Mel's Online Book Club: The Generation Game By Sophie Duffy

Titles are important to me. As an author I find it necessary to choose a title I can work to: one that defines the theme of the book I’m writing. As a reader, I look to see how those themes unfold.

THE SINS OF THE FATHER

A DEBUT NOVEL

The Generation Game was published as the result of it having won the Luke Bitmead Writer’s Bursary in 2011. It was an engaging story which, without being maudlin, accurately and endearingly portrayed the angst and insecurity of childhood and adolescence. If I have one criticism, it is the lack of setting. Although parts of Torquay were mentioned by name, little was made of the dramatic landscape. Where an accomplished author might draw upon the descriptive power of a storm at sea, or the soft rolling hills surrounding Torbay to portray mood and ambience, Sophie Duffy left me, at times, with the feeling that her story was floating in a no-man’s land.

THE TWIST AT THE END

Humour abounds throughout the book. And although, early on I found the style of wit slightly irritating, I was soon far too engrossed in the shenanigans of Helena, Bob, Bernie and Auntie Sheila to notice. Unusually, for me, I was gratifyingly surprised when the denouement came. Foreshadowing there may have been, but it was cleverly done and - as should be the case - it was only discernible with hindsight. A cracking good read, the book has even nudged my husband into the 21st century as he’s pinched my Kindle and is avidly reliving his own teenage years in Torquay.

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© Copyright Mel Menzies: USED BY PERMISSION Author of a number of books, one a Sunday Times No 4 Bestseller, Mel Menzies runs an Online Book Club and is also an experienced Speaker at live events, as well as on Radio and TV. This article, in its original form, can be found at http://www.melmenzies.co.uk