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One Visit : A Thought-Provoking Family Crime Drama
Frankie Gibbs, an unambitious adolescent on Universal Credit, wants nothing more than to keep his brother Dazzler out of the North Wales care system. Poverty isn't Frankie's only obstacle, as their boozing, coke-head single-parent father, Guy Gibbs, heaps misery on their plight through systematic abuse and never-ending wild parties.
Dazzler's bright, but at just twelve years old, isn't mentally prepared for the turmoil unfolding around him. Not least once Justin, an acquaintance from Frankie's school days now turned drug dealer, rocks up on the scene. Such gnarly environments either make or break a kid, but where do you turn when everyone's lights are off?
Hard-hitting and brutally authentic, One Visit dives deep inside the harrowing existence most in poverty have no choice but face.
Dazzler's bright, but at just twelve years old, isn't mentally prepared for the turmoil unfolding around him. Not least once Justin, an acquaintance from Frankie's school days now turned drug dealer, rocks up on the scene. Such gnarly environments either make or break a kid, but where do you turn when everyone's lights are off?
Hard-hitting and brutally authentic, One Visit dives deep inside the harrowing existence most in poverty have no choice but face.
- GenresFiction
198 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2022
86 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 17, 2023
After reading ‘Spurious Scrapper’ the authors 2nd book recently I went back to read this, his first
This is a NOT a cosy thriller set in North Wales, by any means, this is a raw, merciless look at life within a group of ‘friends’ in North Wales and it’s fair to say pretty much every trigger is set and pulled, there are parts which were very hard to read and the brutally descriptive and to the point writing leaves no place for your imagination, it is not an easy read in any way……but it has,an almost at times hidden, sensitivity to the subjects, a feeling in the writing that even the characters cannot be happy with their lives and in that maybe just maybe there is a hope for a, even tiny, brighter future…I don’t know? maybe I am just hoping that for them..
The author has passion, feelings and descriptive writing to a tee however it will not suit all readers in it’s honest scarily eye opening realism, the author set out to do a job with this book and in that he has succeeded
This is a NOT a cosy thriller set in North Wales, by any means, this is a raw, merciless look at life within a group of ‘friends’ in North Wales and it’s fair to say pretty much every trigger is set and pulled, there are parts which were very hard to read and the brutally descriptive and to the point writing leaves no place for your imagination, it is not an easy read in any way……but it has,an almost at times hidden, sensitivity to the subjects, a feeling in the writing that even the characters cannot be happy with their lives and in that maybe just maybe there is a hope for a, even tiny, brighter future…I don’t know? maybe I am just hoping that for them..
The author has passion, feelings and descriptive writing to a tee however it will not suit all readers in it’s honest scarily eye opening realism, the author set out to do a job with this book and in that he has succeeded
December 24, 2024
I read this book between my phone and my tablet using the Kindle app.
This is the second book by this author that I’ve read, and that is the reason why, after only taking a look at the cover picture, I knew exactly what to expect.
I must say first that just because a book is not for you or you are not the target audience, that doesn’t mean the book is bad. In fact, it might be a masterpiece for someone else, and this is a clear example of that thesis.
This is the story of Frankie, who has to deal with poverty, abuse, and addiction all around him. He will try to protect his little brother and help him endure their difficult life, but that will be, indeed, a challenging task.
Expect a “Trainspotting-like” kind of book, with all the trigger warnings you can imagine—you’ll get them all. Also, expect difficult words and slang (this was the most challenging part for me since I’m not an English native speaker). I guess some slang may be difficult even for an English native speaker.
In summary, it is clear that if you are the target audience for this kind of story, you will love it.
This is the second book by this author that I’ve read, and that is the reason why, after only taking a look at the cover picture, I knew exactly what to expect.
I must say first that just because a book is not for you or you are not the target audience, that doesn’t mean the book is bad. In fact, it might be a masterpiece for someone else, and this is a clear example of that thesis.
This is the story of Frankie, who has to deal with poverty, abuse, and addiction all around him. He will try to protect his little brother and help him endure their difficult life, but that will be, indeed, a challenging task.
Expect a “Trainspotting-like” kind of book, with all the trigger warnings you can imagine—you’ll get them all. Also, expect difficult words and slang (this was the most challenging part for me since I’m not an English native speaker). I guess some slang may be difficult even for an English native speaker.
In summary, it is clear that if you are the target audience for this kind of story, you will love it.
December 3, 2022
The Review
This was a truly gritty, dark, and twisted crime drama. The author expertly weaves together a heartbreaking tale that examines the impact that drug addiction, abuse, and toxic family relationships can have on people. The haunting imagery and chilling atmosphere capture the grim setting and cinematic, almost indie-film quality of the novel.
The aspects of this narrative that really stood out were the heartbreaking character developments of this novel and the emphasis the author put on capturing the surrounding culture and tone of the people around the main cast of characters. The exploration of Wales in general and both the terminology and culture that exists within their community was fascinating for a U.S. reader to explore, while the traumatic road these characters travel down feels both relatable and emotional all at once.
The Verdict
Thought-provoking, shocking, and engaging, author George Veck’s “One Visit” is a must-read crime drama. The horrors that the protagonist and his brother endure as the narrative descends further and further into chaos hone in on the growing problem of drug abuse and violence as a whole around the world, and will speak to readers on a very distinct level.
This was a truly gritty, dark, and twisted crime drama. The author expertly weaves together a heartbreaking tale that examines the impact that drug addiction, abuse, and toxic family relationships can have on people. The haunting imagery and chilling atmosphere capture the grim setting and cinematic, almost indie-film quality of the novel.
The aspects of this narrative that really stood out were the heartbreaking character developments of this novel and the emphasis the author put on capturing the surrounding culture and tone of the people around the main cast of characters. The exploration of Wales in general and both the terminology and culture that exists within their community was fascinating for a U.S. reader to explore, while the traumatic road these characters travel down feels both relatable and emotional all at once.
The Verdict
Thought-provoking, shocking, and engaging, author George Veck’s “One Visit” is a must-read crime drama. The horrors that the protagonist and his brother endure as the narrative descends further and further into chaos hone in on the growing problem of drug abuse and violence as a whole around the world, and will speak to readers on a very distinct level.
February 6, 2023
Read both books and this one was the most shocking especially the language and the drugs usage. When I moved back to the UK from France I lived in a place in south west Wales where there was a lot of drug and alcohol addiction
January 4, 2023
One Visit introduces the reader to twenty-year-old Frankie Gibbs, desperately trying to keep his younger brother, Dazzler, out of care and shield the worst of their father, Guy’s, drug excesses and abuse from him.
When Guy is sent to prison, Frankie breathes a sigh of relief, but only briefly, as drug dealers begin to circle Frankie’s home in North Wales and any chance of leading a normal life begins to disappear in a haze of addiction and destruction…
One Visit does not pull its punches, which is understandable given the subject matter. The opening chapter places the reader immediately into Frankie’s world of drug-addled, rancid squalor yet with a clear sense of objectivity. It’s incredibly visual and intensely realistic with a documentary-like feel to the book, certainly in the beginning.
The characters and setting are painfully well-observed but Veck is careful to distance the reader, creating contrast and consequent interest. The reader can see how sordid and bleakly hopeless the situation is but the characters cannot, as they shamble about in their gritty, twilight world of cheap hustles, drugs, and alcohol.
It’s utterly credible without being hackneyed, which is sometimes the case in novels dealing with abuse and addiction. The total believability of One Visit adds an additional flinching layer as the reader is immersed in Frankie’s ghastly, subterranean bare existence.
Although Veck’s writing does occasionally fall over itself, there is clever insight woven through the narrative and sharp, biting observation that is nicely tempered with black humor. There is an unrefined quality, a roughness if you will to Veck’s prose which, whether by accident or design, neatly complements and underscores the story he tells.
The book is fairly dialogue-heavy and the exchanges flow effortlessly, amusingly rich in colloquialism and the Welsh language. Veck helpfully provides the Welsh translations but footnotes explaining the street/drug slang might be beneficial for readers not from the UK.
The characters in One Visit fall into two camps and often, belong to both; the users and the abusers. The majority are nasty, crafty degenerates imbued with varying levels of cunning. However, Frankie is just so empty from the start and cuts a tragic, pathetic figure. He tries to dredge some mental strength but is too emotionally vulnerable and pitifully damaged to make an impact.
Dazzler, younger by seven years, has a little more self-preservation and energy but this flicker of possibility is soon well on its way to being extinguished. Justin and his sidekick, Damo, are suitably conniving and dissolute. The scene between Damo and Frankie toward the end is particularly brutal and its consequences, are harrowing.
One of the most uncomfortable portrayals is of Delyth. She enters the novel in Chapter 6, but her terrifyingly rapid descent into hard drug use and squalid degradation is depicted with shuddering authenticity.
Although the narrative is fast-paced, the nucleus of the plot could have been brought in sooner. When Justin and Damo ‘move in’ to Frankie’s there are elements that just seem too similar to when Guy was in residence. This changes but it could have been delineated earlier.
Personally, the ending was correct, this story and its characters are never going to be wrapped up in a pretty bow, and it would have been disingenuous for that to have happened. Veck pitches the conclusion just right, the reader has a few loose endings to tie up for themselves although they are, overall, horribly obvious.
One Visit is a raw, uncompromising novel exploring a grimly compelling and contemporary world of drug addiction with its predators and prey. A brutally good read that’s well worth a look.
When Guy is sent to prison, Frankie breathes a sigh of relief, but only briefly, as drug dealers begin to circle Frankie’s home in North Wales and any chance of leading a normal life begins to disappear in a haze of addiction and destruction…
One Visit does not pull its punches, which is understandable given the subject matter. The opening chapter places the reader immediately into Frankie’s world of drug-addled, rancid squalor yet with a clear sense of objectivity. It’s incredibly visual and intensely realistic with a documentary-like feel to the book, certainly in the beginning.
The characters and setting are painfully well-observed but Veck is careful to distance the reader, creating contrast and consequent interest. The reader can see how sordid and bleakly hopeless the situation is but the characters cannot, as they shamble about in their gritty, twilight world of cheap hustles, drugs, and alcohol.
It’s utterly credible without being hackneyed, which is sometimes the case in novels dealing with abuse and addiction. The total believability of One Visit adds an additional flinching layer as the reader is immersed in Frankie’s ghastly, subterranean bare existence.
Although Veck’s writing does occasionally fall over itself, there is clever insight woven through the narrative and sharp, biting observation that is nicely tempered with black humor. There is an unrefined quality, a roughness if you will to Veck’s prose which, whether by accident or design, neatly complements and underscores the story he tells.
The book is fairly dialogue-heavy and the exchanges flow effortlessly, amusingly rich in colloquialism and the Welsh language. Veck helpfully provides the Welsh translations but footnotes explaining the street/drug slang might be beneficial for readers not from the UK.
The characters in One Visit fall into two camps and often, belong to both; the users and the abusers. The majority are nasty, crafty degenerates imbued with varying levels of cunning. However, Frankie is just so empty from the start and cuts a tragic, pathetic figure. He tries to dredge some mental strength but is too emotionally vulnerable and pitifully damaged to make an impact.
Dazzler, younger by seven years, has a little more self-preservation and energy but this flicker of possibility is soon well on its way to being extinguished. Justin and his sidekick, Damo, are suitably conniving and dissolute. The scene between Damo and Frankie toward the end is particularly brutal and its consequences, are harrowing.
One of the most uncomfortable portrayals is of Delyth. She enters the novel in Chapter 6, but her terrifyingly rapid descent into hard drug use and squalid degradation is depicted with shuddering authenticity.
Although the narrative is fast-paced, the nucleus of the plot could have been brought in sooner. When Justin and Damo ‘move in’ to Frankie’s there are elements that just seem too similar to when Guy was in residence. This changes but it could have been delineated earlier.
Personally, the ending was correct, this story and its characters are never going to be wrapped up in a pretty bow, and it would have been disingenuous for that to have happened. Veck pitches the conclusion just right, the reader has a few loose endings to tie up for themselves although they are, overall, horribly obvious.
One Visit is a raw, uncompromising novel exploring a grimly compelling and contemporary world of drug addiction with its predators and prey. A brutally good read that’s well worth a look.
March 3, 2023
Busy But Interesting
I'm rounding this up from 3.5. This has a lot going on, especially when it comes to the amount of characters, but it still turned out to be an interesting read. Just don't expect a happily ever after. This is dark and gritty but good story with a real life ending.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
I'm rounding this up from 3.5. This has a lot going on, especially when it comes to the amount of characters, but it still turned out to be an interesting read. Just don't expect a happily ever after. This is dark and gritty but good story with a real life ending.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
February 13, 2023
2/5 stars! I struggled a lot with my thoughts on this book. The author clearly has a talent for descriptive and immersive writing. However, this book read like a stream of consciousness, rather than a well-organized book. This made it rather hard to stay engaged and get through the story. I will say, however, that Dazzler makes this story so much better; by far my favorite character.
February 16, 2023
Book: One Visit
Author: George Veck
Recommend: Yes
Age recommendation: 18-30+ Years
Plot:
A young guy called Frankie tries to keep his younger brother at home with him while also trying to survive his own home live with his drug addict father. Even after he is sent away, the dealers stills surround his life and home.
My feelings:
I was given a copy of this book from the Author, and I must admit I wasn’t that keen in the storyline when I read the description. However when I started the book I realised I was wrong. Its actually really interesting.
The language it self is abit on the highly processed side and might be hard to understand sometimes especially for the setting, I had expected more slang, more crush language, but other then that I really enjoyed the story.
Its really showed the impact that drugs and abuse can have in a toxic family life. The author managed to transport me back to my own childhood, and into times I would rather forget. I might be a Australian through and through but I spent 4 years of my teenage life living in the UK and traveling around. I got what the Author was writing as I seen a lot of the lifestyle myself when I lived there. He captured it so well, that maybe it was a little to well and hit home a little to much that I felt uncomfortable in some chapters. Especially when when his TV was taken to pay for more alcohol after he poured all down the drain.
I liked the ending, I loved how it wasn’t a HEA. It was a real ending, one I experienced myself first hand.
I highly recommend this book. I loved it. I do think that maybe a smaller trigger warning of Drugs and abuse needs to be used for people like myself who grew up in a world very similar to the book. But other then that its really really good read.
Author: George Veck
Recommend: Yes
Age recommendation: 18-30+ Years
Plot:
A young guy called Frankie tries to keep his younger brother at home with him while also trying to survive his own home live with his drug addict father. Even after he is sent away, the dealers stills surround his life and home.
My feelings:
I was given a copy of this book from the Author, and I must admit I wasn’t that keen in the storyline when I read the description. However when I started the book I realised I was wrong. Its actually really interesting.
The language it self is abit on the highly processed side and might be hard to understand sometimes especially for the setting, I had expected more slang, more crush language, but other then that I really enjoyed the story.
Its really showed the impact that drugs and abuse can have in a toxic family life. The author managed to transport me back to my own childhood, and into times I would rather forget. I might be a Australian through and through but I spent 4 years of my teenage life living in the UK and traveling around. I got what the Author was writing as I seen a lot of the lifestyle myself when I lived there. He captured it so well, that maybe it was a little to well and hit home a little to much that I felt uncomfortable in some chapters. Especially when when his TV was taken to pay for more alcohol after he poured all down the drain.
I liked the ending, I loved how it wasn’t a HEA. It was a real ending, one I experienced myself first hand.
I highly recommend this book. I loved it. I do think that maybe a smaller trigger warning of Drugs and abuse needs to be used for people like myself who grew up in a world very similar to the book. But other then that its really really good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2024
This book does not let up from start to finish with a steady delivery of violence, abuse, and drugs. The vivid and descriptive drug scenes, which are plentiful, felt like either a firsthand account or a really well researched one. I found the quality of the writing excellent. The characters and scenes felt very real, which is a testament to good writing. Despite this, I found that I couldn’t really get into the story except for a few graphic scenes that I couldn’t ignore in the same way a car crash can’t be ignored. I listened to the audiobook format and found the narration to be good at times, especially the narrator, Hannah Price. There were also some male voices for the dialogue scenes, but some audio during the male scenes got a little too echoey at times and the volume wasn’t consistent. All in all, this is a good book for those who are interested in gritty British crime dramas.
February 10, 2023
One Visit
By George Veck
One Visit is a dark yet quite believable story that takes place in Wales. It covers so many issues all of them intertwining to make a story that at times is hard to read yet holds one captive to the story of how drug use, mental health and a dysfunctional family environment can ruin the lives of so many.
One would think that it would be hard to compare a story that takes place in Wales but in fact it is a comparison that can happen anywhere people are held back when they are unable to get the supports they need.
One Visit makes you think while you are reading, it opens your eyes because these characters grow on you and you hope that somehow Frankie and Dazzler somehow will escape their life, while realizing they are to far in for help.
This is read was not what I expected, but I am glad that I picked this book up and
stayed with it, as it was eye opening.
By George Veck
One Visit is a dark yet quite believable story that takes place in Wales. It covers so many issues all of them intertwining to make a story that at times is hard to read yet holds one captive to the story of how drug use, mental health and a dysfunctional family environment can ruin the lives of so many.
One would think that it would be hard to compare a story that takes place in Wales but in fact it is a comparison that can happen anywhere people are held back when they are unable to get the supports they need.
One Visit makes you think while you are reading, it opens your eyes because these characters grow on you and you hope that somehow Frankie and Dazzler somehow will escape their life, while realizing they are to far in for help.
This is read was not what I expected, but I am glad that I picked this book up and
stayed with it, as it was eye opening.
January 28, 2023
Thanks to George for the gifted copy of his book.
I will admit, from the synopsis it does sound like it is going to be a very depressing book. And I won’t lie, some of it is. It’s gritty and awkward, but it does have its high moments too. In fact, I’d say the higher moments shine more because of its serious undertones.
I really like Wales but I didn’t even the Wales I know in this book. I know Wales for its green hills and it’s pleasant atmosphere. This is the complete antithesis of this, which was an interesting side of the country to read about.
I saw online that George writes screenplays and I think that comes across very well. It’s very visual, with everything - good and bad - described in such detail, from the smells to the hangovers.
The characterisations over this book is one of the highlights, how everyone develops and how their friendships and relationships, motivations and ambitions impact the others.
It reminded me somewhat of Trainspotting in its brutality and it’s gritty honesty about addiction and abuse. It’s not always comfortable to read. I felt the ending was satisfactory and neatly done, you don’t feel short changed at any point.
There is a lot of focus on things like snooker games, some taking up several pages. I have no interest in snooker at all, and therefore these pages felt a little stretched. But I’m aware that if you are a snooker fan, you’d get more out of those scenes. But this is obviously more of a personal opinion than an opinion on the book itself.
It is very dialogue heavy, and for me, slim on the actual plot. This is a positive and a negative. I like characters and character development more than plot, but with so much dialogue, if for any reason you miss a bit or don’t rests down a bit, you can end up lost. There are a few bits that feel a bit clunky but overall I think he’s found a nice balance.
Whilst there were good points - it’s very absorbing, puts you right into the mix of it from the first chapter - I’d say overall it is not my kind of book in terms of themes. Nothing wrong with the storytelling or characterisation, George’s passion and honesty, it just didn’t grab me as much as it may someone who is more into this gritty, underworld, crime scene. But that wouldn’t put me off recommending it. There are friends I know this wouldn’t be suited to, for similar reasons to myself (not their kind of genre), but there are others for which I think this would be right up their street. It’s a simple case of taste.
I will admit, from the synopsis it does sound like it is going to be a very depressing book. And I won’t lie, some of it is. It’s gritty and awkward, but it does have its high moments too. In fact, I’d say the higher moments shine more because of its serious undertones.
I really like Wales but I didn’t even the Wales I know in this book. I know Wales for its green hills and it’s pleasant atmosphere. This is the complete antithesis of this, which was an interesting side of the country to read about.
I saw online that George writes screenplays and I think that comes across very well. It’s very visual, with everything - good and bad - described in such detail, from the smells to the hangovers.
The characterisations over this book is one of the highlights, how everyone develops and how their friendships and relationships, motivations and ambitions impact the others.
It reminded me somewhat of Trainspotting in its brutality and it’s gritty honesty about addiction and abuse. It’s not always comfortable to read. I felt the ending was satisfactory and neatly done, you don’t feel short changed at any point.
There is a lot of focus on things like snooker games, some taking up several pages. I have no interest in snooker at all, and therefore these pages felt a little stretched. But I’m aware that if you are a snooker fan, you’d get more out of those scenes. But this is obviously more of a personal opinion than an opinion on the book itself.
It is very dialogue heavy, and for me, slim on the actual plot. This is a positive and a negative. I like characters and character development more than plot, but with so much dialogue, if for any reason you miss a bit or don’t rests down a bit, you can end up lost. There are a few bits that feel a bit clunky but overall I think he’s found a nice balance.
Whilst there were good points - it’s very absorbing, puts you right into the mix of it from the first chapter - I’d say overall it is not my kind of book in terms of themes. Nothing wrong with the storytelling or characterisation, George’s passion and honesty, it just didn’t grab me as much as it may someone who is more into this gritty, underworld, crime scene. But that wouldn’t put me off recommending it. There are friends I know this wouldn’t be suited to, for similar reasons to myself (not their kind of genre), but there are others for which I think this would be right up their street. It’s a simple case of taste.
February 11, 2023
I’ve read One Visit and Spurious Scrapper
So both of these novel are pretty similar. Same themes, same vibes, same area ect … I think these books complete themself. It’s a really « brutal » style. These 2 books are a truly gritty, dark, and twisted crimes drama.
Not really my kind of book, except for Ryu Murakami. But it was a good discovery. I hope one day there has a french translate because it was pretty hard to me to understand truly these books. Why ? Because I know pretty nothing about Wales ! It was a good challenge to me by the way.
One visit are my favorite, because it’s darker, most shocking and creepy. I learned a lot of things about issues of Wales and it was really interested.
If you love thriller, I suggest you to read these books. But be really fluent in English (Wales) because the language are still difficult to understand.
My Instagram : @jesuislucie_ it’s a bookstagram about Asian literature for the most. Love 💙
So both of these novel are pretty similar. Same themes, same vibes, same area ect … I think these books complete themself. It’s a really « brutal » style. These 2 books are a truly gritty, dark, and twisted crimes drama.
Not really my kind of book, except for Ryu Murakami. But it was a good discovery. I hope one day there has a french translate because it was pretty hard to me to understand truly these books. Why ? Because I know pretty nothing about Wales ! It was a good challenge to me by the way.
One visit are my favorite, because it’s darker, most shocking and creepy. I learned a lot of things about issues of Wales and it was really interested.
If you love thriller, I suggest you to read these books. But be really fluent in English (Wales) because the language are still difficult to understand.
My Instagram : @jesuislucie_ it’s a bookstagram about Asian literature for the most. Love 💙
January 28, 2023
This was certainly an out of my comfort zone kind of read for me.
And it was great, it sucked me right into this world that reminded me a bit aesthetically of the movie Trainsppoting. That gritty atmosphere and drugged-induced vibe.
This is a crime drama that certainly doesn't shy away from making the reader live through the ordeal of addiction and the toxicity of the relations it creates.
It was very interesting to learn about Wales and its nuances, ranging from everyday things to the underbelly culture our cast of characters are exposed to.. Every little detail in the narrative, the use of slang native to drug users, (I was thankful for a few of the footnotes) all works to blend in this documentary-style book.
As a reader, you are invested in a story but still remain a spectator ... You can see what they cannot, frustrating as that might be, because you know the outcome of it all won't be sunshine and rainbows.
This is a book worth reading for sure, impactful in unexpected ways. But beware of the subject if you want to dive into this dark world.
January 25, 2023
To most tourists, any part of North Wales appears idyllic and none more so than the area around Bangor, nestled between dramatic Snowdonia and the beautiful Menai Strait. The author George Veck was brought up there and if his description is accurate, life there is far from perfect. In One Visit George gives us a grim description of the difficult and hopeless lives that many live in areas short of opportunities, where alcohol and drugs control many lives, causing misery to themselves and those around them.
Our protagonist Frankie Gibbs is in his late teens. The son of the feckless widower, Guy, he struggles to look after himself and protect his younger brother Dazzler from the worst of his father’s behaviour which includes hosting all night drink and drug parties. Unfortunately the boys cannot resist the leftovers and their lives spiral downwards. Sad though it is, the front cover gives an accurate description of Frankie’s bedroom.
I read on Amazon that George Veck initially wrote One Visit as a screenplay and I can see how it would work either as a recorded drama or probably better, as a stage play. It took me a while to tune in to his writing style which, deliberate or not, is appropriate for the setting. He also lapses into Welsh from time to time. I didn’t understand it but I’m not complaining; if I don’t know one of my island’s oldest languages that’s my loss.
There is some humour in the book but because of the despair I almost felt guilty for enjoying it. The title is taken from the nickname of Frankie’s friend, Alfie, who is the one character with an escape plan. As a talented local snooker player he has managed to qualify for Cue School, the annual tournament where success for the best players gives access to the now lucrative professional snooker circuit. Can Alfie succeed and will he take Frankie as his wingman and training partner?
One Visit might be depressing but please bear with it, you will be rewarded. I have awarded it four stars.
Although One Visit was only published two months ago, I note that George Veck has already published a second novel titled Spurious Scrapper. If you enjoy the former then why not give that a try.
Our protagonist Frankie Gibbs is in his late teens. The son of the feckless widower, Guy, he struggles to look after himself and protect his younger brother Dazzler from the worst of his father’s behaviour which includes hosting all night drink and drug parties. Unfortunately the boys cannot resist the leftovers and their lives spiral downwards. Sad though it is, the front cover gives an accurate description of Frankie’s bedroom.
I read on Amazon that George Veck initially wrote One Visit as a screenplay and I can see how it would work either as a recorded drama or probably better, as a stage play. It took me a while to tune in to his writing style which, deliberate or not, is appropriate for the setting. He also lapses into Welsh from time to time. I didn’t understand it but I’m not complaining; if I don’t know one of my island’s oldest languages that’s my loss.
There is some humour in the book but because of the despair I almost felt guilty for enjoying it. The title is taken from the nickname of Frankie’s friend, Alfie, who is the one character with an escape plan. As a talented local snooker player he has managed to qualify for Cue School, the annual tournament where success for the best players gives access to the now lucrative professional snooker circuit. Can Alfie succeed and will he take Frankie as his wingman and training partner?
One Visit might be depressing but please bear with it, you will be rewarded. I have awarded it four stars.
Although One Visit was only published two months ago, I note that George Veck has already published a second novel titled Spurious Scrapper. If you enjoy the former then why not give that a try.
January 4, 2023
This author is great, it is an awesome story. An absolute must-read in my opinion! The way you- as a reader- are dragged into the world and minds of the characters is unique. You get a feeling of being there. The way each little detail is mentioned, using all senses makes the story so alive and believable. You can easily picture the story before your eyes, by reading it. The colorful characters and their surroundings as well as their minds are so well-described and the story so well-told and brought to live, that you feel that you are almost in the place with the characters. Personally, I like this writing style a lot. And even though this story has heavy and difficult themes and subjects that the characters are dealing with and facing, there’s still room for witty and funny episodes. I like how the all-knowing teller of the story, at times is being sarcastic towards the characters and the circumstances regarding their actions. The environment is also depicted vivid, and you are never bored with this book. In my opinion it is to be compared as putting on an exciting movie, that you just can’t turn off as you feel sympathy for the characters, and you just need to know how their fate is and what is going to happen next. If you like crime and drama, this is the book to read!
February 17, 2023
Undoubtedly this book was some seriously dark subject matter just based on the description, and it lives up to its expectations in that department, but fails on so many other levels. First, I acknowledge that I’m far from being the target audience for this book, so that definitely had a role in me not liking it despite that the author’s pen was smooth.
A big issue I faced in reading this book was the language. As a non-native English speaker, the British English and Welsh language threw me quite a curveball. Every few words I had to check the dictionary to find out the meaning of what I was reading. This is a double-edged sword because it makes the story very realistic, but on the other hand made it a difficult and unpleasant read for a person who didn’t understand. Be aware of this when picking up this novel.
A second thing that threw me off course in my reading was that the story was mostly based on dialogue and not on an actual plot. There is also A LOT of characters to keep tabs on which lost me about halfway because there is not really any linear continuity to anybody’s story. Instead it’s a hodgepodge of all sorts of people that pop in and out of the story. Coupled with my difficulty understanding the language, it was almost impossible for me to follow and enjoy the story.
Some further criticism is of this point is that the story isn’t so much about Guy, Frankie or Dazzler in that regards. During the first 1/3 of the book I thought that their storyline was promising with flashbacks to their childhood but unfortunately that never went anywhere. There is a harrowing scene of the mother’s death but nothing happens afterwards. It’s never spoken of again like it didn’t matter or had no impact on who Frankie became.
This lack of depth is present right up until the end of the book and I felt like a crucial chunk of the story was missing by the time I finished reading. Really, the only thing that happens is doing drugs, drinking alcohol, sleeping with prostitutes and other debauchery on a loop. Saying that it’s repetitive is an understatement. Perhaps a few rounds of it would make a story realistic but this was overkill.
I still had hope that the ending could redeem the things that went wrong so that this would be a 2 or 3 star book but that never happened. There isn’t any tying up of any loose ends, no resolution of the majority of the issues brought up or to the characters that were introduced and not a whole lot that the reader can take away.
Unfortunately, there was nothing that allowed me to connect to this story. This book was an epic fail for me, I didn’t like it at all and therefore cannot personally recommend it to anyone.
A big issue I faced in reading this book was the language. As a non-native English speaker, the British English and Welsh language threw me quite a curveball. Every few words I had to check the dictionary to find out the meaning of what I was reading. This is a double-edged sword because it makes the story very realistic, but on the other hand made it a difficult and unpleasant read for a person who didn’t understand. Be aware of this when picking up this novel.
A second thing that threw me off course in my reading was that the story was mostly based on dialogue and not on an actual plot. There is also A LOT of characters to keep tabs on which lost me about halfway because there is not really any linear continuity to anybody’s story. Instead it’s a hodgepodge of all sorts of people that pop in and out of the story. Coupled with my difficulty understanding the language, it was almost impossible for me to follow and enjoy the story.
Some further criticism is of this point is that the story isn’t so much about Guy, Frankie or Dazzler in that regards. During the first 1/3 of the book I thought that their storyline was promising with flashbacks to their childhood but unfortunately that never went anywhere. There is a harrowing scene of the mother’s death but nothing happens afterwards. It’s never spoken of again like it didn’t matter or had no impact on who Frankie became.
This lack of depth is present right up until the end of the book and I felt like a crucial chunk of the story was missing by the time I finished reading. Really, the only thing that happens is doing drugs, drinking alcohol, sleeping with prostitutes and other debauchery on a loop. Saying that it’s repetitive is an understatement. Perhaps a few rounds of it would make a story realistic but this was overkill.
I still had hope that the ending could redeem the things that went wrong so that this would be a 2 or 3 star book but that never happened. There isn’t any tying up of any loose ends, no resolution of the majority of the issues brought up or to the characters that were introduced and not a whole lot that the reader can take away.
Unfortunately, there was nothing that allowed me to connect to this story. This book was an epic fail for me, I didn’t like it at all and therefore cannot personally recommend it to anyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2023
Ugh
Modern version of The Borstal Boy with drugs. Boring, predictable and stomach-turning, vicious and nothing in it capable of being redeemed. Sordid, crappy little book
Modern version of The Borstal Boy with drugs. Boring, predictable and stomach-turning, vicious and nothing in it capable of being redeemed. Sordid, crappy little book
March 29, 2024
A bookroar review - Vicky Reynolds.
My initial thoughts were:
Trainspotting vibes. The graphic drug use, dialogue used, and descriptions of gritty Welsh areas.
The spelling, grammar and punctuation is good. In that respect, it made the story easy to follow as I couldn’t spot any glaring mistakes. There is certain ‘slang’ language that I didn’t understand, (I don’t know what ‘tuck tuck’ means) and perhaps some Welsh phrases that threw me, mainly because I am not Welsh, but that didn’t put me off or slow me down.
What I did struggle with, is keeping up with all the characters. For example, we are introduced to Frankie the novel’s protagonist, Alfie, Guy, and Dazzler. Later on, whilst playing snooker, more characters are mentioned – Shaun Murphy, Domnic Dale, Kyren Wilson. Whilst these characters were not central to the plot, and didn’t have any dialogue, the sheer amount of names, and ‘who’s who?’ was difficult to keep up with. I know nothing about snooker, and snooker is not something I enjoy. I did feel there was a lot of time wasted talking about snooker, and that could have been condensed.
The world building was decent enough. There is a good use of imagery – eg; pungent stench, slithering down the sink hole, volatile Mother’s trap, which helps the reader picture the gritty, squalid conditions Frankie is having to endure. Frankie is a well developed character, and we get to see his world through his eyes, but I do feel like the other characters in the novel are under developed.
Without giving away too many spoilers, there was a scene where a female character dies. I would have found this scene moving and I would have felt sympathy for her, if she had a more central role to the plot and I knew more about her. A good way to do this would be showing the inner thoughts, motivations, and phlights, that characters who are integral to the plot are facing.
I didn't feel much of anything towards Guy, despite him being an unsavoury character. Realistically, I should have hated him, hence, I feel he too needs further character development.
All in all, I enjoyed it. I could see this as a Channel 4 mini series, and think it would work well on screen.
It is fast paced. There were several times, however, that I had to re read and skip back a few pages to keep up with what was happening.
I agree with what one reviewer mentioned. One Visit is very dialogue heavy, and doesn't feel like it is plot driven. The author can definitely write, I do feel however like there was an attempt to cram as much as possible into the story, and sometimes less is more.
My initial thoughts were:
Trainspotting vibes. The graphic drug use, dialogue used, and descriptions of gritty Welsh areas.
The spelling, grammar and punctuation is good. In that respect, it made the story easy to follow as I couldn’t spot any glaring mistakes. There is certain ‘slang’ language that I didn’t understand, (I don’t know what ‘tuck tuck’ means) and perhaps some Welsh phrases that threw me, mainly because I am not Welsh, but that didn’t put me off or slow me down.
What I did struggle with, is keeping up with all the characters. For example, we are introduced to Frankie the novel’s protagonist, Alfie, Guy, and Dazzler. Later on, whilst playing snooker, more characters are mentioned – Shaun Murphy, Domnic Dale, Kyren Wilson. Whilst these characters were not central to the plot, and didn’t have any dialogue, the sheer amount of names, and ‘who’s who?’ was difficult to keep up with. I know nothing about snooker, and snooker is not something I enjoy. I did feel there was a lot of time wasted talking about snooker, and that could have been condensed.
The world building was decent enough. There is a good use of imagery – eg; pungent stench, slithering down the sink hole, volatile Mother’s trap, which helps the reader picture the gritty, squalid conditions Frankie is having to endure. Frankie is a well developed character, and we get to see his world through his eyes, but I do feel like the other characters in the novel are under developed.
Without giving away too many spoilers, there was a scene where a female character dies. I would have found this scene moving and I would have felt sympathy for her, if she had a more central role to the plot and I knew more about her. A good way to do this would be showing the inner thoughts, motivations, and phlights, that characters who are integral to the plot are facing.
I didn't feel much of anything towards Guy, despite him being an unsavoury character. Realistically, I should have hated him, hence, I feel he too needs further character development.
All in all, I enjoyed it. I could see this as a Channel 4 mini series, and think it would work well on screen.
It is fast paced. There were several times, however, that I had to re read and skip back a few pages to keep up with what was happening.
I agree with what one reviewer mentioned. One Visit is very dialogue heavy, and doesn't feel like it is plot driven. The author can definitely write, I do feel however like there was an attempt to cram as much as possible into the story, and sometimes less is more.
November 2, 2023
"One Visit" by George Veck is a compelling and unflinching exploration of life in rural North Wales, where the weight of responsibility falls heavily on the shoulders of a young protagonist. Veck's writing shines with authenticity, pulling readers into a world where hope and despair are in constant battle.
At the heart of the story is Frankie Gibbs, a young man facing the challenges of unemployment and the daunting task of keeping his younger brother safe from the clutches of the care system. Veck skillfully portrays Frankie's determination, making him a character that readers can't help but root for. Frankie's journey to protect his brother amidst the chaos of their father's substance abuse is both heart-wrenching and inspiring.
Guy Gibbs, the boys' alcoholic and drug-addicted father, is a character who embodies the darkness that can envelop families in crisis. Veck's portrayal of Guy is unapologetically raw, showing the devastating impact of addiction and its far-reaching consequences.
As the story unfolds and Guy is sent to prison, Frankie's life takes an unexpected turn when he is coerced into offering shelter to Justin, a former school acquaintance who has fallen into the world of drug dealing. This development takes the narrative into even darker territory, exploring the depths of addiction and the loss of self-worth.
George Veck's writing is a tour de force of emotion and raw authenticity. He doesn't shy away from depicting the harsh realities of life, and it's this unfiltered portrayal that makes "One Visit" so gripping. The characters are multifaceted and deeply human, and their struggles are rendered with empathy and insight.
"One Visit" is a haunting and thought-provoking journey through the trials of a family in crisis. It's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the lengths to which one will go to protect the ones they love. George Veck's storytelling is powerful and unforgettable, making this novel a must-read for those who appreciate literature that delves into the complexities of the human experience. "One Visit" is an authentic and emotionally charged work that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.
At the heart of the story is Frankie Gibbs, a young man facing the challenges of unemployment and the daunting task of keeping his younger brother safe from the clutches of the care system. Veck skillfully portrays Frankie's determination, making him a character that readers can't help but root for. Frankie's journey to protect his brother amidst the chaos of their father's substance abuse is both heart-wrenching and inspiring.
Guy Gibbs, the boys' alcoholic and drug-addicted father, is a character who embodies the darkness that can envelop families in crisis. Veck's portrayal of Guy is unapologetically raw, showing the devastating impact of addiction and its far-reaching consequences.
As the story unfolds and Guy is sent to prison, Frankie's life takes an unexpected turn when he is coerced into offering shelter to Justin, a former school acquaintance who has fallen into the world of drug dealing. This development takes the narrative into even darker territory, exploring the depths of addiction and the loss of self-worth.
George Veck's writing is a tour de force of emotion and raw authenticity. He doesn't shy away from depicting the harsh realities of life, and it's this unfiltered portrayal that makes "One Visit" so gripping. The characters are multifaceted and deeply human, and their struggles are rendered with empathy and insight.
"One Visit" is a haunting and thought-provoking journey through the trials of a family in crisis. It's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the lengths to which one will go to protect the ones they love. George Veck's storytelling is powerful and unforgettable, making this novel a must-read for those who appreciate literature that delves into the complexities of the human experience. "One Visit" is an authentic and emotionally charged work that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.
June 27, 2024
Frankie Gibbs is a dole-ite teenager from a broken home in North Wales, whose father Guy (posh name for a drunken smack-head!) spends most of his time either in prison, abusing his sons or entertaining prostitutes at parties. Due to these poor home circumstances, Frankie’s younger brother Dazzler is under threat of being taken into care and while Dazzler is desperate to avoid this, at the age of twelve, his own behaviour does little to help his situation, but he is influenced by what surrounds him.
Written mainly in the third person present tense, One Visit is a difficult book to get your head round. First of all, there’s the title. I thought it might refer to a visit from social services (as in it would only take one visit by them to get Dazzler put into care); then I thought it referred to the character who only makes one visit to the snooker table (and to the reviewer who thought Shaun Murphy, Dominic Dale and Kyren Wilson are characters in the book, they’re actually a reference to well-known snooker players from the UK). Secondly, apart from Frankie, for whom the reader has some compassion, none of the too-many characters are likeable or worth wasting your sympathy on (the fact that Dazzler supports my football team Liverpool FC doesn’t exclude him, either!); each and every one is influenced by poverty, drugs and drink and they’re happy to live in the squalor they’ve created. Only Frankie, the main protagonist, is well-developed, the others are merely catalysts to his misery.
There are spelling mistakes, but I did wonder if one was deliberate: ‘cue’ as in snooker/pool/billiards cue is used to refer to what ought to be a ‘queue’ of people (the snooker connection). There is also stark profanity (the no-no ‘not in polite society, please’ use of the ‘c’ word, which doesn’t shock me, but might shock others) and some slang I didn’t get; the Welsh language is also used in some cases with an explanation of their meanings at the end.
As the author states, One Visit is hard-hitting and brutal, aiming for realism, showing a dark world that’s a closed book to most of us and a sad fact for some. Personally, I can’t say that I enjoyed reading it, but it kept me strangely engaged and I wanted to see how it ended.
Written mainly in the third person present tense, One Visit is a difficult book to get your head round. First of all, there’s the title. I thought it might refer to a visit from social services (as in it would only take one visit by them to get Dazzler put into care); then I thought it referred to the character who only makes one visit to the snooker table (and to the reviewer who thought Shaun Murphy, Dominic Dale and Kyren Wilson are characters in the book, they’re actually a reference to well-known snooker players from the UK). Secondly, apart from Frankie, for whom the reader has some compassion, none of the too-many characters are likeable or worth wasting your sympathy on (the fact that Dazzler supports my football team Liverpool FC doesn’t exclude him, either!); each and every one is influenced by poverty, drugs and drink and they’re happy to live in the squalor they’ve created. Only Frankie, the main protagonist, is well-developed, the others are merely catalysts to his misery.
There are spelling mistakes, but I did wonder if one was deliberate: ‘cue’ as in snooker/pool/billiards cue is used to refer to what ought to be a ‘queue’ of people (the snooker connection). There is also stark profanity (the no-no ‘not in polite society, please’ use of the ‘c’ word, which doesn’t shock me, but might shock others) and some slang I didn’t get; the Welsh language is also used in some cases with an explanation of their meanings at the end.
As the author states, One Visit is hard-hitting and brutal, aiming for realism, showing a dark world that’s a closed book to most of us and a sad fact for some. Personally, I can’t say that I enjoyed reading it, but it kept me strangely engaged and I wanted to see how it ended.
August 18, 2024
And welcome to North Wales, forget the nice tourist attractions like the Snowdonia National Park, because One Visit is all you will want. This novel highlights the rough side of North Wales to be read from the cleanliness and safety of your armchair.
The main character in One Visit is Frankie Gibbs, a 20 year old unemployed young lad claiming Universal Credit. However, Frankie does have a friend who plays snooker and goes by the name of Alfie, one visit, Fenner. Confusing, I know, but although this novel does have a little bit of snooker thrown in, it’s main focus is drug abuse and child neglect.
I found One Visit to be a very sad story indeed. It is quite a shock to read about how some people live and the many wild parties they endure. There is a lot of drinking and drug taking in One Visit. I have never taken drugs so this is all new to me - I thought door keys were to open doors, never thinking they could be used for anything else! I also thought that Calvin Klein was an expensive pair of underpants but racking up a line of Calvin Klein, is three quarters cocaine and the rest ketamine. One Visit features other drugs like cannabis, heroin and Valium.
I liked the local feel to One Visit as it was centred around Bangor. Also I liked the use of local slang like “wethers” - the name of a well known British pub chain.
One Visit is not a long read at 193 pages, more like half a book really! This little book is a true eye opener, I do not think it is a thriller, more of an expose` really about how some people live their lives. Reminds me of the British television series called Shameless, which ran from 2004 to 2013. I found this book very sad and an OKAY 3 star read.
For such a sad story, there is the odd snippet of humour, for example when Lily Lick, a prostitute is servicing a client…
“Well if that’s how you want it to go,” Lily sarcastically says as she waltzes over to the curtain and opens it. “He’s got three minutes left! Have some respect will you?!” She shouts.
The main character in One Visit is Frankie Gibbs, a 20 year old unemployed young lad claiming Universal Credit. However, Frankie does have a friend who plays snooker and goes by the name of Alfie, one visit, Fenner. Confusing, I know, but although this novel does have a little bit of snooker thrown in, it’s main focus is drug abuse and child neglect.
I found One Visit to be a very sad story indeed. It is quite a shock to read about how some people live and the many wild parties they endure. There is a lot of drinking and drug taking in One Visit. I have never taken drugs so this is all new to me - I thought door keys were to open doors, never thinking they could be used for anything else! I also thought that Calvin Klein was an expensive pair of underpants but racking up a line of Calvin Klein, is three quarters cocaine and the rest ketamine. One Visit features other drugs like cannabis, heroin and Valium.
I liked the local feel to One Visit as it was centred around Bangor. Also I liked the use of local slang like “wethers” - the name of a well known British pub chain.
One Visit is not a long read at 193 pages, more like half a book really! This little book is a true eye opener, I do not think it is a thriller, more of an expose` really about how some people live their lives. Reminds me of the British television series called Shameless, which ran from 2004 to 2013. I found this book very sad and an OKAY 3 star read.
For such a sad story, there is the odd snippet of humour, for example when Lily Lick, a prostitute is servicing a client…
“Well if that’s how you want it to go,” Lily sarcastically says as she waltzes over to the curtain and opens it. “He’s got three minutes left! Have some respect will you?!” She shouts.
May 17, 2023
TW: Swearing, slurs, vulgarities, racism, homophobia, sexism, violence, abuse, child endangerment, drug abuse, alcoholism, sex/ work, sexual assault and police raids.
When beginning to read this book, I definitely did not expect what was to come. My first initial thoughts of this book were that it was relatable, being a from the UK, and that it would be a unique read, which it definitely was. As I got further into the book I realised that it was not what it seems and was a lot darker than I ever could have imagined. Scanning over the book, I noticed there was a glossary in the back, which was very useful to translate the Welsh dialogue that was scattered around the entirety of the book, and noticed the book was written in present tense, which I don't often see, so it was a pleasant surprise. The dialogue and scenes were very accurate to certain parts of the UK, especially the lower or middle class, and I enjoyed reading phrases and words that I hear in my day-to-day life and they were easily imaginable for me. The dialogue also portrayed emotion, reactions and accents quite well, using apostrophes and shortenings in areas for accuracy. It was very difficult to like any of the characters in-particularly, but it was very easy to hate and dislike a lot of them, especially Damo, which I think was the point of the story. I did feel a lot of emotion for Frankie and Dazzler, watching their mental health's decline, especially nearer to and at the end, and I respect how the story ended. The book had me filled with a lot of emotion and close to a DNF, just because of how gory and horrible the scenes got, but I did end up finishing the book (though I did have to take a brief break to be able to write this post and gather my thoughts).
When beginning to read this book, I definitely did not expect what was to come. My first initial thoughts of this book were that it was relatable, being a from the UK, and that it would be a unique read, which it definitely was. As I got further into the book I realised that it was not what it seems and was a lot darker than I ever could have imagined. Scanning over the book, I noticed there was a glossary in the back, which was very useful to translate the Welsh dialogue that was scattered around the entirety of the book, and noticed the book was written in present tense, which I don't often see, so it was a pleasant surprise. The dialogue and scenes were very accurate to certain parts of the UK, especially the lower or middle class, and I enjoyed reading phrases and words that I hear in my day-to-day life and they were easily imaginable for me. The dialogue also portrayed emotion, reactions and accents quite well, using apostrophes and shortenings in areas for accuracy. It was very difficult to like any of the characters in-particularly, but it was very easy to hate and dislike a lot of them, especially Damo, which I think was the point of the story. I did feel a lot of emotion for Frankie and Dazzler, watching their mental health's decline, especially nearer to and at the end, and I respect how the story ended. The book had me filled with a lot of emotion and close to a DNF, just because of how gory and horrible the scenes got, but I did end up finishing the book (though I did have to take a brief break to be able to write this post and gather my thoughts).
April 21, 2023
One Visit follows 24 year old Frankie who is trying really hard to keep his life on track while trying really hard to keep his younger brother out of care as well as protecting him from his fathers drug habits and abuse. Frankie is relieved when his father is sent to prison, but soon Frankie is pulled in the very life he has been trying to avoid.
I must admit this book was slow to start for me and I did almost end up DNF-ing it, but I’m so glad I decided to read on as it turned out to be an interesting read and was very thought provoking.
I really enjoyed the honest look into the life of drug users and the dealers., yes at times it was a difficult read but the uniqueness of both the plot and the characters kept me intrigued and wanting to read on.
I thought the characters were well done, they felt realistic and although there were some unlikeable characters I couldn’t help but feel for sorry for them. There were also some characters that I questioned throughout the book especially when it came to decision making.
This is a book that is hard to review without giving away too much. But after the initial struggle I really thought this was a very good read. One Visit won’t be for everyone but I really do think it worth giving a go especially if you a big fan of crime or family drama reads. But please do check out some of the trigger warnings I’ve mentioned as this may be very triggering for some.
A massive thank you to George for sending me a digital review copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Drugs, Substance Abuse, Abuse
I must admit this book was slow to start for me and I did almost end up DNF-ing it, but I’m so glad I decided to read on as it turned out to be an interesting read and was very thought provoking.
I really enjoyed the honest look into the life of drug users and the dealers., yes at times it was a difficult read but the uniqueness of both the plot and the characters kept me intrigued and wanting to read on.
I thought the characters were well done, they felt realistic and although there were some unlikeable characters I couldn’t help but feel for sorry for them. There were also some characters that I questioned throughout the book especially when it came to decision making.
This is a book that is hard to review without giving away too much. But after the initial struggle I really thought this was a very good read. One Visit won’t be for everyone but I really do think it worth giving a go especially if you a big fan of crime or family drama reads. But please do check out some of the trigger warnings I’ve mentioned as this may be very triggering for some.
A massive thank you to George for sending me a digital review copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Drugs, Substance Abuse, Abuse
December 23, 2024
One Visit is an intentionally provocative and challenging novel, designed to unsettle readers from the very first page. The author’s choice of language is bold and confrontational, clearly aiming to evoke discomfort and leave a lasting impression. For readers who appreciate works that push boundaries, this novel may offer an intriguing exploration of darker themes.
The narrative is highly descriptive and packed with dialogue, which gives the story a sense of immediacy. However, the heavy use of regional slang and colloquialisms can make it difficult for readers unfamiliar with the expressions to fully engage. While some terms become clearer through context, the language barrier may prove to be an obstacle for those outside the cultural framework depicted in the story.
The book delves into gritty and somber subject matter, including themes of addiction and neglect, which are portrayed with unflinching honesty. The tension in the novel is palpable, with an underlying sense of danger that permeates the pages. Interestingly, the story avoids overt violence for much of its runtime, which makes the moments when it does appear all the more impactful.
While the author’s intent to provoke is clear, the narrative structure can feel inconsistent at times. The balance between showing and telling leans heavily toward the latter, which may detract from the immersive experience. Additionally, the connection between some storylines feels tenuous, leaving certain parts of the book feeling fragmented.
The narrative is highly descriptive and packed with dialogue, which gives the story a sense of immediacy. However, the heavy use of regional slang and colloquialisms can make it difficult for readers unfamiliar with the expressions to fully engage. While some terms become clearer through context, the language barrier may prove to be an obstacle for those outside the cultural framework depicted in the story.
The book delves into gritty and somber subject matter, including themes of addiction and neglect, which are portrayed with unflinching honesty. The tension in the novel is palpable, with an underlying sense of danger that permeates the pages. Interestingly, the story avoids overt violence for much of its runtime, which makes the moments when it does appear all the more impactful.
While the author’s intent to provoke is clear, the narrative structure can feel inconsistent at times. The balance between showing and telling leans heavily toward the latter, which may detract from the immersive experience. Additionally, the connection between some storylines feels tenuous, leaving certain parts of the book feeling fragmented.
September 8, 2023
Grit. Drugs. Sex. Muck. Bleak. Hopeless. Death. Prison. This book is holds back no punches. What is life really like when chemicals overtake us? Dark and dreary, yet honest, this book shares the truth of the worst of us. I don’t see this as a crime story. It’s more like the dark side of humanity relating to drug use. The cops are as brutal as the “crooks.” And the brothers try, but cannot overcome their circumstances.
I liked the ending though. I hope Dazzler wins. I hope Frankie survives. But realistically, it’s death or worse coming for them. If Frankie doesn’t OD, he’ll have to get clean. Then what? What hope can he have? What about Dazzler? His options are fewer.
If you’ve not been an addict, this book may scare you. If you know an addict or an abused person, this book may give you a taste of how bad things were for them. If you have survived something like this life, this book may give you a cathartic emotional journey, or trigger you.
Finally, this book is functionally hard to read. Welsh, slang, and Welsh-English don’t always make sense to this Yank. The POV shifts between all characters all the time. You may get lost or confused. However, if I were stoned out of my mind, life may feel that way to me, so I wonder if the author made it confusing on purpose.
NOTE: I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I give this book 4 stars because it was viscerally hard to read. No one should live like this, but we do.
I liked the ending though. I hope Dazzler wins. I hope Frankie survives. But realistically, it’s death or worse coming for them. If Frankie doesn’t OD, he’ll have to get clean. Then what? What hope can he have? What about Dazzler? His options are fewer.
If you’ve not been an addict, this book may scare you. If you know an addict or an abused person, this book may give you a taste of how bad things were for them. If you have survived something like this life, this book may give you a cathartic emotional journey, or trigger you.
Finally, this book is functionally hard to read. Welsh, slang, and Welsh-English don’t always make sense to this Yank. The POV shifts between all characters all the time. You may get lost or confused. However, if I were stoned out of my mind, life may feel that way to me, so I wonder if the author made it confusing on purpose.
NOTE: I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I give this book 4 stars because it was viscerally hard to read. No one should live like this, but we do.
May 1, 2024
“One Visit,” by George Veck, is an original, stark, and depressing portrait of Frankie, a 20-year-old living in rural North Wales and subsisting on “the dole.” Trigger warnings: Violence and abuse, including child abuse.
With a drug-addicted and abusive father, Frankie, a drug user, lives with his addicted and abusive father, Guy, and his brother, Dazzler. The story switches back and forth at times from the past to the present. In a past scene, Frankie’s mother, while assaulting Frankie, threatens him with being thrown into the state care system. (I wonder how very awful that system must be for it to be considered worse than Frankie’s living situation.) Frankie has a “friend,” Alfie, who is manipulative and self-focused.
The story is told in third person omniscient POV, present tense. The author is quite talented. He uses an imaginative, wordy writing style with tons of slang thrown in; this makes the tale hard to follow at times. In addition, there are occasional instances of missing punctuation and incomplete sentences (a pet peeve of mine). Nevertheless, if you like raw stories that do not pull punches, and you are willing to navigate frequent slang terms and a few patches of Welsh language, do give this book a try!
With a drug-addicted and abusive father, Frankie, a drug user, lives with his addicted and abusive father, Guy, and his brother, Dazzler. The story switches back and forth at times from the past to the present. In a past scene, Frankie’s mother, while assaulting Frankie, threatens him with being thrown into the state care system. (I wonder how very awful that system must be for it to be considered worse than Frankie’s living situation.) Frankie has a “friend,” Alfie, who is manipulative and self-focused.
The story is told in third person omniscient POV, present tense. The author is quite talented. He uses an imaginative, wordy writing style with tons of slang thrown in; this makes the tale hard to follow at times. In addition, there are occasional instances of missing punctuation and incomplete sentences (a pet peeve of mine). Nevertheless, if you like raw stories that do not pull punches, and you are willing to navigate frequent slang terms and a few patches of Welsh language, do give this book a try!
May 8, 2023
3.75 stars-ONE VISIT by George Veck is a stand alone, contemporary, adult drama focusing on the seedier side of life in rural North Wales.
Told from third person perspective ONE VISIT follows Frankie Gibbs, as he struggles to survive a life of abject poverty, drug addiction, abuse and years of neglect. With his ‘friends’ by his side, Frankie is in constant fear for his life, and the life of his younger brother, a life that is quickly spiraling out of control. His father in prison for abuse and neglect, and his brother forced into the child welfare system, Frankie discovers his life and his home are no longer his own, and a vicious attack all but leaves Frankie struggling to survive.
ONE VISIT is a story of abuse and drugs, poverty and neglect, and the dysfunctional family elements that breed generations into the same cycle of hardship and addiction. ONE VISIT is awash in British terminology, and Cockney street slang such that is may be difficult for anyone not familiar with the language and jargon. A dark, dramatic, gritty, raw and tragic story of survival, ONE VISIT is not for the faint of heart-a difficult read; with questionable, problematic and unlikeable characters.
Told from third person perspective ONE VISIT follows Frankie Gibbs, as he struggles to survive a life of abject poverty, drug addiction, abuse and years of neglect. With his ‘friends’ by his side, Frankie is in constant fear for his life, and the life of his younger brother, a life that is quickly spiraling out of control. His father in prison for abuse and neglect, and his brother forced into the child welfare system, Frankie discovers his life and his home are no longer his own, and a vicious attack all but leaves Frankie struggling to survive.
ONE VISIT is a story of abuse and drugs, poverty and neglect, and the dysfunctional family elements that breed generations into the same cycle of hardship and addiction. ONE VISIT is awash in British terminology, and Cockney street slang such that is may be difficult for anyone not familiar with the language and jargon. A dark, dramatic, gritty, raw and tragic story of survival, ONE VISIT is not for the faint of heart-a difficult read; with questionable, problematic and unlikeable characters.
April 2, 2024
I would venture to say that there aren’t many books written with a particular male reader in mind, but this would be one of them. The first chapter is all uneducated and unhygienic males discussing idleness, drunkenness, bed-wetting and brothels in a filthy (in every aspect) house. The reader is warned that the subject matter is ‘raw, shocking, disturbing and dark’, which is good because you know the sort of story you are going to get. The author seems to know these people intimately as he describes their mannerisms and speech patterns and reactions to situations, but the pace is so slow. The first scene finally moves from the grotty house to the grotty pool hall where, once again, the author describes the interaction between the characters with a high degree of authority over the way they speak and act. There are staccato sentences and full stops where there should be commas, and also spelling mistakes, but I doubt the people to whom this book would appeal would worry about such things. They may be happy to find a book that relates to their own life experiences, and that’s a good thing. We need books to suit all tastes.
April 13, 2024
I found 'One Visit' hard to read for a couple of reasons. Mostly because of the language which, as an Australian, I found hard to follow. The writing is descriptive, but the dialogue is full of terms and slang I didn't understand. Some of it makes sense in context, but I was often lost. There are a lot of characters and a lot of dialogue, so this made it harder to engage with the book.
The subject matter is also hard to read, but I was expecting that. Even so, it was more depressing than I thought with rampant drug use and neglect. Despite this, and what feels like a pervading threat of violence, there isn't actually a lot of violence which makes it all the more shocking when it occurs.
This book was a window into a different world, which is what interested me in choosing it, but the gritty realism proved quite heavy. There wasn't much resolution at the end, which leaves me interested in reading the next book to find out what happens to Frankie and Dazzler, but I think I'll need to let this one sit with me for a while first.
The subject matter is also hard to read, but I was expecting that. Even so, it was more depressing than I thought with rampant drug use and neglect. Despite this, and what feels like a pervading threat of violence, there isn't actually a lot of violence which makes it all the more shocking when it occurs.
This book was a window into a different world, which is what interested me in choosing it, but the gritty realism proved quite heavy. There wasn't much resolution at the end, which leaves me interested in reading the next book to find out what happens to Frankie and Dazzler, but I think I'll need to let this one sit with me for a while first.
December 18, 2024
This book was like reading Mark Twain in that the author wrote all the dialogue in Welsh slang much like Twain wrote his dialogue in various American dialects. To add to the effect, occasional sentences were entirely in Welsh which frustrated me some because I don’t understand a speck of the language.
The storyline is about a Welsh family of drug addicts consisting of a father, a nineteen-year-old son, and a twelve-year-old son. In the village where they dwell, drug addiction is rampant. The older son, Frankie, tries to resist the addict lifestyle but slowly gets deeper into it. At the same time, he does his best to protect his younger brother, Dazzler, from their abusive father. Unfortunately, as the book progresses, Dazzler also drifts into petty criminal activities. The story ends with a shocking crime.
This book is somewhat like "A Confederacy of Dunces" in that the plot is less important than showing the depressing lives of drug addicts, which the book does a fantastic job of describing. Overall, I found this book totally bizarre. If like weird, this book is for you!
The storyline is about a Welsh family of drug addicts consisting of a father, a nineteen-year-old son, and a twelve-year-old son. In the village where they dwell, drug addiction is rampant. The older son, Frankie, tries to resist the addict lifestyle but slowly gets deeper into it. At the same time, he does his best to protect his younger brother, Dazzler, from their abusive father. Unfortunately, as the book progresses, Dazzler also drifts into petty criminal activities. The story ends with a shocking crime.
This book is somewhat like "A Confederacy of Dunces" in that the plot is less important than showing the depressing lives of drug addicts, which the book does a fantastic job of describing. Overall, I found this book totally bizarre. If like weird, this book is for you!
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