Forever Home by Graham Norton
Forever Home by Graham Norton is a recently published novel that will give readers a complete escape from the troubles of our times, and transport you to the small town of Ballytoor in Ireland. There you will land right in the middle of the troubles of Carol Crottie and Declan Barry, of Number Seven, Stable Row.
Carol is divorced from her first husband, her son is grown and working away in London. Carol has been living with Declan Barry for a decade, his children Sally and Killen also now living away from home, but closer at hand. Declan’s wife left the family many years earlier – her whereabouts unknown.
The other major player in this modern day drama is Carol’s mother, Moira. A woman who lets nothing stand in her way. Especially when it comes to protecting her family.
Carol is happy with her life with Declan, living in the home Declan shared with his first wife and children. A home Declan has declared he will never leave and will never sell.
Well, as we all know there are sometimes things that happen in life. Things we cannot control.
Now I am struggling to tell you that this is a book you will enjoy reading, without giving away the plot.
Each of Carol and Declan’s children have their own concerns and struggles that come to the surface as the story progresses. Carol and her mother make a discovery that is both dreadful and absurd. I think this is considered black humour.
Graham Norton captures perfectly the way in which we behave when faced with life’s unexpected challenges. His characters will become real to you, reflecting aspects of people in our own lives.
I have never had occasion to watch Graham Norton in action as a British television celebrity, but I have read his earlier novels, Home Stretch among them. He has the ability to take a situation and people it with characters who behave as one might expect, flaws and all, and reveal people we can both relate to, and care for.
Everyone has a story. Graham Norton does an excellent job of telling it, and providing a time of respite from our own troubled times. Guaranteed!