Black Boxes Review

21st October, 2008

So.  I've been putting off writing this review.  I don't know why.  I think I worried that because Caroline Smailes was my mentor on the Everything You Ever Wanted novel that people would think that anything I wrote was some sort of nepotistic (?) back slapping.  It's put me off a little.  Stifled me even.

But like Ms Smailes herself I shall refuse to be meek and muffled.  Instead I shall write the review.  I'm just going to free-write the thing.  I'm not really a reviewer :) So apologies if this feels spewed out onto the page.

So - here's the thing. 

Black Boxes is a hard read.  For all the right reasons.  We are shoved straight into the head of Ana as she falls through the cracks in her life/nervous system/memories.  We see the impact on her children.  We want to reach into the text and pick her up and shake her/cuddle her.  We can't do anything but watch as it all comes crashing down.

It's written almost like falling.  Which sounds pretentious - forgive me.  But once I started I couldn't stop.  You know that something terrible is happening (and is going to happen) and somehow you just keep on reading, turning page after page and trying to occassionally shut your gaping mouth.

I read it pretty much straight through and much as I am impressed by her abilities and her technical skill... for me, that's not why it's a great book.  It's a great book because it is full of heart and so very brave.

As writers we all have to be careful not to give in to the little voices that tell us to play safe with our choices.  People want to be liked.  We want our novels to be liked. So it's a brave decision to take on difficult subjects and then make the choices that are real to the characters. Life gets ugly sometimes, there aren't always happy endings.

I don't think there is anyone out there writing like Caroline at the moment.  Not with such utter gumtion and yet composure.  This isn't someone spurting emotion onto the page - this is someone in complete control of their subject.  Telling the story they want to tell with the honesty and compassion it deserves.

I really do applaud that - I do. I do.

Caroline writes alot on her blog about her insecurities and worries - in fact I'm sure it's one of the reasons that we all *heart* her so. But there's nothing insecure or apologetic about her writing.  It's sassy, bold and at times antagonistic - deliberately provoking a reaction.

I love it and I hope that all the brave bold people out there 'get it'.

Can't wait for the next one!

Go Caroline Go!!!

Roz xxx