Bettie's Books

bookshelves: debut, cults-societies-brotherhoods, religion, summer-2014, families, contemporary, chick-lit, overwrought, abandoned, slit-yer-wrists-gloomy, published-2014, radio-4, snoozefest, north-americas, next, newtome-author, lifestyles-deathstyles

BABT

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04d8dvt

Description: This is the story of what happens when Issy Bradley dies.

It is the story of Ian - husband, father, maths teacher and Mormon bishop - and his unshakeable belief that everything will turn out all right if he can only endure to the end, like the pioneers did. It is the story of his wife Claire's lonely wait for a sign from God and her desperate need for life to pause while she comes to terms with what's happened.

It is the story of the agony and hope of Zippy Bradley's first love, the story of Alma Bradley's cynicism and reluctant bravery, and it is the story of seven-year-old Jacob. But mostly it's the story of a family trying to work out how to carry on when their world has fallen apart.

Incredibly moving, unexpectedly funny and sharply observed, A Song for Issy Bradley, explores the outer reaches of doubt and faith. Author Carys Bray was brought up in a devout Mormon family. In her early thirties she left the church and replaced religion with writing. She was awarded the Scott prize for her debut short story collection Sweet Home. A Song for Issy Bradley is her first novel.

1/10 It is little Jacob's birthday, and he wants all the family to have breakfast together.

2/10 Claire is trying to keep control of Jacob's birthday party, and Issy says she feels unwell

3/10 Issy has been rushed to hospital suffering from meningitis. She is in critical condition.

4/10 It is Issy's funeral, but little Jacob is hatching a plan to make everything better.

It wouldn't be the first time that my reticence would be proven unfounded and it was that reasoning that I embarked upon this Book at Bedtime insert. Unfortunately it was as dismal as the description makes out, a real playing on the heart-strings. It is fair to say I am not the target audience here. Abandoned at 40%


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