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Small Rivers
Its December 2016 and Toby and Angelica are going back to their fathers farm for Christmas. Now that they live in London and Berlin respectively eschewing the family trade in favour of more creative pursuits this return to the pastoral also feels like a return to the parochial. Their father is at the end of the worst year of his life. His wife, Marie died suddenly in a tragic accident. Struggling in every way, and in desperate need of help with work, he hired Damien, who moved in to the other property on the farm. But after Damien stole and lied, Frank had to fire him, leaving Damien seething. In his place, Frank hired Jerzy, a Polish worker, who now lives on the farm with his heavily pregnant wife, Irena. Damien convinces himself that his home and job have been stolen from him by migrant workers, Frank is cautious of Jerzy after a few things seem amiss on the farm, and Toby and Angelica are quick to patronise and assume they know best. Jerzy and Irena keep noticing Damiens menacing presence, but Frank, Toby and Angelica are too wrapped up in their own problems to help; tensions to run high as they try to find a new normal now that theyre living separate lives, without Marie holding them together.
297 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 10, 2024
Small Rivers is what I call a ‘Post Brexit’ novel, that it is the book focuses on the attitudes of British society after the Brexit referendum. As I am not British (but am in a commonwealth country) it’s always interesting to see different takes on this historical moment. Small Rivers is markedly different as there’s a pastoral element.
Toby and Angelica return to the farming land of their youth when they find out that their mother has died in a n accident. Toby, lives in London has just split up with his partner and has decided to life on the farm with his father, Frank. Angelica lives in Berlin and is dreading the visit.
Meanwhile Frank has fired his helper, Damien and has hired a polish immigrant, Jerzy. Damien cannot accept that a foreigner has taken his place and tries to sabotage Jerzy and his wife, Irene’s, lives.
Jingoism is the main theme in Small Rivers. Jerzy encounters people telling him to ‘go home’, Damien’s constant torments and attempts to frame Jerzy stem from the fact that he thinks immigrants should not be allowed in the country, even, at first, Toby suspects Jerzy of polluting the water troughs. Irene herself is no luckier, the only job she can find is one of a cleaner, despite her level of education.
Industrialization is another thread that runs through the novel: Frank’s father Stephen is confused at all the changes that are happening in the town nearby the farm. He can only remember the days when woodland dominated. Also in the novel both Toby and Angelica notice the amount of brand name stores that are appearing.
Finally Small Rivers is a book about relationships. Toby’s relationship with is sister is rough, Frank’s relationship with is children is casual and there are other friends who fall in and out with the siblings. However at the centre of the book, the Brexit vote looms over everything and is the root of most of the problems the characters encounter.
Generally many themes can ruin a novel but Harry Gallon pulls everything off deftly. There’s everything here; some funny sections, poignant ones and a dose of drama. The writing is fantastic, especially when describing both the natural world and the human world. Gallon also slips in details which are related to the Brexit theme, one moment in particular is Angelica debating on whether to change the ‘c’ in her name to a ‘k’ – i.e. to give her name a more European flair. I have firmly believed that a novel should be a voice for the times we are living in and Small Rivers does that excellently. I sincerely doubt that there’s a post Brexit novel that manages to be both overt in themes but carried out with style and heart.
Toby and Angelica return to the farming land of their youth when they find out that their mother has died in a n accident. Toby, lives in London has just split up with his partner and has decided to life on the farm with his father, Frank. Angelica lives in Berlin and is dreading the visit.
Meanwhile Frank has fired his helper, Damien and has hired a polish immigrant, Jerzy. Damien cannot accept that a foreigner has taken his place and tries to sabotage Jerzy and his wife, Irene’s, lives.
Jingoism is the main theme in Small Rivers. Jerzy encounters people telling him to ‘go home’, Damien’s constant torments and attempts to frame Jerzy stem from the fact that he thinks immigrants should not be allowed in the country, even, at first, Toby suspects Jerzy of polluting the water troughs. Irene herself is no luckier, the only job she can find is one of a cleaner, despite her level of education.
Industrialization is another thread that runs through the novel: Frank’s father Stephen is confused at all the changes that are happening in the town nearby the farm. He can only remember the days when woodland dominated. Also in the novel both Toby and Angelica notice the amount of brand name stores that are appearing.
Finally Small Rivers is a book about relationships. Toby’s relationship with is sister is rough, Frank’s relationship with is children is casual and there are other friends who fall in and out with the siblings. However at the centre of the book, the Brexit vote looms over everything and is the root of most of the problems the characters encounter.
Generally many themes can ruin a novel but Harry Gallon pulls everything off deftly. There’s everything here; some funny sections, poignant ones and a dose of drama. The writing is fantastic, especially when describing both the natural world and the human world. Gallon also slips in details which are related to the Brexit theme, one moment in particular is Angelica debating on whether to change the ‘c’ in her name to a ‘k’ – i.e. to give her name a more European flair. I have firmly believed that a novel should be a voice for the times we are living in and Small Rivers does that excellently. I sincerely doubt that there’s a post Brexit novel that manages to be both overt in themes but carried out with style and heart.
November 23, 2021
3.5 rounded up
February 5, 2022
2.5 stars
I could see where Harry Gallon wanted to go with this but the story just felt way too long and drawn out.
There are good elements here, subversive racism and xenophobia, the decline of traditional farming, small town politics and lack of freedom and opportunity; but altogether they just don't meld as easily as you would expect.
A bit disappointing.
I could see where Harry Gallon wanted to go with this but the story just felt way too long and drawn out.
There are good elements here, subversive racism and xenophobia, the decline of traditional farming, small town politics and lack of freedom and opportunity; but altogether they just don't meld as easily as you would expect.
A bit disappointing.
May 29, 2021
This was such an excellent read. This book had a great story, great characters and is so well written.
I really enjoyed this book and can't recommend it highly enough.
I really enjoyed this book and can't recommend it highly enough.
May 14, 2022
Appalling drivel written by a self righteous little runt.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews