Book Review - Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers

 I have to say after seeing this book recommended in various magazines, it was initially the art work of tangerines on the cover that attracted me. When I saw this book in my little local library I couldn't believe my luck as usually I would have to order a novel in from other libraries. I snatched it up there and then and after two to three weeks of reading I have many thoughts... 

The plot is at once cozy and sad. Set in 1950's suburban London it follows Jean, a 40 year old reporter for a local paper who leads a very simple life. Due to her elderly Mother not wishing to venture out of their house, it presents Jean missing social interactions with her work colleagues and corralled to a 5pm curfew in order to cook tea and help her Mother to wash her hair every day. 

The monotony changes however, when a member of the public writes in as a response to a story claiming that they have had a 'virgin' birth. As Jean resolves to uncover the truth behind the statement she sees herself pulled into a family dynamic that is world's away from her sheltered life. 

In some ways I think this novel is brilliant at grasping the small intricacies of life and how simple pleasures such as gardening, baking and helping others can enrich our lives in the largest of ways. It also presents really truthful believable and relatable characters, who just because they are not headline worthy does not mean they are any less than heroes. I love how this book reflects how we can all live our lives differently and how they are all just as meaningful, regardless of how large your social circle is or how you choose to devote time. 

The simple and unassuming but clear writing style is refreshing and captivating and I can honestly say I have never read anything with a style quite like it. I enjoyed the contradiction between the modern artwork on the cover (one that ties in with an important motif throughout the story) and the old fashioned lifestyle presented of 1950's England. 

However, whilst on the surface the story is lighthearted, I found it makes the darker elements of the story more shocking. If you like stories with mystery and darker themes then I can see how you may like this story, but for me thinking it was going to stay light-hearted throughout due to the writing style and the themes, I was quite thrown off. I liked how as a fictional piece it does highlight real life tragic events in memory of those effected, however  I think this is just personal preference to themes that I left the novel a little deflated. Being someone who prefers light hearted rom-com reads I struggled with its emerging darkness, though some may argue the interesting and hard to predict turns in the story are testament to chambers' talent. I, like most others (after reading reviews online), was shocked by the ending, yet it is one that technically leaves room for reader interpretation. 

On the whole I cannot decide if I enjoyed this novel or not, but I can say it challenged me to read novels outside my comfort zone and surely that is no bad thing!

Molly Latham 24/07/2021