The Cove

by Ron Rash (Canongate) ISBN 9 780857 863614

Sometimes it happens that you read the beginning of the book and wonder where on earth it is leading to. I didn’t like the sound of this book until the story began unfolding and although it was interesting I felt there was no reason for writing this book.

Basically it is about a girl called Laurel who lives with Hank in a very remote region called The Cove. A man called Walter breaks out of jail and ends up hiding with Laurel and Hank. He is dumb but plays the flute beautifully. Everyone in town is searching for him as his poster is up on the walls of every tavern. The war has not ended and Walter is a German refugee.

The author’s descriptions of the cove and the love that blossoms between Laurel and Walter are really very good. When Hank asks Walter to help him build a well, Ron Rash’s descriptions of how Walter is buried deep in the well while building it, gives one a claustrophobic feeling that is really unpleasant.

I found this a difficult read.

Dee Andrew

2/5

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