleks," Victor whines in absolute misery. Jacqueline's interactions with her little brother ring true. At times "a rush of sisterly love surges" and at others she tells her crying brother that "they arrest people for being a cry-baby." Jacqueline's observations and the emotional outbursts of the Bishops are a superb foil to the demeanour of the East German guards.
Humour sparkles throughout the book, and I laughed out loud at its sudden appearance in the family's banter. The conversation between the characters flows naturally, which adds to the feel of the journey for the reader. One of my favourite interactions, with its blend of seriousness and spirited humour, is in chapter 4:
And it's in chapter 4 that we are given our first clue as to why the book is entitled, "Tying Down the Lion." More clues are threaded throughout the rest of the book. I was captivated over and over by these finely spun details and by the mention of those little things that hold people together. Roy's puns are brilliant and Bridget's struggles with English (and her mother-in-law) are poignant.
Upon meeting the two sisters, one in West Berlin and the other in East Berlin, the reader is taken even deeper into the complex nature of how ordinary people live day by day when they are caught up in times of madness and still entangled in the past. I don't want to say much more, for the descriptions of divided Berlin are breathtaking and the experiences of Jacqueline and her mother on the east side of the Wall are moving and thought-provoking.
Ms. Campbell takes the reader on a road trip from the UK to East Germany, yes, but we're really on a journey with a remarkable family whose story is exquisitely rendered. I am eager to read more novels in the near future from this perceptive writer.
The author, Joanna Campbell, is a prize-winning short story writer. "Tying Down the Lion" is her debut novel. I am so grateful for having stumbled upon it.
The first scene pulled me in and then before I knew it, I was in the old Morris Traveller together with the Bishop family headed for 1967 Berlin to visit Bridget's sisters. No cup holders, movies, or electronic entertainment, mind you. Grandma Nell is a hoot. In chapter 4, we reach Checkpoint Alpha, where engine trouble causes quite a scene. "This is worse than Daleks," Victor whines in absolute misery. Jacqueline's interactions with her little brother ring true. At times "a rush of sisterly love surges" and at others she tells her crying brother that "they arrest people for being a cry-baby." Jacqueline's observations and the emotional outbursts of the Bishops are a superb foil to the demeanour of the East German guards.
Humour sparkles throughout the book, and I laughed out loud at its sudden appearance in the family's banter. The conversation between the characters flows naturally, which adds to the feel of the journey for the reader. One of my favourite interactions, with its blend of seriousness and spirited humour, is in chapter 4:
"I'm not turning back, Bridge. They might start firing."
This is too much for Victor. His arms bristle with goose-pimples.
"Now you know why they call it the Cold War, duckie," Grandma says, offering him a nip of her brandy.
And it's in chapter 4 that we are given our first clue as to why the book is entitled, "Tying Down the Lion." More clues are threaded throughout the rest of the book. I was captivated over and over by these finely spun details and by the mention of those little things that hold people together. Roy's puns are brilliant and Bridget's struggles with English (and her mother-in-law) are poignant.
Upon meeting the two sisters, one in West Berlin and the other in East Berlin, the reader is taken even deeper into the complex nature of how ordinary people live day by day when they are caught up in times of madness and still entangled in the past. I don't want to say much more, for the descriptions of divided Berlin are breathtaking and the experiences of Jacqueline and her mother on the east side of the Wall are moving and thought-provoking.
Ms. Campbell takes the reader on a road trip from the UK to East Germany, yes, but we're really on a journey with a remarkable family whose story is exquisitely rendered. I am eager to read more novels in the near future from this perceptive writer.
August 22, 2015
I knew little about the Berlin Wall and the West/East Germany divide before I read this book, and am always reluctant to read any novel that I think might be heavy on political history, but Tying Down The Lion by Joanna Campbell was a delight. I know something of this author from her short fiction, and was so impressed by her writing that I had to buy her debut novel.
Tying Down The Lion is a novel about family, and loss. It's about the suffering and the coping strategies put in place when people are displaced yet life goes on around them. Each character, from the snippy but hilarious grandmother, to the glamorous and elusive mother, and young Jacqueline, writing her school project about her road-trip to Berlin, is convincingly and lovingly drawn. Their journey back to Germany to reunite with family and the subsequent memories, revelations and unearthed secrets resonate with honesty and depth. I found myself on the verge of tears through the final pages.
For me, Birgit (the mother) was the star of the novel. Her brittle fragility was perfectly and poignantly shown throughout the narrative; her past and her present expertly weaved so that a reader like myself, with little prior knowledge, not only found I was discovering things I hadn't known about that period in history, but also a deep interest that will continue past putting this novel down. And I thank Joanna Campbell for that.
Tying Down The Lion is a novel about family, and loss. It's about the suffering and the coping strategies put in place when people are displaced yet life goes on around them. Each character, from the snippy but hilarious grandmother, to the glamorous and elusive mother, and young Jacqueline, writing her school project about her road-trip to Berlin, is convincingly and lovingly drawn. Their journey back to Germany to reunite with family and the subsequent memories, revelations and unearthed secrets resonate with honesty and depth. I found myself on the verge of tears through the final pages.
For me, Birgit (the mother) was the star of the novel. Her brittle fragility was perfectly and poignantly shown throughout the narrative; her past and her present expertly weaved so that a reader like myself, with little prior knowledge, not only found I was discovering things I hadn't known about that period in history, but also a deep interest that will continue past putting this novel down. And I thank Joanna Campbell for that.
August 24, 2015
'Tying Down the Lion' takes you on a journey with the Bishop family in their Morris Traveller. The car only just holds together and seems to represent the emotional heart of this story. As the family close in on their German destination and its terrifying checkpoints, the family history is gradually revealed. Jacqueline, the fourteen-year-old daughter, recounts the story in the form of a written school project as she uncovers secrets about the past.
The family banter contrasts cleverly with the darker sections of the book but also underlies more serious emotional issues, affecting both the mother and father. It is a story of loss and hope, division and unity. It is both poignant and heartwarming. And it is the perfect vehicle for expressing the divided landscape of Berlin in 1967. Recommended.
The family banter contrasts cleverly with the darker sections of the book but also underlies more serious emotional issues, affecting both the mother and father. It is a story of loss and hope, division and unity. It is both poignant and heartwarming. And it is the perfect vehicle for expressing the divided landscape of Berlin in 1967. Recommended.
June 24, 2015
This is wonderful, funny, beautifully observed writing. This family's journey to Berlin in an old banger is hilarious; the relationships between the characters is heart-breaking; the Dad's threatening depression is so well described. I was right there on that trip with them, loving and hating every minute of it.
August 3, 2015
An interesting novel on an interesting theme, but not an outstanding read. The family were all well drawn and there were some very funny moments (although some of the humour was a bit forced). The descriptions of Berlin were vivid and the idea of the school project a good one, but all the different elements didn't combine to a compelling novel.
December 19, 2015
Tying Down The Lion is a historical fiction book set in the late 1960's in Berlin during the Cold War. It is also the story of life in Berlin for Eleora a young Jewish girl who spent years being hidden from the Nazi's. Plus there is a third storyline, one of Jacqueline Bishop and her family surviving together, learning secrets and growing up.
Jacqueline and her family are about to set off for a holiday to Berlin in a dilapidated car. It's 1967 and fourteen year old Jacqueline will document the visit as part of a school project about contrasts. Bridget wants to return to Berlin, her homeland to visit her two sisters. Sisters who have been torn apart by the Berlin Wall which separates East from West.
The Bishop family squash into the car, Mum, Dad, Grandma, Jacqueline and her seven year old brother Victor. Dad is a prison warder with his own night terrors caused by memories from the war. During the story Jacqueline gets to hear shocking secrets of her mother's past. In 1938 Bridget was known as Eleora, she lived with her parents, her father was a musician, their world was full of parties and dancing, but danger lurked, they were Jews in Berlin. Eleora was secretly sent to live with her Aunt and her two cousins, she was given a new identity, Birgit and she was to become their sister. The oldest cousin Beate was full of Hitler's National Youth teachings and resented hiding her cousin. Ilse was gentle and kind. When hiding Birgit became too much she was taken to a factory and hidden in severely harsh circumstances for years, to keep her safe and it almost killed her.
Returning to Belin opens up old wounds, they stay in West berlin with Beate, but have organised a day trip to East Berlin for Bridget and Jacqueline to see Isle, the contrasts and hardships for all who live in Berlin in both the war years and the Cold War are very eye-opening.
This book is written in a very intense writing style. I was very interested in the divided Berlin during the Cold War and I wanted to read much more about the war years and Eleora's life during that time. For me the Bishop family dramas took up too much of the book. Grandma's endless supply of sweets became rather unbelievable as did the money the hard up family managed to keep spending. There was good use of detail from the 1960's but at times it felt too much. A number of occasions time seemed to be endless for the family; day one of their trip, the amount of sight-seeing they fitted in during a day trip in West Berlin, the day with Ilse, I think too much was fitted in and I was as exhausted as much as the characters.
An interesting read, just too many strong storylines all fighting for the readers attention.
Jacqueline and her family are about to set off for a holiday to Berlin in a dilapidated car. It's 1967 and fourteen year old Jacqueline will document the visit as part of a school project about contrasts. Bridget wants to return to Berlin, her homeland to visit her two sisters. Sisters who have been torn apart by the Berlin Wall which separates East from West.
The Bishop family squash into the car, Mum, Dad, Grandma, Jacqueline and her seven year old brother Victor. Dad is a prison warder with his own night terrors caused by memories from the war. During the story Jacqueline gets to hear shocking secrets of her mother's past. In 1938 Bridget was known as Eleora, she lived with her parents, her father was a musician, their world was full of parties and dancing, but danger lurked, they were Jews in Berlin. Eleora was secretly sent to live with her Aunt and her two cousins, she was given a new identity, Birgit and she was to become their sister. The oldest cousin Beate was full of Hitler's National Youth teachings and resented hiding her cousin. Ilse was gentle and kind. When hiding Birgit became too much she was taken to a factory and hidden in severely harsh circumstances for years, to keep her safe and it almost killed her.
Returning to Belin opens up old wounds, they stay in West berlin with Beate, but have organised a day trip to East Berlin for Bridget and Jacqueline to see Isle, the contrasts and hardships for all who live in Berlin in both the war years and the Cold War are very eye-opening.
This book is written in a very intense writing style. I was very interested in the divided Berlin during the Cold War and I wanted to read much more about the war years and Eleora's life during that time. For me the Bishop family dramas took up too much of the book. Grandma's endless supply of sweets became rather unbelievable as did the money the hard up family managed to keep spending. There was good use of detail from the 1960's but at times it felt too much. A number of occasions time seemed to be endless for the family; day one of their trip, the amount of sight-seeing they fitted in during a day trip in West Berlin, the day with Ilse, I think too much was fitted in and I was as exhausted as much as the characters.
An interesting read, just too many strong storylines all fighting for the readers attention.
November 9, 2015
This book took me on an emotional and humorous journey - the colourful Bishop family drawing me in from the first page. The author explored the politics of East and West Berlin and the after effects of War, in a sensitive and insightful way. The descriptive language (I loved the use of the phrase 'Bad Moon Girls'), drew me deeper into the emotions and struggles which each of the characters have faced, or are still facing. I enjoyed the way in which Jacqueline's school project transported me into the past. This is an accomplished debut novel.
November 6, 2015
Won on Goodreads. Looking forward to receiving my copy.
Sometimes a book can capture your imagination and you feel like you are right there. This is one of those books. One minute I am crying, next I am laughing, and the next wondering what I would have felt in that situation. Well done, Joanna.
Sometimes a book can capture your imagination and you feel like you are right there. This is one of those books. One minute I am crying, next I am laughing, and the next wondering what I would have felt in that situation. Well done, Joanna.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews