This powerful set of short stories is typical of David Almond. All set
in his childhood village; some are charming, some are dark, all are
thought provoking.
The stories are beautifully crafted, most with an edge. The descriptions are
captivating, spinning the place in which they're set in such vivid detail that you
can picture it perfectly. It makes everything else seem so real that you become
attached to the characters, you feel as if they are actual people - not fictitious at
all. In part this must be because they are inspired by people the author once
knew, as you learn from the start of each story.
The autobiographical introductions are very interesting, allowing you an
insight into the thought process of the author as he was writing. They also
provide a bit of background information for each story, which really makes
them come alive.
I particularly enjoyed 'May Malone'. The ending is particularly good- not
terribly satisfying, but it gave a promise that the future would be better for all
the characters.
Throughout the book there is an aspect that normally doesn't appear much in
modern books - religion. The emphasis on it, and the changing views, are all
shown within the stories. I found this very interesting, mainly because it is
about the changing of this deep rooted faith, about the traditions of it.
I really enjoyed this book; it's perfect to dip into, and read and re-read. There's
so much depth that you feel more and more involved with every page, until you
can see the streets as well as if it was your town, and all the people as if you knew
them well.
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