- Paperback: 280 pages
- Publisher: Polygon (1 Mar 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1846970008
- ISBN-13: 978-1846970009
- Product Dimensions: 21 x 13.8 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 988,612 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
'Gritty, dark and full of life.' --James Naughtie
'an assured, clever and understated search for identity, threaded with a subtle political critique' --Carl MacDougall
'affirmative . . . intelligent and engaging' --The Scotsman
'an assured, clever and understated search for identity, threaded with a subtle political critique' --Carl MacDougall
'affirmative . . . intelligent and engaging' --The Scotsman
Product Description
Growing up in rural Nottinghamshire, Arabella Cordon sees life through a filter of fairytales. She idolises her father, but his enthusiasm is reserved for steam engines, motorcycles and Margaret Thatcher. On the day Thatcher comes to power, Arabella's life changes irrevocably. Alone and adrift in London, she takes a job as a striptease artist in Soho and makes friends with Saf, who is searching for her lost father amongst the city s homeless. Unlike Saf, Arabella is determined to leave the past behind, but she is haunted by the ghosts of fathers - missing fathers, pseudo fathers, fantasy fathers. In the icy years presided over by Britain s first female prime minister, Arabella s own identity and survival are inextricably linked to the question of what a father is.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I enjoyed this book on many levels.
Its clear and engaging narrative tells us about Arabella, with events from her life as a young woman in 1980s Soho interleaved with episodes from her childhood. The voices for both threads of the story are sure and consistent, the reader is drawn into empathy with the character and develops a need to know what will happen to her. The other characters in the novel, seen through her eyes, leap into life - particularly her "father" whose attention she had craved.
The narrative and the characterisation in themselves would make this novel a good read, but there is much more. The themes promised in the publisher's description are all evident, as a sustained underlying note rather than a sudden, heavy clash of cymbals. The reader is aware of Arabella's growing understanding of what it means to have a father or not to have one, of the weight of her past, of her striving towards a future, and of the strength which enables her to survive the cold heart of Thatcher's Britain where there is no such thing as society.
On top of all this, the clean layout and inviting design of the printed page make it a joy to look at, and easy to devour.
Its clear and engaging narrative tells us about Arabella, with events from her life as a young woman in 1980s Soho interleaved with episodes from her childhood. The voices for both threads of the story are sure and consistent, the reader is drawn into empathy with the character and develops a need to know what will happen to her. The other characters in the novel, seen through her eyes, leap into life - particularly her "father" whose attention she had craved.
The narrative and the characterisation in themselves would make this novel a good read, but there is much more. The themes promised in the publisher's description are all evident, as a sustained underlying note rather than a sudden, heavy clash of cymbals. The reader is aware of Arabella's growing understanding of what it means to have a father or not to have one, of the weight of her past, of her striving towards a future, and of the strength which enables her to survive the cold heart of Thatcher's Britain where there is no such thing as society.
On top of all this, the clean layout and inviting design of the printed page make it a joy to look at, and easy to devour.
Format:Paperback
The Triple Point of Water by Fiona Dunscombe is an intelligent study into the complexities of family life and their effect on one family member.It is written so that you feel sympathetic with the central character rather than judgmental. There are some desperate moments which will no doubt shock some readers but these as essential to the plot and sadly very true to life. And while the ending is no Eureka moment, it leaves the reader fairly satisfied with the outcome. I would recommend this read to mothers with daughters in particular, but to every young woman in general. This book does not seek to solve the problems of family life but it certainly clarifies some of the issues. Gorgeous. Can we have a sequel please Ms Dunscombe?
Format:Paperback
This is a compelling and thought provoking novel, spanning the full spectrum of darkness and light as we follow the character on her journey of self discovery. The vividness of the author's description draws the reader into the events, riveting you to the story until it reaches its conclusion. Although some of the scenes are a quite stark, the authenticity of Dunscombe's voice ensures that they never tip over into melodrama and the hopeful resolution rewards the reader for accompanying the heroine on her challenging journey.
Not necessarily a beach flick but definitely worth the read.
Not necessarily a beach flick but definitely worth the read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Brilliant
This book is a beautiful read.
The other reviews have said it all really :)
I enjoyed everything about it - I wish that it didn't have to end! Read more
The other reviews have said it all really :)
I enjoyed everything about it - I wish that it didn't have to end! Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2009 by LD
Absolute authenticity
The longing to connect with unloving parents that many lonely young people feel is the theme running through this moving novel. Read more
Published on 30 May 2007 by White rose
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