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Tasting the Wind (Paperback)

by Allan Mayer (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
RRP: £8.99
Price: £8.84 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Product details

  • Paperback: 408 pages
  • Publisher: YouWriteOn.com (8 Dec 2008)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1849233802
  • ISBN-13: 978-1849233804
  • Product Dimensions: 22.6 x 15.2 x 2.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 163,070 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Product Description

Set against the background of the 1980's movement of people from long-stay 'Mental Handicap' hospitals into the community, this is a unique blend. In 'Tasting the Wind' the thriller meets the 'lad novel' in a story which is dark, gripping, humorous... and above all hopeful.


From the Author

50% of the author's royalties are going to Derian House Children's Hospice.
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Inside This Book (Learn More)
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Customer Reviews

7 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An insightful thriller, 18 Mar 2009
By Huw Langridge - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Tasting the Wind is an eye-opening tale of the lives of a group of mental patients who move out of their Victorian institution into The Bungalow; their first steps to independence and the wider world. But it's not easy, and the story of this journey is scattered with moments of wry genius, such as Eddie's random chanting, a wonderful way to reveal clues about a sinister murder through the voice of a disabled person. And how well the book shows us what it's like to think like a person who's brain is wired differently. Take Oscar's thought process when he undertakes a seemingly simple task of buying eggs from a supermarket. Allan Mayer has made us really care about these people, and has created a great sense of time with references to household things from the 1980's that some of us had no doubt forgotten. And the way in which one character, Ruth, finds her way into the caring business. The irony of a fortune-teller's premonition really made me smile.

These anecdotal asides feel very real, and are undoubtedly taken from Allan Mayer's experiences in the field of care. Equally fascinating, is the way in which Mayer gets under the skin of the institutional elements of patient care. As the reader, one feels at times privvy to actions and activities which normal folk choose to look away from and pretend don't happen, yet Mayer forces us to watch, and I was disquietened by the very likely notion that mental care can strip the individuality out of its patients. These elements are extremely well told.

But these serious aspects are wrapped up in some great humour and set pieces. Then the coiled spring tightens and, like the chess positions often referred to by the narrator, the finale plays out with each character moving to retain the upper hand to protect themselves, and the ones they love.

Tasting the Wind is a subtle thriller with a big heart. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars And now for something completely different..., 4 April 2009
By RH (Evesham, UK) - See all my reviews
This is an uncomfortable look at the first moves to introduce care in the community. It is a shocking revelation of the institutions that were the historical basis for the care of those with special needs and the resistance of a society not prepared for the implications of change. The Thatcherite policy based as much on cost reduction as on improved opportunity, is tried and tested. However, on a human level it is about the ability to look beyond appearances and to recognise the need in us all for real caring relationships in our lives.
Despite the weighty topic it is not a heavy-going book. It is written in a flowing and approachable style and there is a great deal of humour. I found myself laughing out loud on quite a few occasions The characters come alive. I wonder if Martin Peach is based on the author himself, I enjoyed the evangelical Simeon and the intellectual Jane. But I think Della is the real success. She is portrayed with just the right measure of malevolance. We must all have met people of this ilk - they play the system while destroying those in their path who come in the way of their own selfish goals.
The book dragged for me a little in the early stages but after the halfway point I couldn't put it down. The ending did not disappoint!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing... if disjointed, 19 Dec 2009
By S. Glover "Mr G" (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This is an engaging and interesting read - it has good characterisation and alot of suspense. Other reviews have covered the essential plot elements, but let me echo their sentiments and state that Mayers portrayel of British asylums and mental institutions is both vivid and a little haunting.

The story tugs at the heartstrings and there is a good deal of well organised suspense and intrigue. I challenge anyone with a heart not to be moved, amused and appalled in equal measure. The story is let down by the books presentation - my copy had some distinctly odd typesetting and even the odd page with nothing printed on it. I'm not one to let that clowd my judgement of a good story. The front cover is also not as convincing as it could be.

Mayer may need to consider reviewing the tense and POV shifts that happen through the book, these are a little more off putting and can make some scenes confused. The story looses pace in the middle and perhaps would benefit from a little pruning and editing. For many these defects may put them off reading the book, but they shouldn't let it, to do so would be to miss out on a first time authors otherwise commendable and interesting debut novel.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Murder Mystery in a Health Care Facility
Allan Mayer's "Tasting the Wind" brought back memories of my visits to a long-term-care facility where my mother had spent some time. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Waheed Rabbani

5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing story of unforgetable character
Tasting The Wind is an exciting, involving and special book. I wondered about the title and the red balloon fronting the grey forbidding fortress of a building on the cover. Read more
Published 7 months ago by C. Kirby

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
I bought this wondering how it might fair, but I was so glad I did.

I found the story really gripping, especially some of the more revealing chapters. Read more
Published 8 months ago by E. Took

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
Tasting the Wind is a fantastic read. This author really knows how to write to keep his audience in suspense. I really could not put this book down. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Lynn Grocott

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