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The Page
The Page is the second part of the loosely titled, 'The The Trilogy'. It can be read before or after The Radio - also by M. Jonathan Lee.
When a random page blown from a novel describes in exact detail the events leading up to a tragic car crash, Michael Sewell is in a race against time to find the book before his family find out the terrifying truth.
Following a tragic car accident, Michael Sewell is alone for the first time. The loss of his wife, Margaret, after thirty years of marriage has left a hole far greater than Michael could have imagined. Persuaded to go on holiday by his daughter Jane, he's at the pool when a page blown from a book sticks to his chest. The words from the page resonate with Michael, describing in detail the exact events leading up to the accident. Now, Michael must delve into his past and face his future, taking him and his family on a horrifying and tragic journey toward the truth… The Page combines dark humour with a racing storyline, as the reader tries to work out what will happen to the main character before he does. M. Jonathan Lee has been compared to Mark Haddon, Nick Hornby and Rachel Joyce.
M. Jonathan Lee's first book, The Radio, was nationally shortlisted in The Novel Prize 2012.
The Page
“Completely Compelling”
Yvette Huddleston, Yorkshire Post
“First class…an excellent book”
Kathryn Hughes, author of The Letter
“The first I have read of this author and now I NEED more”
UndercoverBookReviews.com
“An excellent read”
Robert Weston, author of The Not So Beautiful Game
“I’ve never read anything like it”
Shelireads.com
When a random page blown from a novel describes in exact detail the events leading up to a tragic car crash, Michael Sewell is in a race against time to find the book before his family find out the terrifying truth.
Following a tragic car accident, Michael Sewell is alone for the first time. The loss of his wife, Margaret, after thirty years of marriage has left a hole far greater than Michael could have imagined. Persuaded to go on holiday by his daughter Jane, he's at the pool when a page blown from a book sticks to his chest. The words from the page resonate with Michael, describing in detail the exact events leading up to the accident. Now, Michael must delve into his past and face his future, taking him and his family on a horrifying and tragic journey toward the truth… The Page combines dark humour with a racing storyline, as the reader tries to work out what will happen to the main character before he does. M. Jonathan Lee has been compared to Mark Haddon, Nick Hornby and Rachel Joyce.
M. Jonathan Lee's first book, The Radio, was nationally shortlisted in The Novel Prize 2012.
The Page
“Completely Compelling”
Yvette Huddleston, Yorkshire Post
“First class…an excellent book”
Kathryn Hughes, author of The Letter
“The first I have read of this author and now I NEED more”
UndercoverBookReviews.com
“An excellent read”
Robert Weston, author of The Not So Beautiful Game
“I’ve never read anything like it”
Shelireads.com
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2015
1 person is currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
M. Jonathan Lee
6 books50 followersM Jonathan Lee is a nationally shortlisted author who was born Yorkshire where he still lives today with twins, James and Annabel.
His debut novel, The Radio was shortlisted for The Novel Prize 2012. He has spoken in schools, colleges, prisons and universities about creative writing and storytelling and appeared at various literary festivals including Sheffield’s Off the Shelf and Doncaster’s Turn the Page festival.
His second novel, The Page was released in February 2015.
His much anticipated third novel, A Tiny Feeling of Fear was released in September 2015 and tells the story of a character struggling with mental illness. All profits from this novel are donated to charity to raise awareness of mental health issues. This was accompanied by the short film, Hidden which was directed by Simon Gamble and can be seen here.
In 2016, he signed for boutique publishers, Hideaway Fall and his fourth novel Broken Branches was released in July 2017, winning book of the month in Candis magazine for September.
He is a tireless campaigner for mental health awareness and writes his own column regularly for the Huffington Post. He has recently written for the Big Issue and spoken at length about his own personal struggle on the BBC and Radio Talk Europe.
His fifth book, the critically acclaimed Drift Stumble Fall was released in Spring 2018. His sixth novel, 337 was released on 30 November 2020.
His debut novel, The Radio was shortlisted for The Novel Prize 2012. He has spoken in schools, colleges, prisons and universities about creative writing and storytelling and appeared at various literary festivals including Sheffield’s Off the Shelf and Doncaster’s Turn the Page festival.
His second novel, The Page was released in February 2015.
His much anticipated third novel, A Tiny Feeling of Fear was released in September 2015 and tells the story of a character struggling with mental illness. All profits from this novel are donated to charity to raise awareness of mental health issues. This was accompanied by the short film, Hidden which was directed by Simon Gamble and can be seen here.
In 2016, he signed for boutique publishers, Hideaway Fall and his fourth novel Broken Branches was released in July 2017, winning book of the month in Candis magazine for September.
He is a tireless campaigner for mental health awareness and writes his own column regularly for the Huffington Post. He has recently written for the Big Issue and spoken at length about his own personal struggle on the BBC and Radio Talk Europe.
His fifth book, the critically acclaimed Drift Stumble Fall was released in Spring 2018. His sixth novel, 337 was released on 30 November 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 31, 2017
This one genuinely entertained me. It isn't a story to blow you away but it is well written. Not an awful lot happens but the atmosphere at times is tangible. Michael, the main character in the story, is just SO unlikeable and yet recognisable to many people probably. It was a refreshing change from a lot of the stuff I've read recently too. I reckon I'll try his newest book when I get the chance. It's one I would recommend to anyone who likes to look at somewhat out of the ordinary books.
August 27, 2016
Intriguing and addictive, book 2 of 3.
My genre is romance, I can probably count on one hand the books I've read which have not had romance in them, this I knew would be one of them but the synopsis was so intriguing I just couldn't say no.
I struggled at first with the writing style it seemed a bit abrupt and impersonal, but this I'm sure is more down to me and the romantic books I usually read. It didn't take long for me to settle in and I was glued I just couldn't see how it was all going to come together.
The author has created some amazingly real characters which is mainly what kept me hooked I found myself truly invested in them.
It got to the point where I just couldn't read fast enough and then it ended and my only thought was 'what' talk about gutted, I wasn't ready for it to end surely it couldn't end there, what about Jane, Matt and Claire and I know it's partly me but I like everything tied up neatly. To say I wasn't happy would be an understatement but then I looked at the reviews and it was mentioned that this is the second book in a trilogy...so ok that's better but then I checked further and the first book 'The Radio' looks as if it was out in 2013 and 'The Page' in 2015 so it looks like I'm in for a bit of a wait.
I've heard back from the author this is book two from three 'The Radio' and 'The Page' take place at the same time with different character but both come together in the final book due out next year.
April 22, 2017
This book has been sitting on my Kindle since, well, I can't even remember when I downloaded it. I'm not entirely sure what took me so long as it's a cracking read.
A truly vile 'I'm so much more important that YOU are' main character becomes unsettled when a solitary page from a book flutters into his path. Its contents are not as easy to dismiss, unlike the people in his life, but the partial story practically mirrors a significant recent event in his life and and he becomes increasingly unsettled during his first holiday abroad without the wife he viciously patronised.
I honestly wasn't expecting The Page to have such an impact. I mean how can a story revolving around a single piece of paper be so compelling? Perhaps it's because there's all kinds of shrewd and interesting observations being made as our MC feels contempt for the majority of people around him and doesn't hold back when showing his disdain.
He competes with everyone until he succeeds at any cost, even inanimate objects or nature itself, and won't let anything beat him, that is until there's a slight possibility that his despicable, obnoxious and downright callousness may be brought to account.
A thoroughly quirky and entertaining read, and a genius idea for a book. Really enjoyed it.
A truly vile 'I'm so much more important that YOU are' main character becomes unsettled when a solitary page from a book flutters into his path. Its contents are not as easy to dismiss, unlike the people in his life, but the partial story practically mirrors a significant recent event in his life and and he becomes increasingly unsettled during his first holiday abroad without the wife he viciously patronised.
I honestly wasn't expecting The Page to have such an impact. I mean how can a story revolving around a single piece of paper be so compelling? Perhaps it's because there's all kinds of shrewd and interesting observations being made as our MC feels contempt for the majority of people around him and doesn't hold back when showing his disdain.
He competes with everyone until he succeeds at any cost, even inanimate objects or nature itself, and won't let anything beat him, that is until there's a slight possibility that his despicable, obnoxious and downright callousness may be brought to account.
A thoroughly quirky and entertaining read, and a genius idea for a book. Really enjoyed it.
March 28, 2015
I loved “The Radio” so was looking forward to this one – it was a really excellent read, quite the page turner (yes I know!) and beautifully done.
It is a fun book to read as you try to work out just what is going to happen, peppered with clues and with some truly fascinating characters you will love to hate to love. As Michael takes us on a journey through his life and tries to track down the rest of this book that happens to be scarily accurate, it is a beautifully drawn mystery thriller that will engage you all the way.
This is part of a trilogy, The Radio being the first part this being the second, and the way it ends will have you on the edge of your seat for the finale – where presumably all will be revealed including all the connections – I say presumably because the joy of these is it is never exactly clear where everything is going. Trying to work it out will give you a major book hangover but it is delicious stuff none the less.
Michael is horrible (I thought so anyway) so it is quite an accomplishment to make the reader still care what happens and want to know, but want to know you will and Mr Lee has a lovely way with words that embeds you into the tale immediately and will have you devouring every chapter.
Overall then a really terrific read, an author to watch. Hopefully not long until the next one – intelligent plotting and careful character driving makes it a must have.
It is a fun book to read as you try to work out just what is going to happen, peppered with clues and with some truly fascinating characters you will love to hate to love. As Michael takes us on a journey through his life and tries to track down the rest of this book that happens to be scarily accurate, it is a beautifully drawn mystery thriller that will engage you all the way.
This is part of a trilogy, The Radio being the first part this being the second, and the way it ends will have you on the edge of your seat for the finale – where presumably all will be revealed including all the connections – I say presumably because the joy of these is it is never exactly clear where everything is going. Trying to work it out will give you a major book hangover but it is delicious stuff none the less.
Michael is horrible (I thought so anyway) so it is quite an accomplishment to make the reader still care what happens and want to know, but want to know you will and Mr Lee has a lovely way with words that embeds you into the tale immediately and will have you devouring every chapter.
Overall then a really terrific read, an author to watch. Hopefully not long until the next one – intelligent plotting and careful character driving makes it a must have.
February 13, 2015
The Page is unlike anything that I've read before. Primarily a thriller, it's also a dark and witty tale, with possibly one of the most obnoxious and quite cruel lead characters that I've ever come across.
Michael is holidaying alone. Margaret, his wife of over thirty years was killed in a car accident a few months ago and his daughter Jane arranged this trip to Spain for him. Michael has always been in control, he has always made all of the decisions. Life for him has been one where everyone around him bowed to his wishes, and if anything displeased him, or didn't fit into his idea of a perfect world, then he got rid of the problem.
Michael doesn't really know how to relax, especially not in this family-centred mass tourist resort in Spain. He is annoyed by the children, by the other adult guests and by the food. Spain is too hot, they don't serve good whisky and the pool is far too crowded. Oh, and it gets windy too. A particularly strong gust of wind blows a book's pages all over the poolside and Michael ends up with one page stuck to his sun lotion oiled chest. When Michael reads this random page from a random book he is shocked and quite frightened; this page details his life and the last sentence scares him.
The Page details Michaels quest to track down the remainder of the book, to try to find out just what happens next. This is an intriguing premise, and although it is the central theme of the story, for me, the beauty of this novel is everything that goes on around Michael and the other characters in thes story.
M Jonathan Lee has a wonderful way with words, his descriptive prose is stunning, but not overdone. In fact, his writing can be very abrupt and quite sparse, but I like that - why use 50 words when 10 carefully chosen ones can do the same job?
"Lynne, a lady in her forties, had a shock of blond hair. She wore thick red lipstick which had the consistency of pate. Her eyelids were painted a shiny light blue. Her fingernails, which extended claw-like, were painted to match her lips. She smiled in a way that suggested that any joy she experienced in life was categorically outside of the workplace."
The reader is taken back to key points in Michael's life; starting work, meeting his wife Margaret, becoming a parent, and each event clearly shows the intricacies of Michael's somewhat appalling character. We meet his daughter Jane, we become involved in her life and her work and her desperation to please her father.
The Page ended quite abruptly, with some questions unanswered, with some characters still mysterious. I don't mind that, I love a story that makes me think, and ponder and wonder what the hell just happened!
Unusual, quirky, well written with characters that the reader will love and hate in equal measures. I'm a fan!
Michael is holidaying alone. Margaret, his wife of over thirty years was killed in a car accident a few months ago and his daughter Jane arranged this trip to Spain for him. Michael has always been in control, he has always made all of the decisions. Life for him has been one where everyone around him bowed to his wishes, and if anything displeased him, or didn't fit into his idea of a perfect world, then he got rid of the problem.
Michael doesn't really know how to relax, especially not in this family-centred mass tourist resort in Spain. He is annoyed by the children, by the other adult guests and by the food. Spain is too hot, they don't serve good whisky and the pool is far too crowded. Oh, and it gets windy too. A particularly strong gust of wind blows a book's pages all over the poolside and Michael ends up with one page stuck to his sun lotion oiled chest. When Michael reads this random page from a random book he is shocked and quite frightened; this page details his life and the last sentence scares him.
The Page details Michaels quest to track down the remainder of the book, to try to find out just what happens next. This is an intriguing premise, and although it is the central theme of the story, for me, the beauty of this novel is everything that goes on around Michael and the other characters in thes story.
M Jonathan Lee has a wonderful way with words, his descriptive prose is stunning, but not overdone. In fact, his writing can be very abrupt and quite sparse, but I like that - why use 50 words when 10 carefully chosen ones can do the same job?
"Lynne, a lady in her forties, had a shock of blond hair. She wore thick red lipstick which had the consistency of pate. Her eyelids were painted a shiny light blue. Her fingernails, which extended claw-like, were painted to match her lips. She smiled in a way that suggested that any joy she experienced in life was categorically outside of the workplace."
The reader is taken back to key points in Michael's life; starting work, meeting his wife Margaret, becoming a parent, and each event clearly shows the intricacies of Michael's somewhat appalling character. We meet his daughter Jane, we become involved in her life and her work and her desperation to please her father.
The Page ended quite abruptly, with some questions unanswered, with some characters still mysterious. I don't mind that, I love a story that makes me think, and ponder and wonder what the hell just happened!
Unusual, quirky, well written with characters that the reader will love and hate in equal measures. I'm a fan!
August 31, 2015
"The Page" by M Jonathan Lee
While a sequel to M Jonathan Lee's previous novel, “The Radio”, I read “The Page” as a stand-alone novel, and it worked very well as such.
Assuming you believe that single-mindedness and sheer graft are admirable qualities, then they are the only ones that fictional anti-hero Michael Sewell appears to possess. His wife Margaret, while under Michael's thumb, comes across as a much gentler and kinder character. It doesn't give the story away to say that Margaret dies quite early on in “The Page”, though she makes several extensive appearances through flashbacks.
“The Page” does have sympathetic supporting characters: Michael and Margaret's artist daughter, Jane, who tries to please her father with limited success; Jane's husband, Matt; and her flamboyant, bookshop owner friend, Martha.
The sections told from Jane and Margaret's points of view provide occasional, welcome relief from time spent with the unlikeable Michael. However, it was the desire to see him “get his comeuppance”, as my mum used to say, which keep me reading “The Page”, and thinking about it when I was supposed to be doing other things. That, and the peculiar plot twist of having Michael accidentally come quite literally in contact with the “page” of the title: part of a novel which talks about Michael's life – including the recent death of Michael – in great, unsettling detail.
If you must like the main character, then “The Page” isn't for you. If however you enjoy watching karma do its thing to unpleasant character who – for reasons not entirely clear – managed to marry one nice woman, and father another, then read “The Page”.
I'm giving this four stars as I would have liked to have had more back story into what made Michael such a thoroughly dislikeable chap. Otherwise, this a riveting, well-written read.
While a sequel to M Jonathan Lee's previous novel, “The Radio”, I read “The Page” as a stand-alone novel, and it worked very well as such.
Assuming you believe that single-mindedness and sheer graft are admirable qualities, then they are the only ones that fictional anti-hero Michael Sewell appears to possess. His wife Margaret, while under Michael's thumb, comes across as a much gentler and kinder character. It doesn't give the story away to say that Margaret dies quite early on in “The Page”, though she makes several extensive appearances through flashbacks.
“The Page” does have sympathetic supporting characters: Michael and Margaret's artist daughter, Jane, who tries to please her father with limited success; Jane's husband, Matt; and her flamboyant, bookshop owner friend, Martha.
The sections told from Jane and Margaret's points of view provide occasional, welcome relief from time spent with the unlikeable Michael. However, it was the desire to see him “get his comeuppance”, as my mum used to say, which keep me reading “The Page”, and thinking about it when I was supposed to be doing other things. That, and the peculiar plot twist of having Michael accidentally come quite literally in contact with the “page” of the title: part of a novel which talks about Michael's life – including the recent death of Michael – in great, unsettling detail.
If you must like the main character, then “The Page” isn't for you. If however you enjoy watching karma do its thing to unpleasant character who – for reasons not entirely clear – managed to marry one nice woman, and father another, then read “The Page”.
I'm giving this four stars as I would have liked to have had more back story into what made Michael such a thoroughly dislikeable chap. Otherwise, this a riveting, well-written read.
February 25, 2015
Love a good mystery, thriller type of book... and this was no doubt a dang good one! The way the author told the story was remarkable! The characters are realistic. The plot is like none other. The main character will have you wanting a gun to end his mess of creation! At least that's my thoughts... But this book will have you wanting more, it will have you turning the pages and restless sleep till you finish. This is the first I have read of this author and now I NEED to have more!
*Received for an honest review*
*Received for an honest review*
April 29, 2015
Well written - the suspense part of this novel was very well done! The characters had very distinct and memorable identities which was a major plus.
My only problem with the story was that I felt there were quite a few loose ends. I keep wanting to know what was after the part of the story described on the page. The ending left me hanging a bit too.
I also wanted to reach through the pages of this book and choke Michael...and seriously, how did his family put up with his garbage? I don't believe I've met a more unsavory character.
My only problem with the story was that I felt there were quite a few loose ends. I keep wanting to know what was after the part of the story described on the page. The ending left me hanging a bit too.
I also wanted to reach through the pages of this book and choke Michael...and seriously, how did his family put up with his garbage? I don't believe I've met a more unsavory character.
December 23, 2015
Most enjoyable, and main character was interesting to say the least. Hope to read more by this author.
March 8, 2018
Not my favourite by this author story-wise, but the writing is so detailed and of his usual high standard. He creates a main character that I would never want to meet! Can't wait for the final story of the trilogy, and to see how the two stories cleverly intertwine.
June 8, 2015
I kept trying to get into the story, but the author's insistence on including details of dress and decor not in any way connected/important to the story ("she put on a fashionable skirt from ______"...."the bedroom had been redone in an array of colors that everyone liked"...). This is common enough in popular writing (and indeed the Russians and Germans of the early 20th century would have considered anything less than a full page describing someone's dress sacrilege), but for some reason it pulls me out of the story here. This is a fault not of the writer, but of the reader. I made it about 43% in (according to the Kindle) before I had to call it a loss on my part.
Having said that, the writing is tight and of good quality, and there is not a lot of filler, save for what is mentioned. It will be a very enjoyable book for someone into this genre, and is overall well-written. I probably seem a bit hypocritical, having just given a higher rating to a Leon Uris novel, and his characters fit into movie tropes like hands in gloves, but this was just not for me.
Congrats to the author, though, on the tightness of the storyline.
Having said that, the writing is tight and of good quality, and there is not a lot of filler, save for what is mentioned. It will be a very enjoyable book for someone into this genre, and is overall well-written. I probably seem a bit hypocritical, having just given a higher rating to a Leon Uris novel, and his characters fit into movie tropes like hands in gloves, but this was just not for me.
Congrats to the author, though, on the tightness of the storyline.
April 30, 2015
Wow, Michael, the main character, is a douche. But he's one that you slowly begin to understand. The amount of sympathy felt for the other characters is really well done. Feelings of sympathy for Jane especially are prominent.
What I guess I'm trying to say is that, the characters are deep, they're all broken people with their own motivations and character flaws, and that is awesome. the only reason for a non-5 star review is that the ending felt rushed and incomplete. I want to know about the books, and what Jane decides to do. Equally I want to know why Claire is so fascinated with Michael. It's a great story, but I think Lee lost track of where he wanted to go.
What I guess I'm trying to say is that, the characters are deep, they're all broken people with their own motivations and character flaws, and that is awesome. the only reason for a non-5 star review is that the ending felt rushed and incomplete. I want to know about the books, and what Jane decides to do. Equally I want to know why Claire is so fascinated with Michael. It's a great story, but I think Lee lost track of where he wanted to go.
March 3, 2016
What a deliciously nasty character Michael is in 'The Page'. A truly awful human being whose character has left a trail of destruction behind him, mainly within his own family but toddlers and holiday makers are all seen as fair game. The writer's precise prose enable a vivid picture of each scene to form in the reader's head and makes for a very easy style to digest, making for a fast-paced and very enjoyable read. Well worth picking up.
December 13, 2015
You intensely dislike the main character when you read this book. I was just waiting for him to get his come uppance so that I could have a feeling of satisfaction.
That didn't happen but the end left me wanting to read more. I will definitely read the third book in this trilogy, I really hope it has a satisfying end
That didn't happen but the end left me wanting to read more. I will definitely read the third book in this trilogy, I really hope it has a satisfying end
August 25, 2015
Interesting but unfinished...
I really enjoyed the detail of the presentation of the character's feelings. I felt there was not enough exploration of the story towards the end for both Michael and Jane.
Looking forward to reading Mr. Lee's next.
I really enjoyed the detail of the presentation of the character's feelings. I felt there was not enough exploration of the story towards the end for both Michael and Jane.
Looking forward to reading Mr. Lee's next.
February 10, 2015
Considering just how unlikeable the main character is I was surprised by just how much I wanted to finish this book.
February 11, 2015
I read this in no time and really enjoyed it but the end didn't resolve the key issue of the page from the novel. Perhaps the third book will do that.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews