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Victoria Park
Mona and Wolfie have lived on Victoria Park for over fifty years. Now, on the eve of their sixty-fifth wedding anniversary, they must decide how to navigate Mona's declining health. Bookended by the touching exploration of their love, Victoria Park follows the disparate lives of twelve people over the course of a single year. Told from their multiple perspectives in episodes which capture feelings of alienation and connection, the lingering memory of an acid attack in the park sends ripples of unease through the community. By the end of the novel, their carefully interwoven tales create a rich tapestry of resilience, love and loss.
With sharply observed insight into contemporary urban life, and characters we take to our hearts, Gemma Reeves has written a moving, uplifting debut which reflects those universal experiences that connect us all.
With sharply observed insight into contemporary urban life, and characters we take to our hearts, Gemma Reeves has written a moving, uplifting debut which reflects those universal experiences that connect us all.
294 pages, Hardcover
First published January 7, 2021
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1368 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews
January 18, 2021
Gemma Reeves’ novel is a lyrical reflection of contemporary urban life that tells the stories of twelve loosely linked characters that live around an east London park over the course of a year. A multi-perspective narrative that shifts between each chapter and month, with a background of secondary characters that make fleeting appearances, combines to create a picture of how closely entwined the lives of a single community really are. Each chapter might be told from a different perspective but as characters are seen through each other’s eyes or simply in the background of others lives it adds to the picture of a vibrant, urban community dealing with the trials, tribulations and triumphs that a year brings to all of their lives. Over the course of a year individual characters across the whole social spectrum deal with issues of identity, alienation and loneliness, all whilst simultaneously reflecting on the aftermath of an acid attack that has sent shockwaves through the park-side neighbourhood.
It is the lives of a Jewish married couple, Mona and Wolfie, on the eve of their sixty-fifth wedding anniversary that underpins the novel, opening with recently retired Wolfie pondering on the years he has lived in the much changed neighbourhood and Mona’s declining health in the grip of dementia. It is the continuation of their journey that closes the novel in the most fitting of ways yet in between there is a teenager dealing with identity issues and the life changing dilemmas that a young couple’s IVF conception brings. The characters encountered over the course of the year are plentiful and too many to do justice to the characterisation of all in truth and I found myself craving more depth and wanting the benefit of a more well-rounded snapshot of a few individual lives.
Written with unswerving humanity, acceptance and optimism the novel shines a light of the ways in which the members of a communities lives traverse and connect, sometimes in the most transient of ways. Ordinary people with ordinary lives but with each chapter Reeves’ adds to our knowledge of how these individual’s function as a community and the tangential ways that their are connected be it through work, family ties, friendship or simply at leisure. Victoria Park is a novel of a modern community with the constant backdrop of the park as the seasons change and compassion and the promise of hope keeps all of Reeves’ characters lives progressing, even in the bleakest of circumstances. The resultant novel, made up of all these disparate lives, could make for a bitty, unsatisfying read, largely due to the lack of focus that a full-length novel delivers yet I was surprised how the book grew on me with its subtle observations on modern life and the human condition. A pleasant read but for me this never quite delivered the payoff or satisfaction that a novel with a narrower focus does.
It is the lives of a Jewish married couple, Mona and Wolfie, on the eve of their sixty-fifth wedding anniversary that underpins the novel, opening with recently retired Wolfie pondering on the years he has lived in the much changed neighbourhood and Mona’s declining health in the grip of dementia. It is the continuation of their journey that closes the novel in the most fitting of ways yet in between there is a teenager dealing with identity issues and the life changing dilemmas that a young couple’s IVF conception brings. The characters encountered over the course of the year are plentiful and too many to do justice to the characterisation of all in truth and I found myself craving more depth and wanting the benefit of a more well-rounded snapshot of a few individual lives.
Written with unswerving humanity, acceptance and optimism the novel shines a light of the ways in which the members of a communities lives traverse and connect, sometimes in the most transient of ways. Ordinary people with ordinary lives but with each chapter Reeves’ adds to our knowledge of how these individual’s function as a community and the tangential ways that their are connected be it through work, family ties, friendship or simply at leisure. Victoria Park is a novel of a modern community with the constant backdrop of the park as the seasons change and compassion and the promise of hope keeps all of Reeves’ characters lives progressing, even in the bleakest of circumstances. The resultant novel, made up of all these disparate lives, could make for a bitty, unsatisfying read, largely due to the lack of focus that a full-length novel delivers yet I was surprised how the book grew on me with its subtle observations on modern life and the human condition. A pleasant read but for me this never quite delivered the payoff or satisfaction that a novel with a narrower focus does.
November 5, 2020
Victoria Park is a beautifully crafted and moving novel about a community over the course of a year. In twelve linked stories, the lives of diverse residents of the park criss-cross in subtle, revealing and surprising ways. This book highlights and reminds us of our connectedness (however brief) in a rapidly changing world. There are big themes here; the heartbreak of dementia, the trials of IVF, betrayal, dislocation, longing, loving and identity. A young thief finds something shocking, a house cleaner reads her daughter's diary, a woman thinks a portrait of herself is a picture of her mother. The aftermath of an acid attack in the park, threads its way through the stories, touching everyone in different ways. This debut novel has stayed with me. The lyrical quality of the writing, its engaging
and vital characters, gentle humour, sensitivity and profound insights are a true delight.
and vital characters, gentle humour, sensitivity and profound insights are a true delight.
December 28, 2020
This book has really left me quite torn with how to rate it. On the one hand it is beautifully original, wonderfully written and quite delightful. On the other hand I found it quite frustrating how each chapter was dedicated to a different character and storyline and I was left hanging to how the stories continued for each character.
In many ways each chapter is in itself a mini story and although there are some links between the characters some of these are quite vague. Naturally some characters I found really interesting whereas some chapters did drag a little.
Ultimately I did enjoy this book but I wont be jumping up and down to recommend this to others. It wasnt quite gripping enough for me and I felt no attachment to any of the characters. If you are looking for something different and beautiful then give this a try.
The cover is stunning and it's a perfect sized hardback.
In many ways each chapter is in itself a mini story and although there are some links between the characters some of these are quite vague. Naturally some characters I found really interesting whereas some chapters did drag a little.
Ultimately I did enjoy this book but I wont be jumping up and down to recommend this to others. It wasnt quite gripping enough for me and I felt no attachment to any of the characters. If you are looking for something different and beautiful then give this a try.
The cover is stunning and it's a perfect sized hardback.
January 9, 2021
Set over a period of 12 months, from October to the following September, Victoria Park focuses on the lives of 12 of the Park’s residents amid the changing seasons. Beginning and ending with the enduring love story of Wolfie and Mona, married for 65 years – Mona is suffering from Alzheimers and barely remembers people in her present whilst being increasingly confused with those from her past.
Each character has a story of their own – it could be momentous or quite mundane and unfolds as a series of vignettes documenting the lives of the inhabitants of Victoria Park, each one being connected to another in some way and moving the timeline forward. A pivotal reference point in the book seems to be a recent acid attack on a young boy in the park, and which remains unsolved. This causes much unease and speculation.
With often harsh and honest insight and observations, there is also something incredibly moving and poignant about some of the narratives. We see thoughts and emotions as people’s individual situations are disclosed – from the mother and businesswoman who has lived here for many years but illegally, the young housebreaker who finds the unexpected, the female couple undertaking IVF treatment, and the bitter old woman no longer able to live independently.
The community was such a diverse one and each individual story held my interest; I enjoyed seeing how the stories flowed into one another and discovering things about the characters from another perspective. There were some chapters that I wished had been a bit longer as I wanted to know more, and occasionally I would have liked to have seen more of a reaction to certain events instead of something just being mentioned in passing. Nonetheless this was an extraordinary debut novel, a superbly crafted character driven study of a community.
Each character has a story of their own – it could be momentous or quite mundane and unfolds as a series of vignettes documenting the lives of the inhabitants of Victoria Park, each one being connected to another in some way and moving the timeline forward. A pivotal reference point in the book seems to be a recent acid attack on a young boy in the park, and which remains unsolved. This causes much unease and speculation.
With often harsh and honest insight and observations, there is also something incredibly moving and poignant about some of the narratives. We see thoughts and emotions as people’s individual situations are disclosed – from the mother and businesswoman who has lived here for many years but illegally, the young housebreaker who finds the unexpected, the female couple undertaking IVF treatment, and the bitter old woman no longer able to live independently.
The community was such a diverse one and each individual story held my interest; I enjoyed seeing how the stories flowed into one another and discovering things about the characters from another perspective. There were some chapters that I wished had been a bit longer as I wanted to know more, and occasionally I would have liked to have seen more of a reaction to certain events instead of something just being mentioned in passing. Nonetheless this was an extraordinary debut novel, a superbly crafted character driven study of a community.
January 7, 2021
Twelve people, linked by Victoria Park, are explored over twelve months. Mona and Wolfie, an elderly married couple, are long-term home owners in Victoria Park and are the feature of both the first and last chapter. Ten others, and their interlaced lives, are explored across the timeline in their own chapters (months), with snippets of information occasionally making it’s way into other chapters.
I loved this book! Victoria Park is a breath of fresh air, especially during the current times. Reading of somewhat ‘ordinary’ goings on and interactions between people and neighbours in what I now think of as the ‘old normal’ is lovely. It’s definitely something I miss in real life, so a way to experience that feeling of normality is always welcome!
Gemma writes in a manner that’s really easy to read. Despite sometimes tackling some tough themes, like loneliness and illness, she provided enough emotion without making it too overwhelming! I loved the way she described her characters and it got me invested in each person, despite the somewhat fleeting acquaintance. This fleeting acquaintance had no negative impact on the story, however, and I enjoyed that aspect as it was different. Everything I wanted to know and more was packed in to a chapter.
London is fantastic for its vast array of people, from differing backgrounds and with different life experiences, coming together in one place. Victoria Park really showcases this in a really fantastic and original way. It was a unique angle and it was fascinating to think of such a simple common denominator, the park, bringing so many people together.
I loved each of the characters in different ways and the fact they were all joined, not just by their homes or their jobs, but also by other means such as relationships. I enjoyed the fact we learnt about them over the course of a year timeline. My favourite aspect of this timeline was learning small snippets about characters we’d already met. This would be done in passing through the current character or in some other way within their timeline.
Victoria Park is a beautiful, honest and, at times, heartbreaking novel. I highly recommend it!
I loved this book! Victoria Park is a breath of fresh air, especially during the current times. Reading of somewhat ‘ordinary’ goings on and interactions between people and neighbours in what I now think of as the ‘old normal’ is lovely. It’s definitely something I miss in real life, so a way to experience that feeling of normality is always welcome!
Gemma writes in a manner that’s really easy to read. Despite sometimes tackling some tough themes, like loneliness and illness, she provided enough emotion without making it too overwhelming! I loved the way she described her characters and it got me invested in each person, despite the somewhat fleeting acquaintance. This fleeting acquaintance had no negative impact on the story, however, and I enjoyed that aspect as it was different. Everything I wanted to know and more was packed in to a chapter.
London is fantastic for its vast array of people, from differing backgrounds and with different life experiences, coming together in one place. Victoria Park really showcases this in a really fantastic and original way. It was a unique angle and it was fascinating to think of such a simple common denominator, the park, bringing so many people together.
I loved each of the characters in different ways and the fact they were all joined, not just by their homes or their jobs, but also by other means such as relationships. I enjoyed the fact we learnt about them over the course of a year timeline. My favourite aspect of this timeline was learning small snippets about characters we’d already met. This would be done in passing through the current character or in some other way within their timeline.
Victoria Park is a beautiful, honest and, at times, heartbreaking novel. I highly recommend it!
December 7, 2021
Thank you to Chloe from Book Club for this gem! Another one I sped through, the perfect book for reading on the rainy winter days. I love short stories and novels about ordinary lives so this was the perfect book for me. It was such a lovely easy to read collection of stories which are woven together in different ways, covering issues about ageing, sexuality, affairs, IVF and everything in between. A really lovely collection to remind you that everyone has their own problems and everyone gets on the best they can. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for an easy, sedative read to put a smile on their face.
February 17, 2021
This book floats dreamily between multiple seemingly-unrelated characters, who all have one thing in common: Victoria Park. Some characters exist for only a chapter, and then are only mentioned in passing again so you’re offered a glimpse into the everyday.
I normally love plot over character, but I found this book rather soothing - especially given that it’s set where I live with the comfort of the park that I love so much.
I normally love plot over character, but I found this book rather soothing - especially given that it’s set where I live with the comfort of the park that I love so much.
May 2, 2022
Novel set in EAST LONDON
Set over twelve months, Gemma Reeves’ debut novel Victoria Park offers a multi-perspective narrative, focusing on different characters for each month and chapter. All the characters live in and around the park and their lives, whilst completely different from each other are, nonetheless inextricably entwined. So, she is able to offer the reader a perspective on modern life in a community in London, a perspective that doesn’t shy away from the complexities and inequalities, but still emphasises humanity and acceptance.
The opening chapter, October, introduces us to Mona and Wolfie, originally Kindertransport children, now married for 65 years and beginning to struggle with issues of declining health. Mona has developed Alzheimer’s, is becoming increasingly confused and Wolfie is facing the possibility that he might not be able to safely continue to care for her. Wolfie has run a kosher deli throughout his entire married life, preparing delicious food and offering feasts to his neighbours and now he is forced to accept that he needs to hand over the reins to his assistant Luca.
In subsequent chapters the focus shifts to other residents, struggling to cope with a wide range of contemporary issues – there is a teenage boy trying to come to terms with his sexuality, aided in his journey by a sympathetic friend; a lesbian couple going through the process of IVF treatment, a family rocked by and re-building after infidelity and a bitter old woman unable to live independently any longer who has lost trust in the world. There is a sense of community involvement in the way that these characters lives intertwine. One after another they all pop into the deli for something and they are connected, too, in their reactions to a random acid attack on a young boy in the park recently, a crime that remains unresolved and unexplained throughout the book. The writer makes us aware also of the way in which the area is changing. As older residents die, the houses are gobbled up by the wealthy, those who perhaps may not want to be part of the community.
There is a real sense of place in Victoria Park. This area of East London is portrayed as a vibrant, urban community and Reeves’ writing brings it to life wonderfully. The novel is filled with descriptions of the sights, sounds and tastes of the area. We are acutely aware of the seasons changing and the effect of the weather and changing landscape of the park on the residents. There is wonderfully observed detail – Wolfie smoking his salmon in the wooden shed he had built in the garden for this purpose so many years ago and Freddy’s May birthday party, suffocating in the new summer’s heat and even more suffocating because of the press of Italian relatives and their expectations.
Many of the narratives are moving and poignant and the reader feels that we have been allowed right inside their lives if only for a short time. As the year passes and Autumn comes around again the novel takes us back to Wolfie and Mona once again, as their lives inevitably move on.
This is a wonderful debut novel, completely absorbing and a joy from start to finish.
Set over twelve months, Gemma Reeves’ debut novel Victoria Park offers a multi-perspective narrative, focusing on different characters for each month and chapter. All the characters live in and around the park and their lives, whilst completely different from each other are, nonetheless inextricably entwined. So, she is able to offer the reader a perspective on modern life in a community in London, a perspective that doesn’t shy away from the complexities and inequalities, but still emphasises humanity and acceptance.
The opening chapter, October, introduces us to Mona and Wolfie, originally Kindertransport children, now married for 65 years and beginning to struggle with issues of declining health. Mona has developed Alzheimer’s, is becoming increasingly confused and Wolfie is facing the possibility that he might not be able to safely continue to care for her. Wolfie has run a kosher deli throughout his entire married life, preparing delicious food and offering feasts to his neighbours and now he is forced to accept that he needs to hand over the reins to his assistant Luca.
In subsequent chapters the focus shifts to other residents, struggling to cope with a wide range of contemporary issues – there is a teenage boy trying to come to terms with his sexuality, aided in his journey by a sympathetic friend; a lesbian couple going through the process of IVF treatment, a family rocked by and re-building after infidelity and a bitter old woman unable to live independently any longer who has lost trust in the world. There is a sense of community involvement in the way that these characters lives intertwine. One after another they all pop into the deli for something and they are connected, too, in their reactions to a random acid attack on a young boy in the park recently, a crime that remains unresolved and unexplained throughout the book. The writer makes us aware also of the way in which the area is changing. As older residents die, the houses are gobbled up by the wealthy, those who perhaps may not want to be part of the community.
There is a real sense of place in Victoria Park. This area of East London is portrayed as a vibrant, urban community and Reeves’ writing brings it to life wonderfully. The novel is filled with descriptions of the sights, sounds and tastes of the area. We are acutely aware of the seasons changing and the effect of the weather and changing landscape of the park on the residents. There is wonderfully observed detail – Wolfie smoking his salmon in the wooden shed he had built in the garden for this purpose so many years ago and Freddy’s May birthday party, suffocating in the new summer’s heat and even more suffocating because of the press of Italian relatives and their expectations.
Many of the narratives are moving and poignant and the reader feels that we have been allowed right inside their lives if only for a short time. As the year passes and Autumn comes around again the novel takes us back to Wolfie and Mona once again, as their lives inevitably move on.
This is a wonderful debut novel, completely absorbing and a joy from start to finish.
September 1, 2021
Victoria Park is an uplifting and emotive book which covers the lives of multiple different people who are each going through their own lives and own struggles. I felt as though this book was written in a really personable way and as the reader I felt drawn in to and like a part of the little community that the book is focused on. This book was easy to read and hard to put down - which I think is the makings of a great book! If you love a book which focus of individual characters who’s lives overlap and then it all comes together at the end then this is the book for you as it was done perfectly! I found this book really entertaining and engaging and I would definitely recommend reading it!
November 8, 2020
This is a beautifully crafted novel, its interconnected stories delving head first into the human condition. It weaves seamlessly in and out of different perspectives, its shifting POVs so skilfully managed that each new character arrives fully formed.
Over the course of a year we are introduced to the lives of twelve local residents. A recent acid attack has sent shock waves through the community, and the novel is bookended by a richly observed tale of a marriage marred by worsening health. There are disappointments aplenty for these characters - a quiet acceptance that their realities have fallen short of their desires – but joy and hopefulness still run through Reeves' writing like a stick of rock. I often found myself rereading lines, just to sit in their eloquence a while longer.
The park around which these lives orbit is also beautifully captured, and in a year when nature and community have never felt so important, it was a poignant and heartwarming read.
Over the course of a year we are introduced to the lives of twelve local residents. A recent acid attack has sent shock waves through the community, and the novel is bookended by a richly observed tale of a marriage marred by worsening health. There are disappointments aplenty for these characters - a quiet acceptance that their realities have fallen short of their desires – but joy and hopefulness still run through Reeves' writing like a stick of rock. I often found myself rereading lines, just to sit in their eloquence a while longer.
The park around which these lives orbit is also beautifully captured, and in a year when nature and community have never felt so important, it was a poignant and heartwarming read.
February 24, 2023
Een boek over mijn lievelingspark in mijn lievelingsstad kon ik niet laten gaan natuurlijk. Mooie verhalen over bijzondere mensen en heerlijk om zo in het boek te kunnen verdwijnen dat je jezelf ertussen ziet wonen.
May 1, 2022
Har läst några böcker nu som har parallella/flera handlingar o vet inte riktigt vad jag tycker om det.. det är typ svårare att få en RELATION till boken o karaktärerna då. Men skulle ändå säga att det va en bra feel-good bok fast den va sorglig o lite mörk stundtals. Gillade författarens skrivstil o det va många otroligt fina meningar. Gillade också vissa karaktärers kapitel mer än andra men overall en bra bok.
January 15, 2022
Each chapter introduced a new character and sometimes these characters came back and sometimes they didn’t. They were cleverly intertwined though but there was no real storyline, just snippets of their lives which was interesting but not as much as I’d have hoped.
November 12, 2020
Gemma Reeves' 'Victoria Park' is a stunning reflection on humanity and how our lives are affected by the unforgiving passage of time. The plot follows the disparate local residents who live around Victoria Park and the events which affect the community across the course of a year, the reader witnessing how much life can alter, for the better or worse, in 12 short months. Reeves writing is lyrically woven and beautifully introspective, ordinary daily experiences depicted with sensitivity throughout.
Each chapter follows a different person or family who lives within the community, bookended by the story of Wolfie and Mona. They have been married for 65 years and are an important part of the spirit of the local area with Wolfie's deli having legendary salmon. We heartbreakingly realise that Mona is slowly losing her memories of the last 65 years and Wolfie struggling to hold onto the woman he has grown old with.
This is characteristic of the tales Reeves tells across each chapter, weaving together stories which highlight both the most joyous and the darkest times humans face across their lives. Stories of new beginnings are juxtaposed with endings, these seemingly ordinary events illustrating the importance of us having empathy for our fellow humans: what happens behind others' closed doors can never truly be understood.
This novel is subtle yet packs a huge emotional punch. What is certain is that I will be hugging my family a little tighter and telling them I love them a little more frequently. Reeves' new book is a must read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Each chapter follows a different person or family who lives within the community, bookended by the story of Wolfie and Mona. They have been married for 65 years and are an important part of the spirit of the local area with Wolfie's deli having legendary salmon. We heartbreakingly realise that Mona is slowly losing her memories of the last 65 years and Wolfie struggling to hold onto the woman he has grown old with.
This is characteristic of the tales Reeves tells across each chapter, weaving together stories which highlight both the most joyous and the darkest times humans face across their lives. Stories of new beginnings are juxtaposed with endings, these seemingly ordinary events illustrating the importance of us having empathy for our fellow humans: what happens behind others' closed doors can never truly be understood.
This novel is subtle yet packs a huge emotional punch. What is certain is that I will be hugging my family a little tighter and telling them I love them a little more frequently. Reeves' new book is a must read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 27, 2021
Review to come, but wow. I was right when I first laid my eyes on the cover. I loved it.
April 13, 2021
The most perfect book to read on my return to London and my home within it ‘Victoria park’. This book was like people watching on a sunny day whilst sunbathing in the park and has made me consciously wonder about the life’s that surround me in this beautiful city. I loved every minute of this book!
March 16, 2021
Even tho this is a decent book I think my love for east London over took it all.
A very lovely, easy & sweetly touching book. I can see the beeb (booooo) make it into a lil 6-parter. Would recommend for a nice spring/summer weekend read.
A very lovely, easy & sweetly touching book. I can see the beeb (booooo) make it into a lil 6-parter. Would recommend for a nice spring/summer weekend read.
December 15, 2020
“Victoria Park” by Gemma Reeves is a very cleverly written novel with a unique concept, focusing on twelve residents stories, each one reading like they are an individual novella. The twelve chapters, which are set out in the months of a year, connect all the characters who reside around Victoria Park in London. The book opens with Mona and Wolfe, who have lived on the park for over fifty years. It’s the eve of their sixty-fifth wedding anniversary and Mona’s Alzheimer’s is steadily getting worse. By the end of the book, we return to Mona and her declining health and I thought it a fitting ending to a collection of intertwining tales of diverse and very much real life people.
The author has captured a fantastic insight into contemporary urban life and emotional experiences that define our personalities. This is certainly a no holes barred, non sugar coated view of life, portraying definitely that we are not all alike. The realisation of alienation and connection between residents in a disparate and culturally diverse area, was spot on and if your reading genre is the study of characters and their feelings and emotions to various life themes, you’ll fully appreciate this book and it’s portrayal of a London park life community.
3 stars
The author has captured a fantastic insight into contemporary urban life and emotional experiences that define our personalities. This is certainly a no holes barred, non sugar coated view of life, portraying definitely that we are not all alike. The realisation of alienation and connection between residents in a disparate and culturally diverse area, was spot on and if your reading genre is the study of characters and their feelings and emotions to various life themes, you’ll fully appreciate this book and it’s portrayal of a London park life community.
3 stars
December 14, 2020
Whilst there is nothing original about telling the interweaving stories of neighbours living in a tight-knit community, Gemma Reeve’s moving debut novel stands out as an excellent illustration of how effective this method of storytelling can be. Her evocative use of language was evident within her earliest sentences, meaning that by the end of the first chapter I felt I’d not only got to know (and love) Wolfie and Mona in the present day, but had learnt much about their fifty-year marriage, about the kosher deli Wolfie had, until his retirement a year earlier, owned and run for sixty-six years, the shed at the bottom of his garden where he continued to smoke salmon and his philosophy on cooking – Cooking helped him to shrink the borders between giving people what they needed and understanding what he needed himself.
I’d also been introduced to other members of his community and had made my first trip into Victoria Park, where Wolfie now walked every day – a routine Mona had prescribed for him since retirement. ‘There’s nothing a brisk walk can’t fix’ she would say … She was right, as she so often was. The author’s ability to so immediately conjure-up such vivid, evocative images, to make her characters leap from the page, ensured that each of the following eleven chapters added complex layers of depth to the developing story.
Although each of the chapters is written from the perspective of a different character who lives close to the park, one of the central strengths of the story lies in how their stories intersect, allowing the reader to gradually see each of the individual characters and their experiences in a different light. I was really impressed by the author’s skill in giving her disparate characters such distinctive voices as she revealed their daily lives and the struggles they were facing. With such relatively short chapters and many changes of perspective, the story could so easily have felt disjointed but there was never a moment when I felt unable to follow its flow, or to remain immersed in the lives of all the residents. I’m sure that this was due to the fact that the interconnectedness of the characters, the gradual revelations of the impact individuals’ behaviour had on the lives of others in the community, were all explored with sensitivity and empathy.
The author used her characters to explore some important themes: the anguish of dementia, the search for identity, the stresses of IVF treatment, family breakdown, deprivation, the effects of gentrification on a tight-knit community, illegal immigration, betrayal, love and loss, to name just a few. There were times when I found it almost unbearably painful to read about the struggles and disappointments many of the characters were facing, as well as the various losses they were having to deal with. However, I never felt a sense of despair because throughout the story there are many examples of the resilience of human beings, of moments of joy, of optimism and of quiet humour.
I know Victoria Park and think the author made it come alive so effectively that I felt I was walking through it with the characters, taking pleasure in watching it change from season to season and appreciating its importance as a resource for the community. She engaged my sense of taste and smell with her wonderful descriptions of food (how I’d love to try Wolfie’s smoked salmon – perhaps with a little horseradish and some of his potato salad!) Her descriptions of the local market, the noises and smells of the streets, the changing nature of the houses as new people move in and the process of gentrification begins, the shops which reflected the multi-cultural make-up of the community, were all equally evocative.
I loved this perceptive, poignant and eloquently written debut novel and know that the author’s characters will remain vivid in my memory. Encapsulated within the narrative are so many reflections on how dramatically life can change within a single year, making this story feel particularly pertinent as we approach the end of 2020, a year which has brought not only so much change and loss, but one which has also seen a heightening of support within our communities.
With thanks to Readers First and the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I’d also been introduced to other members of his community and had made my first trip into Victoria Park, where Wolfie now walked every day – a routine Mona had prescribed for him since retirement. ‘There’s nothing a brisk walk can’t fix’ she would say … She was right, as she so often was. The author’s ability to so immediately conjure-up such vivid, evocative images, to make her characters leap from the page, ensured that each of the following eleven chapters added complex layers of depth to the developing story.
Although each of the chapters is written from the perspective of a different character who lives close to the park, one of the central strengths of the story lies in how their stories intersect, allowing the reader to gradually see each of the individual characters and their experiences in a different light. I was really impressed by the author’s skill in giving her disparate characters such distinctive voices as she revealed their daily lives and the struggles they were facing. With such relatively short chapters and many changes of perspective, the story could so easily have felt disjointed but there was never a moment when I felt unable to follow its flow, or to remain immersed in the lives of all the residents. I’m sure that this was due to the fact that the interconnectedness of the characters, the gradual revelations of the impact individuals’ behaviour had on the lives of others in the community, were all explored with sensitivity and empathy.
The author used her characters to explore some important themes: the anguish of dementia, the search for identity, the stresses of IVF treatment, family breakdown, deprivation, the effects of gentrification on a tight-knit community, illegal immigration, betrayal, love and loss, to name just a few. There were times when I found it almost unbearably painful to read about the struggles and disappointments many of the characters were facing, as well as the various losses they were having to deal with. However, I never felt a sense of despair because throughout the story there are many examples of the resilience of human beings, of moments of joy, of optimism and of quiet humour.
I know Victoria Park and think the author made it come alive so effectively that I felt I was walking through it with the characters, taking pleasure in watching it change from season to season and appreciating its importance as a resource for the community. She engaged my sense of taste and smell with her wonderful descriptions of food (how I’d love to try Wolfie’s smoked salmon – perhaps with a little horseradish and some of his potato salad!) Her descriptions of the local market, the noises and smells of the streets, the changing nature of the houses as new people move in and the process of gentrification begins, the shops which reflected the multi-cultural make-up of the community, were all equally evocative.
I loved this perceptive, poignant and eloquently written debut novel and know that the author’s characters will remain vivid in my memory. Encapsulated within the narrative are so many reflections on how dramatically life can change within a single year, making this story feel particularly pertinent as we approach the end of 2020, a year which has brought not only so much change and loss, but one which has also seen a heightening of support within our communities.
With thanks to Readers First and the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 29, 2020
Thank you very much @readersfirst for a #gifted copy of Victoria Park!
Let’s say, first of all, that this cover is one of the prettiest ones I have ever seen and that that was maybe the strongest reason why I wanted to read this book.
I liked the first chapter. I found Mona and Wolfie quite endearing and I found myself wanting to know more about this elderly couple, about how they were, how dementia was affecting their lives and those around them.
My surprise came when I realised that every chapter was narrated by a different person. A totally different character that has, somehow a small connection with the rest of the cast, but that overall, made this book a little bit confusing, not very deep and difficult to love or appreciate any character or story.
There are 12 chapter, one for each month of the year. 12 short stories told by 12 different people that have something to do with Victoria Park, in London. Some of them have good memories there, some of them not that good. Some of them see the park on their way to work, some other from their house... And so this park (Which is beautiful, by the way) has an important meaning to them because of what they have lived there.
I love this idea and I think it’s quite original. It reminds me a little bit to “Love Actually’ and this type of movies where we follow different stories and then, at the end, they are all connected in some way.
However, as I said before, the stories were so short that I didn’t have time to know enough about the characters, their lives, their problems, etc and so I couldn’t care too much for them.
Other thing that I also didn’t especially like was how descriptive this book was. It could easily take two pages of just describing a street, or a room in the house, and I thought that if that space had been used to describe characters or dialogues, maybe I would have enjoyed this book a little bit more!
Let’s say, first of all, that this cover is one of the prettiest ones I have ever seen and that that was maybe the strongest reason why I wanted to read this book.
I liked the first chapter. I found Mona and Wolfie quite endearing and I found myself wanting to know more about this elderly couple, about how they were, how dementia was affecting their lives and those around them.
My surprise came when I realised that every chapter was narrated by a different person. A totally different character that has, somehow a small connection with the rest of the cast, but that overall, made this book a little bit confusing, not very deep and difficult to love or appreciate any character or story.
There are 12 chapter, one for each month of the year. 12 short stories told by 12 different people that have something to do with Victoria Park, in London. Some of them have good memories there, some of them not that good. Some of them see the park on their way to work, some other from their house... And so this park (Which is beautiful, by the way) has an important meaning to them because of what they have lived there.
I love this idea and I think it’s quite original. It reminds me a little bit to “Love Actually’ and this type of movies where we follow different stories and then, at the end, they are all connected in some way.
However, as I said before, the stories were so short that I didn’t have time to know enough about the characters, their lives, their problems, etc and so I couldn’t care too much for them.
Other thing that I also didn’t especially like was how descriptive this book was. It could easily take two pages of just describing a street, or a room in the house, and I thought that if that space had been used to describe characters or dialogues, maybe I would have enjoyed this book a little bit more!
January 8, 2021
You know how sometimes you read a book, and it feels as though it was written for you and you alone? Well this is how I feel after reading this gorgeous story. (Especially the part about toast only being a vehicle for butter - I feel seen 🤣).
Twelve people’s lives across a year, with a different person’s story told each month as a chapter - and their location around Victoria Park isn’t all that will tie them together.
From the effect of dementia on a long married couple, to a young man discovering his love of wearing women’s clothes, these are modern stories which will all find a home in some reader’s heart. A Love Actually for our times, without the Christmas bit!
This is a story full of the flaws and strengths of humanity - the cruelties and the kindnesses. It’s written with warmth, compassion, understanding and without any feeling of judgement regardless of how difficult the character may be to love (sorry Rose, but I’m no way near as kind as the author!).
The story is beautifully written, but accessible - the language descriptive but never unnecessary, and I could almost feel myself sitting on the lush green grass of Victoria Park swept away in this story.
Whilst each month or chapter could easily be read as a standalone story, it’s the way the author threads each of them together that gives this book the real wow factor - and makes it such a thought provoking read. What is the difference between just living in the same place as other people and living in a community? Is it the simple act of paying attention to what is going on around you?
Heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure, and so wonderfully relevant, this is one of those books where I never looked at the page number trying to work out how long it would take to finish it - I could quite happily have stayed in Victoria Park for days and days with this wonderful array of characters.
I absolutely adored this book, and would be willing to bet my butter stash that you all will too.
October 5, 2022
Questo libro è un piccolo gioiellino.
Con una scrittura estremamente semplice Reeves riesce a raccontare il quotidiano e le sue piccole sfaccettature. Niente è scontato, niente è noioso, niente è ripetitivo in questa quotidianità.
C'è un focus su un personaggio diverso in ogni racconto, uno per ogni mese dell'anno, dove il lettore si ritrova a vagare intorno a Victoria Park e ai suoi inquilini. Cambia tutto durante l'anno, i personaggi mutano come gli alberi del parco. I personaggi riescono a essere collegati tra loro in tutti i racconti, si scoprono dettagli delle storie che si sono già lette, oppure si incontrano altri che saranno protagonisti dei successivi racconti.
Sono rimasta colpita da come l'intreccio riesce a essere perfetto, alla fine è stato come leggere un romanzo. Non ci sono colpi di scena o altro, la bellezza è tutto nella vita ordinaria che tutti abbiamo. Tutti "lottiamo" contro qualcosa nella nostra vita, tutti abbiamo dei pensieri, tutti cerchiamo di essere migliori.
C'è della magia nelle piccole cose.
Con una scrittura estremamente semplice Reeves riesce a raccontare il quotidiano e le sue piccole sfaccettature. Niente è scontato, niente è noioso, niente è ripetitivo in questa quotidianità.
C'è un focus su un personaggio diverso in ogni racconto, uno per ogni mese dell'anno, dove il lettore si ritrova a vagare intorno a Victoria Park e ai suoi inquilini. Cambia tutto durante l'anno, i personaggi mutano come gli alberi del parco. I personaggi riescono a essere collegati tra loro in tutti i racconti, si scoprono dettagli delle storie che si sono già lette, oppure si incontrano altri che saranno protagonisti dei successivi racconti.
Sono rimasta colpita da come l'intreccio riesce a essere perfetto, alla fine è stato come leggere un romanzo. Non ci sono colpi di scena o altro, la bellezza è tutto nella vita ordinaria che tutti abbiamo. Tutti "lottiamo" contro qualcosa nella nostra vita, tutti abbiamo dei pensieri, tutti cerchiamo di essere migliori.
C'è della magia nelle piccole cose.
October 14, 2020
This took me a while to get into and I definitely had to push past the first chapter to carry on. Each chapter delivered a new character and perspective of living in Victoria Park and their stories were cleverly intertwined. The ending came to quite an abrupt end which was disappointing.
April 25, 2024
Found it didn’t really go anywhere. It was 12 stories of different people’s lives which felt nothing more than descriptive. A few characters didn’t appear again whereas some did all the time. Felt really mismatched.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2021
I have been utterly enchanted by the beautifully written, tender debut novel from Gemma Reeves. I am a huge fan of multiple points of view, and Victoria Park is exactly that. Whilst the reader does begin and end the journey through the park with Wolfie and Mona, we are also introduced to the other residents who live by the park.
Just like most streets in the UK, the houses that look out on to Victoria Park are occupied by a mixed and diverse group, with at times, only their location connecting them. The author cleverly tells each character's tale as she proceeds through the months of the year, so whilst these are individual characters, they do grow and move on through the year. It's fascinating to hear from one resident, and then hear from another; about the same incident, or the same person, and hear the different view and voices of each thing.
There's an air of sadness that runs throughout this novel. Beginning with Mona's obvious health decline, and Wolfie's determination to care for her at home. They were both Kindertransport children and have been together for almost sixty-five years. The strength of their love is palpable, and it is quite heart breaking to read of Mona's decline; although she's a wonderful character in herself; with some fabulous one-liners too.
Sometimes a character seems like they are just passing through, and then later in the book, they will have a whole chapter of their own. The connections can seem loose at first, but the author's incredible skill in knitting together these glimpses into lives is perfectly done, and the reader is often a little shocked when they find out more.
There are some serious issues uncovered within the novel too. There's a central focus for many of the characters; a terrible acid attack that recently happened in the park. Whilst the reader, or the characters, to be fair, know very little about the reasons behind the attack, it is an incident that has affected them all, in different ways. The author deals with things that affect all walks of life; from the teenager who is struggling with identity, to the effects of infidelity on a family. She doesn't go into enormous detail about these issues, she leaves the reader to ponder and maybe create their own stories to go alongside hers.
Victoria Park is warm, witty and wise. It's a story of an everyday street, filled with everyday people. It's a story that celebrates our differences, and celebrates the strength of community. This is a moving read with characters that linger. Highly recommended.
Just like most streets in the UK, the houses that look out on to Victoria Park are occupied by a mixed and diverse group, with at times, only their location connecting them. The author cleverly tells each character's tale as she proceeds through the months of the year, so whilst these are individual characters, they do grow and move on through the year. It's fascinating to hear from one resident, and then hear from another; about the same incident, or the same person, and hear the different view and voices of each thing.
There's an air of sadness that runs throughout this novel. Beginning with Mona's obvious health decline, and Wolfie's determination to care for her at home. They were both Kindertransport children and have been together for almost sixty-five years. The strength of their love is palpable, and it is quite heart breaking to read of Mona's decline; although she's a wonderful character in herself; with some fabulous one-liners too.
Sometimes a character seems like they are just passing through, and then later in the book, they will have a whole chapter of their own. The connections can seem loose at first, but the author's incredible skill in knitting together these glimpses into lives is perfectly done, and the reader is often a little shocked when they find out more.
There are some serious issues uncovered within the novel too. There's a central focus for many of the characters; a terrible acid attack that recently happened in the park. Whilst the reader, or the characters, to be fair, know very little about the reasons behind the attack, it is an incident that has affected them all, in different ways. The author deals with things that affect all walks of life; from the teenager who is struggling with identity, to the effects of infidelity on a family. She doesn't go into enormous detail about these issues, she leaves the reader to ponder and maybe create their own stories to go alongside hers.
Victoria Park is warm, witty and wise. It's a story of an everyday street, filled with everyday people. It's a story that celebrates our differences, and celebrates the strength of community. This is a moving read with characters that linger. Highly recommended.
January 31, 2021
I loved this book and thought the concept was brilliant as we get a fascinating glimpse into the lives of twelve different characters over the course of a year, so each chapter is a different month and focuses on a different character, living or working around Victoria Park. I really enjoyed this unusual structure and thought it was a really beautiful, fresh and modern piece of writing.
The author sensitively writes about the challenges faced by an array of diverse and fascinating characters. With issues ranging from looking after a loved one with alzheimer’s, the pain of infertility, teenage issues and and an extra marital affair, amongst others. Each character was brilliantly drawn and so convincing that I felt I was listening in on the characters and observing each interaction myself. The author really picked up on each characters different personalities, mannerisms and backgrounds and I thought that the writing was exceptional in this regard. It was also interesting when the characters and their relationships would overlap slightly so that they would pop up in another chapter where you weren’t expecting them.
The story also subtly shows how events, such as a terrible acid attack in the park, can have a far reaching affect on a community even in a large city like London. And of course the thirteenth character in this book is Victoria Park, I loved the setting and the sense of place and the vibe of London through the changing seasons, it really added to the reading experience for me.
I thought that this was a brilliant debut novel. It was brilliantly observed, perceptive and thought provoking and I would highly recommend to fans of modern literary fiction.
The author sensitively writes about the challenges faced by an array of diverse and fascinating characters. With issues ranging from looking after a loved one with alzheimer’s, the pain of infertility, teenage issues and and an extra marital affair, amongst others. Each character was brilliantly drawn and so convincing that I felt I was listening in on the characters and observing each interaction myself. The author really picked up on each characters different personalities, mannerisms and backgrounds and I thought that the writing was exceptional in this regard. It was also interesting when the characters and their relationships would overlap slightly so that they would pop up in another chapter where you weren’t expecting them.
The story also subtly shows how events, such as a terrible acid attack in the park, can have a far reaching affect on a community even in a large city like London. And of course the thirteenth character in this book is Victoria Park, I loved the setting and the sense of place and the vibe of London through the changing seasons, it really added to the reading experience for me.
I thought that this was a brilliant debut novel. It was brilliantly observed, perceptive and thought provoking and I would highly recommend to fans of modern literary fiction.
January 13, 2021
Plot: Twelve lives, twelve months. Told from multiple perspectives over changing seasons. These interwoven tales give glimpses into the love, loss & resilience of a community.
I adored this debut, it is lyrical & thought-provoking! Reeves peels back the layers and shines a spotlight on the most intimate moments challenging people's lives. It is brimming with heartwarming and heartbreaking moments.
People: The characters have depth and diversity. They easily jump off the page and some will stay with you long after you leave their story, for me imparticular Mona & Wolfe. It was fascinating to see their stories encroach on one another in their subtle, surprising ways, to see how their community is more entwined than it first seems.
Pace: It's a slow-paced story of reflection, with hopefulness at its heart showcasing human resilience with sprinkles of humour throughout. This certainly won't be a book for everyone but if you like a peek into the lives of others and the freedom to imagine your own endings, pick this up you will love it.
Disclaimer: A huge thanks to Allen & Unwin UK & Anne Cater for sending me this title. All opinions are my own.
Pick up if you enjoyed: Elizabeth Strout & Jennifer Egan
I adored this debut, it is lyrical & thought-provoking! Reeves peels back the layers and shines a spotlight on the most intimate moments challenging people's lives. It is brimming with heartwarming and heartbreaking moments.
People: The characters have depth and diversity. They easily jump off the page and some will stay with you long after you leave their story, for me imparticular Mona & Wolfe. It was fascinating to see their stories encroach on one another in their subtle, surprising ways, to see how their community is more entwined than it first seems.
Pace: It's a slow-paced story of reflection, with hopefulness at its heart showcasing human resilience with sprinkles of humour throughout. This certainly won't be a book for everyone but if you like a peek into the lives of others and the freedom to imagine your own endings, pick this up you will love it.
Disclaimer: A huge thanks to Allen & Unwin UK & Anne Cater for sending me this title. All opinions are my own.
Pick up if you enjoyed: Elizabeth Strout & Jennifer Egan
October 20, 2021
3.5 stars. This story was simple and soothing, set in the backdrop of East London. It follows the lives of 12 residents living around Victoria Park. The novel takes place over 12 months, beginning and ending with Wolfie and Mona- a married couple (the latter of which suffering from long-standing dementia).
Each chapter/ month is essentially a peek into a different character's life, with glimpses of previous or future characters where their stories interconnect. I love character studies, but while I enjoyed entering a new life each chapter, I felt like none of them were explored as extensively as I would've liked. But maybe fleeting glimpses into each person was the point.
Still, I found Victoria Park easy and calming to read (with no overt emotional waves, other than outright racism and homophobia from a couple characters), and hard to put down- each of the characters were, in the end, well thought out and interesting.
So overall, a simple, by-the-fireplace read as the weather changes, but not anything I'm particularly jumping to recommend.
Each chapter/ month is essentially a peek into a different character's life, with glimpses of previous or future characters where their stories interconnect. I love character studies, but while I enjoyed entering a new life each chapter, I felt like none of them were explored as extensively as I would've liked. But maybe fleeting glimpses into each person was the point.
Still, I found Victoria Park easy and calming to read (with no overt emotional waves, other than outright racism and homophobia from a couple characters), and hard to put down- each of the characters were, in the end, well thought out and interesting.
So overall, a simple, by-the-fireplace read as the weather changes, but not anything I'm particularly jumping to recommend.
March 5, 2024
12 months 12 personalities.
Few moments of oddity that really could have been omitted but a nice reminder of the passage of time and the difference and difficulties of those around you, character development stunted due to limits of the theme.
Few moments of oddity that really could have been omitted but a nice reminder of the passage of time and the difference and difficulties of those around you, character development stunted due to limits of the theme.
July 21, 2024
Loved every detail of my former home, and the beautifully written stories told of each varied character. I don’t usually love the whole ‘observing some characters’ type writing, but this book smashed it.
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