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A review by melc
Pity by Andrew McMillan
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
For such a short novel this is very layered and develops a lot of complex themes.
The sense of place is portrayed well deftly evoking a detailed immersion into this Yorkshire town for the reader. Barnsley was definitely another character in this book as McMillan explores identity as one of his themes. We are taken on a parallel journey into what shapes the identity of a town and equally how our characters are reconciled (or not) to express who they really are.
The discussion about history was of particular interest to me. How history is oppressive, hard to break free from and prejudices judgements. History is subjective. True freedom comes from acknowledging what has happened in our past, both good and bad and reshaping it making new commentary and paths to a different future.
The mining passages in this novel were beautiful and poetic. The references to Thatcher and the effects of the 80s politics particularly on the north having repercussions forty years later, was powerfully shown. The characters were interesting and nuanced. There was a lot packed into this novel and for me not all of it was fully developed and could have been taken further giving us more to the stories of the lives in this book. But this was impressive and will leave me with plenty of food for thought.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
The sense of place is portrayed well deftly evoking a detailed immersion into this Yorkshire town for the reader. Barnsley was definitely another character in this book as McMillan explores identity as one of his themes. We are taken on a parallel journey into what shapes the identity of a town and equally how our characters are reconciled (or not) to express who they really are.
The discussion about history was of particular interest to me. How history is oppressive, hard to break free from and prejudices judgements. History is subjective. True freedom comes from acknowledging what has happened in our past, both good and bad and reshaping it making new commentary and paths to a different future.
The mining passages in this novel were beautiful and poetic. The references to Thatcher and the effects of the 80s politics particularly on the north having repercussions forty years later, was powerfully shown. The characters were interesting and nuanced. There was a lot packed into this novel and for me not all of it was fully developed and could have been taken further giving us more to the stories of the lives in this book. But this was impressive and will leave me with plenty of food for thought.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.