Two summers in Amsterdam. The first: fourteen year old Joe Salt, obsessed with clouds and falcons and perplexed by humans. His aunt Nel, a chaotic artist with two lovers. The second, fifteen years later: a family secret, which makes sense of everything, and pushes Joe to breaking point...
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Bikerchick
Format:Paperback
Finding the beauty in dysfunction is a hard task but Fiona Robyn has managed to achieve just that. Her characters are warm and engaging and I quickly grew very fond of Joe, in spite of (or maybe even because of) his imperfections. Now I've finished the book I find that I miss him.
The story unfolds languidly, which isn't to say that the plot is slow, more that there is a pleasurably relaxed flow to it. Indeed, I completely lost myself in it for some time, then "came to" and had almost forgotten that I wasn't actually a voyeur in Amsterdam.
There is a whole gamut of emotion here: tenderness, frustration, humour, anger, all cleverly captured in language that demonstrates clearly without being obvious. A classic example of show, don't tell. There are unexpected twists and the final reveal (and the reason for the title) had me in tears, mourning the loss of something that never really was coupled with regret that it could never be.
I loved this book. I will read it many more times.
The story unfolds languidly, which isn't to say that the plot is slow, more that there is a pleasurably relaxed flow to it. Indeed, I completely lost myself in it for some time, then "came to" and had almost forgotten that I wasn't actually a voyeur in Amsterdam.
There is a whole gamut of emotion here: tenderness, frustration, humour, anger, all cleverly captured in language that demonstrates clearly without being obvious. A classic example of show, don't tell. There are unexpected twists and the final reveal (and the reason for the title) had me in tears, mourning the loss of something that never really was coupled with regret that it could never be.
I loved this book. I will read it many more times.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Lolephine
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This was the first novel I have read by this author and I look forward to backtracking....it was a very moving read.
Joe, who is just 14 yrs old when we meet him and engage with him at his Aunts place in Amsterdam, quickly endears himself speaking directly and openly to us. The relationship which develops between the reader and Joe inevitably becomes intimate.
As with a previous reviewer I made the assumption that Joe has autism (from various clues) but even later in the book this is never clarified. Is it important to know? No I think I agree with Fiona Robins. Labels can be insidious. I enjoy meeting this boy, who moves into manhood, with his own unique personality and without prejudgment. In my opinion this was the message of the novel. Joe is different but so are you and so am I. Let us love one another because of our differences - not in spite of them.
Fiona writes with great perception and sensitivity. Intense observational skills and an eye for detail kept my attention and interest.
You won't be disappointed!
Joe, who is just 14 yrs old when we meet him and engage with him at his Aunts place in Amsterdam, quickly endears himself speaking directly and openly to us. The relationship which develops between the reader and Joe inevitably becomes intimate.
As with a previous reviewer I made the assumption that Joe has autism (from various clues) but even later in the book this is never clarified. Is it important to know? No I think I agree with Fiona Robins. Labels can be insidious. I enjoy meeting this boy, who moves into manhood, with his own unique personality and without prejudgment. In my opinion this was the message of the novel. Joe is different but so are you and so am I. Let us love one another because of our differences - not in spite of them.
Fiona writes with great perception and sensitivity. Intense observational skills and an eye for detail kept my attention and interest.
You won't be disappointed!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By KittyKate
Format:Paperback
This is the second of Fiona's books I have read and it did not disappoint. Her ability to write the thoughts of another person with such detail and realism is truly engrossing and I will soon be devouring her other two novels.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Dry, plodding and leaves unpleasant taste in mouth
There is something self-conscious and pretentious about this book and its blurb. There is an 'evangelical' flavour to the author's patronising notes in the back pages... Read more
Published 28 days ago by Tilly Thumb
4.0 out of 5 stars
Tough read at the start is well worth it for the finish
The Most Beautiful Thing was tough at first I must admit, but the good reviews I had read spurred me on to give the book a real chance. Well..... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Victoria Adams
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly recommend
This is a fantastic book, I could not put it down. It was a compelling story, beautifully written. I highly recommend this.
Published 5 months ago by LPness
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully written AND a real page turner!
This is the second book I've read by Fiona Robyn. I loved "The Letters" and "The Most Beautiful Thing" is even better. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Kate Bacon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really good book
The book arrived fairly promptly. I really enjoyed it. Characters totally believable and quite 'different'. A good story with unexpected twists.
Published 11 months ago by Maureen
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Most Beautiful Thing
The Most Beautiful Thing does what all good novels should do: it explores an aspect of the human condition. Read more
Published 11 months ago by MH
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it!
This isn't the sort of book that I normally read, being more a fan of historical fiction, but I was drawn to TMBT by the lovely cover and the engaging opening. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Anna S
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful
One if the most beautiful books I've ever read. I highly recommend it to those who love a good cry.
Published 12 months ago by Jules Daniels
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Adventures of 'Everyboy'.
The Most Beautiful Thing This finely crafted novel is certainly the most beautiful thing I've read for a long time. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Richard O.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The most Beautiful Thing
I don't read that many novels but I couldn't put this one down: probably the best praise I could give this kind of book. Buy it, you will love it. Read more
Published 13 months ago by AdrianLT
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