Prospects by Kate Wilson - #bookreview #blogtour

 

The brunchers sit at sun drenched tables, measuring out their lives in green juices and matcha lattes, ordering egg white omelettes with half an avocado on the side. "Is this a California avocado?"

***

Arriving in Los Angeles intent on helping an unwell friend, our narrator contemplates the powerful magnetism of California. Like the gold-diggers, the health-seekers and the movie moguls before her, she had come to the state as a young woman to seek her fortune in ‘the industry’, but her dreams were not fulfilled.

What had become of the men who did not strike gold, those who could not be cured of their ailments, the ones who did not find fame? Where are the failures? Where are the women like her?

Before leaving London, her brother had said, “Most people would give an arm or a leg for a month in LA to revisit their youth. You are willing to give a kidney.”

Perhaps he was right. There are no heroes.

***

This book is set in Los Angeles, and the place is every bit as important as the plot or characters.

It is a thought provoking novel which poses some interesting questions, and considers some challenging themes. For example, what happens to those whose dreams have led them to LA and have then failed in their realisation?

The narrator, who is referred to as She throughout the book, highlights the realities of chasing her dreams as a young woman seeking to find fame in the film industry in Los Angeles. The book follows her experiences as she realises that her dreams will not be fulfilled. 

The book also has much to say on the #MeToo movement, as the narrator tells the reader of the sexual harrassment she has endured in trying to succeed in the film industry. 

The time span in the book moves between the past and the present. We find the narrator in the present day back in Los Angeles as a kidney donor. This process unleashes further complications and challenges that the narrator has to face.

It has been well written and is concise at just over 200 pages. It may be short novel but has much to recommend it.

ISBN: 978 1788648899

Publisher:  Cinnamon Press

Formats:  e-book and paperback

No. of Pages:  214 (paperback)

About the Author:

Kate Wilson is a writer and activist, and Prospects is her first novel.  

She has worked in the film industry for more than 25 years and is a co-founder of the Call It! which enables film and TV industry workers to report incidents of harassment, bullying and abuse to executives or senior producers on their sets. Bosses receive an anonymised, top-level overview of what happened.

She lives in London with her daughters. 

(book and media courtesy of Read Maxwell Communications)

Reading Roundup for May 2023

 

May began as spring but now feels like early summer. I am thrilled that I have been able to sit outside with a book a few times. There is something about reading outside that I love. Hearing the birds sing, the sunshine on my face and nature all around me.

The eagle eyed amongst you may have noticed that I have joined the affiliate programme with Bookshop.org. I like this website because it means that every sale made via my page means that money goes towards supporting independent booksellers, and I receive a small commission too. If you would like to see my shop front then please click on the link https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/LeftontheShelf. It is still a work in progress, and I am adding new books daily so please do pop over there and take a look from time to time.

It has been a good reading month too. So without further ado, here is my reading roundup for May.

Books I Have Read

The Devil's Glove by Lucretia Grindle - I only finished this last night. My review will be up on Friday as part of the blog tour.

The Girls of Summer by Katie Bishop - This book was my favourite this month and you can read my review by clicking here.  You can buy this book from Bookshop.org *

The Stories Grandma Forgot (and How I Found Them) by Nadine Aisha Jassat - This was a lovely book for middle grade children about a twelve year old girl who helps care for her grandmother who has Altzeimers. You can read my review by clicking here.   You can buy this book from Bookshop.org *

Maybe It's About Time by Neil Boss - This was almost my favourite of the month. Set during the pandemic it tells of the experiences of two very different people. It is well worth reading and you can read my review by clicking here.   You can buy this book from Bookshop.org *

A Mother's War by Helen Parusel - I enjoyed this WWII novel very much. It is set in Norway during the German Occupation. You can find my review of this book by clicking here.

The Foundling by Stacey Halls - I read this as the book of the month with the book group that I lead. I really liked this historical novel and you can find my review by clicking here.   You can buy this book from Bookshop.org *

Lyrics for the Loved Ones by Anne Goodwin - This is a sequel to Matilda Windsor is Coming Home and is excellent. You can read my review by clicking here. 

The Keeper of Stories by Sally Page - This was a delightful read which I highly recommend. You can read my review by clicking here.   You can buy this book from Bookshop.org *

Henry VIII: The Heart and the Crown by Alison Weir - I can guarantee that when I pick up a book by this author I am going to love it. This lived up to my expectations in every way. You can find my review by clicking here.   You can buy this book from Bookshop.org *

A Stepney Girl's Secret by Jean Fullerton - I enjoy a good saga set during WWII and this one was very good. You can read my review by clicking here.    You can buy this book from Bookshop.org *

Straight Expectations by Calum McSwiggan - I read this YA title as part of a blog tour and it was an excellent read. You can find my review by clicking here.   You can buy this book from Bookshop.org *

Through Three Rooms by Sven Elvestad - This novella is part of the Asbjorn Krag series and has recently been translated from Norwegian. You can find my review by clicking here.

James I: The King Who United Scotland and England by Keith Coleman - This non-fiction title was informative and interesting and I recommend it. You can read my review by clicking here.  You can buy the book from Bookshop.org *

Books I Did Not Finish

The Shadow in the Glass by J.J.A. Harwood - There was nothing really wrong with this book but it just was not working for me when I had so many other books waiting to be read. Don't let that put you off though as it was not a bad book.  You can buy this book from Bookshop.org *

Hannah Mary Tabbs and the Disembodied Torso by Kali Nicole Gro - The only reason that I did not finish this book is because I had to take it back to the library.   You can buy this book from Bookshop.org *

Books I am Partway Through

Unorthodox Love by Heidi Shertok

Hope is a Woman's Name by Amal Elsana Alh'jooj

*Disclosure: I only recommend books I would buy myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post contains an affiliate link from which I may earn a small commission.

(header photo courtesy of Unsplash)

The Girls of Summer by Katie Bishop - #BookReview

 

It's TOO HOT to be outside for long. Sweat is starting to dampen my scalp, thickening in the roots of my hair and pooling in the crevices of my collar bone. My t-shirt sticks to my spine and my arms are tinged pink, an ungainly line of skin beginning to blister along the top of my thigh in the almost unseasonable blaze of sun. I curl my toes into the damp sand and feel the sharpness of a small shell against the sole of my foot.

Please, don't let him have left without me, I think, I'll do anything. I need him to come for me.

From my spot on the sand I can just make out the dock. Rising out of the sea is the rickety wooden platform where I disembarked months ago, seasick and tired...

***

Rachel has loved Alistair since she was seventeen.

Even though she hasn't seen him for sixteen years and she's now married to someone else.

Even though she was a teenager when they met.

Even though he is almost twenty years older than her.

Now in her thirties, Rachel has never been able to forget their golden summer together on a remote, sun-trapped Greek island. But as dark and deeply suppressed memories rise to the surface, Rachel begins to understand that Alistair - and the enigmatic, wealthy man he worked for - controlled much more than she ever realized.

Rachel has never once considered herself a victim - until now.

***

This is such a powerful novel that I hardly know where to begin. It is a book that is highly relevant to todays society and to the #MeToo campaign. 

Written in chapters alternately titled 'Then' and 'Now' it is a story of manipulation, control and deception. Consequently, it does not always make for comfortable reading. That said, the author treats the subject with sensitivity.

The main character, Rachel, is an innocent abroad and cannot see how she and her friends were being lured into a situation that they had not anticipated. She, in particular, becomes completely embroiled in the attentions of Alaistair, a man twenty years her senior, and is completely blind to the situation that is playing out around her. 

The descriptions of the stunning scenery were beautiful and a distinct contrast to the dark theme of the story. However, with the story being told from the perspective of Rachel, to whom life appeared wonderful, it is important that the author was able to portray her view of the surroundings and relationships. 

As the reader, I flitted between wanting to hug Rachel to giving her a strong wake up call. I was completely absorbed in the book and found Rachel a frustrating character. Her inability to later comprehend what had happened to her, how she had been used and abused and how she let this impact her future life in the way that she did made me feel rather exasperated with her at times. 

This is a sedately paced and atmospheric novel which is sufficiently compelling to ensure that I was fully engaged by the story. It has been well written and is an excellent debut from Ms. Bishop.

ISBN:  978 1787636002

Publisher:  Bantam

Formats:  e-book and hardback

No. of Pages:  353 (hardback)

Support Independent Bookshops - Buy from Bookshop.org *

About the Author:

Katie Bishop is a writer and journalist based in Birmingham, UK. She grew up in the Midlands before moving to Oxford to work in publishing in her early twenties.

Whilst working as an assistant editor she started writing articles in her spare time, going on to be published in the New York Times, Guardian, Independent and Vogue.

Katie started writing The Girls of Summer during the first UK COVID lockdown, after becoming increasingly interested in stories emerging from the #MeToo movement.

The novel is inspired by her own experiences of backpacking, and by her interest in how personal narratives can be reshaped and understood in light of cultural and social changes.

In 2020, Katie moved back to the Midlands, and now lives in Birmingham with her partner. She is a full-time writer.

(book courtesy of the publisher)

(Author photo and information courtesy of the author's website https://www.katiebishopwrites.com/)

Support Independent Bookshops - Buy from - Bookshop.org*

*Disclosure: I only recommend books I would buy myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post contains an affiliate link from which I may earn a small commission.