Philip Hensher

Four novellas, three autofiction. Set across the years of the pandemic. The first and last tell the story of the 'writer' and his husband both of whom have covid in the early months. The second about his parents. The first part was my favourite in how it showed for many, being so restricted in what they could do, became more observant of what they could see in the world, and how sometimes their imaginations ran away with themselves.

The title of the book referring to the fact that the narrator could only walk to Battersea Park, but could never enter it, as it took half an hour to get home, and the State said one was only permitted to be out for an hour.

The third part was perhaps a kind of covid nightmare.… (altro)

This is not my usual style of novel....despite it being my beloved historical fiction. I picked it up at a used book store, sat down and fell in love in the first chapter. After that things get sketchy. I was bored for much of the first third of the book...not so much with the author's style, which is beautiful and poignant and gritty, but with the procession of a number of skimming-the-surface characters. As we go back and forth and get to know each better I did find my heroes and the book held my interest more fully. All of the seemingly surface characters didn't feel overwhelming to me as other readers have mentioned. I enjoyed the peeks into the misconceptions of our main characters. The pervading emotion through all of the book though is one of a poignant looking-back, which took me out of the time and place, placing me here as a reader rather than inside the world. It's a horrible, human and inhumane story encompassing war in it's regular sense and war of the classes and cultures, all historical or perfectly plausible as such. Beautiful writing....I will certainly be seeking out more by this author.… (altro)

This is an intricate tale of two neighbours and their families in Sheffield. One, Hilary Spinster, a recently retired GP; the other Sharif and Nazi Sharifullah originally from Bangladesh who move next door after a decade in Sheffield. The two families are quite unalike, but Hensher draws us into their gradually closer relationships and appreciation of each other’s traditions. Each of the Spinster clan seems content to leas their own lives without interacting with other family members, whereas the Sharifullahs are forever interested and involved with each other. Hensher vividly sketches the life that the Sharifullahs enjoyed in Bangladesh and the violent events during the war for independence from Pakistan and its aftermath that caused them to leave and their difficult start in Sheffield. The intriguing and entertaining story is bookended by two parties; the first for the Sharifullahs housewarming that lead s to the meeting of the neighbours and which has a profound effect on them over the next 25 years; the second is for Hilary’s 100 years birthday and which promises further great changes for his family.… (altro)