#ThatTheyMightLovelyBe #DavidMatthews #BlogTour #Review




THAT THEY MIGHT LOVELY BE
by David Matthews

*My thanks to David Matthews, Top Hat Books and Frances Teehan for the advance copy of this novel and an opportunity to take part in the Blog Tour*

Hettie Jackson was not a woman who could afford to look a fool but, as she hurried back to the rectory, it came upon her more and more forcefully that she had really witnessed something remarkable which once made known could only - surely - rebound on her credit: a boy of ten or eleven whom the whole village know to be dumb, if not an idiot, had been heard to sing a hymn in God's house on the eve of Easter. It was a sturdy miracle. And she was the sole witness of it.

And so begins this beautifully written story about Bertie Simmonds, the boy that nobody thought could speak. In revealing this 'miraculous' ability to sing, Bertie also unwittingly awakens questions, forgotten pasts and repressed emotions as the truth about him begins to take shape. This is a story that shifts between decades, moving between the Inter War years and back to the First World War as it explores the life of the Simmonds' family and explores themes of love, class, conflict and war. 

David Matthews is clearly an accomplished writer. From the opening of the story, the village in Kent is so well evoked and the characters so well drawn, the dialogue so well depicted and the social attitudes so well conveyed, that it is impossible not to become completely immersed in the world in which the story takes place. There have got to be comparisons made between Matthews' writing and authors such as Anthony Trollope, John Mortimer and Sebastian Faulks; not only because of the thoughtful and considered description of society, but also in the depth, pacing and structure of the novel. 

This is a very readable story; there are no barriers in accessing the events, emotions or feelings of the characters. The historical detail is subtly interwoven and the use of dialogue and pertinent details of the characters places the reader effortlessly within the social and political context. It is a great compliment to Matthews' skill as an author that he is able to write about such an interesting, challenging and fascinating period in history with such effectiveness and ease. Matthews clearly has a love for language and imagery and his descriptions are exquisite. There is a fluency to his prose and it is an absorbing read. 

There is quite a large cast of characters but Matthews is able to establish them all as individuals. He explores the dynamics and relationships between them all in detail, allowing his reader to really feel the emotion, poignancy, despair and sadness of each of them more effectively, giving his novel more depth, gravitas and meaning. This is often counter balanced with the interjection of minor characters or brisk dialogue to ensure that the plot is well structured and always engaging. I enjoyed the use of letters, not only did this work from a structural point of view, but it allowed Matthews to capture the feelings of the characters more powerfully and reveal them to the reader in a way which had more impact and was more heartbreaking. There is a definite need for pause and reflection when reading some of the sections in this novel. 

The descriptions of war were again, very powerful. Not only is the author able to vividly depict the scenes of war with huge effect but he also explores the emotional and psychological impact of war. His interest goes beyond what they witness but how this affects the characters and their futures. All things considered, this is an ambitious novel but one that reflects Matthews assured talent as a literary writer. 

This is an historical novel but it is also about love, uncertainty and change. If you are interested in human nature, the impact of choices on the lives of individuals and issues of class and prejudice then this is the novel for you. If you love to read a book which is full of exposition and thoughtful description then this is the book for you. It is an immersive read, raising questions and taking the reader on a journey that is tender, sad, painful and poignant. It's impressive. 

That They Might Lovely Be was published by Top Hat Books on 8th December 2017. 


DAVID MATTHEWS


David Matthews taught English for twenty two years and was a Head Teacher for eleven. He divides his time between family life in Croydon and renovating a cottage in south-west France. 



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