The Replacement Centre

by Fflur Dafydd

Set in a slightly alternative reality, when a husband or wife in the community dies the grieving partner can get a replacement; they get to choose one who looks similar etc. But there is a mystery surrounding where the replacements come from and if they are content to play this role. Or are they instead planning an escape?

112 pages, Paperback

Published April 22, 2022

About the author

Fflur Dafydd is a novelist from Carmarthen who publishes in both Welsh and English. Since publishing her first novel, Lliwiau Liw Nos in 2005, she has published six fiction volumes. Two of her Welsh-language novels, Atyniad (Y Lolfa, 2006) and Y Llyfrgell (Y Lolfa, 2009) have been awarded the major fiction awards at the National Eisteddfod of Wales, the Prose Medal (2006) and the Daniel Owen Memorial Prize (2009), making her the only female writer, and the youngest writer to date to have won both awards. Her first English language novel, Twenty Thousand Saints (Alcemi, 2008) – an innovative reworking and adaptation of the Welsh-language novel, Atyniad, also won the inaugural Oxfam Hay Emerging Writer of the Year Award at the Hay Festival 2009. As a result of these successes, she was chosen by the British Council as the first ever Welsh participant in the prestigious, world-renowned International Writing Program at Iowa University. She also holds an MA in Creative Writing from UEA, a PhD from Bangor University, and currently lectures in Creative Writing at Swansea University.

She is also a prominent singer-songwriter, who has produced 4 albums to date – and she was awarded the title of ‘Female Artist of the Year’ in the BBC Radio Cymru awards in 2010. She performs regularly in Wales and has also appeared in major festivals in America and Europe.

Reviews

[Erica⭐ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in a slightly alternative reality, when a husband or wife in the community dies the grieving partner can get a replacement; they get to choose one who looks similar etc. But there is a mystery surrounding where the replacements come from and if they are content to play this role. Or are they instead planning an escape?

[Owen Townend · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was surprisingly intricate for a Quick Read. A science fiction tale of grief and human rights that takes a sharp turn into Kafka-esque horror. Except this didn't quite hold together for me.

The Replacement Centre is well-written with Dafydd weaving some elegant and darkly humorous wordplay into the narrative. Mrs Denton's depression at the death of her futurologist husband Lloyd felt real and heart-wrenching.

As for the main plot involving The Replacement Centre itself, a suspiciously generous bureaucracy that pairs grieving spouses with near copies of their departed partners, I came away wanting much more than was given. Rather than keeping the Centre at arm's length, I hoped Mrs Denton would ask more questions and uncover their shadowy practice.

Regardless Dafydd puts focus on the protagonist's difficult relationships with her grinning neighbours and the Replacement she is given for Lloyd. This was fine, as was the immigration theme, but I couldn't get on board with Lloyd's involvement after death. Without giving too much away, this became oddly conniving and forced Mrs Denton into a moral dilemma that should have been addressed in greater detail. Also this ingenius foresight stopped abruptly to ensure a horror ending that itself whimpered out in the last chapter.

While I loved the ideas on display in The Replacement Centre (a book designed for adults who struggle with reading, I hasten to add), these lacked payoff. Then again, with another hundred pages or so of background detail and character development, I'm sure this book could follow through on its promise.

As it stands though, I feel The Replacement Centre is a curiosity read that lacked satisfying resolution. I recommend it to fans of Dafydd, moral thought experiments and those who are looking for a slightly more challenging type of Quick Read.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been pleasantly surprised with yet another quick reads book.
For a short read this packs in a lot and it all flows well. The idea had the film 'The 6th day' with Arnold Schwarzenegger vibes, but has a good old twist from the middle onwards.
characters were great. The setting was good. I loved the science fiction elements and the ending I thought worked very well.
This is a first for me by this author and I will defo look into what other books are available. I liked the writing style and commentary between the characters.
A good all round short read.

[haze_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story a few bits didnt make sense if u thought to hard about it but overall a good read and i finished it quickly 🙂

[Bookread2day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic

I bought The Replacement Centre £1 quick read myself, that is published by Graffeg. I’m shouting out at the top of my voice this fiction book is dam good! It’s full of a brilliant exciting page–turning part fiction part fantasy about when a woman Mrs Denton husband Lloyd, died, leaving her feeling lonely.

When she sees an advert on TV for finding a replacement husband at The Replacement Centre, she noticed her neighbour has a great replacement man about the house putting her bins out. When Mrs Denton gets her replacement, once he starts living with her, she is not happy with him, he is doing things in her own home that she doesn’t like or feel comfortable about.

There is a mystery about Mrs Denton’s husband that she can’t seem to piece together. Oh my goodness me, I just didn’t see the twists coming, after twists.

This short novel is my favourite quick read novel I have ever read. It’s 100% recommended by me, so worth just £1 for an absolutely brilliant quick read.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this! For such a quick read it really did the job i just wish it was a full length book as I wanted more.

It's one of those books that makes you think something like this could really happen and it sent a shiver through me especially reading how much your being watched once you have a replacement.

3.5 stars rounded up

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the speed which this short story moved, and the little mysteries it created with every cliff hanger ending to each chapter.

However, I was a little let down by its twist which felt like it was hinted at too early on, so it wasn't much of a surprise when it was revealed.

The concept was fascinating, and the message was sincere, but by the end it just hadn't made for a solid story. Perhaps (ironically, for a 'quick read') I wanted more detail to give more weight to each moment.

Still, I enjoyed the mystery, concept and deeper massage. But was left wanting a little more from the story itself.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this book for free as a part of #readmanchester and #workdbookday! I was really chuffed!

I found this story to be an instant page turner and I connected with the characters right away. This wasn’t a totally original piece; it reminded me a little of the television series Humans. I read to the end and found it to be entertaining and interesting. I definitely recommend it for a short snappy read.

[Edward Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable quick read even if the fecundity of the premise and twists might have suggested a more natural home as a full length novel. Nevertheless, for anybody who likes a bit of conspiracy lined dystopian future, it is an easy recommendation.

I’d not encountered the Author, who writes/publishes in both Welsh and English, before but on the strength of this I will definitely be seeking out more.

[Danii McKellar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really don't know what to say about this book. It had many twists and turns that I didn't expect. But it finished with a massive cliffhanger which I don't expect from QuickReads. The basis of the story is good, and it could have been expanded into a bigger book with sequels I feel, I also feel the book would be fantastic for a TV series.

[Akosua S. Donkor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good read 📚 it's short, dramatic, with hints of romance in the storytelling. These futuristic well written books are hard to come by so we'll worth savouring.

I would definitely recommend it to be made into a TV Series or made for 📺 TV Film. I am envisioning all the character Actors now. I know who will suit to play the lead 🎬 actress already... and I'm not telling you 😁

[Bookmarkthatuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this! I wish it was a longer book instead of a short read to help build suspense and the plot, but fantastic nonetheless - the writing is pretty basic but think this ties in with the ‘quick reads’ so it’s short and snappy instead of descriptive and detailed.

[Rachel Brightey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well written, usually I find the quick reads are sometimes written in a way that I don't really like, too much crammed in, but this one was great! Just enough detail and the story was great, if not a little disturbing!

[Jonathan Currinn (Good Star Vibes) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written well and an interesting concept for a Quick Read fictional novel. I found it engaging and intriguing, especially as we continued to understand what was really going on. I'm definitely interested in exploring more Fflur Dafydd novels now, that's for sure.

[Esther Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was perfectly paced and as a slow reader I finished in one day on and off, I quite enjoyed this book although not the normal type of book I read, it surprised me how it flowed. It’s written really well and left me wanting more.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this short story! It was well rounded with a good twist at the end. Now when is Fflur Dafydd writing the sequel we all need?!

[Holly Clarkson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy read. Super interesting & detailed even in such few pages! Loved it!

[Sophia Aouichaoui · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bit of a bizarre read for me to be honest...even though a quick read- I felt no connection to any of the characters at all.
A strange topic for me altogether

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Think it was a odd concept and one I wouldn’t want to experience

[Marie Alker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good quick read for £1. A few twists to keep you guessing where the story is going and then an ending I wasn’t expecting right upto the very end

[Sarah Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting read that goes in a completely different direction to what you think and then back again

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic read! So much substance for a quick read. Unique premise, good characterisation and plot. loved the ending. Perfect for fans of John Marrs!

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting concept that could well be a thing of the future, who knows? But would you really want to replace the person you love with a replacement of them?

The Replacement Centre is a great little Sci-fi read and is one of those books you wish could be expanded on, rather than just focusing on one 'family'.

Brilliant, unexpected twist at the end...when's the sequel coming Dafydd?

[Rhys Owain Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Replacement Centre is strange in all the best ways. Written to be easy to read, it’s a darkly funny, eerie and thought-provoking novella. Fflur Dafydd is such a sharp, inventive storyteller.