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| Aurora Metro Publishers 2017 |
What's it all about..
When Colin discovers his son is on a murder charge in France, he trails his small boat, The Dragonfly, across the channel to help him. There he meets his granddaughter - the irrepressible -Delphine for the first time. They embark on an exciting boat journey journey through the picturesque French canals, heading south through Burgundy 'until the butter melts'.
Along the way, they catch up with Tyler, a spirited American and through various mishaps and misunderstandings, they land big fish, and cultivate new loves and uncover a burning secret.,
But can Colin finally get his son of the hook?
Along the way, they catch up with Tyler, a spirited American and through various mishaps and misunderstandings, they land big fish, and cultivate new loves and uncover a burning secret.,
But can Colin finally get his son of the hook?
What did I think about it...
Having reacted to the news that his son, Michael, who is living in France, has been imprisoned for an alleged murder, Colin Aylesford takes his boat, The Dragonfly and heads off to the canal waterways of France in the hope of getting to know more about why his son has committed this serious crime. Desperate to know why Michael appears to have acted so completely out of character, Colin embarks on a journey of discovery, not just to find out more about his son, Michael, but also to start a relationship with his nine year old grandaughter, Delphine, who Colin has never met, before now. Grandfather and granddaughter have a mixed reaction to each other which was fascinating to observe, partly endearing, partly reactionary, each must learn to like the other. I think that in allowing this relationship to develop slowly, the author has captured the fractured family dynamic really well.
I enjoyed seeing how the story unfolded and particularly enjoyed travelling along in The Dragonfly alongside, Colin and Delphine. There's something wonderfully escapist about meandering along the canals of France in a boat, so beautifully named, as The Dragonfly, except for Colin and Delphine, this journey is not necessarily idyllic, fraught as it is, with problems. I don't want to give anything of the story away as it would be do a complete disservice to the author, but what I will say, is that this story of a family tragedy, and of the bonds that tie us together, is done with a fine eye for detail, and a real gift for storytelling. The writing flows well, and the other characters who flit into and out of the story add their own special qualities.
I particularly enjoyed watching the gentle unfolding of the relationship between grandfather and granddaughter, which I thought was especially well done. The Dragonfly is a heartwarming story, with a strong emotional core, which gives perceptive insight into a desperately sad family situation, which all too quickly threatened to spiral out of control.
Having reacted to the news that his son, Michael, who is living in France, has been imprisoned for an alleged murder, Colin Aylesford takes his boat, The Dragonfly and heads off to the canal waterways of France in the hope of getting to know more about why his son has committed this serious crime. Desperate to know why Michael appears to have acted so completely out of character, Colin embarks on a journey of discovery, not just to find out more about his son, Michael, but also to start a relationship with his nine year old grandaughter, Delphine, who Colin has never met, before now. Grandfather and granddaughter have a mixed reaction to each other which was fascinating to observe, partly endearing, partly reactionary, each must learn to like the other. I think that in allowing this relationship to develop slowly, the author has captured the fractured family dynamic really well.
I enjoyed seeing how the story unfolded and particularly enjoyed travelling along in The Dragonfly alongside, Colin and Delphine. There's something wonderfully escapist about meandering along the canals of France in a boat, so beautifully named, as The Dragonfly, except for Colin and Delphine, this journey is not necessarily idyllic, fraught as it is, with problems. I don't want to give anything of the story away as it would be do a complete disservice to the author, but what I will say, is that this story of a family tragedy, and of the bonds that tie us together, is done with a fine eye for detail, and a real gift for storytelling. The writing flows well, and the other characters who flit into and out of the story add their own special qualities.
I particularly enjoyed watching the gentle unfolding of the relationship between grandfather and granddaughter, which I thought was especially well done. The Dragonfly is a heartwarming story, with a strong emotional core, which gives perceptive insight into a desperately sad family situation, which all too quickly threatened to spiral out of control.
Best Read with..A one-pot vegetable risotto and glasses of ice cold, Coca Cola...
You can find out more about the author on her website by clicking here
Follow her on Twitter@katedunnauthor
Follow her on Twitter@katedunnauthor
The Dragonfly was short listed for the Virginia Prize which is awarded to encourage fresh women’s voices in fiction.
My thanks to the author for sharing The Dragonfly with me
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