What do you think?
Rate this book
Blame: Dark and Suspenseful Family Drama
It is the summer of 1989 when Lucas witnesses an event that will tear his family apart. Over a decade later, his estranged father succumbs to a suspected heart attack. Lucas shuns grief and escapes to New York with his colleague Mariana. However, a dark secret from his past threatens to re-emerge and destroy the burgeoning relationship before it has even begun. When his father's girlfriend fails to reappear after reporting his death, the true cause of his demise falls under scrutiny. And as the startling truth comes to light, Lucas must confront the fact that father and son may not have been so different after all.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2017
4 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Paul Read
2 books25 followersAfter gaining a first in Fine Art at the Kent Institute of Art and Design at Canterbury, Paul Read moved to London, finding employment at Foyles bookshop before becoming a teacher. He has worked in several inner-city schools as an Art, English and supply teacher, both in England and Italy. He received a distinction from City University London for his creative writing MA.
A few years ago, Paul was involved in a hit-and-run incident which put him in a wheelchair for several months and was where he wrote the first draft of The Art Teacher. He lives with Patricia and their two children.
Follow him on Twitter: @paulreadauthor
A few years ago, Paul was involved in a hit-and-run incident which put him in a wheelchair for several months and was where he wrote the first draft of The Art Teacher. He lives with Patricia and their two children.
Follow him on Twitter: @paulreadauthor
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 26, 2017
Lucas has been estranged from his fathers after the summer of 1989 and when his father dies he has to work through his conflicting feelings. I liked the writing of the book and the voice was really good, you can tell that Lucas is intelligent and self aware. The characters were interesting and I appreciate that they had complexity, especially Lucas whose self destruction felt genuine. The plot was kind of bland for me though, I felt like Lucas's anger towards his father was unnecessary as was his mothers. It was blown out of proportion and the ending felt like it was out of left field and too coincidental also the epilogue was way too campy. I didn't get very much out of the plot line. I would have given it three stars but I bumped up to a four because the writing was really good and I love Mariana.
April 25, 2017
I really enjoyed Paul Read's debut novel The Art Teacher last year, so when I spotted his follow-up, I had to add it although I am desperately trying to reduce my TBR pile.
I was surprised how different the two books were. Both very good, but very different. I guess that in itself speaks for the author's skills.
Told from the protagonist's first-person point of view, Blame was a story about coming to terms with your past. The main character, Lucas, is successful at his job (he is a bit of a pharmaceutical wizard), but he's a failure when it comes to relationships and he has a definite self-destructive streak. Following his father's sudden, unexpected death, Lucas sets off on a journey of self-discovery that takes him on an impulsive trip to New York but also back to his quaint English seaside hometown. There were lots of layers to this story that were gradually peeled back. It's - what I would call - a family drama and explores issues of guilt and redemption. It raises the question of how much we can trust our childhood memories and the age-old question of how much parents 'damage' (I had a far more offensive expression here ;)) their offsprings.
I really enjoyed the book within a book set-up. Lucas finds the diary he wrote as a boy in 1989 complete with childlike drawings, and that's how the reader discovers the details of what happened back then.
I have to admit I was a bit underwhelmed when all was finally revealed and couldn't quite understand why Lucas had been making such a fuss and had been estranged from his Dad for so long. Perhaps that's because I'm too used to reading deeply disturbing and depressing books or maybe it was the male perspective that made it more difficult for me. The book calls attention to the special relationship between fathers and sons, and Lucas learns that he and his Dad had maybe more in common than he ever wanted to acknowledge.
I would rate the story itself 3.5 stars. What undoubtedly elevated this to a strong 4 stars, was the delivery. The writing was mesmerising! Perceptive and eloquent, Mr Read impresses with his smooth and almost poetic style. (I used my dictionary several times, great vocabulary-building exercise for non-native English speakers like me). Can't wait to find out what Mr Read will come up with in his third book!
Thanks to Legend Press, Paul Read and NetGalley for my ARC.
I was surprised how different the two books were. Both very good, but very different. I guess that in itself speaks for the author's skills.
Told from the protagonist's first-person point of view, Blame was a story about coming to terms with your past. The main character, Lucas, is successful at his job (he is a bit of a pharmaceutical wizard), but he's a failure when it comes to relationships and he has a definite self-destructive streak. Following his father's sudden, unexpected death, Lucas sets off on a journey of self-discovery that takes him on an impulsive trip to New York but also back to his quaint English seaside hometown. There were lots of layers to this story that were gradually peeled back. It's - what I would call - a family drama and explores issues of guilt and redemption. It raises the question of how much we can trust our childhood memories and the age-old question of how much parents 'damage' (I had a far more offensive expression here ;)) their offsprings.
I really enjoyed the book within a book set-up. Lucas finds the diary he wrote as a boy in 1989 complete with childlike drawings, and that's how the reader discovers the details of what happened back then.
I have to admit I was a bit underwhelmed when all was finally revealed and couldn't quite understand why Lucas had been making such a fuss and had been estranged from his Dad for so long. Perhaps that's because I'm too used to reading deeply disturbing and depressing books or maybe it was the male perspective that made it more difficult for me. The book calls attention to the special relationship between fathers and sons, and Lucas learns that he and his Dad had maybe more in common than he ever wanted to acknowledge.
I would rate the story itself 3.5 stars. What undoubtedly elevated this to a strong 4 stars, was the delivery. The writing was mesmerising! Perceptive and eloquent, Mr Read impresses with his smooth and almost poetic style. (I used my dictionary several times, great vocabulary-building exercise for non-native English speakers like me). Can't wait to find out what Mr Read will come up with in his third book!
Thanks to Legend Press, Paul Read and NetGalley for my ARC.
April 25, 2017
Following the opening scenes of a less than flawless dispersal of cremated ashes on top of a hill, Blame sees the rehabilitation of a life after laying ghosts to rest. Its stark triggers of regret, judgement and recognition generates both contempt and concern for the main character, as he revisits the misery of his childhood and fumbles his way through an indifferent period of grief.
As a rational, intelligent pharmacist, Lucas Marr is familiar with dissecting data. Yet his usual analytical tactics are of no use when he learns that the father he hasn’t seen for ten years has passed away. He trades his current salvation from addiction to binge on precious moments that cannot be revived, as retakes are no longer permitted.
His father’s sudden departure attempts to lure Lucas into temptation. As his will-power strikes the delicate balance between giving in and giving up his gradual indecision feels intense and authentic. While Lucas revisits his past through a diary written by his outraged younger self, a boy who was caught in the crossfire without little explanation, he painfully overlooks an opportunity which diminishes his self-discipline further.
Events that coincide with significant dates in our recent traumatic history are written into the story. As the rest of the world continues to turn, Lucas escaped to the other side of it before he found what he was looking for. His struggles to make sense of earlier divisive instances compared with the incriminating present day recollections made me pause to think how we deceive our impressionable selves. As the circumstances surrounding his father’s death are clarified he has the opportunity to finally process his father’s behaviour and the reasons for it.
What I found particularly perceptive was the subtle evidence of caring from a distance. For instance, his father displays the photographs of both his children sitting side by side not only in different frames, but in periods of time: Lucas is forever a boy as there would be no opportunities to capture a new moment, while his younger brother Ryan has grown into an adult. Also Lucas’s diary was found among his father’s effects and contained the gradual decline of his blissful childhood contentment, the den he made with his neighbour, and the invader who trespassed on their friendship. I was a mere bystander and witnessing just how stealthily everything fell into oblivion was emotionally brutal.
Blame opens the door to the agony of life and invites its caustic and destructive challenges in. It’s so astutely written that have no hesitation in highly recommending it.
(I received a copy of this title from the publishers and it is my pleasure to provide an unbiased review as part of the #BLAME blog tour.)
As a rational, intelligent pharmacist, Lucas Marr is familiar with dissecting data. Yet his usual analytical tactics are of no use when he learns that the father he hasn’t seen for ten years has passed away. He trades his current salvation from addiction to binge on precious moments that cannot be revived, as retakes are no longer permitted.
His father’s sudden departure attempts to lure Lucas into temptation. As his will-power strikes the delicate balance between giving in and giving up his gradual indecision feels intense and authentic. While Lucas revisits his past through a diary written by his outraged younger self, a boy who was caught in the crossfire without little explanation, he painfully overlooks an opportunity which diminishes his self-discipline further.
Events that coincide with significant dates in our recent traumatic history are written into the story. As the rest of the world continues to turn, Lucas escaped to the other side of it before he found what he was looking for. His struggles to make sense of earlier divisive instances compared with the incriminating present day recollections made me pause to think how we deceive our impressionable selves. As the circumstances surrounding his father’s death are clarified he has the opportunity to finally process his father’s behaviour and the reasons for it.
What I found particularly perceptive was the subtle evidence of caring from a distance. For instance, his father displays the photographs of both his children sitting side by side not only in different frames, but in periods of time: Lucas is forever a boy as there would be no opportunities to capture a new moment, while his younger brother Ryan has grown into an adult. Also Lucas’s diary was found among his father’s effects and contained the gradual decline of his blissful childhood contentment, the den he made with his neighbour, and the invader who trespassed on their friendship. I was a mere bystander and witnessing just how stealthily everything fell into oblivion was emotionally brutal.
Blame opens the door to the agony of life and invites its caustic and destructive challenges in. It’s so astutely written that have no hesitation in highly recommending it.
(I received a copy of this title from the publishers and it is my pleasure to provide an unbiased review as part of the #BLAME blog tour.)
April 21, 2017
So good!
I’m so glad I came across this book, I read it almost in one sitting, it was unputdownable!
Lucas, a successful pharmaceutical scientist, receives the news about the sudden death of his father with whom he hasn’t been in contact for many years. He goes back to his hometown to manage the legacy and to arrange the funeral, and the memories from the past that were long blurred come to the surface.
The story movies between now and Lucas teenager’s dairy, and evokes all possible emotions. It is tragic and funny at the same time. What happened in the past between Lucas and his father? Was a heart attack the real cause of his sudden death? A lot of unanswered questions, but you'll get all answers at the end.
Paul Read offers an excellent family psychological drama, brilliant prose, an eloquent and witty writing style, well-developed and authentic characters and a highly satisfying ending.
I cannot recommend it highly enough!
**Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
December 24, 2017
I really enjoyed The Art Teacher and was pleased to hear Paul Read was writing a new novel.
This was a great read. A story centred on family, friendship, love, hate, blame and redemption.
Told by a narrative based in both the past and present, encapsulated by a diary Lucas kept in 1989, this story amalgamates personal diatribe and numerous skeletons in the closet. Quite literally, ghosts of the past are relinquished and by the end, are also quite literally laid to rest.
One of my favourite contemporary reads. Another great novel by Paul Read. I am therefore even more surprised that Paul mentioned that he nearly abandoned the novel.
4 stars!
This was a great read. A story centred on family, friendship, love, hate, blame and redemption.
Told by a narrative based in both the past and present, encapsulated by a diary Lucas kept in 1989, this story amalgamates personal diatribe and numerous skeletons in the closet. Quite literally, ghosts of the past are relinquished and by the end, are also quite literally laid to rest.
One of my favourite contemporary reads. Another great novel by Paul Read. I am therefore even more surprised that Paul mentioned that he nearly abandoned the novel.
4 stars!
June 21, 2017
*I won this in a GoodReads Giveaway!*
I found this a fascinating read! This is the first book I have read by Paul Read and I really enjoyed it. Although the subject of the book is difficult, I found it easy to read. In the book we meet Lucas, an intelligent man, a successful research chemist, A man that has self-destructive tendencies, All of which can be explained by his past and what happened during the summer of 1989. Read writes with great skill in portrayal of his character. Although the character is not particularly likeable, he has his faults but is hugely interesting and found myself wanting to learn more about him. Blame is a story based on several mysteries - How did Lucas's father die? What happened in 1989? And can we ever really change? Are we a product of our past? Does your upbringing truly define us? This story will stay with me for a very long time!
I found this a fascinating read! This is the first book I have read by Paul Read and I really enjoyed it. Although the subject of the book is difficult, I found it easy to read. In the book we meet Lucas, an intelligent man, a successful research chemist, A man that has self-destructive tendencies, All of which can be explained by his past and what happened during the summer of 1989. Read writes with great skill in portrayal of his character. Although the character is not particularly likeable, he has his faults but is hugely interesting and found myself wanting to learn more about him. Blame is a story based on several mysteries - How did Lucas's father die? What happened in 1989? And can we ever really change? Are we a product of our past? Does your upbringing truly define us? This story will stay with me for a very long time!
April 11, 2017
This story is about Lucas Marr who had a rough childhood. This of course made him grow into a man with problems. He re-lives his childhood when the man he had most of him problems with died: his father.
We're taken through his teenage years, thanks to a diary, and get to know him, his flaws and his family a bit better. You are also very intrigued in why his father actually died - not of natural causes that's for sure.
It's a lovely and fast read and I love the diary format in it. It has drawings, mistakes and a good sense of humor! Very nice twist.
We're taken through his teenage years, thanks to a diary, and get to know him, his flaws and his family a bit better. You are also very intrigued in why his father actually died - not of natural causes that's for sure.
It's a lovely and fast read and I love the diary format in it. It has drawings, mistakes and a good sense of humor! Very nice twist.
April 16, 2017
Family secrets and misunderstandings are at the heart of this cleverly plotted and (mostly) psychologically acute novel. Lucas, although an intelligent man and a successful chemist, is haunted by events in his childhood and these demons from his past often impel him to act in irrational and self-destructive ways. A slow reveal maintains the reader’s interest throughout and overall I enjoyed the book. But very much as in Read’s first novel, it’s all a bit overdone and again the central protagonist’s decisions and actions aren’t really justified by their apparent causes. Nevertheless, it’s definitely a good read and if you can suspend your disbelief on occasion it’s a mostly satisfying and enjoyable novel.
June 20, 2017
This book was sitting idle in my TBR shelf for a prolonged period of time for no apparent reason. When I finally read this book, I started regretting my groundless procrastination. Albeit a short read revolving around the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery, the book was filled with emotions of abandonment, guilt, anger and ultimately forgiveness. Yet, the author never made the narration overly emotional and has succeeded in keeping it entirely pragmatic. What stood out for me was the erudite writing and vocabulary which sent me reaching out to the dictionary every now and then.
ucas Marr is informed about his father’s death which superficially looks like a heart attack but on further investigation gives rise to many suspicions. Yet, his grief for the death of his father is completely non-existent. Soon, through a diary entry written during his troubled teenage years we discover Lucas’s deep-seated anger against his father due to his betrayal of their family. Can Lucas find it in himself to forgive his father and let go of his past trauma?
The book deals with the parent- child relationship and the importance of childhood memories in shaping one’s future. Lucas, holding a gargantuan grudge against his father, starts revisiting various traumatic childhood incidents documented in his diary. Analysing the events from a more matured perspective he finds a different face of his father than the one that he remembers and hates. The relationship between Lucas and his father and its transition over time has been handled really well by the author. He peels layer after layer of issues concerning this troubled father-son relationship and lays bare the issues between them. To give a fair perspective, Lucas’s brother Ryan also remembers his experiences with their father which shows a different man than whom Lucas remembers. Through this diverse perspective, the readers are shown a reformed version of Lucas’s father very different from the negligent parent of Lucas’s narration.
Read more here : https://bookescapadeblog.wordpress.co...
ucas Marr is informed about his father’s death which superficially looks like a heart attack but on further investigation gives rise to many suspicions. Yet, his grief for the death of his father is completely non-existent. Soon, through a diary entry written during his troubled teenage years we discover Lucas’s deep-seated anger against his father due to his betrayal of their family. Can Lucas find it in himself to forgive his father and let go of his past trauma?
The book deals with the parent- child relationship and the importance of childhood memories in shaping one’s future. Lucas, holding a gargantuan grudge against his father, starts revisiting various traumatic childhood incidents documented in his diary. Analysing the events from a more matured perspective he finds a different face of his father than the one that he remembers and hates. The relationship between Lucas and his father and its transition over time has been handled really well by the author. He peels layer after layer of issues concerning this troubled father-son relationship and lays bare the issues between them. To give a fair perspective, Lucas’s brother Ryan also remembers his experiences with their father which shows a different man than whom Lucas remembers. Through this diverse perspective, the readers are shown a reformed version of Lucas’s father very different from the negligent parent of Lucas’s narration.
Read more here : https://bookescapadeblog.wordpress.co...
August 22, 2017
This was a surprisingly good read; one of those books you think may be depressing so perhaps don't pick up immediately, but turns out to be one you don't want to put down.
The novel begins as Lucas, in his mid-thirties, his brother and mom stand atop a cold hill to spread his father's ashes, which have sat in a box for ten years. It quickly flicks back to the time immediately following the death as Lucas works through his feelings about his father. Their relationship was complicated, to say the least. At the time of the death, Lucas has not set eyes on his father since he was 16.
Through three sections of diary entries from his childhood, the reader finds out how the relationship became so destroyed. At eleven Lucas discovered two secrets that tore the family apart and destroyed his sense of self. The five years after were spent with an uncommunicative father, as Lucas' anger towards him built.
I thought the novel was well-written and characters had depth & realism. Although there were scenes that were surprising, they worked very well. I loved the way that the layers of Lucas's life (and character) are slowly peeled back to reveal that the high achieving young research chemist is not exactly what he first appears to be. He has a hidden past, one that means he has maintained careful control for the past 13 months; until he hears of his father's death that is, when he slips up and does something he regrets.
The mystery behind his father's death is revealed a piece at a time, as Lucas is drip-fed information by his mom. Susan is used to playing mind-games, meaning Lucas doesn't quite know what to think, other than he needs some space while he sifts through his past. It is a fascinating journey, that has been well written by the author.
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway, which does not influence my opinion. This is a book worth picking up and reading. I am so glad that I received the book, as I would have missed out on an excellent read.
The novel begins as Lucas, in his mid-thirties, his brother and mom stand atop a cold hill to spread his father's ashes, which have sat in a box for ten years. It quickly flicks back to the time immediately following the death as Lucas works through his feelings about his father. Their relationship was complicated, to say the least. At the time of the death, Lucas has not set eyes on his father since he was 16.
Through three sections of diary entries from his childhood, the reader finds out how the relationship became so destroyed. At eleven Lucas discovered two secrets that tore the family apart and destroyed his sense of self. The five years after were spent with an uncommunicative father, as Lucas' anger towards him built.
I thought the novel was well-written and characters had depth & realism. Although there were scenes that were surprising, they worked very well. I loved the way that the layers of Lucas's life (and character) are slowly peeled back to reveal that the high achieving young research chemist is not exactly what he first appears to be. He has a hidden past, one that means he has maintained careful control for the past 13 months; until he hears of his father's death that is, when he slips up and does something he regrets.
The mystery behind his father's death is revealed a piece at a time, as Lucas is drip-fed information by his mom. Susan is used to playing mind-games, meaning Lucas doesn't quite know what to think, other than he needs some space while he sifts through his past. It is a fascinating journey, that has been well written by the author.
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway, which does not influence my opinion. This is a book worth picking up and reading. I am so glad that I received the book, as I would have missed out on an excellent read.
June 10, 2017
(With thanks to newbooks/nudge-books.com for the review copy.)
'Blame' by Paul Read tells the story of Lucas and his estranged father's death. After visiting his father's flat and finding the diary Lucas wrote as a boy, he is forced to relive the past to make sense of the present. Then comes the news that his father's death might not be from natural causes.
Blame's narrative structure is a winner - the first chapter that ends on a cliff-hanger, and then a novel which mixes the past and the present. I really enjoyed reading the chapters that dealt with Lucas' childhood and which featured excerpts from his diary when he was 11. His childhood innocence is often painfully raw as we adult readers are able to deduce some of the true events which he struggles to understand. There's no doubt that Paul Read's character portrayal is excellent - Lucas, like all of us, has flaws, and is finding his way in the world.
Overall, 'Blame' is a bittersweet read for me - I enjoyed the writing and the story, but can't say I warmed to the main character. It's a story about relationships and family and one that strives to illustrate the proverb that 'the apple never falls far from the tree'. For me, the best parts of the novel are the ones about Lucas' childhood.
'Blame' by Paul Read tells the story of Lucas and his estranged father's death. After visiting his father's flat and finding the diary Lucas wrote as a boy, he is forced to relive the past to make sense of the present. Then comes the news that his father's death might not be from natural causes.
Blame's narrative structure is a winner - the first chapter that ends on a cliff-hanger, and then a novel which mixes the past and the present. I really enjoyed reading the chapters that dealt with Lucas' childhood and which featured excerpts from his diary when he was 11. His childhood innocence is often painfully raw as we adult readers are able to deduce some of the true events which he struggles to understand. There's no doubt that Paul Read's character portrayal is excellent - Lucas, like all of us, has flaws, and is finding his way in the world.
Overall, 'Blame' is a bittersweet read for me - I enjoyed the writing and the story, but can't say I warmed to the main character. It's a story about relationships and family and one that strives to illustrate the proverb that 'the apple never falls far from the tree'. For me, the best parts of the novel are the ones about Lucas' childhood.
May 4, 2017
I have been a fan of Paul Read since reading The Art Teacher, that I highly recommend. Now I have read Blame a must read full of family secrets, addiction and a quest for understanding.
Paul Read almost abandoned this novel following a family bereavement, continuing with the novel felt disrespectful to Paul in some way. I understand what Paul Read was going through as a friend of mine is dying.
About the story of Blame.
Lucas hadn’t seen much of his father during his latter years. Now his father has died. Everything now has to be sorted out his fathers bills insurance, and credit cards. How did his father die he was hardy not an old man. He died of a heart attack. The question arises was his father murdered?
Paul Read almost abandoned this novel following a family bereavement, continuing with the novel felt disrespectful to Paul in some way. I understand what Paul Read was going through as a friend of mine is dying.
About the story of Blame.
Lucas hadn’t seen much of his father during his latter years. Now his father has died. Everything now has to be sorted out his fathers bills insurance, and credit cards. How did his father die he was hardy not an old man. He died of a heart attack. The question arises was his father murdered?
May 12, 2017
Drug addicts must be like buses if this book's to be believed - wait ages for one and then several come along at once! It's an engrossing story of one man and his mistakes, and of how memory - or what we think we know - can play tricks on us. By the end I'd forgotten about the prologue, so the epilogue's return to the present day brought a welcome sense of things finally working out. Thanks to Legend Press for my free copy and its efficient despatch.
January 2, 2020
Blame, a well written book
Well written with some great new words. Very deep emotional roller coasters of a persons life and family. Very enjoyable read
Well written with some great new words. Very deep emotional roller coasters of a persons life and family. Very enjoyable read
March 24, 2017
There is a quality to the writing here that, for me, sets it high above most of the books I read. It's refreshing and unusual that any typos you spot are deliberate. I felt that the use of the young Lucas' diary, complete with drawings, to relate the events of 1989 worked really well. In adult Lucas we have a character who has flaws and I found myself trying to use my will to steer his course of actions. This is a great book with very human and believable characters and I hope that it brings Paul Read the recognition I feel he deserves.
I received a free copy of Blame via NetGalley and my thanks to Legend Press for that.
I received a free copy of Blame via NetGalley and my thanks to Legend Press for that.
April 21, 2017
All reviews can be found at https://thereadinglodge.wordpress.com/
Blame is Paul Read’s second novel following Lucas as he attempts to understand the truth behind his father’s demise at such a young age. In his attempts, Lucas comes across an old diary of his from the summer of 1989 that he hopes will bring to light information about his father and why he was the way that he was. But, as the truth unravels and Lucas begins to take a look at his own life as well, he discovers that him and his father are very similar – something he does not wish to acknowledge.
I found Blame to be of an entirely different atmosphere to that of Paul’s first novel, The Art Teacher. From the minute I read the first word, I got a dark and unsettling feeling about the novel from the way that Lucas looked at the world and how it was portrayed. This novel, if anything, is definitely not light-hearted and Lucas’s character fits the bill within this scenario with his gloomy perspective on life and the sense that he is just trudging through each day. Though this feeling does sometimes lift itself, especially when Lucas is around Mariana, it definitely foreshadows any events to come and makes you understand that Lucas’s life isn’t all that it seems. Lucas’ inability to accept that he can grieve and his hatred towards his father, adds to this feeling as he attempts to put aside and hide away everything that is happening around him as he runs to New York with Mariana so as not to face the truth of his father’s demise. Lucas comes with all his flaws, and it is his flaws that hold similarities to his father.
Coupled alongside the present day narrative, Read breaks up the narrative with extracts from Lucas’s 1989 diary which adds a different perspective to Lucas’s relationship with his father and helps to clarify what happened between them. The diary, told from a child’s perspective, holds a realistic and simple voice that tells events as it is without any embellishments and it becomes clear that Lucas has all but blanked out some of the events that happened to him in his childhood. Though these entries alleviate the overall feeling of doom and gloom, there are still elements within these entries in regards to some of the events taking place and the general family home atmosphere Lucas experienced even back then.
Blame is a novel all about family and the secrets that are hidden beneath the facade of a perfect family unit. Even when he is not surrounded by his own family and is off with Mariana in New York, there is always some connection that links back to the family dynamic with Lucas watching and observing the way in which Mariana and her family react around each other. With all the events that have occurred throughout his life, it is probable that Lucas has never truly felt a part of a family dynamic which led him into the downward spiral that so clearly mirrors his own father. Read rounds off Blame with a clear resolution in all aspects of this novel that lifts the melancholy of the novel and provides light and a way forward as Lucas turns his life around.
Blame is Paul Read’s second novel following Lucas as he attempts to understand the truth behind his father’s demise at such a young age. In his attempts, Lucas comes across an old diary of his from the summer of 1989 that he hopes will bring to light information about his father and why he was the way that he was. But, as the truth unravels and Lucas begins to take a look at his own life as well, he discovers that him and his father are very similar – something he does not wish to acknowledge.
I found Blame to be of an entirely different atmosphere to that of Paul’s first novel, The Art Teacher. From the minute I read the first word, I got a dark and unsettling feeling about the novel from the way that Lucas looked at the world and how it was portrayed. This novel, if anything, is definitely not light-hearted and Lucas’s character fits the bill within this scenario with his gloomy perspective on life and the sense that he is just trudging through each day. Though this feeling does sometimes lift itself, especially when Lucas is around Mariana, it definitely foreshadows any events to come and makes you understand that Lucas’s life isn’t all that it seems. Lucas’ inability to accept that he can grieve and his hatred towards his father, adds to this feeling as he attempts to put aside and hide away everything that is happening around him as he runs to New York with Mariana so as not to face the truth of his father’s demise. Lucas comes with all his flaws, and it is his flaws that hold similarities to his father.
Coupled alongside the present day narrative, Read breaks up the narrative with extracts from Lucas’s 1989 diary which adds a different perspective to Lucas’s relationship with his father and helps to clarify what happened between them. The diary, told from a child’s perspective, holds a realistic and simple voice that tells events as it is without any embellishments and it becomes clear that Lucas has all but blanked out some of the events that happened to him in his childhood. Though these entries alleviate the overall feeling of doom and gloom, there are still elements within these entries in regards to some of the events taking place and the general family home atmosphere Lucas experienced even back then.
Blame is a novel all about family and the secrets that are hidden beneath the facade of a perfect family unit. Even when he is not surrounded by his own family and is off with Mariana in New York, there is always some connection that links back to the family dynamic with Lucas watching and observing the way in which Mariana and her family react around each other. With all the events that have occurred throughout his life, it is probable that Lucas has never truly felt a part of a family dynamic which led him into the downward spiral that so clearly mirrors his own father. Read rounds off Blame with a clear resolution in all aspects of this novel that lifts the melancholy of the novel and provides light and a way forward as Lucas turns his life around.
April 18, 2017
Blame is a story about family, about trust and about learning from your past to shape your future. It is a book about finding yourself and who you are. I found this book both challenging and rewarding in equal measure, it really was a fascinating read. This is the first book I have read by Paul Read and I immediately liked his writing style, his use of phrasing, that was almost poetic. Although the subject matter is difficult, the book is surprisingly easy to read. The text flows, in a fast paced journey that takes us through Lucas's life, explaining who he was and who he is today.
The novel opens with a Prologue, that jettisons us into the future, ten years on from the present day story, which is that of Lucas coming to terms with his father's death after an apparent heart attack. The Prologue asked many questions and set up the story beautifully, leaving the reader with a griping cliff hanger. The pace doesn't slow down much from this moment onwards. We meet present-day Lucas, an intelligent man, a successful research chemist, but a man who also has self destructive tendencies, all of which can be explained by his past and what happened during the summer of 1989. Read writes with great skill, in his portrayal of this character. He is not particularly likeable, and he has his faults, but ultimately he is hugely interesting, he piqued my interest and I wanted to learn about what happened to him, as I wanted to understand the man he had become.
We learn of the past via Lucas's diary entries, that he wrote as an eleven-year-old back in 1989. I loved the natural feel of the writing, the typos and clumsy way of writing, but it was so subtle, so believable, that I actually believed I was reading an authentic diary written by a child. These diary passages gripped me, the thirst to know what had happened between Lucas and his father, and the reason for his mother's almost distant behaviour and lack of motherly concern. I also loved the descriptions, both past and present of his brother, Ryan. The bond between them was so palpable on the page, the dialogue so natural with that mixture of both love and hate. I found their relationship fascinating. Marianna, was also an intriguing character. Originally from America, and a computer nerd, I found her both refreshing and very likeable, and couldn't for the life of me figure out what she saw in Lucas.
Blame is very much a story based upon several mysteries; the mystery of how Lucas's father died and the mystery of what happened in 1989. This is a raw and honest portrayal of family life that both shocks and entertains at the same time. What this book ultimately asks is that of: Can we ever really change? Are we a product of our past? Does your past and upbringing truly define us? I loved everything about this book. It captivated me from start to finish, and the story of Lucas will stay with me for a very long time.
Blame is published on April 15 by Legend Press.
With thanks to NetGalley and Legend Press for the Advanced Reader Copy.
The novel opens with a Prologue, that jettisons us into the future, ten years on from the present day story, which is that of Lucas coming to terms with his father's death after an apparent heart attack. The Prologue asked many questions and set up the story beautifully, leaving the reader with a griping cliff hanger. The pace doesn't slow down much from this moment onwards. We meet present-day Lucas, an intelligent man, a successful research chemist, but a man who also has self destructive tendencies, all of which can be explained by his past and what happened during the summer of 1989. Read writes with great skill, in his portrayal of this character. He is not particularly likeable, and he has his faults, but ultimately he is hugely interesting, he piqued my interest and I wanted to learn about what happened to him, as I wanted to understand the man he had become.
We learn of the past via Lucas's diary entries, that he wrote as an eleven-year-old back in 1989. I loved the natural feel of the writing, the typos and clumsy way of writing, but it was so subtle, so believable, that I actually believed I was reading an authentic diary written by a child. These diary passages gripped me, the thirst to know what had happened between Lucas and his father, and the reason for his mother's almost distant behaviour and lack of motherly concern. I also loved the descriptions, both past and present of his brother, Ryan. The bond between them was so palpable on the page, the dialogue so natural with that mixture of both love and hate. I found their relationship fascinating. Marianna, was also an intriguing character. Originally from America, and a computer nerd, I found her both refreshing and very likeable, and couldn't for the life of me figure out what she saw in Lucas.
Blame is very much a story based upon several mysteries; the mystery of how Lucas's father died and the mystery of what happened in 1989. This is a raw and honest portrayal of family life that both shocks and entertains at the same time. What this book ultimately asks is that of: Can we ever really change? Are we a product of our past? Does your past and upbringing truly define us? I loved everything about this book. It captivated me from start to finish, and the story of Lucas will stay with me for a very long time.
Blame is published on April 15 by Legend Press.
With thanks to NetGalley and Legend Press for the Advanced Reader Copy.
April 6, 2017
When I started reading Blame, I thought I was reading an average thriller but what I got was much more than that. The quality of the writing was far superior to any novel I've read in a long time and I really enjoyed the way Read portrayed the relationships between characters. They all felt very real.
April 18, 2017
Blame works as both a romantic quest and a mystery, and resolving both serves, for Lucas, as a belated coming-of-age.
Full review coming soon to http://annegoodwin.weebly.com/annecdo...
Full review coming soon to http://annegoodwin.weebly.com/annecdo...
April 20, 2017
My Review – An intuitive and thoughtful novel about a man trying to process and move on from childhood trauma, along with the psychological consequences that follow.
I was pleasantly surprised to find out that this book wasn’t as dark and tense as it sounds from the synopsis. Paul Read’s moving and almost poetic writing adds a whole different dimension to a familiar type of storyline. The narrative follows Lucas Marr who has recently lost his father. Instead of feeling grief, Lucas is indifferent and confused about his emotions due to a complicated relationship with his father that extends through most of his life.
Lucas’ life has been a trying one, culminating in an addiction to heroin. We meet Lucas when he is one year sober, working in a successful pharmaceutical company. He is struggling to process his father’s death and that is largely because he couldn’t stand the man, but a part of him wants to grieve. When Lucas finds out that the police are treating his death as suspicious, he is forced to contemplate who may have had a grudge against his father. While searching for answers, Lucas finds a journal that documents the beginning of his family’s upheaval and eventual destruction.
The basis for plot is pretty thin in Blame. The book relies heavily on Lucas, as well as Read’s perceptive and emotional writing. Lucas’ character carries this book, he is a complex character that everyone can empathise with and invest in. Read’s writing makes it an thoughtful and satisfying reading experience. Lucas is plagued with emotional conflict and is keen to run from it all. Finding out that his father may have been killed pushes him to take a spontaneous trip to New York with potential love interest Mariana to try and avoid the grief. I really empathised with Lucas, his life has not been easy. Though drugs are not the answer, they forced him to face what is causing his addiction and make him pursuit closure to help move on.
The story mainly follows Lucas in the aftermath of his father’s death. After Lucas finds his journal, the reader gets short glimpses into a significant event from his childhood. These journal entries are childish, packed with drawings and silliness. They are also packed with underlying atmospheric changes and reveals that unlock a wider view of Lucas’ life and how he came to hate his father. I was moved by this story and I recommend it to all those readers who can appreciate an emotional, empathetic and atmospheric reading experience.
Paul Read really caught me off guard. I enjoyed the way his writing flowed, it has brilliant and amiable qualities. There are grittier themes like drug addiction and hate/rage threaded throughout, but overall Blame is an emotional struggle to move on from rejection, addiction and caged anger. I have given Blame 4/5 stars because Lucas’ story really drew me in and the book has a excellent sense of catharsis which you don’t usually get in the grittier emotional drama novels these days
I was pleasantly surprised to find out that this book wasn’t as dark and tense as it sounds from the synopsis. Paul Read’s moving and almost poetic writing adds a whole different dimension to a familiar type of storyline. The narrative follows Lucas Marr who has recently lost his father. Instead of feeling grief, Lucas is indifferent and confused about his emotions due to a complicated relationship with his father that extends through most of his life.
Lucas’ life has been a trying one, culminating in an addiction to heroin. We meet Lucas when he is one year sober, working in a successful pharmaceutical company. He is struggling to process his father’s death and that is largely because he couldn’t stand the man, but a part of him wants to grieve. When Lucas finds out that the police are treating his death as suspicious, he is forced to contemplate who may have had a grudge against his father. While searching for answers, Lucas finds a journal that documents the beginning of his family’s upheaval and eventual destruction.
The basis for plot is pretty thin in Blame. The book relies heavily on Lucas, as well as Read’s perceptive and emotional writing. Lucas’ character carries this book, he is a complex character that everyone can empathise with and invest in. Read’s writing makes it an thoughtful and satisfying reading experience. Lucas is plagued with emotional conflict and is keen to run from it all. Finding out that his father may have been killed pushes him to take a spontaneous trip to New York with potential love interest Mariana to try and avoid the grief. I really empathised with Lucas, his life has not been easy. Though drugs are not the answer, they forced him to face what is causing his addiction and make him pursuit closure to help move on.
The story mainly follows Lucas in the aftermath of his father’s death. After Lucas finds his journal, the reader gets short glimpses into a significant event from his childhood. These journal entries are childish, packed with drawings and silliness. They are also packed with underlying atmospheric changes and reveals that unlock a wider view of Lucas’ life and how he came to hate his father. I was moved by this story and I recommend it to all those readers who can appreciate an emotional, empathetic and atmospheric reading experience.
Paul Read really caught me off guard. I enjoyed the way his writing flowed, it has brilliant and amiable qualities. There are grittier themes like drug addiction and hate/rage threaded throughout, but overall Blame is an emotional struggle to move on from rejection, addiction and caged anger. I have given Blame 4/5 stars because Lucas’ story really drew me in and the book has a excellent sense of catharsis which you don’t usually get in the grittier emotional drama novels these days
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2017
All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
I've got to be honest, I spent the first couple of chapters wondering what the hell was going on! There was a lot of half answered questions at first, so when the storyline introduced a new character or a new situation I had quite a collection of question marks camping out over my head. Yeah it did confuse me as I wanted to find out what happened and I wasn't getting the answers quick enough! Oh by the way, I'm really not complaining at all! I was just getting very impatient due to my extreme curiosity!
This review could potentially be shorter than my other ones as most of the vital information is linked to pretty much everything! Basically, I can't take the chance with spoilers!
'Blame' has such a complex and intense storyline which the main characters manage to add a completely different dimension to. We follow Lucas' journey where we see him battle multiple demons (namely himself), as well as seeing the storyline return to another point in his life with even more questionable demons. There are a lot of colourful personalities who pop in and out of Lucas' journey, some who make themselves more known than the others (and not in a good way).
Reading 'Blame' opened my eyes in more ways than one, to a whole new lifestyle I had never acknowledged before. Well, I have never had the need to acknowledge it before and from an outsiders point of view, I felt that it would be best to remove my own personal views from the equation and read the book with a very basic outlook.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book I must admit, even though some situations were quite difficult to read, Paul Read laid it all bare and wrote it very black and white. There was no fluffing, it was quite raw and...honest. One thing that did irk me about the overall storyline was how it kept building up, and building up, creating more suspense with every turn of the page and then....
I was hoping for a smidge more as I certainly thought that it was heading in that direction. Having said that, I still really enjoyed the novel nonetheless and nothing felt ruined for me, personally. There does seem to be scope for even more to the storyline so I have my fingers crossed for another book of a similar nature. Actually, I'd be happy with another book overall!
A very poignant, gritty and powerful read from start to finish, I highly recommend reading 'Blame' and I am really looking forward to seeing what Paul Read has up his sleeve for his next book!
Thanks Legend Press!
I've got to be honest, I spent the first couple of chapters wondering what the hell was going on! There was a lot of half answered questions at first, so when the storyline introduced a new character or a new situation I had quite a collection of question marks camping out over my head. Yeah it did confuse me as I wanted to find out what happened and I wasn't getting the answers quick enough! Oh by the way, I'm really not complaining at all! I was just getting very impatient due to my extreme curiosity!
This review could potentially be shorter than my other ones as most of the vital information is linked to pretty much everything! Basically, I can't take the chance with spoilers!
'Blame' has such a complex and intense storyline which the main characters manage to add a completely different dimension to. We follow Lucas' journey where we see him battle multiple demons (namely himself), as well as seeing the storyline return to another point in his life with even more questionable demons. There are a lot of colourful personalities who pop in and out of Lucas' journey, some who make themselves more known than the others (and not in a good way).
Reading 'Blame' opened my eyes in more ways than one, to a whole new lifestyle I had never acknowledged before. Well, I have never had the need to acknowledge it before and from an outsiders point of view, I felt that it would be best to remove my own personal views from the equation and read the book with a very basic outlook.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book I must admit, even though some situations were quite difficult to read, Paul Read laid it all bare and wrote it very black and white. There was no fluffing, it was quite raw and...honest. One thing that did irk me about the overall storyline was how it kept building up, and building up, creating more suspense with every turn of the page and then....
I was hoping for a smidge more as I certainly thought that it was heading in that direction. Having said that, I still really enjoyed the novel nonetheless and nothing felt ruined for me, personally. There does seem to be scope for even more to the storyline so I have my fingers crossed for another book of a similar nature. Actually, I'd be happy with another book overall!
A very poignant, gritty and powerful read from start to finish, I highly recommend reading 'Blame' and I am really looking forward to seeing what Paul Read has up his sleeve for his next book!
Thanks Legend Press!
April 27, 2017
Four stars for this Goodreads Giveaway.
April 28, 2017
Well, what can I say, this is the first book I have read which is not fantasy or sci-fi.However, it has opened eyes to a brand new genre that I previously dismissed.
I was so encompassed in the story that I nearly had heart attack when my fire alarm went off "Burnt chips"
Throughout reading the story I was overwhelmed with a variety of different emotions all which I believe is necessary for a novel, Excitement, nervousness, embarrassment, anger and laughter.
I would definitely recommend this book to all.
I apologise the review was not the best "I don't have a computer so was done via my phone"
I was so encompassed in the story that I nearly had heart attack when my fire alarm went off "Burnt chips"
Throughout reading the story I was overwhelmed with a variety of different emotions all which I believe is necessary for a novel, Excitement, nervousness, embarrassment, anger and laughter.
I would definitely recommend this book to all.
I apologise the review was not the best "I don't have a computer so was done via my phone"
April 30, 2017
I enjoyed Blame, a book about fractured family relationships from the point of view of Lucas, a scientist with an addictive personality, rather poor at relationships himself. I particularly liked the humour of Lucas's diary, written age 11, as he rereads it as an adult. The story is sad, funny, and poignant at times, my only criticism is that the ending is a bit "soft". Thank you Goodreads for my copy
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews