Lane's End

Lane Trilogy #1

by Julie C. Round

Bernard, a young man with learning difficulties, is left to fend for himself when his mother dies, and leaves home in search of help. He is taken in by Rose and Tim, who live in a cottage on the Downs, not realising his innocence is putting him in danger. Luckily fate sees him saved by an old woman who lives on a houseboat and he discovers a talent that leads him to meet Katie and fall in love. Demands are made on him, however, when he is forced to go for training to a horticultural college and finds not everyone is as sympathetic as the women in his life. How he deals with bullying and prejudice and finds sanctuary in the most unexpected place shows that it is possible to overcome problems, with help from those who care and understand.

274 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2007

About the author

Born Julie Christine Dundas.
Educated at Ealing Grammar School for Girls.
Trained as a teacher at Balls Park Training College, Herts.
Married Ben in 1966 and had two sons.
Became a tutor for dyslexics in Bromley.
Now living and writing novels in Worthing, West Sussex.

Reviews

[Jayne Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Lane's End' follows the attempts of central character Bernard to make his way in the world despite having learning difficulties. He is illiterate and has been sheltered by his mother; both have a disabling effect. It is interesting sometimes to see things through Bernard's eyes: he finds a bowl of 'dried leaves' on his window sill and promptly pours them out. Later his landlady wonders what happened to her pot pourri. We witness the sort of prejudice he encounters: he is bullied at a vocational education centre, and his prospective father in law makes free with the word 'moron'. But the story really comes into its own when the obnoxious social worker enters stage left, and the author absolutely nails the establishment's strict adherence to notions of what is 'normal' and 'acceptable'.

The writing is clear and unfussy, and whilst it is obvious where the author's sympthies lie it is never preachy. A brisk pace is maintained by keeping sections short. I did however find in places that conversations - particularly on life changing and highly emotive subjects - felt truncated, and in the final third, where most of the action dwells, major events (like the fatal accident) occurred without us having time to get acquainted with those involved. Rather like chugging along on a train quite happily, then finding that it whooshes straight through a series of stations at which one might have liked to get off and look around.

This book will appeal to those with an interest in modern social issues, and who enjoy a story rooted in the everyday, told without pretention. It has in places a fairytale quality to it - parallels with Snow White in the early stages, with the wandering innocent in the woods finding refuge in the cottage, and a close brush with the reaper reminiscent of Snow White and the woodsman. There was also a quaint feeling of propriety about the progression of events - despite Katie's father's opposition to her marrying Bernard it is never suggested that they simply 'shack up' together, likewise Rose's dogged determination to stand by her man, even though he is positively asking to be bumped off and buried under the patio. Moreover it is noticeable that although life becomes tough for the central family, nobody ever thinks of setting up in a council house and living off benefits. It is maybe this determination to demonstrate that someone with learning difficulties can make it without leaning on the state that is the chief message of this novel.

[S.A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Julie Round writes well and creates warm, likeable, believable characters. I enjoyed Lane's End - reading it was like curling up with a cat and a cup of cocoa. The main character of Bernard was well realised and a very sympathetic, if unlikely, hero. Viewing the world through his simple way of thinking was what gave the book its wholesome, feel-good factor. We were never in any doubt here that there would be a happy ending, and there's nothing wrong with that. We need more stories which explore the positive side of life instead of simply heaping more doom and despair on our plates!

Having said all that, the reason for 3 stars rather than 4 is that I did feel that even for a modern-day fairy story, the challenges faced by Bernard and the characters he meets along the way were a bit too easily resolved. As a result there was too little sense of tension. Even at the end of the book when there is a really significant challenge faced by those close to Bernard I felt I was just reading about their pain, not sharing it. It is the mark of a great writer that the reader becomes so deeply identified with the plight of the characters that you are as anxious as they are to find out how it all turns out. With Lane's End, you knew that the perfect solution would just turn up.

I look forward to more from Julie Round, and hope future books may have a little more dramatic tension - without losing the positive view of life and humanity that shines through Lane's End.

[Julie Round]

This is the story that introduces the reader to Bernard, a man with learning difficulties and begins to show how he copes with life, meets a young lady and starts a family. I have re-read Lane's End, Un-Stable Lane and The Third Lane to make sure I know the characters and ages as I have just written a fourth book in what is becoming a series. Each story is self contained but the same characters do appear in them, with extra people added over the years. The new book is due to be published in June 2018. I do not give stars for my own works.