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The Dragonfly
When Colin discovers his son is on a murder charge in France, he trails his small boat, 'The Dragonfly', across the Channel to help. There he meets his grand-daughter - the irrepressible Delphine - for the first time. They embark on a boat journey through the picturesque French canals, heading south through Burgundy, 'until the butter melts'. Along the way, they catch up with Tyler, a spirited American, and land big fish, cultivate new loves and uncover a burning secret. But can Colin help his son get off the hook?
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First published April 27, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 27, 2017
Colin Aylesford has a strained, almost non-existent relationship with his son Michael, so when police officers arrive at his house to tell him that Michael has been arrested for the murder of his wife, Charlotte, Colin cannot understand what has happened in his son's life to lead him to this point. And what about his granddaughter, Delphine, who is only nine? Determined to uncover the truth, Colin sets out to France, and while travelling the canals with his sullen granddaughter by his side, maybe he will find a way to a brighter future for them all.
THE DRAGONFLY by Kate Dunn is a really engaging, unusual story of family, love, and heartache, with the beautiful landscapes and villages of France as its backdrop. Colin is an interesting character as he is a man more comfortable on the water and tending his boat, then he is with people and parenting. While the relationship that develops between Colin and Delphine is heartwarming at times, throughout the story there is a dark, underlying atmosphere that threatens to bubble up to the surface at any moment. The mystery about Charlotte's death is intriguing and will keep you gripped from beginning to end. THE DRAGONFLY by Kate Dunn is a fascinating story and well worth a read.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the author
THE DRAGONFLY by Kate Dunn is a really engaging, unusual story of family, love, and heartache, with the beautiful landscapes and villages of France as its backdrop. Colin is an interesting character as he is a man more comfortable on the water and tending his boat, then he is with people and parenting. While the relationship that develops between Colin and Delphine is heartwarming at times, throughout the story there is a dark, underlying atmosphere that threatens to bubble up to the surface at any moment. The mystery about Charlotte's death is intriguing and will keep you gripped from beginning to end. THE DRAGONFLY by Kate Dunn is a fascinating story and well worth a read.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the author
February 23, 2025
A story to tug at the heartstrings. Too mild for me. Too bland in the storyline.
That said, this is a good book for a light, easy read. There's nothing wrong with the story or the writing. It just isn't me.
That said, this is a good book for a light, easy read. There's nothing wrong with the story or the writing. It just isn't me.
July 19, 2019
I was drawn into this book from page one. Colin builds a boat at the bottom of his garden and names it Dragonfly. When a letter arrives by airmail it was a letter from his boy after all these years. My heart ached for Colin his letter by his own son started of Colin. Not Dear Colin or Dad or even Dear Dad. The letter was informing Colin that Charlotte had died very suddenly it was an accident. She fell down their stairs at their home in Paris. Delphine was coping well as possible. I wasn't expecting this part to happen. The police arrived and explained to Colin that they have been contacted by the French police. Michael his son has been arrested in connection with the death of his partner Charlotte Duvoisin. A kind-hearted dad who hasn't seen his son for ten years makes the trip to Paris as he will fight Michael's freedom, no matter what it took. Colin hadn't even met his nine-year old granddaughter and Delphine had never met her grandpa. Michael was a good boy. He wouldn't hurt anyone. He just wouldn't. So how did exactly Charlotte fall down the stairs in their home and die? Colin takes his granddaughter for the summer back with him. Delphine has to speak English or her grandpa will not be able to understand her if she speaks in French. Colin and Delphine spend time on the Dragonfly. We are taken through the harrowing time where Michael is in a prison hospital wing. The Dragonfly is a remarkable novel with French and English. I liked the fact that part of the family had come from Paris in France and mixed the storyline back to England. The Dragonfly is short listed for the Virginia prize for fiction. I really highly recommend The Dragonfly by Kate Dunn.
July 13, 2017
Having reacted to the news that his son, Michael, who is living in France, has been imprisoned for an alleged murder, Colin Aylesford takes his boat, The Dragonfly and heads off to the canal waterways of France in the hope of getting to know more about why his son has committed this serious crime. Desperate to know why Michael appears to have acted so completely out of character, Colin embarks on a journey of discovery, not just to find out more about his son, Michael, but also to start a relationship with his nine year old grandaughter, Delphine, who Colin has never met, before now. Grandfather and granddaughter have a mixed reaction to each other which was fascinating to observe, partly endearing, partly reactionary, each must learn to like the other. I think that in allowing this relationship to develop slowly, the author has captured the fractured family dynamic really well.
I enjoyed seeing how the story unfolded and particularly enjoyed travelling along in The Dragonfly alongside, Colin and Delphine. There's something wonderfully escapist about meandering along the canals of France in a boat, so beautifully named, as The Dragonfly, except for Colin and Delphine, this journey is not necessarily idyllic, fraught as it is, with problems. I don't want to give anything of the story away as it would be do a complete disservice to the author, but what I will say, is that this story of a family tragedy, and of the bonds that tie us together, is done with a fine eye for detail, and a real gift for storytelling. The writing flows well, and the other characters who flit into and out of the story add their own special qualities.
I particularly enjoyed watching the gentle unfolding of the relationship between grandfather and granddaughter, which I thought was especially well done. The Dragonfly is a heartwarming story, with a strong emotional core, which gives perceptive insight into a desperately sad family situation, which all too quickly threatened to spiral out of control.
February 28, 2019
Colin Aylesford long estranged from his son Michael receives news that he has been arrested for the death of his wife Charlotte Duvoisin in Paris. Suddenly Colin finds himself responsible for caring for Delphine, his grand-daughter he little knows and finally having to face the past.
The book covers a maelstrom of emotions at times sad, hopeful, angry, reflective, loving, and acceptance of things you cannot change. I found it interesting and a contrasting parallel shows Michael’s life in prison and in particular his friendship with a fellow prisoner Laroche and Colin and Delphine’s life and growing affection on board the Dragonfly. It also depicts the debilitating effects of divorce on children often despite the efforts of parents to do what they think is best but frequently isn’t the right choice at all and has the complete opposite impact.
There are many lighter moments often involving Delphine as she tests Colin’s patience and the growing friendship between Colin and a fellow barge owner Tyler. Colin seems to be severely lacking with common sense especially when it comes to Delphine.
I did enjoy the journey and it is nice to branch out and read something outside of what you normally read. The descriptions of life on the Seine are nicely done, however, I found occasionally a word in the text seemed a little out of place for the type of narrative story. The whole scene with the fish which Delphine catches and the visit to a posh restaurant to demand they cook it for them seemed silly and not believable.
PS: Unfortunately the author loses a star for some reason the character of Colin at two points in the narrative throws his cigarette in the Seine - WHY! there was no reason pertinent to the story why this was necessary - it really bugged me.
The book covers a maelstrom of emotions at times sad, hopeful, angry, reflective, loving, and acceptance of things you cannot change. I found it interesting and a contrasting parallel shows Michael’s life in prison and in particular his friendship with a fellow prisoner Laroche and Colin and Delphine’s life and growing affection on board the Dragonfly. It also depicts the debilitating effects of divorce on children often despite the efforts of parents to do what they think is best but frequently isn’t the right choice at all and has the complete opposite impact.
There are many lighter moments often involving Delphine as she tests Colin’s patience and the growing friendship between Colin and a fellow barge owner Tyler. Colin seems to be severely lacking with common sense especially when it comes to Delphine.
I did enjoy the journey and it is nice to branch out and read something outside of what you normally read. The descriptions of life on the Seine are nicely done, however, I found occasionally a word in the text seemed a little out of place for the type of narrative story. The whole scene with the fish which Delphine catches and the visit to a posh restaurant to demand they cook it for them seemed silly and not believable.
PS: Unfortunately the author loses a star for some reason the character of Colin at two points in the narrative throws his cigarette in the Seine - WHY! there was no reason pertinent to the story why this was necessary - it really bugged me.
July 26, 2018
A brilliant heartwrenching tale.
A painful yet heartbreaking story of a little girl and her father and grandfather and the serious events surrounding them. How will it all come out right and what is the truth? Then There’s the adventure her grandfather takes her on and what it leads to accompanied by the unexpected and dangerous things that happen to them. I was gripped by it and desperately had to reach the end to see how it all turned out. Hope there will be another one from this author to look forward to.
A painful yet heartbreaking story of a little girl and her father and grandfather and the serious events surrounding them. How will it all come out right and what is the truth? Then There’s the adventure her grandfather takes her on and what it leads to accompanied by the unexpected and dangerous things that happen to them. I was gripped by it and desperately had to reach the end to see how it all turned out. Hope there will be another one from this author to look forward to.
September 26, 2018
Different story
Great read. Unpredictable. Good relationships between man and woman and grandpa and granddaughter. Really nicely written. Great descriptions make you really "SEE" the settings.
Great read. Unpredictable. Good relationships between man and woman and grandpa and granddaughter. Really nicely written. Great descriptions make you really "SEE" the settings.
April 11, 2018
I enjoyed the relationship between the grandfather and granddaughter. I thought the story wrapped-up a little too neatly in the end.
September 22, 2018
great read
could' put it down. am going to Burgundy and Djon in a couple of weeks for a barge trip. can't wait
could' put it down. am going to Burgundy and Djon in a couple of weeks for a barge trip. can't wait
May 9, 2023
Read this a few years ago, and it still pops into my mind as a gentle read on a summer's day. Enough of a mystery to keep the pages turning as you see an estranged grandfather connecting with his granddaughter. Emotional & engaging.
September 17, 2017
The Dragonfly by Kate Dunn tells the story of a man trying to connect with his estranged son and the granddaughter he never knew after the death of his daughter-in law. It explores the dynamics of a dysfunctional family, trying to find their way to pull together during a trying time.
After receiving information that his son Michael has been arrested for the murder of his wife, Colin packs up his things and takes his boat the Dragonfly to France. Now I am not sure that the most sensible thing to do when faced with a small child that you don’t know would be to take her sailing, but that is exactly what Colin does.
From the start you sense that Colin is like a fish out of water where small children are concerned. He is initially motivated by a sense of guilt that when his son was younger he did not fight harder to remain part of his life after he split from his wife. Determined to make up for his past mistakes he initially sets out to try to get his son out of prison, as no matter what he is positive that his son had no part in his wife’s death and it must have been an accident. When he goes to see his granddaughter he has to contend with her angry grandmother who is quite sure that Michael is not innocent. He has no idea how to handle the small girl and finds himself quite often making mistakes. You have to feel sorry for Colin as he is trying desperately to do the right thing. Whenever you think of a single parent it is quite often the mother that is the main focus so the fact that this time you have a grandfather who didn’t even really have much say in the upbringing of his own child makes for a refreshing change. Added to this you have the confines of a small boat and a language barrier and you have quite a few awkward moments.
Delphine at times is what you could only describe as a brat. Most children can be from time to time. That being said she has been through a lot in a short space of time. She has witnessed her mother’s accident, been separated from her father, and then passed from her elderly grandmother to spend time on boat with a grandfather she doesn’t know. You can sense the struggle within the small child, part of her is determined to remain aloof and distant, blaming her grandfather and the world for the position she is in, yet part of her is desperate for the love and attention from family. For every one step forward Colin gets with her breaking down the barriers something happens that seems to set them two steps back. There are also times throughout the story that you sense that Delphine may have witnessed more to the accident that she has let on and this is having an effect on her behaviour
Throughout the story you also get to see the developing relationship between Michael and his cellmate Laroche. Clearly out of his depth in a French Prison somehow he finds a way to connect with the man and in return for helping with his studies, Laroche helps him cope with prison life. You get the sense that like Delphine, Michael is hiding something as he seems very unwilling to help himself and seems resigned to a life behind bars.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Dragonfly. At times it had me laughing at the mishaps that befell Colin and Delphine as they sailed along the canals, but it also had me guessing as to what exactly happened to Charlotte and what secrets Delphine and Michael were hiding. The author did not shy away from the realities of broken homes and family issues that stem from estrangements. I look forward to reading more from Kate Dunn in the future.
After receiving information that his son Michael has been arrested for the murder of his wife, Colin packs up his things and takes his boat the Dragonfly to France. Now I am not sure that the most sensible thing to do when faced with a small child that you don’t know would be to take her sailing, but that is exactly what Colin does.
From the start you sense that Colin is like a fish out of water where small children are concerned. He is initially motivated by a sense of guilt that when his son was younger he did not fight harder to remain part of his life after he split from his wife. Determined to make up for his past mistakes he initially sets out to try to get his son out of prison, as no matter what he is positive that his son had no part in his wife’s death and it must have been an accident. When he goes to see his granddaughter he has to contend with her angry grandmother who is quite sure that Michael is not innocent. He has no idea how to handle the small girl and finds himself quite often making mistakes. You have to feel sorry for Colin as he is trying desperately to do the right thing. Whenever you think of a single parent it is quite often the mother that is the main focus so the fact that this time you have a grandfather who didn’t even really have much say in the upbringing of his own child makes for a refreshing change. Added to this you have the confines of a small boat and a language barrier and you have quite a few awkward moments.
Delphine at times is what you could only describe as a brat. Most children can be from time to time. That being said she has been through a lot in a short space of time. She has witnessed her mother’s accident, been separated from her father, and then passed from her elderly grandmother to spend time on boat with a grandfather she doesn’t know. You can sense the struggle within the small child, part of her is determined to remain aloof and distant, blaming her grandfather and the world for the position she is in, yet part of her is desperate for the love and attention from family. For every one step forward Colin gets with her breaking down the barriers something happens that seems to set them two steps back. There are also times throughout the story that you sense that Delphine may have witnessed more to the accident that she has let on and this is having an effect on her behaviour
Throughout the story you also get to see the developing relationship between Michael and his cellmate Laroche. Clearly out of his depth in a French Prison somehow he finds a way to connect with the man and in return for helping with his studies, Laroche helps him cope with prison life. You get the sense that like Delphine, Michael is hiding something as he seems very unwilling to help himself and seems resigned to a life behind bars.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Dragonfly. At times it had me laughing at the mishaps that befell Colin and Delphine as they sailed along the canals, but it also had me guessing as to what exactly happened to Charlotte and what secrets Delphine and Michael were hiding. The author did not shy away from the realities of broken homes and family issues that stem from estrangements. I look forward to reading more from Kate Dunn in the future.
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July 28, 2017Kirkus
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews