Twice-Caught by Syd McGinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great follow up to "Out of the Woods"!

Any book told from the point of view of a protagonist who is not privy to all the facts but relies on his inherent common sense will create a skewed view of the world he inhabits. So it continues to be with Tarin.

Underlying the continuing charming story about Twice Caught and Beak-Face there is a depiction of a society where one sector is kept ignorant, and kept in their place even though they are cherished. This makes an interesting parallel with our own world (in different parts and at different times) if you translate "boys" to "women". Not that I'm suggesting that is the point of the story, but the problems that can occur when one sector is artificially kept down definitely resonates.

Yes, the men are harsh, paternalistic and at times stupid but not intentionally so. Over time, the changes that are already happening - thanks to Tarin's catalytic arrival in their midst - will continue to improve the way they think and operate. You can see the officers beginning to see flaws in the way they opertae already. So, unlike some reviewers, I don't "hate" the men. Most of their mistakes and faults stem from ignorance.

But are they the oppressors? Or is it the Mothers who deliberately keep them in a state of borderline survival, forcing them to co-operate and find their own solutions?

Bad-Egg Jadon was an over the top villain (again seen through the eyes of one very biased boy) so it will be interesting to see what sort of character will provide the conflict should there be a further book in the series.

I see lots of potential for future stories both for our hero and other characters. Especially now Tarin has gypsy status. I, for one, would love to learn more about his world and how it came to be as devastated as it is. Anyway, I'm sure he'll have to find a cow, even if it's only so he can eat truly great pizza.

While you read, take the time to unravel all the different references to our culture in the books, songs, nursery rhymes, stories, terms. That's half the fun.

Once again, Syd has delivered with a book that satisfies on so many levels. A heart-warming love story, a fascinating world, an interesting look at the ways society operates along with so many distinct and interesting characters.

The book is also a great example of what can be done with limited viewpoint. We don't have to be in every character's heads to work out what they're like. Not that Tarin tells us outright, once again, the clues are there in what he sees and hears, it's up to the reader, using a more experienced view of life to interpret the clues and detect the real nature of the character.

"Twice Caught" caught me. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down and when I finally did, my biggest reaction was relief and satisfaction that Syd hadn't let me down.

(What is even better is that, unlike with "Out of the Woods", I didn't notice and typo's!)



View all my reviews

Mimosa by Syd McGinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Syd McGinley's Dr Fell series, so decided to read a few of her other books. "Mimosa" was written in 2005, making it one of her earlier books.

While not perfect, Mimosa is definitely worth reading. It can be confusing as it does jump around time wise, so the reader has to pay attention. Sometimes this jumping happens mid paragraph and can even morph into another memory of a different time as the POV character, Nick, tries to come to term with his past after he has an argument with his boyfriend.

The story is told by reveal. We only gradually learn who Nick is, what he looks like and his problem. Take the time to let this information be teased out just like roots of a pot-bound plant. What may look like haphazard facts do straighten out into a logical story, much like Nick's coming to terms with his past and what is more important conveying these to his lover, Matt.

The story starts with a memory of an argument they had the previous night, as Matt delivers what to Nick feels is an ultimatum:

“It’s spring, Nick. We’ve been seeing each other a year. Don’t you think you’ve stayed buried long enough? Come on back to life with me, please?”

A lot of the next part of the story is Nick remembering what brought them to that point. The highs and the lows and eventually the reason he has been "holding out" on his lover is revealed to Matt and the reader.

Yes there is the Big Misunderstanding and in fact Syd even alludes to that in the text:

I always thought farce movies were stupid, “Say what you mean!” I’ve been known to yell at the screen (at home, I’m not a yob) so this misunderstanding is justice, I suppose.

But this in a way reflects his fear of communicating what he's been trying to forget and ignore.

The random memories which are each triggered by an action or word in the current time do make sense and reflect how our minds work. It's an ambitious format. Brave. One of those books it's worth re-reading immediately after finishing to fully appreciate it.


View all my reviews