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A Good Day for Jumping
Librarian's note: This is an Alternate cover edition of ASIN: B00ALIV3MA
Joyce Shackleton has more than her fair share of secrets. The people who know her would never guess that she is anything more than the most formidable PA ever employed at Firth and Firth Advertising.
Stephen Firth jilts his bride and escapes to Crete, the island where he spent his summers as a child
Sarah Grey is preoccupied with the plight of her brother Andy, who is fighting in Afghanistan.
What is it that links the fates of these characters?
And what happens when Joyce finally reveals her best kept secret?
A compelling plot with intriguing characters, set in London, Crete and Afghanistan.
Joyce Shackleton has more than her fair share of secrets. The people who know her would never guess that she is anything more than the most formidable PA ever employed at Firth and Firth Advertising.
Stephen Firth jilts his bride and escapes to Crete, the island where he spent his summers as a child
Sarah Grey is preoccupied with the plight of her brother Andy, who is fighting in Afghanistan.
What is it that links the fates of these characters?
And what happens when Joyce finally reveals her best kept secret?
A compelling plot with intriguing characters, set in London, Crete and Afghanistan.
Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2012
2 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
B.A. Spicer
15 books74 followersBev Spicer has been writing full-time for eight years, from her crumbly Charentaise house in France. In a past life she gained a degree in English and French Literature (Keele University) and a PGCE in English methods (Queens' College, Cambridge).
She has lived in Bridgnorth, Cambridge, Rethymnon (Crete), Mahe (Seychelles), and now lives in Charente Maritime with her husband and youngest son. The next place she wants to explore is probably Spain. Her husband is very tolerant, and secretly enjoys chaos.
Bev has been a teacher, blackjack dealer for Playboy, examiner for Cambridge ESOL, secretary (various sorts - most boringly 'legal'), lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University, and a Sunday checkout girl for Tesco (who allowed her to deliver surplus bakery products to the homeless – ‘every little helps’).
She loves people, reading, writing, speaking French, astronomy (quantum theory addict), gardening, travelling, and hates housework, cooking, drizzle and honey.
Bev publishes under the name Bev Spicer for her lighter books and B. A. Spicer for more literary work.
She has lived in Bridgnorth, Cambridge, Rethymnon (Crete), Mahe (Seychelles), and now lives in Charente Maritime with her husband and youngest son. The next place she wants to explore is probably Spain. Her husband is very tolerant, and secretly enjoys chaos.
Bev has been a teacher, blackjack dealer for Playboy, examiner for Cambridge ESOL, secretary (various sorts - most boringly 'legal'), lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University, and a Sunday checkout girl for Tesco (who allowed her to deliver surplus bakery products to the homeless – ‘every little helps’).
She loves people, reading, writing, speaking French, astronomy (quantum theory addict), gardening, travelling, and hates housework, cooking, drizzle and honey.
Bev publishes under the name Bev Spicer for her lighter books and B. A. Spicer for more literary work.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 29, 2016
A Good Day for Jumping is a brilliantly written book. The story plants itself, like a strong vine in fertile soil, sending out powerful tendrils of character and sub-plot which wrap themselves round the reader’s imagination, bud, flower and finally fruit, bringing forth a satisfying harvest.
Initially, we are confronted by Steve, a man returning to his roots in Crete, alone for some reason we do not know. He drifts without purpose from one bar to another, walks aimlessly up hills and finally makes a connection with a bar owner and his extended family. Their stories are grafted seamlessly onto Steve’s. They, like we, assess his character and his situation. Who is he? What is he doing here? What is he running away from?
Meanwhile, back in the UK, Sarah takes up a new secretarial position in an advertising agency. Her story weaves itself into Steve’s, as, in turn, does that of her brother in Afghanistan. Then we meet Joyce, the woman Sarah is replacing, Joyce’s part-time lover and her querulous mother. The story moves backwards and forwards in time. It all becomes enmeshed into the first root-stock, colouring it, adding light and shade, perfume, flavour. One might argue that perhaps there are too many side-stories, some of them don’t add directly to the leader. On the other hand the character I most wanted to meet - Steve’s mother - was absent altogether. Some of the time-shifts are a little abrupt and bewildering but I like a book which demands something of me as a reader. I was kept on my toes.
Always, in my mind, was the book’s title. Who is going to jump? What from? Why? And although in the end this proves to be not quite what I anticipated, it maintained a tension like a taut wire as the narrative unfurled.
Steve is an intriguing character; not a hero, but not a villain either. He is what many young men finding themselves in his position would be; feckless, selfish, lost, endearingly honest about his own failings.
This writer is a natural; her prose is effortless and evocative, her dialogue very natural. She tells her story entirely from the points of view of her many characters, keeping herself aloof and her secrets close to her chest. Some of the insights offered by peripheral characters could have been filled in by a strong narrative voice; arguably, this might have made the text tighter, perhaps? But I am picking unnecessary holes, here. This is a very good book.
Initially, we are confronted by Steve, a man returning to his roots in Crete, alone for some reason we do not know. He drifts without purpose from one bar to another, walks aimlessly up hills and finally makes a connection with a bar owner and his extended family. Their stories are grafted seamlessly onto Steve’s. They, like we, assess his character and his situation. Who is he? What is he doing here? What is he running away from?
Meanwhile, back in the UK, Sarah takes up a new secretarial position in an advertising agency. Her story weaves itself into Steve’s, as, in turn, does that of her brother in Afghanistan. Then we meet Joyce, the woman Sarah is replacing, Joyce’s part-time lover and her querulous mother. The story moves backwards and forwards in time. It all becomes enmeshed into the first root-stock, colouring it, adding light and shade, perfume, flavour. One might argue that perhaps there are too many side-stories, some of them don’t add directly to the leader. On the other hand the character I most wanted to meet - Steve’s mother - was absent altogether. Some of the time-shifts are a little abrupt and bewildering but I like a book which demands something of me as a reader. I was kept on my toes.
Always, in my mind, was the book’s title. Who is going to jump? What from? Why? And although in the end this proves to be not quite what I anticipated, it maintained a tension like a taut wire as the narrative unfurled.
Steve is an intriguing character; not a hero, but not a villain either. He is what many young men finding themselves in his position would be; feckless, selfish, lost, endearingly honest about his own failings.
This writer is a natural; her prose is effortless and evocative, her dialogue very natural. She tells her story entirely from the points of view of her many characters, keeping herself aloof and her secrets close to her chest. Some of the insights offered by peripheral characters could have been filled in by a strong narrative voice; arguably, this might have made the text tighter, perhaps? But I am picking unnecessary holes, here. This is a very good book.
March 15, 2014
A Good Day For Jumping is one of those books where, at first, seemingly unconnected people go about their lives--whether that's working hard or wrecking emotional havoc--and it's only little by little, detail upon detail, that you see these individuals are actually on a collision course. Every character has a hidden agenda, something they are either desperate to hide or waiting for the right (most damaging) moment to reveal. No one is innocent and no one gets out unscathed.
Stephen Firth seems like your average ne'er-do-well rich boy. He abandons his emotionally fragile fiance even as their guests arrive at the church and runs to his maternal homeland of Greece. But there are realities that can't be escaped. Stephen thinks he's taken back control of his future. He has no idea that there's someone behind the scenes pulling strings and keeping secrets.
Joyce Shackleton is a force to be reckoned with in the tiny professional kingdom she's created for herself over the past two decades. Her co-workers would say that her job is her life. In truth, it's only one of her lives. Despite Joyce's best efforts, her separate worlds collide in a way that she cannot ignore.
Spicer does a great job playing these and her other characters off of one another. She parses out facts in little tidbits, that may or may not mean what you think they do. This builds plenty of tension. Just when you think you understand what's going on, there's a twist. I especially enjoyed the contrast of urban/suburban London with sun-drenched Greece. Both locales were drawn in fine detail--down to the flavors of the meals and the smells in the alleyways.
A great read for those who don't necessarily need their fiction to end tied in a neat bow.
Stephen Firth seems like your average ne'er-do-well rich boy. He abandons his emotionally fragile fiance even as their guests arrive at the church and runs to his maternal homeland of Greece. But there are realities that can't be escaped. Stephen thinks he's taken back control of his future. He has no idea that there's someone behind the scenes pulling strings and keeping secrets.
Joyce Shackleton is a force to be reckoned with in the tiny professional kingdom she's created for herself over the past two decades. Her co-workers would say that her job is her life. In truth, it's only one of her lives. Despite Joyce's best efforts, her separate worlds collide in a way that she cannot ignore.
Spicer does a great job playing these and her other characters off of one another. She parses out facts in little tidbits, that may or may not mean what you think they do. This builds plenty of tension. Just when you think you understand what's going on, there's a twist. I especially enjoyed the contrast of urban/suburban London with sun-drenched Greece. Both locales were drawn in fine detail--down to the flavors of the meals and the smells in the alleyways.
A great read for those who don't necessarily need their fiction to end tied in a neat bow.
April 4, 2013
To begin with, there didn't seem to be much of a plot, just some well drawn characters, but as the story unfolded, the interactions became clear, and the loose threads wove themselves into an enticing tease. I didn't guess where it would end, or even what would happen on the way to the end. An entertaining read from start to finish, with lovable characters, for all their beautifully detailed faults.
October 4, 2014
An excellently crafted tale, as with all of B A Spicer's work. Characters to whom you will relate, and locations that become real through first class descriptive writing. A group of people that at first seem randomly selected gradually come together. The story ends at a point that will leave you wanting a sequel.
January 3, 2016
Just bought my amazon fire and this is the second book i've read what a great book i've
Spent several holidays in the Greek islands and this book took me back there. I shall be reading more of Bev Spicers books !!
Spent several holidays in the Greek islands and this book took me back there. I shall be reading more of Bev Spicers books !!
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October 6, 2024the cover on this ebook is the price of love
i think its the same ebook
i think its the same ebook
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2016
'A Good Day for Jumping' is an intriguing book comprising a very fine collection of well-sketched characters and seemingly effortless shifts between widely differing locales: from the smoke and mirrors of London's 'Adland' in the West End to the sun-drenched beaches of Crete; from the dizzying heights of Bristol's Clifton Suspension Bridge to a down-trodden and dusty, war-torn Afghanistan.
The author also makes some keen observations of juxtaposed realities as in the ubiquitous tourist bars run by the likes of Antipodeans such as Carl versus the traditional Cretan eatery run by Kooki, or Roula's burning desire to study medicine and help others in life versus Steve Firth's indifference and disdain towards others less privileged than himself, guided only by hedonistic tendencies and seeking out his personal pleasure.
But above all else, what this author has excelled at, is the creation of a myriad of delightfully wandering tributaries that finally come together downstream to reveal a raging torrent of unforeseen discoveries, deservedly giving the reader good cause for a wry smile.
Despite the book's title appearing to have a direct relevance only to the character of Joyce Shackleton and the unhappy memories of her father with suicidal tendencies, and perhaps a somewhat more dubious link to the caddish character of Stephen Firth jumping ship on his wedding day, some readers may be left wondering about the title, although personally, I did not find this detracted unduly from the whole - a good read with a tight narrative.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I look forward to reading more of B.A. Spicer's work. She has a rare talent that deserves further development and which no doubt will mature over time.
The author also makes some keen observations of juxtaposed realities as in the ubiquitous tourist bars run by the likes of Antipodeans such as Carl versus the traditional Cretan eatery run by Kooki, or Roula's burning desire to study medicine and help others in life versus Steve Firth's indifference and disdain towards others less privileged than himself, guided only by hedonistic tendencies and seeking out his personal pleasure.
But above all else, what this author has excelled at, is the creation of a myriad of delightfully wandering tributaries that finally come together downstream to reveal a raging torrent of unforeseen discoveries, deservedly giving the reader good cause for a wry smile.
Despite the book's title appearing to have a direct relevance only to the character of Joyce Shackleton and the unhappy memories of her father with suicidal tendencies, and perhaps a somewhat more dubious link to the caddish character of Stephen Firth jumping ship on his wedding day, some readers may be left wondering about the title, although personally, I did not find this detracted unduly from the whole - a good read with a tight narrative.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I look forward to reading more of B.A. Spicer's work. She has a rare talent that deserves further development and which no doubt will mature over time.
May 24, 2016
Although I don't really count myself a member of the book's target audience I enjoyed a number of its individual elements and I admire the author's technical ability and the clarity of the prose.
There is strong descriptive work throughout, most notably the textures of the book's various locales and the mannerisms and eccentricities of its wide range of ancillary characters.
Despite struggling somewhat to identify with the central characters I enjoyed their interlaced narratives and the somewhat disorientating shifts in space/viewpoint. This did prove to be something of a double-edged sword however, as in the later stages I found the book a little drawn-out and meandering. I had to consciously reel in the thread on a number of occasions, although it should be noted that I have a thick hide and the attention span of a gnat, so I tend to favour punchier, more concentrated fiction. Taking a step back from my personal preferences, there is a lot to enjoy and admire here and it's a strong piece of work by any measure.
There is strong descriptive work throughout, most notably the textures of the book's various locales and the mannerisms and eccentricities of its wide range of ancillary characters.
Despite struggling somewhat to identify with the central characters I enjoyed their interlaced narratives and the somewhat disorientating shifts in space/viewpoint. This did prove to be something of a double-edged sword however, as in the later stages I found the book a little drawn-out and meandering. I had to consciously reel in the thread on a number of occasions, although it should be noted that I have a thick hide and the attention span of a gnat, so I tend to favour punchier, more concentrated fiction. Taking a step back from my personal preferences, there is a lot to enjoy and admire here and it's a strong piece of work by any measure.
May 14, 2016
I really wanted to like this book, but I like fast-paced stories, and A Good Day For Jumping is not it. The writing is tight with well-drawn characters and vivid descriptions, but it’s so slow in the beginning, that I had a hard time keeping up with all the unconnected stories and characters. If you like books where (seemingly) unrelated people go about their lives, taking a long time until you begin to realize that their paths will eventually cross, than A Good Day For Jumping is for you. It’s true that one book can’t please everyone. I wish the author all the best.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews