Synopsis/blurb….
Eleanor's life is
rushing headlong towards the falls. Can she find a way to save herself?
A modern immorality
tale wrapped around a whodunnit set in a no-name Northern English
post-industrial town, NIAGARA is the first release of the Pankhearst Singles
Club. Small, but perfectly formed.
Another tale of domestic discontent – a mother trapped in an
abusive marriage, but with sufficient resolve and steel to plot and plan for a
time when she can flee the nest. Just as soon as the jam jar secreted in the
attic forms a big enough stake.
She walks 4 miles to town and trousers the £1.20 bus fare.
Reluctantly taking the bus back, because she’s laden down with the groceries. She
puts the squirreled fare in the jar. She takes another pound from the loose
change in her husband’s trousers while he sleeps off the drink. She puts it in
the jar. The jar grows, but she fears its discovery.
She takes small minuscule liberties when she can and
relishes the private victories.
When her teenage delinquent, drug-dealing son starts using
his own merchandise and begins replicating his father’s behaviour towards
Ellie; departure day just got that much closer.
Mother and daughter flee, leaving behind the men-folk to
battle it out – which they do.
Fast forward a few years and Ellie and daughter have fashioned
a new life. Imperfect, it may well be, but more on her own terms. Ellie’s a
survivor. As she looks back, there are regrets and a shock for this reader at
least.
Another satisfying tale from Miss Jennings.
Riding in Cars with
Girls was reviewed recently – here.
4 from 5
Thanks to the author for the Pankhurst single.
Catch more of
them over here.
Col, a bit too grim and realistic, maybe?
ReplyDeleteHmm, I really liked it, but yeah there's no cuddly bunny rabbits and cute soft toys or escapism here. Hard edged, brutal, unforgiving.....maybe.
DeleteThis sounds like a good read, Col, if gritty. Just from the description I like Ellie's determination to have some kind of life for herself. Glad you liked this.
ReplyDeleteMargot, I certainly thought so. The women in Evangeline's stories don't know when to quit.
DeleteI was so surprised to see this that I couldn't let it go by without saying Thanks. I'm really pleased you liked it.
ReplyDeleteWhen I wrote Niagara, I thought it was the bleakest thing I would ever write. But then I wrote No Christmas and the brand new one, which does have its dark moments.
I do have a lighter side though, I promise. I'm currently polishing a YA novel that is probably best described as Percy Jackson meets Lord of the Rings to the sound of the Ramones.
Thanks for stopping by, Evangeline.
DeleteNo need to apologise for your dark side, though I'll be interested to check out the other side of your writing as well.
With the title Niagara, I was expecting this to have a US setting, not a Northern English town. You're certainly doing a good job of making Ms Jennings sound like someone whose writings I must sample.
ReplyDeleteMoira, not tried them yet? What are you waiting for? Scally's unite!
DeleteI will try something from Riding in Cars with Girls first. This sounds pretty grim.
ReplyDeleteYou may well be write, but apparently it's not her grimmest, Tracy!
Delete