On My Life

We are back with another post for Catherine’s Corner’s book club. This time reviewing On My Life by Angela Clarke.

This is one of those books that likes to jump between “then” and “now”.  I’m usually not the biggest fan of a book which doesn’t stick to chronological as I struggle to piece it all together.

However, this book does it well as “then” is done chronologically too. It also helps that life between then and now is so different. The book start with the lead in a prison van, claiming to be framed. We letter discover the details of the crime while the innocence protests remain.

The book does a great job at portraying prison life and the acknowledgements at the end showing the author had spent time in getting a deep insight into prison life. And it showed. Good insights into conditions were matched with strong writing to really get you the feel of prison life.

Naturally, a key part of this book was around the crime itself and the challenges faced by the legal system – and giving birth in prison. I think the other strong point from the book is I really had no clue who had done it. Only a small list of characters are involved but that didn’t make the guessing any easier!

I’d highly recommend this is a book you pick up from the book shop and read it. Well written and thought provoking. Give it a try and let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

I’ve just started reading The Woman at 72 Derry Lane so stay tuned for the latest review in a couple of week’s time.