Flaxroots Productions
  • Home
  • Non-fiction
  • Fiction
  • Plays
  • Other Works
  • Professional
  • Blog
  • FlaxFlower
  • Review index
  • Contact
  • BMCWC

Engaging story on a difficult topic

12/8/2019

Comments

 
Picture
Meltwater
by Suzanne Ashmore


Just in case readers hesitate to read Meltwater because of the subject matter I want to state right at the start that it is a fantastic read and worth every minute you give it.
    Suzanne Ashmore manages the sensitive nature of the novel in a way that keeps readers empathetic without being overwhelmed. She does this by focusing on Elizabeth rather than her abuser and manages readers emotions. She gives enough detailed description to enable us to understand what is happening but leaves us to finish the image she has drawn. This allows readers to breathe and to fill in the gaps with their own narrative.
    There is not a word too many so the editing is great and the choice to deliver it as a series of vignettes was perfect. 
     The prose's lyricism and beauty reinforces the advantage of writing the novel as a series of snatched memories.
    Consider this randomly selected example: ‘It was I, Beatrice, who walked away from Elizabeth into the desert that day, disappearing into the steamy throat of the mountain. (95) 
    There are many more examples.
    Beatrice is one of Elizabeth’s thirteen personalities. Each one has a voice which is treated respectfully. Again it is testament to Suzanne Ashmore’s writing skills that she keeps each personality separated. Without making an issue of the event that triggers the formation of a new personality or Elizabeth’s regression into an established one the reader is seamlessly taken into this new person's world. There is never any confusion as to which one is dominant. When dealing with so many entities this is quite an achievement.
    With child abuse being so much in the headlines these days this is a timely book. It offers no solutions simply recounts one person’s struggle. I could only admire Suzanne Ashmore’s courage; first in surviving her father’s abuse and then in telling the story as she does, in a matter-of-fact way without any hint of seeking sympathy from the reader. Although it is written as a novel the reader is also aware the story is based on fact. 
    If I am to be picky the only thing I would comment on is the shift from Elizabeth as primary narrator to Helen, Elizabeth’s therapist. This felt just a bit clumsy and in a way contrived. The change in voice and focus broke the flow and, while interesting, the book's tone moves from a personal story to that of a report of a series of therapy sessions. During that time I lost contact with Elizabeth with whom I was fully invested.  
    However, that is a small point. What is key is that, as a reader, I continued to follow Elizabeth’s heroic journey from a horrendous world of inner conflict to a place where she, her husband, Ben, and children could live relatively untroubled lives.

    The explanation for the title is brilliant. So it is worth reading to the end to find out why this wonderful book is called Meltwater.
    Congratulations to Suzanne Ashmore for crafting such an engaging story from a difficult topic and also making it so accessible.

Review by Suraya Dewing
Title: Meltwater
Author: Suzanne Ashmore
Publisher: Mary Egan Publishing
ISBN: 9780473472313
RRP:$30.00
Available: bookshops

Comments
    Picture

    FlaxFlower Reviews

    Reviews on this page are of New Zealand books – that is, written by Kiwi authors.   
    They are written by independent reviewers not known to the authors.

    Join the posting list
    If you'd like to receive an email when a new book review is posted, please respond via the CONTACT function above.

    If you are a Kiwi author
    and would like your book reviewed send an email via this site and you’ll be sent further details. Give details of genre, length, short description, and formats available – print, ebook (Kindle, Kobo etc). You will need to provide one book free to the reviewer.

    If you’d like to be a reviewer
    send an email via this site giving details of your experience/expertise what genres interest you, and the formats you will consider – print, ebook (Kindle, Kobo etc). If possible, include a URL of one of your published reviews.
       Offer only if you take the task seriously and are certain you will deliver the review.
    ​

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.