Holding by Graham Norton
Although Graham Norton is better known as an expert television presenter and entertainer, this debut novel proves that he is a man of many talents. This story is thoughtful and gentle, easy to read and has something for everyone to relate to. It is all at once funny, sad, thought-provoking, dark and light hearted – a juxtaposition that reflects life.
Holdingis centred around the recent discovery of human remains in a remote Irish village. It is an exploration of village life, which nicely serves as a representation of life in general. The characters seem all too real and familiar; through just the right amount of detail, they have depth as real people do.
To attempt to solve the crime, Norton takes us on a journey through time, individual struggles, long-held secrets, love, hate, regret and loss, all while preserving the awareness of being in a small Irish village. As the story and histories are told, there is also a strong feeling of place. Place, location, buildings, homes being being present, holding their own secrets and pasts.
This debut novel is a cleverly written, dark comedy which showcases the complexities, contradictions and flaws of being human.
Themes:
Love
The past
Regret
Secrets
Family
Village life
Murder
The law
Resentment
Anger
Favourite quotes from the book:(it was too hard to pick one!)
“Time didn’t pass in Duneen; it seeped away.”
“Some marriages combust, others die, and some just lie down like a wounded animal, defeated.”
About the author:
Graham Norton was born in Dublin and raised in Cork, both of the Republic of Ireland. He is best known for his work as a television and radio presenter, comedian and actor. Graham started his career by performing his comedy in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before becoming a regular comedian and panellist on the BBC Radio 4 show Loose Ends in the early 1990s. After many years in his entertainment career, he has become a highly respected member of the industry.
Graham has written several non-fiction works, including some memoirs. Holding, his first fictional work, was published in 2016. Graham lives in London with his two dogs.
Where to buy:
LittleWordNerd rating: 4.5 / 5
