Matt McAvoy Book Review

Something of a surprise, this poignant and pointed melodrama, as what could become a little twee actually goes off in a completely unexpected direction, with some very serious undertones.  Yet, to its credit, it never wallows in the darkness underpinning it, but simply addresses it as a matter-of-fact, shameful part of Irish history.  When you see this book’s title, it rings of sentimentality and even a touch of romance, and while there is a touch of the former, there is thankfully none of the latter. 

When twin brothers meet quite unexpectedly, their existences not known to each other until that moment, it inevitably raises questions about their parenthood – and that is where the real story comes in.  I won’t spoil it, but I will say there is some gritty, grimy backstory subject matter, which Christopher handles with a calm, unjudging style.  He really develops as a writer, along with this story, and what could be either insensitively handled or delve head-first into the misery-genre style characteristic of such narratives, is actually written surprisingly affectionately and with warmth.  I have to say, I found myself very eager to keep reading what is essentially quite a simple fable.  It does bring to mind the sort of anecdotal vignettes you associate with New York: “A Tale of…”; “A New York Story…”; “Just Another Tuesday…”; we meet the characters, the story happens, and then we move on, rather the richer in our souls for it.  This is no different, and insightful from an author I believe to be from Britain rather than New York, though whom I suspect has spent some time there.  He is admirably upbeat in his writing, which is cheerful, affectionate, articulate and instantly accessible – and no small portion of warmth and optimism.

I don’t know how much of this particular story is based on fact; I know the subject matter is, but I’m not sure if Andy and Gino are based on real characters.  To be honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if they loosely were and Christopher doesn’t even know it; there are many stories that have and surely are yet to emerge from that shameful episode.  That said, it is a nice book to read, simple and enjoyable.  I recommend it for a rainy but bright afternoon, or maybe a festive read; though it isn’t about Christmas at all, it brings to mind that period, I don’t know why – again, perhaps a New York-fable trope.  Christopher Tradgett has impressed me with this one, and left me keen to read more from him.  Take a look; you’ll enjoy it, I’m sure.