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Arms Around Frank Richardson
The impact of traumatic childhood experience reverberates into the grown-up world of Frank, Alice and Henry – children from three families suffering the fall-out from their early life. Frank, a working-class boy abused by his step-father, Alice, physically disabled and frustrated, Henry, the less clever son of wealthy ambitious parents. From a rundown estate in Eastleigh, a small town in Darlington and an affluent Cotswold home, each character grapples with the life fate has handed them. Until by chance they all come together in adulthood, the repercussions are explosive. Spanning 30 years the scope of this novel is ambitious and the writing beautifully honed. Character and sense of place are masterfully achieved.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 16, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 11, 2022
Covering almost thirty years this book tells the story of three people; Frank, Alice and Henry and how their paths cross and collide over the years. It emphasises how a childhood trauma can shape and impact lives forever. These three characters are all scarred, suffering with physical or emotional flaws that will stay with them their entire life.
Arms around Frank Richardson is a beautiful piece of literary fiction. It’s a slow burn - there are no huge shocks or cliffhangers here, instead it meanders through the characters’ lives, trickling through some moments and cascading through others, so cleverly done that you become more and more invested in the story. At times it can be bleak, but as a result of this I felt very drawn towards the main character, Frank, as I learned more of his childhood and family circumstances. Frank is a reticent and reserved man, satisfied with the simple pleasures in life, but as you learn of his past you understand why. Sylvia Colley has a great talent for describing the minutiae of every day life and she depicts it so beautifully that my heart ached so often for these characters.
I did feel that there could have been a little more closure by the end of the book. It was a bit too enigmatic for my liking. Aside from that though, it was still an incredibly measured and moving literary delight.
Arms around Frank Richardson is a beautiful piece of literary fiction. It’s a slow burn - there are no huge shocks or cliffhangers here, instead it meanders through the characters’ lives, trickling through some moments and cascading through others, so cleverly done that you become more and more invested in the story. At times it can be bleak, but as a result of this I felt very drawn towards the main character, Frank, as I learned more of his childhood and family circumstances. Frank is a reticent and reserved man, satisfied with the simple pleasures in life, but as you learn of his past you understand why. Sylvia Colley has a great talent for describing the minutiae of every day life and she depicts it so beautifully that my heart ached so often for these characters.
I did feel that there could have been a little more closure by the end of the book. It was a bit too enigmatic for my liking. Aside from that though, it was still an incredibly measured and moving literary delight.
December 6, 2022
Spanning nearly thirty years, beginning in 1965, this is a story about three people who struggle with the impact of the trauma of their early lives. We meet Frank first, by being tipped headlong into a childhood filled with heart-breaking abuse and neglect; then become acquainted with Alice, who has a congenital hip condition that makes her feel she is forever out of step in more than just a physical way, although part of a loving family; and Henry, who feels under-valued by his wealthy parents and in the shadow of his 'perfect' brother. The book swaps back and forth between each of the three central characters, with occasional interjecting chapters from others, jumping forward in time as they make their way in the world.
Frank's story is the most compelling, which given the title of the book, is not surprising. Many of the scenes described about his life, and that of his sister Kitty, are difficult to read and provoke a visceral response. There is so much in their part of the book that examines repeating, dysfunctional patterns of behaviour, and the difficulties of overcoming them to live a fulfilling and happy life. My heart bled for them, time and time again. The stories of Alice and Henry, are less powerful in comparison, but they still explore some interesting ground around the perception of disability, expectation, parenthood, and marriage.
For most of the book, the characters lives only touch briefly, sometimes in gorgeous emotionally charged scenes that have them meeting directly, or through connection with other characters. I really enjoyed how this builds up a frisson of suspense, as you wait for the moment when their storylines must surely come together.
I confess that there are things that I am in two minds about with this book though. Frank's story is the one that consumes you, as it has real impact, and the way the book is written means you are immediately tied to his fate in a way that simply does not come across in Alice and Henry's parts of the tale. At times, I thought this would be much better as two books - one which concentrates entirely on Frank and Kitty, and another which delves into the lives of Alice and Henry - which would have allowed for a truly deep exploration of how their childhoods affected the course of the lives, and their ability to form relationships. I very much enjoyed what Colley attempts to do in the three storylines, but this does sometimes feel rushed and superficial, especially given the big jumps forward in time. I wanted more. For me, this is one of those books that would work so much better in audio format, as it would allow the reader to forge a more intimate bond with Alice and Henry through their voices, which it needs to balance out the whole.
It is also fair to say that the length of time it takes for the three storylines to be resolved does seem an eternity, making you wonder quite where all this is going. I am not quite sure that the ending really does convey what Colley intends it to either, especially given the confusing 'love triangle' element, which does not come full circle to the promising prologue. There is too much hinted at, and it needs a more satisfying ending given the lengthy build up.
However, I love the way Colley writes, and what she gets across with her words about the pivotal moments that shape our ability to navigate the world is impressive. She offers so much about real lives, hard fought little wins, learning to deal with our pasts, and trying to find happiness, that is a joy to experience. There is a lot of pain and anguish in this story, but there are many moments of true love too, and it really does make you think about what family means.
Frank's story is the most compelling, which given the title of the book, is not surprising. Many of the scenes described about his life, and that of his sister Kitty, are difficult to read and provoke a visceral response. There is so much in their part of the book that examines repeating, dysfunctional patterns of behaviour, and the difficulties of overcoming them to live a fulfilling and happy life. My heart bled for them, time and time again. The stories of Alice and Henry, are less powerful in comparison, but they still explore some interesting ground around the perception of disability, expectation, parenthood, and marriage.
For most of the book, the characters lives only touch briefly, sometimes in gorgeous emotionally charged scenes that have them meeting directly, or through connection with other characters. I really enjoyed how this builds up a frisson of suspense, as you wait for the moment when their storylines must surely come together.
I confess that there are things that I am in two minds about with this book though. Frank's story is the one that consumes you, as it has real impact, and the way the book is written means you are immediately tied to his fate in a way that simply does not come across in Alice and Henry's parts of the tale. At times, I thought this would be much better as two books - one which concentrates entirely on Frank and Kitty, and another which delves into the lives of Alice and Henry - which would have allowed for a truly deep exploration of how their childhoods affected the course of the lives, and their ability to form relationships. I very much enjoyed what Colley attempts to do in the three storylines, but this does sometimes feel rushed and superficial, especially given the big jumps forward in time. I wanted more. For me, this is one of those books that would work so much better in audio format, as it would allow the reader to forge a more intimate bond with Alice and Henry through their voices, which it needs to balance out the whole.
It is also fair to say that the length of time it takes for the three storylines to be resolved does seem an eternity, making you wonder quite where all this is going. I am not quite sure that the ending really does convey what Colley intends it to either, especially given the confusing 'love triangle' element, which does not come full circle to the promising prologue. There is too much hinted at, and it needs a more satisfying ending given the lengthy build up.
However, I love the way Colley writes, and what she gets across with her words about the pivotal moments that shape our ability to navigate the world is impressive. She offers so much about real lives, hard fought little wins, learning to deal with our pasts, and trying to find happiness, that is a joy to experience. There is a lot of pain and anguish in this story, but there are many moments of true love too, and it really does make you think about what family means.
June 5, 2022
Arms Around Frank Richardson by Sylvia Colley is a very highly recommended literary family drama and character study.
Following Frank, Alice and Henry across thirty years this in-depth character study and family drama demonstrates the impact of childhood trauma on three different adults. Frank and his younger sister Kitty have been abused by both their alcoholic father and their mother's alcoholic and drug abusing boyfriend before they escape for their lives one night to the couple who live next door. From this point on Frank only wants to protect his sister and make sure everything goes smoothly. Alice is physically disabled and is frustrated by her limp and recurring pain. Henry is the son of wealthy parents who consider their artistic son less intelligent than his overachieving brother.
The novel alternates between these characters starting over 30 years in the past when they are all children and follows them into adulthood. They all deal with the families and fate that life has dealt them until by chance they all meet and interact together as adults. Essentially, for most of the novel readers will be following these different characters and their individual, separate stories until they gradually start to connect toward the end. The beginning of the novel takes patience as it is difficult to see where these individual stories, which are all compelling on their own, are going to somehow merge into a complete picture.
What hold will hold your interest in these character studies of individuals and their lives is the absolutely exquisite writing. Both the characters and the sense of time and place are carefully crafted and beautifully rendered. Even when the separate chapters seem so removed from each other it will be the writing that will keep you reading and caring about these flawed individuals. This is a simple incredible well-written work of literary fiction.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Muswell Press.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2022/0...
Following Frank, Alice and Henry across thirty years this in-depth character study and family drama demonstrates the impact of childhood trauma on three different adults. Frank and his younger sister Kitty have been abused by both their alcoholic father and their mother's alcoholic and drug abusing boyfriend before they escape for their lives one night to the couple who live next door. From this point on Frank only wants to protect his sister and make sure everything goes smoothly. Alice is physically disabled and is frustrated by her limp and recurring pain. Henry is the son of wealthy parents who consider their artistic son less intelligent than his overachieving brother.
The novel alternates between these characters starting over 30 years in the past when they are all children and follows them into adulthood. They all deal with the families and fate that life has dealt them until by chance they all meet and interact together as adults. Essentially, for most of the novel readers will be following these different characters and their individual, separate stories until they gradually start to connect toward the end. The beginning of the novel takes patience as it is difficult to see where these individual stories, which are all compelling on their own, are going to somehow merge into a complete picture.
What hold will hold your interest in these character studies of individuals and their lives is the absolutely exquisite writing. Both the characters and the sense of time and place are carefully crafted and beautifully rendered. Even when the separate chapters seem so removed from each other it will be the writing that will keep you reading and caring about these flawed individuals. This is a simple incredible well-written work of literary fiction.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Muswell Press.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2022/0...
August 5, 2022
Three main characters are followed from childhood, through their youth and into adulthood. They encounter each other at different times along the way. Frank is the main character, having a terrible childhood, he and his sister are fostered by the childless neighbours. He develops an interest in carpentry which is his saving grace.
Sensitively written, the book deals with emotional and physical trauma and reactions to that in childhood and the consequences into adulthood. Descriptions are realistic and characters well drawn. There are also comparisons made with how childhood neglect and problems are dealt within the space of 20-30 years.
This is a book about relationships, good and bad . It gets you thinking. Some coincidences may be a little contrived, but it is mostly an interesting read
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
Sensitively written, the book deals with emotional and physical trauma and reactions to that in childhood and the consequences into adulthood. Descriptions are realistic and characters well drawn. There are also comparisons made with how childhood neglect and problems are dealt within the space of 20-30 years.
This is a book about relationships, good and bad . It gets you thinking. Some coincidences may be a little contrived, but it is mostly an interesting read
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews