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The Things We Thought We Knew
AN OBSERVER NEW FACE OF FICTION FOR 2017
'An original and affecting coming-of-age novel' The Observer
'Fuses life's big themes with daily minutiae ... A voice of the next generation' Stylist
'A vibrant portrayal of estate life in the late nineties and an affecting story of friendship' The Independent
Ravine and Marianne were best friends. They practised handstands together, raced slugs and went into the woods to play.
But now everything has changed.
Ten years later, Ravine lies in a bed plagued by chronic pain syndrome. And her best friend Marianne is gone.
How did their last adventure go so wrong? Who is to blame? And where is Marianne?
Heartbreaking, bittersweet and utterly unforgettable, The Things We Thought We Knew is a powerful novel about the things we remember and the things we wish we could forget.
'An original and affecting coming-of-age novel' The Observer
'Fuses life's big themes with daily minutiae ... A voice of the next generation' Stylist
'A vibrant portrayal of estate life in the late nineties and an affecting story of friendship' The Independent
Ravine and Marianne were best friends. They practised handstands together, raced slugs and went into the woods to play.
But now everything has changed.
Ten years later, Ravine lies in a bed plagued by chronic pain syndrome. And her best friend Marianne is gone.
How did their last adventure go so wrong? Who is to blame? And where is Marianne?
Heartbreaking, bittersweet and utterly unforgettable, The Things We Thought We Knew is a powerful novel about the things we remember and the things we wish we could forget.
296 pages, Hardcover
First published June 15, 2017
26 people are currently reading
508 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
May 7, 2017
It's hard to believe that the author Mahsuda Snaith was only 16 when she first drafted this book "The Things We Thought We Knew" - for a debut novel the writing is so professional and word perfect you'd easily think that she has been successfully writing books for many many years.
18 year old Ravine has been lying in her bed in a Leicester council flat for 10 years plagued by chronic pain syndrome and has been ever since the day her best friend disappeared. As she begins to write down things she remembers from her childhood, she realises the only way to conquer the pain is to confront the horrors of her past.
I LOVED this book, I wish I could give it more than 5 stars so much did I enjoy it!
What a fabulous, moving and insightful story from a really refreshing and talented new author on the block!
I thought Ravine told her story brilliantly and with the hint of some horrible past event you are drawn into the intrigue immediately. I loved the way the story interchanged between the present day and Ravine's childhood with her best friend Marianne and her brother Jonathan. This flowed seamlessly and I found I couldn't put the book down for wanting to read more about the build up to Marianne's disappearance. The author has captured Modern Britain and its rich and engaging characters perfectly - I truly liked every one and with a hint of humour thrown in, terrific descriptions of their habitat and community and a powerful and emotional storyline this book has everything to like!
I expect that this book will be HUGE when it is published next month, and will be talked about a lot. I will happily read this story again and will certainly be recommending it to my fellow book worms!
Truly amazing, I give this 5 massive stars - if you read only one book this year, make sure it's this one, you won't be disappointed!
18 year old Ravine has been lying in her bed in a Leicester council flat for 10 years plagued by chronic pain syndrome and has been ever since the day her best friend disappeared. As she begins to write down things she remembers from her childhood, she realises the only way to conquer the pain is to confront the horrors of her past.
I LOVED this book, I wish I could give it more than 5 stars so much did I enjoy it!
What a fabulous, moving and insightful story from a really refreshing and talented new author on the block!
I thought Ravine told her story brilliantly and with the hint of some horrible past event you are drawn into the intrigue immediately. I loved the way the story interchanged between the present day and Ravine's childhood with her best friend Marianne and her brother Jonathan. This flowed seamlessly and I found I couldn't put the book down for wanting to read more about the build up to Marianne's disappearance. The author has captured Modern Britain and its rich and engaging characters perfectly - I truly liked every one and with a hint of humour thrown in, terrific descriptions of their habitat and community and a powerful and emotional storyline this book has everything to like!
I expect that this book will be HUGE when it is published next month, and will be talked about a lot. I will happily read this story again and will certainly be recommending it to my fellow book worms!
Truly amazing, I give this 5 massive stars - if you read only one book this year, make sure it's this one, you won't be disappointed!
June 12, 2017
This book was amazing. Written with a delicate prose that has feelings and real life in high standard, follows the story of Ravine a girl bedriden due to chronic pain as she gets to grips with a sth that shattered her life.
I loved how the author gave voice to her character so she could tell the story of her friend Marianne and through the story of her friend, hers. this books reads like some peebles thrown into water and you see how the ripples reach each other and interact in a whole. I LOVED this book. Really.
The characters are so compelling, so real-life like that you can't help falling in love with them, wanting to know more of their life then and what happened. In that the author succeds as she combines narration on the present moment and accounting of the past weaving the full scope of the story right in front of our eyes. Everything is bealiable, everything is real. I read this is the first book of the author... and I want more! :)
I loved how the author gave voice to her character so she could tell the story of her friend Marianne and through the story of her friend, hers. this books reads like some peebles thrown into water and you see how the ripples reach each other and interact in a whole. I LOVED this book. Really.
The characters are so compelling, so real-life like that you can't help falling in love with them, wanting to know more of their life then and what happened. In that the author succeds as she combines narration on the present moment and accounting of the past weaving the full scope of the story right in front of our eyes. Everything is bealiable, everything is real. I read this is the first book of the author... and I want more! :)
June 16, 2017
The things we thought we knew is a fascinating, honest but poignant coming of age story. The book is set mainly in the present day, with Ravine bed bound after suffering from chronic pain syndrome. However memories and events from her childhood are interweaved within this as Ravine remembers more about her friendship with Marianne. The childhood memories made me quite nostalgic for my own childhood as I remember doing some of the same things they did. We also used to make up stories about our neighbours being spies, pretended there were monsters in the woods and raced snails (though it's slugs in the book), so these memories made me smile.
The main character Ravine is a very interesting one and it was fascinating to learn more about chronic pain syndrome. I had a lot of sympathy for her and the life she has been forced to lead but some if her actions, particularly those towards her mother, made her seem quite selfish. From the beginning the author subtly hints that there is more to her current situation than her just having chronic pain syndrome. This becomes more and more apparent as the book goes on and it is this, along with the mystery or what happened to Marianne, that pulls the reader in and makes you want to continue reading. My favourite character was Amma, Ravine's mum. I loved how strong, confident and sassy she was despite having had quite a tough life. Her love for Ravine is evident throughout the book and it was really touching to read about her efforts to try and help her daughter get better. I found it so poignant to see her efforts rebuffed by Ravine. Her attempts to try and get on with her life were also very sweet, as was the fact she put her plans immediately on hold when Ravine needed her.
Their setting of the novel, a council estate, was really well described. I felt like I could imagine the area Ravine lived in vividly. The descriptions of the multicultural environment that probably exists in most inner city council estates and the characters that lived on it made the setting seem really real as everybody would have come across such characters in their lives or heard stories about them. This setting also helped create a sense of claustrophobia as you get the sense that everybody knows everyone else and their business. I felt that this added to the tension throughout the book as you wait for something to happen or be revealed.
This is the author's debut novel and I really look forward to reading more from her. If you like books like Elizabeth is missing I think you will like this book as I think the styles are similar.
Huge thanks to Thomas Hill and Transworld publisher for providing me with a copy of this book, I really enjoyed it!
The main character Ravine is a very interesting one and it was fascinating to learn more about chronic pain syndrome. I had a lot of sympathy for her and the life she has been forced to lead but some if her actions, particularly those towards her mother, made her seem quite selfish. From the beginning the author subtly hints that there is more to her current situation than her just having chronic pain syndrome. This becomes more and more apparent as the book goes on and it is this, along with the mystery or what happened to Marianne, that pulls the reader in and makes you want to continue reading. My favourite character was Amma, Ravine's mum. I loved how strong, confident and sassy she was despite having had quite a tough life. Her love for Ravine is evident throughout the book and it was really touching to read about her efforts to try and help her daughter get better. I found it so poignant to see her efforts rebuffed by Ravine. Her attempts to try and get on with her life were also very sweet, as was the fact she put her plans immediately on hold when Ravine needed her.
Their setting of the novel, a council estate, was really well described. I felt like I could imagine the area Ravine lived in vividly. The descriptions of the multicultural environment that probably exists in most inner city council estates and the characters that lived on it made the setting seem really real as everybody would have come across such characters in their lives or heard stories about them. This setting also helped create a sense of claustrophobia as you get the sense that everybody knows everyone else and their business. I felt that this added to the tension throughout the book as you wait for something to happen or be revealed.
This is the author's debut novel and I really look forward to reading more from her. If you like books like Elizabeth is missing I think you will like this book as I think the styles are similar.
Huge thanks to Thomas Hill and Transworld publisher for providing me with a copy of this book, I really enjoyed it!
November 29, 2017
I picked up this book as the book blurb sounded interesting and it had a sense of mystery to it.
The story is simple, Ravine is bed-ridden due to Chronic pain syndrome and the she goes back in time in her memories to her friendship with Marianne and her disappearance.
As the pages turn, the story develops and Ravine's pain also decreases till it completely vanishes.
The story goes very slow and I have to admit I did skip over some pages to get to the ending. I did not like the main character Ravine and found her to be self centered and selfish. I just couldn't connect with any of the characters.
This is not my kind of read but the author has done a great job in describing the living conditions of Ravine and her words add to the story.
A good coming of age story but a slow read.
The story is simple, Ravine is bed-ridden due to Chronic pain syndrome and the she goes back in time in her memories to her friendship with Marianne and her disappearance.
As the pages turn, the story develops and Ravine's pain also decreases till it completely vanishes.
The story goes very slow and I have to admit I did skip over some pages to get to the ending. I did not like the main character Ravine and found her to be self centered and selfish. I just couldn't connect with any of the characters.
This is not my kind of read but the author has done a great job in describing the living conditions of Ravine and her words add to the story.
A good coming of age story but a slow read.
May 2, 2018
I had been looking forward to reading this for ages because I thought the topics covered in it would be interesting (disability, social deprivation, life as a British Asian person to list but three) but I was left a little disappointed. It was a pleasant read, Mahsuda Snaith writes well, but the plot lacked enough momentum and suspense to make me want to keep reading, and I didn't really like Ravine . Additionally, I thought that . I would still like to read further books from this author though, I think the characters and setting were well done even if the plot didn't grip me.
January 6, 2018
4.5 My first book of 2018, and it's a good one!
April 30, 2019
I had heard rave reviews about this book and when I picked up and saw that the author, Mahsuda Snaith had previously won awards I assumed the book would be good. But then I saw that it’s her debut novel and I got a bit nervous. Let me just say that Mahsuda Snaith is the kind of writer I wish I could be or could have been had I been a writer. This is a brilliant coming of age story with a hint of mystery and a hint of a love story.
Ravine is a young woman forced to remain in her mother’s council flat in Leister due to a chronic pain condition that started on the night her best friend, Marianne, disappeared a decade earlier. Snaith’s rich and evocative writing make the reader fall in love with the characters and really become invested in them and their fate. I’m sure this will be one of my top books read in 2019!
Ravine is a young woman forced to remain in her mother’s council flat in Leister due to a chronic pain condition that started on the night her best friend, Marianne, disappeared a decade earlier. Snaith’s rich and evocative writing make the reader fall in love with the characters and really become invested in them and their fate. I’m sure this will be one of my top books read in 2019!
June 15, 2019
Growing up story of an Asian girl on a Leicester estate at the turn of the millennium and after (2010). A really lovely opening, good characters, good dialogue, fairly fizzing, but the plot - for me - was a little drawn out and implausible and slowed the last section. Nevertheless a book of energy and delight. Slug races, dens in woods, secrets and misunderstandings, the joys of friendships (and of having enemies), bogey men and real death.
December 29, 2017
I had the pleasure of knowing this author in the U.K. when I attended the Leicestershire Writers Club and knew from her readings she could charm readers. Delighted with this publication. I live now in California, but managed to get hold of a copy through Amazon.com. Loved the setting in the estate, how she created an entire world there. A fascinating exploration of pain, and the struggle to come out of it. Since I was recuperating from a painful surgery when I read it, I certainly identified with the central character, and how small your world can become. I found her relationship with her friend's brother particularly affecting. Look forward to more from this talent writer.
June 14, 2017
Gave up 2/3rds of the way through. Found this incredibly dull and was not invested in the story whatsoever.
January 10, 2018
Such a sweet story about friends growing up in not always the easiest of circumstances. This was well written and very intriguing! I hate slugs though, lol x
July 2, 2017
To be honest I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I started this book after reading the blurb I was definitely intrigued. For one thing it sounded quite different to any story I had read but with a hint of a mystery that alone caught my attention. The feel and tone of the book is quite intimate mainly because you are hearing the private thoughts of someone. Then add in their recollections of not only the past but telling their story in the here and now. Due to this way of story telling I ended up feeling quite attached to Ravine even with her flaws. The community that Ravine and Amma live in felt pretty realistic and it was so easy to imagine their everyday lives both in the past and present.
The plot unfolds at a steady pace but easily managed to grab my attention with little snippets of information revealed which drew me further and deeper into the story. Chronic pain syndrome is featured in this story and the way that Mahsuda Snaith writes Ravine felt natural and overall sensitive. The mystery surrounding Marianne is one that held my attention and I had this need to know the truth especially as Ravine recalls both her childhood and her friend. I thought that the transition from past to present was smooth and helped move the story along brilliantly.
I freely admit to being a pretty emotional person and this book definitely brought that side out of me. The power of a story to produce such a response is always special and I am so glad that I picked up this book. Even though there is plenty of emotion packed into this story there is also some light hearted moments and a sense of hope too.
A beautiful tale of friendship, hope and the memories that we hold!
With thanks to Thomas Hill & Transworld Books for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.
The plot unfolds at a steady pace but easily managed to grab my attention with little snippets of information revealed which drew me further and deeper into the story. Chronic pain syndrome is featured in this story and the way that Mahsuda Snaith writes Ravine felt natural and overall sensitive. The mystery surrounding Marianne is one that held my attention and I had this need to know the truth especially as Ravine recalls both her childhood and her friend. I thought that the transition from past to present was smooth and helped move the story along brilliantly.
I freely admit to being a pretty emotional person and this book definitely brought that side out of me. The power of a story to produce such a response is always special and I am so glad that I picked up this book. Even though there is plenty of emotion packed into this story there is also some light hearted moments and a sense of hope too.
A beautiful tale of friendship, hope and the memories that we hold!
With thanks to Thomas Hill & Transworld Books for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.
March 18, 2017
I really enjoyed this debut novel. It follows Ravine, who, in 2010, has been confined to bed for ten years with chronic pain syndrome. She lives in a tower block in Leicester with her single mother, Rekha, who tries to encourage Ravine to get well enough to go out and vote in the election, as she's just turned 18. But Ravine is still traumatised by events of ten years ago, at the dawn of the new millennium, when her best friend and nextdoor neighbour Marianne disappeared, along with Marianne's brother Jonathan and their neglectful mum. The novel is written in the first person from Ravine's point of view, addressed to Marianne, as she remembers the events of their childhood and how their friendship ended abruptly. The characters in this novel are perfectly formed and you really enter Ravine's world. There is lots of sadness and tragedy, but it's also quite a funny tale, as Ravine's voice takes you through her childhood of the 1990s.
October 31, 2018
I loved this beautiful book.
November 13, 2018
This is well written with some great characters and nineties nostalgia but it was too slow going for me
March 8, 2017
A tale of female friendship, adversity and class, this follows what has become an over- familiar narrative arc: Something Bad happened ten years ago so that 18- year old Ravine barely leaves her bed and suffers both mental anguish and physical pain - but, of course, the narrative dances around, refusing to tell us what happened when she and her best friend were 8-year olds.
I'm finding myself increasingly irritated with books like this which withhold their central plot-point in this way, making every emotional journey into a kind of mystery story. It's as if we can't simply have a story of adversity, trauma and reconciliation told in a straightforward way without an element of 'but what happened 10 years ago?'. When we do eventually find out, it ends up being a bit of an anti-climax, not in emotional terms, but because the book tries to build it up into some great revelation like a whodunnit and it simply isn't.
Snaith could have told this tale in a more impactful way with the emphasis on how we deal with traumatic events, how we learn to move on and achieve adulthood without the unnecessary mystery element.
Review from an ARC from Amazon Vine
I'm finding myself increasingly irritated with books like this which withhold their central plot-point in this way, making every emotional journey into a kind of mystery story. It's as if we can't simply have a story of adversity, trauma and reconciliation told in a straightforward way without an element of 'but what happened 10 years ago?'. When we do eventually find out, it ends up being a bit of an anti-climax, not in emotional terms, but because the book tries to build it up into some great revelation like a whodunnit and it simply isn't.
Snaith could have told this tale in a more impactful way with the emphasis on how we deal with traumatic events, how we learn to move on and achieve adulthood without the unnecessary mystery element.
Review from an ARC from Amazon Vine
May 29, 2019
Picked this up at the library since it seemed like an unconventional mystery and got halfway through before I realized it was a DNF for me.
I found Ravine so unlikeable. I understand that she's living with chronic pain which is extremely hard no matter the situation - however it doesn't excuse her utter selfishness and disregard for her mother in particular.
The pace was slow and though the narrative style was interesting, it wasn't enough to hold my attention or make me want to find out what happened to Marianne and Jonathan during their childhood. The glimpses of the past were the most interesting part of the book, and every secondary character introduced was more compelling than the protagonist.
If you're looking for a slow paced mystery and don't mind a selfish protag and a narrative that bounces between past and present this may be for you.
After half the book I just wasn't invested enough to continue.
I found Ravine so unlikeable. I understand that she's living with chronic pain which is extremely hard no matter the situation - however it doesn't excuse her utter selfishness and disregard for her mother in particular.
The pace was slow and though the narrative style was interesting, it wasn't enough to hold my attention or make me want to find out what happened to Marianne and Jonathan during their childhood. The glimpses of the past were the most interesting part of the book, and every secondary character introduced was more compelling than the protagonist.
If you're looking for a slow paced mystery and don't mind a selfish protag and a narrative that bounces between past and present this may be for you.
After half the book I just wasn't invested enough to continue.
March 1, 2018
Avevo visto la segnalazione di questo libro su un blog al tempo della sua uscita.
La trama mi aveva convinta fin dall'inizio, ma la verità è che prima ancora della trama a convincermi è stata la tagline - e quando si parla di amicizia, io non so mai resistere.
Da dieci anni, Ravine è confinata a letto da dolori cronici in tutto il corpo - specialmente nella parte sinistra, a partire dalla cicatrice di una grave ustione sul polpaccio.
Molti hanno un letto di morte, lei invece ha un letto di vita.
A farle compagnia la madre, che non si stanca mai di incoraggiarla a provare qualche movimento oppure ad uscire dal letto - una madre desiderosa di vedere la figlia ormai adulta farsi finalmente strada nel mondo.
Ma Ravine non riesce, non può e i suoi diciotto anni vengono festeggiati in camera sua - con la madre che ha invitato i vicini di casa nonostante Ravine gliel'avesse espressamente vietato. Tra i regali c'è un diario, quello che sua madre chiama Diario della sofferenza e che spera aiuti la figlia ad alleviare il dolore che sente.
A dispetto dell'iniziale riluttanza, Ravine inizia a scrivere e rivolgendosi direttamente a lei, racconta/ricorda a Marianne la loro vita insieme e le avventure di loro due e Jonathan prima che Marianne sparisse.
Passando fluidamente tra il presente del 2010 e il passato del 1999 all'interno di uno stesso capitolo, Ravine racconta l'origine della sua sofferenza e la notte che ha cambiato per sempre le loro vite in un percorso doloroso e sofferto che forse l'aiuterà a guarire - o perlomeno a stare un po' meglio.
È difficile parlare di questo libro - ma sappiate che mi è piaciuto tantissimo e che ho versato una valle di lacrime.
Ravine Roy, di origini bengalesi e con un padre mai conosciuto, vive con la madre Rekha nel quartiere di Westhill - fatto di case popolari - a Leicester.
Marianne Dickerson, per un quarto portoghese e un fratello - Jonathan - più grande di due anni, con una madre egocentrica e troppo dedita all'alcol che un giorno sparisce senza lasciare una riga fino a quando lo zio Walter non arriva ad occuparsi di loro.
Sono diventate amiche per caso, vicine di casa e con una parete in comune a dividere le loro camere da letto - tanto che Ravine non riesce più ad addomentarsi senza le chiacchiere di Marianne, la sua amica così brillante e coraggiosa.
Anni di partite a scacchi senza saper davvero giocare, anni di corse di velocità delle lumache nel bosco, anni con quel brontolone di Jonathan sempre appresso, anni di un'amicizia che avrebbe dovuto durare per sempre - ma Marianne sparisce.
Non è un thriller, badate bene.
È un romanzo introspettivo, un romanzo in cui Ravine si rivolge direttamente a Marianne - in cui le ricorda cosa disse o cosa fece in un determinato momento.
Ravine scrive e si rivolge direttamente a Marianne nei suoi ricordi e nel modo in cui affronta ancora adesso la sua vita, ma alla fine è come se si rivolgesse direttamente a noi quando usa la seconda persona singolare - come se fossimo noi Marianne.
Personalmente è uno stile di narrazione che mi piace tantissimo.
Ravine non è quello che definirei un personaggio piacevole, ma a me le protagoniste femminili un po' unlikeable piacciono.
È un po' bugiarda ed è un po' vigliacca e con la madre che ora vuole spingerla ad uscire di casa ha paura che anche l'unica persona che le sta vicino possa andarsene. La sua stanza e il suo letto sono il suo rifugio e la sola idea di mettere il naso fuori dalla porta di casa - sempre ammesso che il dolore glielo permetta - le provoca un attacco di panico.
Ma le cose iniziano a cambiare quando comincia a scrivere, quando il dolore assume una consistenza visiva. E quando dall'altra parte del muro, nonostante l'appartamento sia vuota perché i vicini hanno traslocato, Ravine comincia a sentire una voce appartenente al passato - e per quanto lei provi ad ignorarla, la sua resistenza ha un limite.
È un romanzo introspettivo, di crescita, di ferite fisiche e psicologiche, di dolore e sensi di colpa e rimpianto, di famiglie disfunzionali e di paure infantili che condizionano l'età adulta. È un romanzo di sofferenza, è un romanzo di scelte, è un romanzo di vita - di quella vita che a volte si ferma, si blocca mentre il resto del mondo va avanti e che, in alcuni casi, solo molto lentamente riprende a scorrere.
Ho pianto parecchio e ho trovato più somiglianze con Ravine di quante me ne aspettassi - i difetti, le paure, le incertezze, il panico, le bugie, la vigliaccheria.
Quasi non volevo farlo leggere a mia madre per paura che mi riconoscesse in Ravine.
È la storia di un'amicizia finita troppo presto, è la storia di due anime così intrecciate che quando una è sparita anche l'altra ha smesso di vivere.
È un romanzo particolare, è un romanzo non facile, è un romanzo che mi ha emozionata tantissimo e per il quale non ho abbastanza parole adatte da usare per descriverlo.
E non voglio neanche dire troppo per paura di togliergli tutta la delicatezza e di rivelare i segreti che nasconde.
Scritto con uno stile fantastico che scivola via senza che nemmeno tu te accorga, di sicuro la storia di Ravine e Marianne - in una cascata di tessere del domino messa in moto molto prima della loro nascita - non la dimenticherò mai.
Le cose che credevamo di sapere - quelle che quando si è bambini si è convinti di conoscere, ma che una volta adulti capiamo di non aver mai saputo davvero.
La trama mi aveva convinta fin dall'inizio, ma la verità è che prima ancora della trama a convincermi è stata la tagline - e quando si parla di amicizia, io non so mai resistere.
Ho cercato di liberarmi di te, Marianne. Ho nascosto tutti i nostri giochi sotto il mio letto e ho tolto tutte le foto dalle cornici, eppure, anche quando provo a dimenticare, tu sei ancora lì.
Da dieci anni, Ravine è confinata a letto da dolori cronici in tutto il corpo - specialmente nella parte sinistra, a partire dalla cicatrice di una grave ustione sul polpaccio.
Molti hanno un letto di morte, lei invece ha un letto di vita.
A farle compagnia la madre, che non si stanca mai di incoraggiarla a provare qualche movimento oppure ad uscire dal letto - una madre desiderosa di vedere la figlia ormai adulta farsi finalmente strada nel mondo.
Ma Ravine non riesce, non può e i suoi diciotto anni vengono festeggiati in camera sua - con la madre che ha invitato i vicini di casa nonostante Ravine gliel'avesse espressamente vietato. Tra i regali c'è un diario, quello che sua madre chiama Diario della sofferenza e che spera aiuti la figlia ad alleviare il dolore che sente.
A dispetto dell'iniziale riluttanza, Ravine inizia a scrivere e rivolgendosi direttamente a lei, racconta/ricorda a Marianne la loro vita insieme e le avventure di loro due e Jonathan prima che Marianne sparisse.
Passando fluidamente tra il presente del 2010 e il passato del 1999 all'interno di uno stesso capitolo, Ravine racconta l'origine della sua sofferenza e la notte che ha cambiato per sempre le loro vite in un percorso doloroso e sofferto che forse l'aiuterà a guarire - o perlomeno a stare un po' meglio.
È difficile parlare di questo libro - ma sappiate che mi è piaciuto tantissimo e che ho versato una valle di lacrime.
Ravine Roy, di origini bengalesi e con un padre mai conosciuto, vive con la madre Rekha nel quartiere di Westhill - fatto di case popolari - a Leicester.
Marianne Dickerson, per un quarto portoghese e un fratello - Jonathan - più grande di due anni, con una madre egocentrica e troppo dedita all'alcol che un giorno sparisce senza lasciare una riga fino a quando lo zio Walter non arriva ad occuparsi di loro.
Sono diventate amiche per caso, vicine di casa e con una parete in comune a dividere le loro camere da letto - tanto che Ravine non riesce più ad addomentarsi senza le chiacchiere di Marianne, la sua amica così brillante e coraggiosa.
Anni di partite a scacchi senza saper davvero giocare, anni di corse di velocità delle lumache nel bosco, anni con quel brontolone di Jonathan sempre appresso, anni di un'amicizia che avrebbe dovuto durare per sempre - ma Marianne sparisce.
Non è un thriller, badate bene.
È un romanzo introspettivo, un romanzo in cui Ravine si rivolge direttamente a Marianne - in cui le ricorda cosa disse o cosa fece in un determinato momento.
Ravine scrive e si rivolge direttamente a Marianne nei suoi ricordi e nel modo in cui affronta ancora adesso la sua vita, ma alla fine è come se si rivolgesse direttamente a noi quando usa la seconda persona singolare - come se fossimo noi Marianne.
Personalmente è uno stile di narrazione che mi piace tantissimo.
Ravine non è quello che definirei un personaggio piacevole, ma a me le protagoniste femminili un po' unlikeable piacciono.
È un po' bugiarda ed è un po' vigliacca e con la madre che ora vuole spingerla ad uscire di casa ha paura che anche l'unica persona che le sta vicino possa andarsene. La sua stanza e il suo letto sono il suo rifugio e la sola idea di mettere il naso fuori dalla porta di casa - sempre ammesso che il dolore glielo permetta - le provoca un attacco di panico.
Ma le cose iniziano a cambiare quando comincia a scrivere, quando il dolore assume una consistenza visiva. E quando dall'altra parte del muro, nonostante l'appartamento sia vuota perché i vicini hanno traslocato, Ravine comincia a sentire una voce appartenente al passato - e per quanto lei provi ad ignorarla, la sua resistenza ha un limite.
È un romanzo introspettivo, di crescita, di ferite fisiche e psicologiche, di dolore e sensi di colpa e rimpianto, di famiglie disfunzionali e di paure infantili che condizionano l'età adulta. È un romanzo di sofferenza, è un romanzo di scelte, è un romanzo di vita - di quella vita che a volte si ferma, si blocca mentre il resto del mondo va avanti e che, in alcuni casi, solo molto lentamente riprende a scorrere.
Ho pianto parecchio e ho trovato più somiglianze con Ravine di quante me ne aspettassi - i difetti, le paure, le incertezze, il panico, le bugie, la vigliaccheria.
Quasi non volevo farlo leggere a mia madre per paura che mi riconoscesse in Ravine.
È la storia di un'amicizia finita troppo presto, è la storia di due anime così intrecciate che quando una è sparita anche l'altra ha smesso di vivere.
È un romanzo particolare, è un romanzo non facile, è un romanzo che mi ha emozionata tantissimo e per il quale non ho abbastanza parole adatte da usare per descriverlo.
E non voglio neanche dire troppo per paura di togliergli tutta la delicatezza e di rivelare i segreti che nasconde.
Scritto con uno stile fantastico che scivola via senza che nemmeno tu te accorga, di sicuro la storia di Ravine e Marianne - in una cascata di tessere del domino messa in moto molto prima della loro nascita - non la dimenticherò mai.
Le cose che credevamo di sapere - quelle che quando si è bambini si è convinti di conoscere, ma che una volta adulti capiamo di non aver mai saputo davvero.
February 8, 2017
A nice story with original characters, although I was a bit disappointed by the middle of the novel, that was way too long to me. I lost track at some point... and I lost interest in the story in the end !
Read
February 16, 2020‘I have the same days, over and over again. The same walls, the same bed, the same thoughts carouselling around in my head.’
Ravine Roy lives a reclusive life with her mother Amma on a council estate in Leicester, bedridden with chronic pain syndrome stemming from a seemingly sinister event in her early childhood. Her 18th birthday provides the backdrop for the story’s opening scene, an occasion which her mother hopes will inspire a change in her daughter’s introverted lifestyle. However, to her dismay, Ravine is quick to shut down any hope of this happening, as she flatly dismisses the guests who have showed up to the impromptu party in her bedroom (most of whom arrived with the promise of cake).
This debut novel by writer Mahsuda Snaith takes the form of a bildungsroman, in which Ravine slowly begins to see the truth that the solitude of her bedroom has kept hidden from her. As the story unfolds, her room becomes a metaphorical prison that, as the events of her past are revealed, is a fitting location for her to brood over her role in the life-changing event of 30 December, 1999. Throughout the story, Ravine talks directly to her childhood friend and neighbour, Marianne, who ‘disappeared’ the day before the turn of the millennium. As a result of this direct approach, the reader is constantly drawn along with the direction the narrative takes, which makes for an engaging read from the outset.
Snippets of Ravine and Marianne’s childhood together provide background to their relationship and add to the mystery of the latter’s ‘disappearance’. Indeed, at times it is not without good reason that the reader comes to suspect that Ravine may be complicit in Marianne’s unexplained departure, and that this guilt is what fuels her physical and emotional withdrawal from the outside world. However, the cast of supporting characters, including Marianne’s mother, brother Jonathan, and uncle Walt, all have their own instabilities, leading to a genuine ‘whodunit’ situation, of sorts, as the novel progresses.
The novel’s title is fitting as it reveals a certain truth to which most of its characters could attest. The role of memory and truth are constantly called into doubt in the story, as the differences between the archetypal ‘good’ and ‘bad’ characters come into question. Overall, The Things We Thought We Knew is an enjoyable novel, with likeable characters that are fleshed out just enough to provide a believable storyline. Snaith does not delve into frivolous detail that could distract from the novel’s progression, instead using plain language to portray a young woman’s struggle to find meaning after the loss of her childhood friend and companion. A solid debut.
- JD
Ravine Roy lives a reclusive life with her mother Amma on a council estate in Leicester, bedridden with chronic pain syndrome stemming from a seemingly sinister event in her early childhood. Her 18th birthday provides the backdrop for the story’s opening scene, an occasion which her mother hopes will inspire a change in her daughter’s introverted lifestyle. However, to her dismay, Ravine is quick to shut down any hope of this happening, as she flatly dismisses the guests who have showed up to the impromptu party in her bedroom (most of whom arrived with the promise of cake).
This debut novel by writer Mahsuda Snaith takes the form of a bildungsroman, in which Ravine slowly begins to see the truth that the solitude of her bedroom has kept hidden from her. As the story unfolds, her room becomes a metaphorical prison that, as the events of her past are revealed, is a fitting location for her to brood over her role in the life-changing event of 30 December, 1999. Throughout the story, Ravine talks directly to her childhood friend and neighbour, Marianne, who ‘disappeared’ the day before the turn of the millennium. As a result of this direct approach, the reader is constantly drawn along with the direction the narrative takes, which makes for an engaging read from the outset.
Snippets of Ravine and Marianne’s childhood together provide background to their relationship and add to the mystery of the latter’s ‘disappearance’. Indeed, at times it is not without good reason that the reader comes to suspect that Ravine may be complicit in Marianne’s unexplained departure, and that this guilt is what fuels her physical and emotional withdrawal from the outside world. However, the cast of supporting characters, including Marianne’s mother, brother Jonathan, and uncle Walt, all have their own instabilities, leading to a genuine ‘whodunit’ situation, of sorts, as the novel progresses.
The novel’s title is fitting as it reveals a certain truth to which most of its characters could attest. The role of memory and truth are constantly called into doubt in the story, as the differences between the archetypal ‘good’ and ‘bad’ characters come into question. Overall, The Things We Thought We Knew is an enjoyable novel, with likeable characters that are fleshed out just enough to provide a believable storyline. Snaith does not delve into frivolous detail that could distract from the novel’s progression, instead using plain language to portray a young woman’s struggle to find meaning after the loss of her childhood friend and companion. A solid debut.
- JD
June 15, 2017
Ravine and Marianne are best friends. Friends 4ever, the two 8-year-olds believe. Ten years later, Ravine is suffering from chronic pain syndrome and can hardly leave her bed. However, it is not only the illness that makes her suffer, but also her memories and now that her 18th birthday has come, she seems to be ready to confront the past. She is writing to Marianne, narrating what she recollects about their time together and with Marianne’s brother Jonathan, about both their dysfunctional families – Ravine’s father who ran away before she was even born and Marianne and Jonathan’s mother who was an alcoholic and didn’t really care for them – about Marianne’s uncle Walter coming to live with them and disappearing again and about that one evening which changed the lives of all the three of them.
“The Things We Thought We Knew” is an unusual coming-of-age novel. First of all because the protagonist who narrates the story is seriously ill and bedridden – how can a major event happen to such a character and change her life? Well, this happened already years before and thus we get a teenager’s view on the things which happened when she was a child. This is quite uncommon since we do not encounter the grown-up, rationally thinking adult who analyses what happened and has reflected on everything. Ravine is still in this process of becoming an adult, unsure of how to proceed and where her life will lead her. She is struggling with her mother and you can still at times see the child she once was in her.
The flashbacks, her memories of the past, the childhood which should have been carefree and was everything but are narrated in a child-suitable tone somehow as if Ravine could really slip in her former self and tell her story from the 8-year-old’s point of view.
The plot, alternating between the present and the past, has some suspense to offer. You surely want to know about the whereabouts of Marianne and about her family’s story developed. And there are secrets of the past to be revealed by Ravine. Yet, also the 18-year-old Ravine is at a crossroad of her life and it is not obvious which way she will decide for and is she is ready to make a decision at all, apparently, something needs to trigger her so move on, so what could this momentum be for a girl lying in bed?
What I appreciated most was the tone of the novel which made the characters come alive and which was well adapted to their age. All in all, a noteworthy debut novel.
“The Things We Thought We Knew” is an unusual coming-of-age novel. First of all because the protagonist who narrates the story is seriously ill and bedridden – how can a major event happen to such a character and change her life? Well, this happened already years before and thus we get a teenager’s view on the things which happened when she was a child. This is quite uncommon since we do not encounter the grown-up, rationally thinking adult who analyses what happened and has reflected on everything. Ravine is still in this process of becoming an adult, unsure of how to proceed and where her life will lead her. She is struggling with her mother and you can still at times see the child she once was in her.
The flashbacks, her memories of the past, the childhood which should have been carefree and was everything but are narrated in a child-suitable tone somehow as if Ravine could really slip in her former self and tell her story from the 8-year-old’s point of view.
The plot, alternating between the present and the past, has some suspense to offer. You surely want to know about the whereabouts of Marianne and about her family’s story developed. And there are secrets of the past to be revealed by Ravine. Yet, also the 18-year-old Ravine is at a crossroad of her life and it is not obvious which way she will decide for and is she is ready to make a decision at all, apparently, something needs to trigger her so move on, so what could this momentum be for a girl lying in bed?
What I appreciated most was the tone of the novel which made the characters come alive and which was well adapted to their age. All in all, a noteworthy debut novel.
July 5, 2017
All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
This review may be brief as there isn’t a lot that I can say without giving anything away, but I will do my best.
The Things We Thought We Knew is centred around Ravine and her chronic pain syndrome, as well as a memory she just cannot forget. There seem to be a limited amount of books which cover chronic, invisible illnesses within their storyline. So, when I realised that Mahsuda Snaith had included just that, I actually became a little emotional.
Why?
Because it’s a subject which is severely misunderstood, yet a lot of people like to assume and judge. I have seven chronic illnesses and one of my branch off symptoms includes this, chronic pain syndrome. To see your daily battle (well, one of) written in black and white was incredibly surreal. ‘At last!’ I thought to myself, maybe people would stop the judgemental comments. Not only was it surreal, it was quite difficult to actually read. I mean, I was sitting there reading this book, reading about a topic I know all too well, thinking to myself ‘that.is.like.me’. That was quite hard. Whilst I applaud the author for approaching such a controversial subject and putting it out there, I found the latter part of Ravine’s syndrome to be a bit ‘that’s why we are judged’. I do apologise for being vague, but I really don’t want to give anything away. Let’s just say that a certain part of Ravine’s story ended up being a tad unbelievable in my eyes, unfortunately.
However, when the storyline took another direction involving Ravine’s best friend, as well as other complex characters, the book felt a bit like Pandora’s box! I wanted to know more yet I was unsure on what I might discover, yet I couldn’t resist delving deeper into the storyline. A Pandora’s box ft. a treasure chest style story. That is the only way that I can describe it without going ‘well what about the part when…’!
Mahsuda Snaith really has written such an eye-opening and emotional read. The Things We Thought We Knew is a book which requires attention, devotion, and an open mind. A book which you may relate to. A book which may leave you with a hand print over your mouth. A book that, despite some challenging circumstances, it would be incredibly difficult to put down and leave unfinished.
I want to thank the author for including the chronic pain syndrome in her storyline, and for being the voice of many.
Thanks Thomas Hill & Transworld Books.
This review may be brief as there isn’t a lot that I can say without giving anything away, but I will do my best.
The Things We Thought We Knew is centred around Ravine and her chronic pain syndrome, as well as a memory she just cannot forget. There seem to be a limited amount of books which cover chronic, invisible illnesses within their storyline. So, when I realised that Mahsuda Snaith had included just that, I actually became a little emotional.
Why?
Because it’s a subject which is severely misunderstood, yet a lot of people like to assume and judge. I have seven chronic illnesses and one of my branch off symptoms includes this, chronic pain syndrome. To see your daily battle (well, one of) written in black and white was incredibly surreal. ‘At last!’ I thought to myself, maybe people would stop the judgemental comments. Not only was it surreal, it was quite difficult to actually read. I mean, I was sitting there reading this book, reading about a topic I know all too well, thinking to myself ‘that.is.like.me’. That was quite hard. Whilst I applaud the author for approaching such a controversial subject and putting it out there, I found the latter part of Ravine’s syndrome to be a bit ‘that’s why we are judged’. I do apologise for being vague, but I really don’t want to give anything away. Let’s just say that a certain part of Ravine’s story ended up being a tad unbelievable in my eyes, unfortunately.
However, when the storyline took another direction involving Ravine’s best friend, as well as other complex characters, the book felt a bit like Pandora’s box! I wanted to know more yet I was unsure on what I might discover, yet I couldn’t resist delving deeper into the storyline. A Pandora’s box ft. a treasure chest style story. That is the only way that I can describe it without going ‘well what about the part when…’!
Mahsuda Snaith really has written such an eye-opening and emotional read. The Things We Thought We Knew is a book which requires attention, devotion, and an open mind. A book which you may relate to. A book which may leave you with a hand print over your mouth. A book that, despite some challenging circumstances, it would be incredibly difficult to put down and leave unfinished.
I want to thank the author for including the chronic pain syndrome in her storyline, and for being the voice of many.
Thanks Thomas Hill & Transworld Books.
October 4, 2017
2.5 stars
I read about this book in Stylist and was attracted to the tale of childhood friendship lost, shaping the course of the future for the adults. Unfortunately although the concept was engaging, the reality fell short of my expectations.
The story starts in the bedroom of Ravine, an eighteen-year-old Asian woman living on a council estate in Leicester, who has barely left her room as she suffers from Acute Pain Syndrome. This means that she is largely immobile, suffering excruciating pain when attempting to perform even the most basic tasks. However, pretty early in the story you realise that the pain is subsiding, eventually disappearing, leading to a huge question mark about how real or imagined this condition was in Ravine's case.
Ravine starts to record the "story of us", her childhood and most significant relationship to date, with Marianne who lived next door. This coincides with the appearance of a squatter in the deserted flat next door; an initially unidentified man who's identity becomes increasingly clear over time. During this cathartic process of closure, Ravine's health improves and she starts to gain greater clarity on her life and future.
Now for some of the issues. The balance in the book feels wrong, with way to much time spent developing the exposition coupled with a very rushed and unsatisfactory climax. Despite the time dedicated to the introduction to the protagonist, I did not really feel a great deal of sympathy for Ravine. She seems to have allowed herself to become a victim, and the effect this had on the lives of those around her (particularly her mother, Amma) was unforgivable. There were not many redeemable characters within the story to be honest, with pretty much everyone acting solely in their own interest except Amma, who was a fairly standard martyr-type character with little depth. The eventual revelation of what has happened and where Marianne was did provide some closure, but this was limited when I had little investment in the characters involved. There were some interesting suggestions of wider cultural themes (e.g. what it means to be an immigrant, child social care, etc.) but these were under-explored.
In summary, an interesting concept but the execution fell far short of the potential.
I read about this book in Stylist and was attracted to the tale of childhood friendship lost, shaping the course of the future for the adults. Unfortunately although the concept was engaging, the reality fell short of my expectations.
The story starts in the bedroom of Ravine, an eighteen-year-old Asian woman living on a council estate in Leicester, who has barely left her room as she suffers from Acute Pain Syndrome. This means that she is largely immobile, suffering excruciating pain when attempting to perform even the most basic tasks. However, pretty early in the story you realise that the pain is subsiding, eventually disappearing, leading to a huge question mark about how real or imagined this condition was in Ravine's case.
Ravine starts to record the "story of us", her childhood and most significant relationship to date, with Marianne who lived next door. This coincides with the appearance of a squatter in the deserted flat next door; an initially unidentified man who's identity becomes increasingly clear over time. During this cathartic process of closure, Ravine's health improves and she starts to gain greater clarity on her life and future.
Now for some of the issues. The balance in the book feels wrong, with way to much time spent developing the exposition coupled with a very rushed and unsatisfactory climax. Despite the time dedicated to the introduction to the protagonist, I did not really feel a great deal of sympathy for Ravine. She seems to have allowed herself to become a victim, and the effect this had on the lives of those around her (particularly her mother, Amma) was unforgivable. There were not many redeemable characters within the story to be honest, with pretty much everyone acting solely in their own interest except Amma, who was a fairly standard martyr-type character with little depth. The eventual revelation of what has happened and where Marianne was did provide some closure, but this was limited when I had little investment in the characters involved. There were some interesting suggestions of wider cultural themes (e.g. what it means to be an immigrant, child social care, etc.) but these were under-explored.
In summary, an interesting concept but the execution fell far short of the potential.
June 15, 2017
I never know what to write about books that are just meh. And The Things We Thought We Knew isn't even meh. It's definitely better than meh so why can't I find something to say about it other than I liked Swing Time more, which The Things We Thought We Knew is thematically similar to (although then, obviously, The Things We Thought We Knew is thematically similar to all British, female-narrator, multi-racial, coming-of-age, lower-class, novels since that is what The Things We Thought We Knew is).
So The Things We Thought We Knew is a first novel, with some first novel foibles: the voice getting clearer and stronger the further in we go, wishy-washy beginning, an open-ended ending, pull-the-heartstrings-plot lines to buttress up the organic story, secondary characters of more depth than the main ones. All that sounds bad, but it's a first novel and none of these quirks are too off-putting. I got into the story by the end, until the open-ended ending (blech -- start your story later and write a real ending instead), but it took me a while to get into the voice at the beginning. I always feel sort of awkward about recommending books by saying Stick with it but what else am I supposed to say? Throw your kobo across the room (I've only ever thrown one book across the room, and that was Mail Order Wings when I was a kid, and I threw the book because it freaked me out so much that I just wanted it gone)? Maybe skip the first twenty pages?
Decent book. Good first try.
The Things We Thought We Knew by Mahsuda Snaith went on sale June 15, 2017.
I received a copy free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
So The Things We Thought We Knew is a first novel, with some first novel foibles: the voice getting clearer and stronger the further in we go, wishy-washy beginning, an open-ended ending, pull-the-heartstrings-plot lines to buttress up the organic story, secondary characters of more depth than the main ones. All that sounds bad, but it's a first novel and none of these quirks are too off-putting. I got into the story by the end, until the open-ended ending (blech -- start your story later and write a real ending instead), but it took me a while to get into the voice at the beginning. I always feel sort of awkward about recommending books by saying Stick with it but what else am I supposed to say? Throw your kobo across the room (I've only ever thrown one book across the room, and that was Mail Order Wings when I was a kid, and I threw the book because it freaked me out so much that I just wanted it gone)? Maybe skip the first twenty pages?
Decent book. Good first try.
The Things We Thought We Knew by Mahsuda Snaith went on sale June 15, 2017.
I received a copy free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 26, 2017
Hailed by The Bookseller as one of the Rising Stars of 2016 Mahsuda Snaith’s debut novel The Things We Thought We Knew is a story of a young Bengali woman is who confined to bed with chronic pain since an accident some years previous. Here she now reflects on the past.
Ravine has not left her bed in the last decade, confined to the council flat in Leicester since her best friend Marianne disappeared. She has just celebrated her 18th birthday and with a bleak future ahead of her, she cannot leave the flat because she is in so much pain her mother as you can imagine is desperate for her daughter to try and make an effort ‘Will you at least try’ are the words from her mother. There is a sense that coming through the story that Ravine is using the pain as she is not in any hurry to make any effort. Her mother gives her a notebook to use as a pain dairy and then we journey back through the years as Ravine uses the diary to open her heart about her best friend Marianne and her disappearance. What really happened that day? As Ravine writes the reader is pulled into an intriguing journey and a story on an affecting friendship. It is clear that Ravine is hiding from the outside world even scared and hiding beneath the duvet provides her with security.
An intriguing coming of age story that will keep the reader guessing as to what really happened to Ravine’s best friend. This outstanding debut novel has some great characters that are so believable that weave through the story. With Mahsuda Snaith writing the initial novel when she was only sixteen. Impressive writing from a new and exciting author. From here I look forward to future books from Mahsuda Snaith.
304 Pages
Thank you to Doubleday for the advanced review copy.
Ravine has not left her bed in the last decade, confined to the council flat in Leicester since her best friend Marianne disappeared. She has just celebrated her 18th birthday and with a bleak future ahead of her, she cannot leave the flat because she is in so much pain her mother as you can imagine is desperate for her daughter to try and make an effort ‘Will you at least try’ are the words from her mother. There is a sense that coming through the story that Ravine is using the pain as she is not in any hurry to make any effort. Her mother gives her a notebook to use as a pain dairy and then we journey back through the years as Ravine uses the diary to open her heart about her best friend Marianne and her disappearance. What really happened that day? As Ravine writes the reader is pulled into an intriguing journey and a story on an affecting friendship. It is clear that Ravine is hiding from the outside world even scared and hiding beneath the duvet provides her with security.
An intriguing coming of age story that will keep the reader guessing as to what really happened to Ravine’s best friend. This outstanding debut novel has some great characters that are so believable that weave through the story. With Mahsuda Snaith writing the initial novel when she was only sixteen. Impressive writing from a new and exciting author. From here I look forward to future books from Mahsuda Snaith.
304 Pages
Thank you to Doubleday for the advanced review copy.
March 21, 2017
Ravine & Marianne were childhood besties. Living in a poor estate, with Marriane's mother being a neglectful alcoholic and Ravine's mother managing as a single parent, their friendship was as solid as any childhood friendship can be.
Flash forward to Ravine turning 18 and Marianne is no longer in the picture...something has happened which has left Ravine in chronic pain and unable to face what has happened to her friend.
So she writes a diary going back to the start of their friendship and builds up to the event that stole her best friend.
Ravine was a character that greatly frustrated me at times. She is selfish, thoughtless and doesn't want to help herself in terms of her condition. As someone who has struggled with chronic pain for years I became angry with her actions towards her mother (as she didn't want anyone but her to have her mums attention), and even lies about her condition. I suppose my own life and condition gave me a different perspective on Ravine.
But when it comes to it, Ravine is a teenager. And what teenager isn't sullen, at times rude and self involved? I know I was!
The friendship Snaith paints is a beautiful yet flawed one, with Ravine being brutally honest about some of her less than stellar qualities and actions when she was young.
Ravine also evolves at the end of the book and her perspective on life does a total turn around. Life is not meant to be endured, but lived and loved.
The climax of what happens to Marianne explains so much of her selfish and ultimately self protecting behaviour.
This isn't a fast paced story. Even when frustated I wanted to keep reading to find out what made Ravine into the young woman she was and how her childhood formed her.
A decent read.
Flash forward to Ravine turning 18 and Marianne is no longer in the picture...something has happened which has left Ravine in chronic pain and unable to face what has happened to her friend.
So she writes a diary going back to the start of their friendship and builds up to the event that stole her best friend.
Ravine was a character that greatly frustrated me at times. She is selfish, thoughtless and doesn't want to help herself in terms of her condition. As someone who has struggled with chronic pain for years I became angry with her actions towards her mother (as she didn't want anyone but her to have her mums attention), and even lies about her condition. I suppose my own life and condition gave me a different perspective on Ravine.
But when it comes to it, Ravine is a teenager. And what teenager isn't sullen, at times rude and self involved? I know I was!
The friendship Snaith paints is a beautiful yet flawed one, with Ravine being brutally honest about some of her less than stellar qualities and actions when she was young.
Ravine also evolves at the end of the book and her perspective on life does a total turn around. Life is not meant to be endured, but lived and loved.
The climax of what happens to Marianne explains so much of her selfish and ultimately self protecting behaviour.
This isn't a fast paced story. Even when frustated I wanted to keep reading to find out what made Ravine into the young woman she was and how her childhood formed her.
A decent read.
December 22, 2018
This novel had me connecting with the characters on many levels. The author portrays the numbing effect of chronic illness of the young protagonist most realistically. The strength of family bonds between mother and daughter through testing times is shown very well. The attention to detail given to scenes makes the setting come to life. It says, "To understand my mother you have to understand her past, a story she has drip-fed me over years, mainly during
the worst stages of my illness because this was the only time I wouldn’t butt in." That extract and more is included in an anthology I'm editing out in February 2019 at Dahlia Publishing, called the 'Family Matters Anthology.' Mahsuda models convincing characters that grab your attention and keep it throughout.
This heartwarming story follows neighbours and friends as they overcome trauma and its disruption, after considerable isolation. The challenges of the main characters are interestingly detailed throughout this coming-of-age tale.
I found the read revealed a fascinating, gut-wrenching scenario championing youth resilience. Beautifully described information was eloquently drip-fed to the reader. This page-turner has an authentic fresh style, aspiring writers by the author's immense fiction writing talent. There was hope in the ending with a pleasant surprise...
I recommend this as a valuable text to both readers and writers and look forward to the next book.
the worst stages of my illness because this was the only time I wouldn’t butt in." That extract and more is included in an anthology I'm editing out in February 2019 at Dahlia Publishing, called the 'Family Matters Anthology.' Mahsuda models convincing characters that grab your attention and keep it throughout.
This heartwarming story follows neighbours and friends as they overcome trauma and its disruption, after considerable isolation. The challenges of the main characters are interestingly detailed throughout this coming-of-age tale.
I found the read revealed a fascinating, gut-wrenching scenario championing youth resilience. Beautifully described information was eloquently drip-fed to the reader. This page-turner has an authentic fresh style, aspiring writers by the author's immense fiction writing talent. There was hope in the ending with a pleasant surprise...
I recommend this as a valuable text to both readers and writers and look forward to the next book.
August 16, 2020
I really enjoyed this book- it has a gentle pace, but I found it very engaging.
Ravine is an all but completely bed-bound 18 year-old who has been dealing with chronic pain, seemingly tied into the disappearance of her best childhood friend years earlier. Her mother is very facilitative, but also decides enough is enough, wanting Ravine to get up and begin to build herself a life.
What we get here is a reflective piece told from Ravine's point of view, as she pushes her boundaries and gradually tells the story of her friend Marianne (along with her brother Jonathan) and the trio's life together on their Leicester council estate, which is inhabited by a mixed bunch of characters. The mystery here is what happened to split up this seemingly unbreakable pair. This is a slow-burning book, which reveals it's intricacies by the end, by which time I found I did really care for the characters.
This book feels realistic. I love the setting; potentially as I do know Leicester myself, and so recognised some of the places name-checked. The characters feel as if they are living here and the narrative voice was beautifully captured, with the naivety and angst of the younger Ravine, along with the maturity of her gaining new perspective. It is not a big mystery book, full of twists, but facts are revealed as it goes on and a few question marks are certainly uncovered along the way, which keeps the plot moving.
Beautiful prose: an easy read, set in a recognisable world.
Ravine is an all but completely bed-bound 18 year-old who has been dealing with chronic pain, seemingly tied into the disappearance of her best childhood friend years earlier. Her mother is very facilitative, but also decides enough is enough, wanting Ravine to get up and begin to build herself a life.
What we get here is a reflective piece told from Ravine's point of view, as she pushes her boundaries and gradually tells the story of her friend Marianne (along with her brother Jonathan) and the trio's life together on their Leicester council estate, which is inhabited by a mixed bunch of characters. The mystery here is what happened to split up this seemingly unbreakable pair. This is a slow-burning book, which reveals it's intricacies by the end, by which time I found I did really care for the characters.
This book feels realistic. I love the setting; potentially as I do know Leicester myself, and so recognised some of the places name-checked. The characters feel as if they are living here and the narrative voice was beautifully captured, with the naivety and angst of the younger Ravine, along with the maturity of her gaining new perspective. It is not a big mystery book, full of twists, but facts are revealed as it goes on and a few question marks are certainly uncovered along the way, which keeps the plot moving.
Beautiful prose: an easy read, set in a recognisable world.
February 19, 2021
this book was a sad story of three children who could have had a bright future and life if it were not for the adults in their life who had failed them. ending the book nearly had me in tears to see the two who remained reunite in memory of the one who left them.
Ravine struck me as self-centred and very childish but i could excuse it as she grew up practically on her own with no one to teach her how to behave or any other kid to pick up social cues from. Jonathan reminded me of every boy who had no parent to love them or to teach them how to behave and how to love your siblings. Marianne broke my heart because she was so precious throughout the book and it was shocking how she had to talk down people in her life and to care for how they think and worry for them. every adult failed them in one way or the other and it hurt me to think this is actually reality and not just a storyline with no truth to it.
while the book did start of slow, the way the author entwined the two storylines from past and present had me hooked as i needed to know how Marianne left them and why.
the only issue i had with the book was how it had the potential for a disabled person to be the lead in this story. however, Ravine was miraculously healed and not anywhere in this book was it explained how. i felt like the author took the easy way out. nevertheless, the book was great and i enjoyed it.
Ravine struck me as self-centred and very childish but i could excuse it as she grew up practically on her own with no one to teach her how to behave or any other kid to pick up social cues from. Jonathan reminded me of every boy who had no parent to love them or to teach them how to behave and how to love your siblings. Marianne broke my heart because she was so precious throughout the book and it was shocking how she had to talk down people in her life and to care for how they think and worry for them. every adult failed them in one way or the other and it hurt me to think this is actually reality and not just a storyline with no truth to it.
while the book did start of slow, the way the author entwined the two storylines from past and present had me hooked as i needed to know how Marianne left them and why.
the only issue i had with the book was how it had the potential for a disabled person to be the lead in this story. however, Ravine was miraculously healed and not anywhere in this book was it explained how. i felt like the author took the easy way out. nevertheless, the book was great and i enjoyed it.
May 13, 2022
Certainly an interesting read. But I figured the ending would work out a bit more. But always room for a follow up book I suppose!
Fave bits;
- maybe no one learns their lessons, just ways to skirt around them.
- memories pretend to leave you but they are always there. Always ready to catch you off guard, to remind you that life is never as simple as what you happen to be dealing with at the time.
There is always the past, waiting to pounce.
- "So whose fault was it?" he asks.
I think carefully about his question. I see the image of Mrs Dickerson unconscious on your sofa, uncle Walter disappearing down the side of the hill, Amma standing with the Soul-drinker by the taxi that night.
"Everyone we knew" I say.
We both sit on the damp wood with the cloud of this statement between us. I let my hand drop to my calf, feeling the waxy scars embedded on the skin.
"But that's true of the good stuff," I say "as well as the bad"
Fave bits;
- maybe no one learns their lessons, just ways to skirt around them.
- memories pretend to leave you but they are always there. Always ready to catch you off guard, to remind you that life is never as simple as what you happen to be dealing with at the time.
There is always the past, waiting to pounce.
- "So whose fault was it?" he asks.
I think carefully about his question. I see the image of Mrs Dickerson unconscious on your sofa, uncle Walter disappearing down the side of the hill, Amma standing with the Soul-drinker by the taxi that night.
"Everyone we knew" I say.
We both sit on the damp wood with the cloud of this statement between us. I let my hand drop to my calf, feeling the waxy scars embedded on the skin.
"But that's true of the good stuff," I say "as well as the bad"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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