This month for Book Club - I am reviewing, The Trouble With Goats And Sheep by Joanna Cannon
I am going to be completely honest in my review. I did struggle with this book. But I don't like 'giving up' on books, particulary when I have so much free time!
Set in the 1970's this book is part whodunnit, told through the eyes of ten year old Grace. Grace is wise beyond her years and takes on the task of amateur detective with her friend Tilly. I loved Grace's astute attitude to life and with her little friend Tilly in tow, they set out to unpick the mystery behind the disappearance of their neighbour. Learning some valuable life lessons and unlocking some skeletons in the closets along the way.
I devoured the chapters where Grace is in narration. It was a nostalgic read and I was really captivated by these two characters. But I did struggle when there were other characters in voice. While the plot was fairly simple, there were many characters and I did struggle with that a bit.
Being a child of the 1970's and especially enjoying stories told from a child perspective, it should have been a story I relished to read and feel real disappointment that it didn't really hit the mark for me.
I can only really put my despondence down to the fact that the week I started this book, coincided with the week that UK Government placed movement restrictions on all residents of the UK who are non-keyworkers due to the Coronavirus. My head was whizzing with worry and apprehension through a few chapters and I never really found again my flow. I was hoping for a bit of escapism, but given the enormity of Lockdown I was possibly asking too much from a book.
I had previously read Three Things About Elsie by the same Author and absolutely loved that. So I had high hopes.
Hopefully following last night's announcement from The Prime Minister and we look for another 'new normal' I might be able to concentrate better on the following book choice!
Next up is...
The Telephone Box Library by Rachael Lucas. Click to buy.
