8 Aug 2017

ANOTHER PLACE.

ANOTHER PLACE by MATTHEW CROW.

PUBLICITY RELEASE >>>

An Atom Book. Published 3rd August 2017. Paperback Original and Ebook/ 7.99

BOOK BLURB >>> In a strange, sad seaside town, one girl is trying to put herself back together and another girl has gone missing. Equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, Another Place is a novel about friendship, family - and the meaning of home.

Sixteen-year-old Claudette Flint is coming home from hospital after an escalating depression left her unable to cope. Released into the care of her dad, she faces the daunting task of putting herself back together. She has been told she must set small goals for each day; larger ones for each week; and one significant thing to aim for. These are the steps toward finding herself back at who she has been.

Meanwhile, the close-knit community of her seaside town seems to be unspooling in the wake of the sudden disappearance of one of her school mates, Sarah. Everyone knew Sarah; and at the same time, nobody knew her at all. But Claudette can understand her in ways that others didn't. Of the steps toward finding herself, she knows what should be her one overarching aim: finding Sarah. 

As the police investigate and the press digs around for dirt, small-town scandals start to surface. Then there's Jacob; displaced to their coastal yet claustrophobic existence from his searching travels across, Europe, China, Thailand. From everywhere, and also nowhere.

Claudette must do everything in her power to keep her head above water - and to learn whether everything that has been lost, can somehow be found.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR >>> Matthew Crow was born in 1987 and raised in Newcastle. Having worked as a freelance journalist since his teens he has contributed to a number of publications including the Independent on Sunday and the Observer. He has written two novels for adults. The second, My Dearest Jonah, was nominated for the Dylan Thomas Prize. In Bloom, his first book for young adults, was published in 2013 to critical acclaim, and was nominated for CILIP Carnegie Medal.

Follow Matthew on Twitter:@mizzlecrizzle

FIRST SENTENCE/MEMORABLE MOMENT: An Uncorrected Proof Copy. As such I am unable to reproduce any of the book. TT

SOURCE: An unsolicited copy, sender unknown.

READ FOR?: Not applicable

MY THOUGHTS: A book that, had I just read the synopsis and not known the name Matthew Crow, I might have thought twice about reading as, feeling too convoluted, it didn't exactly shout 'read me'. However, having loved the author's previous YA novel (In Bloom), his name spoke volumes.

A wonderful small town setting. Some would say close-knits, others, claustrophobic. The unravelling of its community, its small-town secrets slowly but surely surfacing. 

All beautifully written and yes, the author seems to 'get' depression. But ...

Perhaps too many 'lost' people who disappointingly weren't as connected as I had at first thought. Perhaps, flipping between the past and present, the story didn't always flow as well as it might. Or is it merely as simple as that whilst I was able to empathise with main characters, Claudette and her dad (who wouldn't?) they just didn't tug at my heartstrings in the way that the characters in In Bloom did? 

Either way, despite this being a novel I really, really wanted to like, I'm afraid it fell a tad short of the mark for me personally.



14 comments:

Gina said...

Aww, shucks! I had high hopes for it too after the synopsis (reached out to me, but not quite a grab) and that cover. Still perhaps I'll look into the other title you mentioned, see what that's so about.

Kelly said...

I'm sorry it fell short for you. That's especially disappointing when the author is one you've enjoyed before.

I'm afraid even the blurb left me worrying it would be too depressing for me at this juncture in life.

Yvonne @ Fiction Books Reviews said...

Hi Tracy,

I started reading this premise with intrigue and interest, as it seemed to have all the makings of a good psychological thriller, despite Claudette's mental health issues.

But then Jacob suddenly appears on the scene and I couldn't make out who he is or why he is there ... lost interest pretty quickly after that, so not one for me!

Opinion is definitely divided in the reviews for this one, but thanks for your usual honesty :)

Yvonne

Suko said...

Tracy, I appreciate your honest review, as always. In Bloom sounds like a better choice for me.

Brian Joseph said...

I find that sometimes when I love a book by an author, it sets expectations very high. Thus, sometimes subsequent reads are a bit disappointing.

The examination of depression, does sound interesting.

Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer said...

Sometimes the flipping back and forth from past to present creates a disconnect for me.

Anonymous said...

Tracy,
I, too appreciate your honesty.
But after reading your beautiful
review of In Bloom, I add will
it to my list.
Raven

Barbara said...

I’ve not read In Bloom or anything else by Matthew Crow, so I might give Another Place a try. I went through a period of severe depression some years ago, and I’ve never forgotten how it feels. It would be interesting to see if that feeling is conveyed in this story. Thanks for another excellent review.

Mary (Bookfan) said...

Really appreciate your even-handed review. It has to be a challenge for an author to meet readers' hopes and expectations after a well-received book. Hopefully the next offering will reach that bar.

So many books, so little time said...

I think this is one of those if I come across It I will read it but not actively search for it. I think as Brian said, when you have loved a book or books by an author it sets the bar really high xxx

Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net

Literary Feline said...

I love small town settings--maybe because I've never lived in one. I like the sound of this one and may have to give it a try. I'm sorry it fell short if the mark for you, Tracy.

Alexia561 said...

Sorry that this one didn't hit the mark for you. Doesn't sound like my type of story either, but appreciated your honest take. Hope your next read is more to your liking!

Stephanie@Fairday's Blog said...

Aw- Sorry you didn't enjoy this one more. I do think the cover is eye-catching. Thanks for sharing. :)

Karen said...

That's too bad.It does sound interesting but I'm curious how it's hilarious when it's about a girl gone missing and depression/claustrophobia.

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