REVIEW - Remember June Novel by Damien Leith

[Roxy]

SPOILER ALERT





SPOILER ALERT

This thread is for REVIEWS of REMEMBER JUNE! Damien Leith's 2nd Novel which hits the bookshelves 1st April 2010.



PLEASE DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER

If you have not read the book yet!

Members may be discussing the book in detail that may give information away about the story!




This is the ONLY thread that any details of the book is to be discussed so as not to give anything away to those members/guests that may still be reading it!!

If anyone talks about the book (details/review) anywhere other than in this thread, your post will be deleted! Please respect that some members don't want the storyline spoilt for them.









Happy Reading!

[Trilly]

I guess someone has to get the ball rolling here. It may as well be me.

Having just finished reading, I need to record my initial reactions before they fade. Moved is how I’d describe my feelings, and really appreciative of the depth of Damien’s characterisations, especially Dave, the central figure of this story. I have to say I found this novel to be more richly and deeply drawn than One More Time, even though I enjoyed that story a great deal.

Damien’s natural, almost oral narrative style engrossed me from start to finish. I had visions of him sitting in a pub, beer in hand, spinning this yarn, as we Aussies say. I also found myself thinking that if he’d followed his career inclinations at the age of seven (He wanted to be a priest. I wanted to be a nun at the same age. Good Catholics we were! Bwah! ) he’d have made a superb one, at least at writing compelling sermons and understanding his flock. That’s not to say that this novel is moralistic and preachy. Far, far from it! D shows great compassion and understanding of the foibles and failures of human nature, especially of parents and the impact on their children, to a remarkable degree. His empathy and understanding underpin this entire tale and make relating to these characters and their situations really easy, even though I’m not Irish (except by heritage). The setting of the novel in Ireland during The Troubles produce plot situations which are peculiar to that milieu, but the human emotions and reactions are universal. That’s the sign of a really good writer.

I’ll wait now for someone else to comment before getting into the story itself.

[astrokath]

I enjoyed the book very much also, even though it was so sad

I thought the minor characters were very good, especially Susan and Johnny. Susan as someone who stepped up to the plate, although far from being a martyr type, and did what had to be done. Johnny I thought was particularly well drawn - his isolation, his enjoyment of the simple things in life and his honesty with Stephen and Dave.
I think Damien has a great ear for dialogue, and that part of the book in particular was well done, but I feel that some of the prose sections are just a wee bit stilted. I'd take my blue pencil to a few adjectives I think, to make it flow a bit more smoothly.
Damien has handled the moving back and forth in time really well, with the story gradually coming together at the end. That can be very tricky to do, with some books of that kind feeling very disjointed, and I thought he managed with flying colours.
Mattie’s talking to June is very well done also, with her always able to ‘read his mind’ and forestall him in his ideas.

However, I feel very strongly that the story has been heavily edited. It seemed to be cut back to the bare bones, and needed a lot more character development – which may have been there originally. I seem to remember Damien telling us it was going to be a much longer book than the first, and it isn’t. For instance, nothing much was made of Mattie’s ‘trances’. I wondered if he was in an Unordinary World and maybe could ‘see dead people’, but we never found out. We also didn’t really see Dave’s descent into alcoholism with the degree of intimacy I would have liked. I'm sure Damien would have liked to have made more of Dave's relationships with his father and Stephen, too.
I didn’t think June was a strong enough presence. There was a lot of description of her physical attributes, but I really didn’t get a feeling of ‘her’; what she liked or disliked, how she felt about anything other than Dave’s drinking, and Mattie. Her attitude to her father felt strange to me too. I think if your father was that antagonistic to your husband you would end up not talking to one of them!
Dave I'm not sure about. His was a complicated character that was well developed in the story, and I felt alternately that I was sorry for him and wanted to put a boot up his arse ;D
In real life, I have trouble understanding why people with children don't seek help for addictions, as they must be able to see how it affects the kids. The parts of the story with Mattie looking after drunk Dave were particularly touching, but that was where I wanted to give Dave a kick to get him to AA. (This of course is not criticism of D - a good story involves the reader in just this way. If you don't care about the characters, it is very hard to engage with a book.)

A question here - was anyone surprised that June was dead? I thought it was pretty obvious, but maybe not........

[Trilly]

No. I wasn't surprised at all Kath. I was a bit perplexed by the ambiguity in that regard, and agree completely with your comments, especially concerning Mattie's "trances". However, I wondered if he was in some way imitating Dave and his talking to Uncle Stephen when drunk? We know that Mattie was heavily influenced by his father's behaviour. (It makes me want to know what happened to him when he grew up, whether he became an alcoholic too)

I especially agree that June was not fleshed out enough. I felt she was a bit of a cipher, we really only see her through the eyes of others. However, the other minor characters were well drawn, and as you've said, Johnny in particular. Maybe we do blame the editing?

Re the time jumps: I found them a little disturbing to the narrative flow ocasionally, and found myself having to turn back to the beginning of the chapter to check the year. Generally speaking though, the interweaving of the stories over time was very well handled.

I agree also about the dialogue being the best part of the novel. Gotta say I loved the earthiness and naturalness of many the conversations. Ya know me, when D says "f.uck" and talks about bum cracks I cheer!

[Trilly]

One other comment I need to make is that I was pleased that with this novel it was harder to hear Damien speaking than with One More Time.Sean was obviously a semi- autobiographical character in that story, but this time I found I forgot whom the author was and what I knew about his life largely whilst reading. That's a good thing.

Obviously, Damien being Irish and his father being a Northerner and his mother a Southerner influenced this novel, but I found that I was unconscious of this knowledge most of the time. I really believe this novel signals a maturity in D's writing. I want more.

[astrokath]

Yes, I agree with that Trilly.

[Trilly]

btw, for the SF geeks amongst us:

Everybody's Dead Dave.

[dmac]

Enjoyed the book, thought it was sad, felt sorry for Mattie and wanted to thump Dave for his weaknesses. Loved the realistic dialogues, a true strength. Agree about the editing Kath, there is some depth and development in the characters missing. Also agree about June's character, was more taken by Susan and Johnny. Stephen was a representative of so many angry young men, who are still apparent today....thought he died a terrible death, I wasn't disturbed, expected it.
Understand it was particularly difficult for an Irish Catholic to be walking out, but it was the 80s and not the 40s so was disappointed that June didn't act to protect Mattie more. Thought Dave's character was well drawn, I never really liked him, but that's good as he had me convinced I would smack him if I met him. Although, living with an alcoholic is a totally psychological drain and children do remember bad things from a very early age, I have no doubt that Mattie had problems and needed escapes.
Had no problem with the time shifts as the characters involved took me straight to the right point
Kath I'm afraid that addicts (whatever their brand) are somewhat egocentric and don't really think there's a problem...until it's usually far too late.
No wasn't surprised that June was dead and my tears were for Susan at the hospital and the words to Stay......understand now why Damien said that song was applicable to other situations(other than the Beaconsfield Miners) that really cut me to pieces...still does......Saw the connections between the Album and the Novel ....but was still angry at the end.
But I think people will interpret many things in the story from their own perspectives and experiences........ naturally
Haha Trilly......the good St Joseph's sisters were grooming me for their order ...was at the church every day.......really glad I decided I liked material things too much

[12ktina]

Just finished Remember June this morning , and I must say as the novel was progressing towards the conclusion, I was not wanting to put it down. It was a really interesting story, I felt there were a number of story lines going on there, and each of them could have been a novel in itself. The intergenerational issues were well drawn.

Unlike others, I didn't realise that June was dead until just before it was revealed........ must be a bit slow in that regard although, obviously that was what was intended in the novel. Denial is often a central part of alcholism and also present for a little boy wishing for a different life story ~ so I liked that part of the story, hiding June's death was very much part of Mattie's and Dave's psychological process as well. I didn't get the feeling that Mattie was talking to a ghost....... just wishing for a mammy who wasn't there anymore.

I have to agree with some of the comments above - I really enjoyed the book, but wanted more! I would have liked more characterisation as well, I think there was lots more that could have been said and I would have liked more of the story as I think it was glossed over at times too, perhaps in the editing as you said, Kath. I would have enjoyed reading more of the romance of June & Dave and of the early years of their relationship and the descent into alcoholism for Dave.

I found the moving back and forward in time a little difficult to follow at times: I am probably a fan of a more straightforward approach to story writing and would have liked the narrative to proceed chronologically... altho having finished the book, I can see why it didn't -- to preserve the surprise (for some of us ) at the end.

I also enjoyed the dialogue, once I got used to the Irish way of speaking ~ I think Damien captured the Irishness of his characters and their language very well.

Like you Trilly, I agree that there was less of 'Damien' in this book. You could feel the richness of the father/son relationship during happy times that would no doubt be drawn from his own relationship with his boys, but I did not see Damien as one as the characters, which I did in OMT.

Also....... the line on the cover of the book - the best of everything happens in Summer - to me does not really go with the book and the story....... I kept waiting for the best of everything!

Overall - great work!! A really enjoyable read that had me hooked!

I think the book is crying out for one thing - a sequel!! ;D I would love to read more about Mattie, and Dave, so....... I'm sorry Damien..... but you've got to get writing again!

[astrokath]

That's an interesting comment about a sequel, Tina. I guess because I read so much, I rarely expect a sequel. I think writers move on from the characters, and I have heard one author say that by the time the book comes out and he is expected to be promoting it, he is so far past it and into the next thing that it is really hard.
I think this is a stand alone, and you can create a future for Mattie and Dave that fits your thoughts :-)

[12ktina]

You're probably right Kath, and often sequels can be a disappointment. I am a fan of series so I guess that's where my desire for a sequel comes from, I love following a character's story over time!

[KrisLovesDamien]

Wow...

I'm not the type to go into major details about books and what should and should not be there.
I honestly don't read a whole lot. But trust me...
I was hooked from start to finish!

I found it SO SAD! I was really touched and like Trilly said, moved. I can't really describe it, but I loved it so much!
I've never read a book that fast lol

A few points you girls have said that I agree on though:
I too think that the time jump was confusing. I was like "Oh...right, um what did I just read? What year was that?"
But that was only to start with, I got used to it And I actually like the fact that Damien did that.
It made it interesting, IMO.

I also so so so so agree that there was no "Damieness" (lol ) in the book! ;D I actually had to think and remember what I was reading for a second!
Damien didn't even come to mind at all when I was reading it. Until I said to myself "Holy crap, DAMIEN WROTE THIS!"
(I'm a loser! )

There was a few lines that made me laugh! Like Trilly said... F***, Bumcrack etc etc There were a couple of others but I can't remember. I just imagined Damien saying it in real and I was cracking myself up!

Anyways, The part of the book that really got to me was when Susan was in the hospital and 'Stay' came on over the radio!
OMG, call me a wuss (because honestly, who cries over books? ) but I seriously had tears! And then a bit of For All Of Time was in there too!
That part was so beautiful, IMO.

Oh, and I agree again with you girls on June.
And I too felt I wanted to slap some sense into Dave! But I really loved his character, I loved all of them to be honest! ;D

Last thing... I don't know about you guys, maybe it's just me.
But after reading the book, all of a sudden the songs off RJ make PERFECT SENSE
It's so different now when I listen to them (in a good way of course!) They seem more...meaningful in way

I absolutely LOVED One More Time, but I truly ADORE Remember June

[astrokath]

Um, Krissy, I cry over books ALL THE TIME!

[KrisLovesDamien]

Mar 28, 2010 18:40:28 GMT 10 astrokath said:

Um, Krissy, I cry over books ALL THE TIME!

Sorry Kath!

I just never hear/see anyone crying over a book is more what I meant. That kinda came out wrong lol!

[tarapanda]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT and could not put it down once I started. Truthfully I found myself pretending I was June and really got into her character.

The idea of a a good novel or story is to keep the audience wanting more and to actually feel a part of the characters. Damien did this very well. and that is why we wanted to read more. and keep us guessing.

The plot was very well executed and gave nothing away about what was going to happen next.

This is what I was told in my writing courses and movie and drama days.

I commend Damien as this would have been a challenge to him and his style and wording was exactly as it would have happened.

Time wise I compared it to a great movie. Pulp Fiction how that jumped around but all came together in the end.

Its actually made me want to read it again and find out that maybe I missed something the first time. Loved how he wrote stay in it As June was dying.