Days of Wonder - Keith Stuart

Description

Tom, single father to Hannah, is the manager of a tiny local theatre. On the same day each year, he and its colourful cast of part-time actors have staged a fantastical production just for his little girl, a moment of magic to make her childhood unforgettable.

But there is another reason behind these annual shows: the very first production followed Hannah's diagnosis with a heart condition that both of them know will end her life early. And now, with Hannah a funny, tough girl of fifteen on the brink of adulthood, that time is coming.

With the theatre under threat of closure, Hannah and Tom have more than one fight on their hands to stop the stories ending. But maybe, just maybe, one final day of magic might just save them both.

A tale about growing up, the beauty of a special bond between father and daughter, and finding magic in everyday life, Days of Wonder is the most moving novel you'll read all year.

Review 

I wanted to read this book as I loved the first novel by Keith, A Boy Made of Blocks. Yet again Keith has not disappointed with this his second novel. I needed to brush away the tears to write this review. I was a little worried about reading on public transport as I thought I might cry. Why wouldn't you with a description containing the words  "Hannah's diagnosis with a heart condition that both of them know will end her life early". Fortunately I only gave way to tears at the end of the book in the safe confines of my home. 

The book is divided into Tom and Hannah each telling their version of events, both in the past and when the story is set. If I have one tiny criticism it is not knowing when in time the book is set. There is flipping back in the story to when Hannah is a little girl, but I had assumed wrongly that the present day was where the story was set. Then cultural references popped up such as dial up, Sugababes, Pop Idol and I began to realise that this was not the case. Just a personal thing but it began to bug me, as I wanted to place it in a time slot.  In the end I decided it was 2004 with the many references throughout the book. Edited to say that there is a cover page which states 2005! I must have quickly flipped past this on my kindle.

I settled into the story and it was a joy to read despite having a sad undertone. So many lovely characters and each with their own  back story, that it had a real community feel to it. What interesting lives too. Although they are all there to support Hannah, each of them also has their own private turmoil, which we get to know about as the book unfolds. There is also a lot of humour in the book which I loved. I think my favourite character was Margaret who at 81 is Hannah's closest friend and they have afternoon tea together.

I felt I knew each and every one of them by the end of the novel. There is something about the quality of Keith's writing that I can't describe, it's like no other author I have read. You feel like he's taken you by the hand and led you gently through other people's lives.

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. My thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for an advance copy to review. Mark your diaries for the 7th June 2018 when it will be published.