Restoration: More tales from the house that sat down

by Alice G. May

Let us return to the crumbling, cob cottage in the country, with our intrepid heroine and her hilarious family!
They're about to start rebuilding their home and their lives. Of course, nothing is going to go smoothly for them, is it?
In this sequel to 'Accidental Damage - tales from the house that sat down' we accompany our heroine on her journey as she bravely battles to restore everything that she loves; often against the odds and with a liberal sprinkling of humour, art and home-made cookies along the way.
One thing is for sure, it's going to be a bumpy ride!

The second of Alice May's award winning debut series. Written in her unique and compelling style, this author and artist returns with the much anticipated sequel to Accidental Damage - Tales from the house that sat down.

243 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 6, 2017

About the author

Alice May writes contemporary, historical and saga fiction.
Her new series, The Resistance Girls is inspired by the true story of a highly trained secret army of women working undercover to protect British coastal communities during World War Two.

Having always dreamed of being a writer, Alice finally put pen to paper in her forties.
She lives in the New Forest on the Dorset/Hampshire border and gains inspiration from walking both in the forest and along the coast.

Alice also writes non-fiction, including memoir (The House That Sat Down Trilogy) and a colourful series of 'How to Draw The Alice May Way' books, suitable for all ages. She loves public speaking and regularly attends writing festivals, libraries and social groups to give presentations.

Find out more at www.alicegmay.com

Reviews

[Jane Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second part of 'The House That Sat Down Trilogy' is equally as interesting as Accidental Damage'.

The family house is finally going to be restored, hopefully to its former glory, but things have to be taken down to allow the rebuilding to commence. The aftermath of the evacuation of the family after the house cracked serves as a poignant reminder of everything they have lost. The effect on family members is recorded with honesty and humour.

The repercussions of the damage take an inevitable toll on the family, but their unity helps them to move forward. Laughter and sadness in a real-life family drama setting are written in an engaging way. It reads like fiction but is more believable because it is based on reality.

I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The “Restoration” of a house seems to suggest that it would be a straightforward process, but this is a family house, and the author Alice May with her trademark humour, gentle angst and perceptive insights gives far more detail about what really happens. The author has introduced the Barbarians (her children), the Beloved Husband and herself in the gently humourous “Accidental Damage”, being the first part of “The House That Sat Down” trilogy, and suggests that much of this second book depends on having read that account. Basically, the family house was partially of three hundred year old “cob” construction, and repeated storms have taken its toll on the walls meaning that two huge cracks had developed and rendered that part of the house too dangerous to enter, let alone live in. The family’s trials and tribulations go further than having to sleep in a tent however; the risk of a long term exclusion from the house means that the children may have to be sent away indefinitely. This book goes on from the low point to at least a partial solution as some of the walls are to be rebuilt, but even the start of the process seems fated as unexpected visitors to the house threaten to block the road. It describes the highs and lows of the process of rebuilding, and the challenges that it presents to the writer. A book of highs and lows, humour and hope, I was pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book, like the first, runs in two time sequences. The present day is full of the changes familiar to many, the coming to terms with children growing up and leaving home for university. It can be a challenging time, and in this author thinks back to another difficult time as the builders eventually begin to demolish two walls of the house. This reveals far more than an empty space; the revelation of bedrooms quickly abandoned and possessions displayed subdues even the most boisterous of boys. The unexpected expenses of the project drops a bombshell on the family, and the narrator feels it particularly as she is concerned for the long term future of the family. There are still lighthearted moments, as Thor wields his hammer of destruction and Skelly is displayed, and an exercise class timetable confuses attempts to get fit. The decline of the author’s health and the development of her paintings make for a well balanced narrative.

This book is a worthy continuation of the first book, continuing the themes of family unity in the face of adversity and the basic problems of losing part of a house. The fact that it is a varied and nuanced story with great wit and charm makes it a very readable account. The pictures and paintings that the author describes punctuate the narration and give a fascinating insight into her state of mind. This is a memorable series of books which have a gentle humour which carries the writing through into a rather special account of a family’s experience.

[Dash fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

5☆ An uplifting, heart warming, witty and compelling second Instalment!

This is the second book in the series and I recommend reading the previous book first as it really sets the story in motion!
It's so good to be back to see what's next in store from the House that Sat Down!

This instalment focuses on the beginning of restoring the broken House.
But of course if you have read the first book then you will be well aware this isn't going to run smoothly! Nothing ever does for them!

I'm not going to say anymore incase you want to read the first book I don't want to spoil anything.

Restoration follows on from the previous book and is told in past and present time lines narrated by the Mum. Which I really enjoy.

Once again what I loved was the humour that presented itself the whole way through.
But most importantly what absolutely shines through is how Tight their family unit is and how they pull together and stay strong.
We follow the trials and tribulations of what it's like to have a broken home, uncertainty, change, builders invading your space, money worries all the while keeping it all together.

Restoration is an uplifting, heart warming, witty and compelling story.
It's very relatable and real. Especially if you have read the first book you will know this has been consistent throughout.
Alice May has put alot of thought and passion into writing her story and it simply shines through.
Bring on the third and final Instalment..... I can't wait!

Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.



My Review is also on my Blog Website :-

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2019/1...

[Mandy Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Down to earth and easily relatable! A very enjoyable read 🤗