Ordinary Thunderstorms by William Boyd
Image by Unsplash
My July book club assignment got off to a promising start. Adam Kindred, climatologist is set up, deliberately or accidentally, for the murder of a scientist working on a drug for big pharma. So far, so interesting. Both the police and the real murderer are after him. He faces a dilemma: hand himself to the authorities, trusting his fate to the British justice system or go to ground? He opts for the latter and becomes homeless and anonymous in London. The plot is interesting and so are the characters who emerge in this tangle. They’re well-drawn and believable. So what’s my problem? I’ve given up on it just under halfway through.
I just don’t identify with any of the characters or like them. I’m not rooting for anyone, even Adam. I don’t really care what happens. Instead of ‘Couldn’t put it down,’ it became ‘couldn’t pick it up.’ Does this reflect a flaw in the book or in me? I know I could have pushed myself to continue reading.
I admire those who finish every book they start, but when I turned 40, it struck me that I may be halfway through my earthly life and I was nowhere near halfway through the books I want to read! So I let myself off the hook. If I’m not feeling the vibe, it’s time to pick up another book.
At my recent book launch, I was asked, ‘What is more important to you as a writer, plot or character?’ Answer – both! I aspire to write the kind of book I want to read. To keep me turning the page, I need an interesting plot, with some unexpected twists and turns, and vivid characters, who come alive on the page and evoke my sympathy or antipathy. I’ve felt really blessed in the last few weeks to receive messages from people reading ‘The Twelfth Cross’ who ‘can’t put it down.’
My love of reading was piqued at junior school by a marvellous and formidable teacher, Ros Ellis, who read ‘The Hobbit’ to us. I have a special rapport with Ros as she taught me and, later, I taught her daughter. She came to the book launch and I’ve been feeling nervous about her reading the book. Will it be covered in red ink? Yesterday she sent me this message,
‘Enjoying the book. Your research and attention to detail is amazing. I feel as if I know the characters!!’
Phew!
