[ book tip by Emily Bullock ] There but for the grace of Evelyn Waugh... I had the uncomfortable feeling while reading this book that the writer might have been spying on me to draw inspiration for the main character, George. I feel grateful to have survived those post university days relatively unscathed. This book is for anyone who has had a dream but, well, frankly has just been too caught up in daytime TV and doing nothing to set about pursuing it. It is the fear of failure that haunts us all that Ann Morgan catches so well. How self-delusion and disillusionment can lead to self-destruction.

George is struggling with his post university life, too cool to live at home, too cool to work in a law firm, his talent and genius remain firmly hidden under a bushel! But as he leads the reader through the hapless journey of his days I couldn’t help warming to him and thinking that perhaps I’d only been a bad bedsit away from George’s decline myself.  It is ultimately a coming of age story, making that adjustment from sheltered university life to surviving in the big bad world. And unfortunately for George, but fortunately for us as it’s a great read, this journey to self-discovery does not come easy. The book will have you laughing, and cringing with embarrassment for George. Ann Morgan perfectly captures his voice and rather dubious code of behaviour. A must read on these cold winter nights. 

[ book info ] Morgan, Ann: A Breathless Hush in the Close. YouWriteOn, London, 2008 (2008). ISBN: 1849231060 .