Book Title: A Station on the Path to Somewhere Better
Author: Benjamin Wood
Genre: Contemporary
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Source: Netgalley
Goodreads, Amazon UK
Plot: The acclaimed author of The Ecliptic, Benjamin Wood writes a novel of exceptional force and beauty about the bond between fathers and sons, about the invention and reconciliation of self – weaving a haunting story of violence and love.
For 20 years, Daniel Hardesty has borne the emotional scars of a childhood trauma which he is powerless to undo, which leaves him no peace.
One August morning in 1995, the young Daniel and his estranged father Francis – a character of ‘two weathers’, of irresistible charm and roiling self-pity – set out on a road trip to the North that seems to represent a chance to salvage their relationship. But with every passing mile, the layers of Fran’s mendacity and desperation are exposed, pushing him to acts of violence that will define the rest of his son’s life.
I got a review copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
What did I think?
4.5 Stars.
I devoured this in one long afternoon. I simply couldn't put it down. This book is like a punch to the gut. It wrecked me. It stayed with me. It's utterly visceral and unnerving.
I loved every second of it.
This is one of those books that should be experienced blind. A sense of doom and tragedy seeps through the pages from the very beginning.
The book is told from the point of view of twelve year old Daniel, who is on a road trip with his father, travelling north to visit a film set his father works at. Thanks to this series Daniel has formed a bond with his estranged father, and he's obsessed with it. That's why his mother reluctantly agreed to this road trip. Slowly, the author reveals the relationship between the characters and unveils the father's erratic, unreliable and unpredictable personality.
Benjamin Wood's prose is beautiful; the style is detailed, poetic. He excels at writing with the voice of a twelve year old boy, and the book is tense and chilling throughout, with just the right amount of foreshadowing.
A Station on the Path to Somewhere Better is dark, violent and it depicts trauma accurately. Recommended to anyone who thinks the premise sounds interesting.
What did I think?
4.5 Stars.
I devoured this in one long afternoon. I simply couldn't put it down. This book is like a punch to the gut. It wrecked me. It stayed with me. It's utterly visceral and unnerving.
I loved every second of it.
This is one of those books that should be experienced blind. A sense of doom and tragedy seeps through the pages from the very beginning.
The book is told from the point of view of twelve year old Daniel, who is on a road trip with his father, travelling north to visit a film set his father works at. Thanks to this series Daniel has formed a bond with his estranged father, and he's obsessed with it. That's why his mother reluctantly agreed to this road trip. Slowly, the author reveals the relationship between the characters and unveils the father's erratic, unreliable and unpredictable personality.
Benjamin Wood's prose is beautiful; the style is detailed, poetic. He excels at writing with the voice of a twelve year old boy, and the book is tense and chilling throughout, with just the right amount of foreshadowing.
A Station on the Path to Somewhere Better is dark, violent and it depicts trauma accurately. Recommended to anyone who thinks the premise sounds interesting.
I do think the premise sounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an emotional read, but one that I would appreciate. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention!
I hope you'll like it!
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