Book Review: In a Good Light

by Clare Chambers

A quirky childhood for Esther Fairchild

This is a beautifully written novel which tells the story of Esther Fairchild who has a quirky childhood in the 1970s, living in a rundown old schoolhouse where nothing quite works as it should. Electricity is not always on, the boiler is called 'The Beast' due to it's unreliability and most things in the house are in need of repair. Her father is a chaplain for a local prison and her mother doesn’t earn much doing odd jobs. What little money they have pays for a basic existence while any that can be spared goes to the Less Fortunate in society.

Charming, absorbing and quirky story

Esther’s brother, Christian, is five years older than her and she looks up to him and adores him. This is a central theme and compromises Esther’s life into her middle-age.

The book is a charming, romantic tale full of wit. Even though it is 500 pages long, I was so absorbed, I was happy to immerse myself into it.

The characters are very believable and so well drawn. I particularly liked Aunty Barbara who had a chaotic existence, frequently embarrassing her son and going off to America to marry a man on death row.

Happy Fulfilling ending

I found the ending very satisfying and I was left with a smile on my face. Five stars from me.

Clare Chambers came to fame with her novel Small Pleasures. I’ve loved all her novels so far and run out of new ones to read. So now I have to wait for her to write another one!