Unforgettable characters and a powerful, moving story – This is how we are human by Louise Beech is not to be missed.
The plot:
Sebastian James Murphy is twenty years, six months and two days old. He loves swimming, fried eggs and Billy Ocean. Sebastian is autistic. And lonely.
Veronica wants her son Sebastian to be happy … she wants the world to accept him for who he is. She is also thinking about paying a professional to give him what he desperately wants.
Violetta is a high-class escort, who steps out into the night thinking only of money. Of her nursing degree. Paying for her dad’s care. Getting through the dark.
When these three lives collide – intertwine in unexpected ways – everything changes. For everyone.
I don’t think my review will do it justice
Some books you remember for the wicked plot twist, and others because they have a good story – I always find there’s one specific thing which makes you remember. But with Beech’s books – the whole thing just clings to you and puts a new meaning to the word ‘unforgettable’ – I’m still thinking about The Lion Tamer who Lost (my review here) which I read 3 years ago!
The author’s brilliant writing seeps out from the page as soon as you open the book, drawing you in and making it impossible to put down.
Chapters are written from each key protagonist’s point of view, and Beech does very well to keep their tone of voices and make them so distinct – this really allows you to get inside their head and see things from different perspectives.
There is a topic which I found crept up on me and gave me a bit of a panic, so I’ve included a trigger warning at the bottom (contains spoilers). As a whole, the book is deeply touching, with themes of hope, love, friendship and loss, scattered with heart-warming and heart-wrenching moments.
Beech has such a talent in making the characters come alive and involving the reader with the odd joke but also shocking moments.
This is so much more than I could have expected, and actually feel like thanking the author for writing such a beautiful and important story. You have the first chapter in your mind throughout, and wondering what events led to that and how it will conclude.
I do find that I have to be in a particular mood for Beech, just because of how emotional these stories can be. I have a couple of other books by this author on my shelf waiting for the perfect time.
I don’t think my review will do it justice, so just take my word, and the 5-stars I’ve attached to it, and read this book. It will leave you with goosebumps.
This is how we are human, Louise Beech, RRP £8.99 (paperback); Amazon
Pages: 289
Publisher: Orenda Books
Genre: Fiction
SPOILERS – Trigger warnings: Rape
