Book description
'A considerable achievement ... one of the more authentic debuts I've read in recent years ... in such an understated manner, eschewing linguistic eccentricity ... in favour of genuine characters and tender feeling...this is a fine novel.' John Boyne, Irish Times
'Poised and perceptive' the Sunday Times
'It's funny and…
Why read it?
1 author picked Holding as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
Graham Norton, the popular talk-show host, is witty and a bit OTT. I expected that any book by him would be equally funny and silly. And I felt like a light, amusing read. What a surprise! I found myself reading about troubled, lonely characters. Norton demonstrates a deep understanding of them and love for them.
The very overweight police Sergeant, for instance, isn’t treated as a joke, as overweight characters so often are, but portrayed as a sweet, loving, hurt man. All the characters have similar depth. There is a humorous observation of Irish village life, but nevertheless, the story…
If you love Holding...
December on 5C4
Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!
On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…
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