Lead Review (The Secret Collector)
- Book: The Secret Collector
- Location: Birmingham
- Author: Abigail Johnson
3.5*
This is a story that brings two people together, who are at different ends of the age spectrum and from different walks of life. Alfred is elderly, a resourceful man, he has been through war and loss and now he manages, but struggles through his days. He is a collector (some might even say hoarder) and surrounds himself with items to fill the emotional void.
One day considerable damage is done to his home by a vandal, Alfred is hospitalised and it is young Kian who is charged. He has been through the care system and has not had an easy life so far. Both victim and perpetrator agree to take part in a restorative justice system, working together to make Alfred’s home habitable once again. A social worker is involved because they have espied the level of accumulated items and feel that Alfred needs support going forward.
Overall there is a tenderness and feel good factor in the novel but somehow the speed at which the story unfolds feels slightly at odds with the fledgling exploration of these two people working together. But there are enough credible interactions to make the story feel delightfully plausible.
The storytelling is very good and the writing skilled, so I will be interested to see where this author goes next.
If you like this kind of novel, where old and young are paired, then Frank and Red by Matt Coyne is a great read
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