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| Virginia Macgregor and Liz Darcy Jones at Beatons Crowthorne Launch |
This Berkshire novelist has me oblivious to my surroundings until I reach the last page! And I had the delight of welcoming Virginia as our Guest of Honour at Crowthorne's launch soiree. Expect to see these glowing reviews (or edited versions) in your local papers sometime soon...
'What Milo Saw' by Virginia Macgregor, pub Sphere 2015 p/b £7.99
I discovered Virigina Macgregor while researching about Crowthorne,
Berkshire - home to our new Beatons tearooms. It's incredible that this is a first novel as the flow is so assured and consistent.Try not fall in love with three endearing, utterly individual,
desperately human characters - Milo, Gran and Tripi - and a pig
called Hamlet!
Yet Virginia Macgregor covers the uncomfortable realities
of the mixed up world of war-torn Syria and the worst of the UK care system in this
heart-warming novel, peppered with humour. Fast-paced and yet sensitively
observed by the artlessly simple writing of a real pro, 'What Milo Saw' is so
visually rich I can see it up there on a 'Milo adapted' big screen. The story
left me wanting more of Milo and Macgregor which I got days later...
The Astonishing Return of Norah Wells by Virginia
Macgregor, pub Sphere Jan '16, £14.99 h/b
When you're asked to review a book you try - and I usually
succeed - to leave a little window for a critical literary eye to use its
objectivity. With 'The Astonishing Return of Norah Wells' it
proved impossible. I read it over twenty-four hours, so totally immersed that 4
am came and went before I knew it... It's been years since a novel which has had
that effect on me. Oh yes, and it made me cry, more than once.
This is a captivating story of love and motherhood, and -
like Virginia Macgregor's first novel, 'What Milo Saw' - we
see the story unravel through children's eyes, as well as that of wise dog,
Louis.
It's no surprise to discover the author is an English teacher (at
Wellington College, Crowthorne), she understands how children think and it
makes for a richer and more agonisingly poignant tale. You will be willing for
it to turn out all right with every fibre of your being.
There's a simplicity in Macgregor's writing which cleverly
disguises a complex plot. The book's stunning rhythmic chapter openings give
the days and nights of 77 Willoughby Street a familiar pattern in which to
embrace the emotional turmoil charting Norah Wells' return to her family.
I don't want to give any spoilers so won't add more in terms
of the plot, although I can say that twitter users will be delighted with the witty
tweets from teenage character Ella's online friends. A second novel, especially
when the first is acclaimed, is a challenge. Virginia Macgregor has risen to it
with aplomb. Beatons Crowthorne looks forward to hosting events for Virginia
for this book and whatever she's brewing up next.
Viriginia
Macgregor tweets as @VirginiaWrites www.viriginiamacgregor.com
Liz
Darcy Jones, Beatons HQ