The Falling Thread

by Adam O'Riordan

Manchester, the summer of 1890. A city humming with industry and gleaming with affluence.
But for Charles, cloistered in his middle-class parents' suburban villa on holiday from university, the city's vibrancy holds no charms. Bored and a little listless, he spends the summer in pursuit of his little sisters' governess, Hettie. Before the summer's end, both must face the consequences of their affair - consequences they will live with for the rest of their lives.
Charles' sisters come of age as women of the new century - and experience a very different Manchester from their brother and guardian. In the smog and glitter of the city, both sisters will discover the very different things they seek and the very different women they will become. But as a new era springs into being, a darker shadow stretches, threatening to engulf the whole world....
A captivating portrait of a family in time, The Falling Thread is a hauntingly evocative debut from one of our most exciting literary talents.

Genres: Historical, Fiction, Historical Fiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published November 11, 2021

About the author

Adam O’Riordan was born in Manchester in 1982. He read English at Oxford and in 2008 became Poet-in-Residence at The Wordsworth Trust, the Centre for British Romanticism. His first collection of poems In the Flesh won a Somerset Maugham Award, his second A Herring Famine was followed by a critically acclaimed collection of short stories The Burning Ground. He is married with two children and teaches at the Manchester Writing School where he is Reader in Contemporary Poetry and Fiction.

Reviews

[Claire Fuller]

I loved this. The story is slight; this is all about character. Over the span of 23 years, ending just before the start of the First World War, siblings, Tabitha, Eloise, and Charles are finding their way in love, duty, business and passion. O'Riordan has a way of dropping the reader into a scene, letting us eavesdrop on everyday lives. He also has an amazing eye for the tiny details which make a person and a place come to life.

[Tom Mooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam O’Riordan’s debut novel, The Falling Thread, is a delicious portrait of three siblings of the Wright family from 1890 to 1913 as they negotiate a world of privilege and power in Manchester. Born into a world rich in cash, culture and patriotism, the eldest sibling Charles is on holiday from his studies at Cambridge. A passionate botanist, he is now bored and listless and the summer opens out ahead of him. He fills this time by chasing after his sister’s piano teacher, Hettie. Their affair leads to a pregnancy that will change their lives forever.

While Charles spends the next decades forging himself the career in business and politics he has been born for, his sisters have other callings to follow. Tabitha is pulled to activism, not only campaigning for the women's vote but also helping the hungry and needy. Eloise, meanwhile, is drawn to art, developing herself as a painter under the tutelage of European and American talents, eventually joining a salon in Paris reminiscent of Gertrude Stein’s.

This is a novel about power and wealth and how privilege insulates itself. How connections are maintained and how difficult it is to claw your way in - or indeed out - of this peculiarly British elite. O’Riordan’s prose is as beautiful and decadent as you would expect – he is a renowned poet – and the story is strangely beguiling in this magnificent debut for fans of Ian McEwan, William Boyd and Benjamin Myers’ The Offing.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not impressed. The writing is good (hence a 3*), yes, but the plot is sometimes confusing, making me wonder about what the author actually wants to say. The characters lack depth and did not really appeal to me . Some parts of the novel felt rushed as did the conclusion.

[Janice Bridger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is beautifully written by a poet so you feel yourself drawn into the world of well off suburban Manchester in the late 1890s and leading up to the First World War. You only get little episodes though which I found left me wanting more. It starts with Charles, one of 3 siblings- his interest is natural history but that gets left aside as he seduces his sisters’ nursemaid Hettie. From then on she barely features except by being ill or becoming involved with Christian Science. As the 2 sisters grow you learn more about them and Charles too disappears into the background. Eloise becomes an artist with a mentor Bessie from Montana and travels and meets strange bohemian types. Tabitha wants to help those nearby and helps with a food kitchen. It’s all a bit strange but it does ring true with how the memory works with little bits of detail and large blanks. Perhaps I ought to read his poetry!

[Jen Burrows · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Falling Thread is a unique take on the historical family epic. O'Riordan picks out some defining scenes across decades of the Wright family's lives, painting a sweeping portrait of power and privilege in England at the cusp of the twentieth century.

Although the characters are all well-drawn, there is very little variation in the narrative voice, which means the shifts in time and perspective are often disorientating. As a reader you very much feel like an outsider, looking at a watercolour painting: it's beautiful, but indistinct, difficult to get drawn into the detail. You might get swept up by a scene, but not by the story.

*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*

[Kaye Fraser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although there is some beautiful descriptive prose in this book, this reviewer found it meandered a little too much to allow the reader to really keep track of the characters and the story, making it a tricky and a less than satisfying read. The story covers a period early in the 20th century when there were huge gulfs between the lives of the privileged and those who worked for them, and when women’s suffrage was becoming a big national issue in Britain. There is scope here for so much more by way of a flowing, directional narrative and a more convincing storyline, but the quality of the writing itself is excellent and at times really exquisite.

[Sheena · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Well written and atmospheric but not sure it had a point to it. Sort of meandered through the historical period with fairly sketchy characters. I was an interested observer rather than being involved and caring about what happened to anyone.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam O’Riordan is recognised as a fine poet and short story writer. ‘The Falling Thread’ is his debut novel and a very good read it is too! Bookended by the First World War, the story proper begins in 1890. Bored Cambridge university student, Charles Wright, alone in the family home whilst his parents and two younger sisters holiday in Windemere, seduces their governess, Hettie Greenhalgh.
Following their lives over the next twenty or so years, O’Riordan explores the ways in which the privileged use their power, buoyed up by financial security and an innate sense of self-worth. Whilst the focus is, at first, on Charles and Hettie, O’Riordan’s exploration of women’s suffrage and the attractions of bohemian life are developed through the Wright sisters. Tabitha cares deeply about social inequalities whilst Eloise is determined to make her way as an artist.
Many passages in ‘The Falling Thread’ remind this reader of E M Forster’s novels about changing social conditions and floundering relationships. Perhaps the author could have explored Hettie’s position a little more; clearly life is very difficult for her even though her time is idly spent. Indeed, many of O’Riordan’s characters fail to connect, leading to stultifying marriages and awkward parent/child exchanges. Most endearing is the sisters’ bond. Whilst they are often made cross or frustrated, their mutual honesty and acceptance of each other’s differences signifies real love.
Tabitha says to Eloise, ‘You might want to look inside a book sometime, Ellie, it’s a wonder what ends up in there.’ Whilst some may argue that this novel brings little new to the literary canon, O’Riordan’s lyrical portrayal of a time in flux, peopled both by those who accept and those who question the status quo, is not only memorably written. He also encourages comparisons with important contemporary issues: social mobility; mental health; liberalism; capitalism, and the value of the artistic life. This is a novel to be savoured and pondered over.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Circus for a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review.

[Jane Riordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book off the shelf because the author shares a name with my son, not the worst reason for being attracted to a title I suppose and, in the beautifully curated collection in my local independent bookshop, one needs a reason to pick something, otherwise one would either go away with nothing but a headache from indecision, or leave with a bag full of books.

The plus points of this book are the writing style, the characterisations and the lovely descriptions of scenes, particularly involving nature - very atmospheric. Also the minutiae of daily life are covered in detail, together with the trials, frustrations and companionship of family living, where multiple members live in the same household; so different to today, where unmarried sisters and adult children would be expected to set up home by themselves.

It is a pleasing read, relaxing but, because of this, easy to put down and not return to for a while, hence my having been reading for over two weeks now.

The negative point, for me, is the lack of events, of something 'happening' , a big denouement or reveal. Perhaps the title - The Falling Thread - is a reference to the way in which the book glides along, pulling together and then apart, the individual stories of the family members, but if you like a defined beginning, middle and end, then I fear you may be disappointed.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adam O'Riordan was a poet before he became a novelist, yet it's his poetic pen that moved me forward when reading this novel. Industrial Manchester is the backdrop to a family saga set in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In many ways the story is a slight one, and moves us through the decades from the 1890s, when Charles, son of a Manchester industrialist living with his parents and two sisters finds that, thanks to him, the governess is pregnant. They are obliged to marry. The story progresses by our being dropped into various episodes in the family members' lives, as one sister develops as an artist, the other as a suffragette, and Charles' wife endures more or less permanent ill health. There's little plot - I'd have welcomed rather more - but the vignettes of which the book consists are well realised. However, I felt something of an unengaged observer, uninvested at any level with how the story developed.

[Wendy Greenberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

For me, the backdrop was so much more interesting than the characters on the stage of the novel. It follows the fortunes of a Manchester family and its textile business in the slipstream of bigger political events as the First World War approaches.

I found it a very dry family portrait - everyone, no matter their position of class or gender, in this far from boring time period (would-be-politician, industrialism, poverty, travel, bohemian lifestyles to militant suffragettes) is insubstantial and entirely colourless. Perhaps too subtle for my taste and my opinions of this spot in history.

The start and end of the story, direct from the trenches, were the only sections that sang. I was left wishing that the characters had been presented from the perspective of Hettie. Her life, as both staff and family, might have given a more interesting view rather than the episodic glances at the rest of the household.

[Beth Younge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like this for the most part but i feel like the whole book was too short and rushed for my liking. This could have been expanded on much more as the time jumps didn't work entirely for me and the first leap between the first time period and the second one was a bit too big. I also feel that the amount of characters was too much for how short this was and it didn't need to have so many side characters to the story. I did like the lead trio and felt that the 2 sisters and Charles were written really well. It isn't entirely what i expected but this was still a fun, short read.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

[julie chang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this. I loved the detail and the observation. The special thing about the observation aspect was observing the things that people don’t normally notice or comment on. It was free from cliche and just so genuinely refreshing. I’m guessing that quite a lot of research went into this to get the historical details correct too. There wasn’t much in the way of plot or dialogue, so a great deal of ‘telling’ such that the form matched the content; it added to the Victorian atmosphere of the story. As a fledgling writer I learned so much from reading this too, about taking the reader into another world. I highly recommend this book.

[TwoDrinks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the style of writing and some of the descriptive sentences were of a “yes! That’s exactly how that action sounds” sort. But I struggled to keep up with the characters and the plot. It almost felt as though we were moving towards a conclusion that I never reached, or understood. But it didn’t have the strength that a flash fiction has where the wondering is fundamental to the ending. I just felt like I must of missed large tracts of texts, or not extracted the meaning from what was there. So, a 3 based on yes I’d pass the book on, but I’d not deliberately buy it for someone. This was one of two books found on a train in Manchester.

[Diana Jaques · Rating 5 out of 5]

Manchester in 1890. What a place to be.

Within The Falling Thread, you follow Charles and his three sisters as they live their lives in 19th century.

Tabitha is a suffragette, Eloise is an artist and Charles is perusing his sister's governess.

This book is full of events all taking place in a by gone time. Throughout the book you get to see how each character grows and how they all face the glaring eyes of society.

Not to mention that this book is beautifully written. Every page in this book flows at such a lovely pace.

[Jamie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the advance copy of this novel.

I really enjoyed the falling thread - truthfully not my usual genre or setting. The author conjured up such a captivating atmosphere within the first few pages, that I was gripped throughout. I read most of it in one setting. There's such an interesting mix of genres, and the final fifty pages really fly by. It's absolutely haunting, would definitely recommend.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story about wealth, privilege and how it was grewing up in privilege and it impacted you.
There's a lot of food for thought in this book but there's also a riveting and fascinating story.
The style of writing is excellent, the characters are well developed and the story flows keeping you reading.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Wendy Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Manchester at the turn of the 20th Century. I loved seeing how the seismic changes happening in that period happened in a city away from the capital. Brilliant portrayal of class and the sexism of the time through the perspective of three siblings. Negative for me was the ending which just petered out.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

How is this an average of 3 stars 😲 this book is a masterpiece I don't read books in one day but I did with this one I've been in a huge reading slump lately and this book brought me right out of it!!

[William · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. I kept hoping this one would get better.

[Joana Morais · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2.5 Stars
The writing style was lovely but I was just bored most of the way through.

[Jenneke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit confusing, but good

[Domin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The start of the story was not pulling me into it. But with Eloise getting more active it ended quite well. The two sisters went their own way and became more self-conscious and self-secure.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took a while to get into and quite a slim book so just starting to warm to characters and it was over!! Beautifully written, interesting period of British history. Enigmatic.

[Biggaletta Day · Rating 2 out of 5]

Something lacking though easy to read. It feels a bit futile so if that's what the author was aiming for he has achieved it.

[Markey Matson · Rating 1 out of 5]

The storyline was undeveloped and jumpy. Although some good description, the book left wanting more plot and character development.

[Mrs B.Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was well written but difficult to follow. The storyline does not flow well, and at times it was difficult to keep track of the different characters. I didn’t like Charles, and thought he was dismissive of Hettie who was clearly struggling health wise. Of the two sisters I thought Tabitha had the better personality. Though she was from a privileged background she involved herself in working at a soup kitchen, and helping families that were less fortunate. She was passionate about women’s rights and was not afraid to get involved.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating story following the varied personalities of an upper middle-class Manchester cotton family from 1890 to 1913.

Themes of privilege, politics, the arts, marriage, romance and the emerging liberation of women.