September 15, 2011
Jill Dawson: Lucky Bunny
I’ve reviewed Jill Dawson’s new novel Lucky Bunny for the Guardian. You can read the review by clicking here.
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Clare D said,
September 15, 2011 at 8:35 am
Great review, John. Jill Dawson is one of my favourite writers – I particularly liked Wild Boy. She evokes a period and a voice so well.
John Self said,
September 15, 2011 at 8:59 am
Do you know, Clare, Wild Boy is the only one of her novels since Fred and Edie that I haven’t read! Must correct that…
Clare D said,
September 15, 2011 at 9:03 am
Oooh yes, please do! I’d really be interested to read what you think.
Kevin J MacLellan said,
September 15, 2011 at 7:48 pm
Hi John,
You nailed it. This is an excellent review of an enticing book. In a short space you’ve made me think I’m missing out on something grand. (I am not familiar with Jill Dawson’s work, but this assessment will likely change that.)
Is she well known in the States? (I.e. am I just out of the loop?) or is she a British phenomenon still waiting to go abroad? I guess, I shall have to find out.
Well done (and Congrats on making the Guardian’s list of reviewers!!)
Regards,
kjml
John Self said,
September 15, 2011 at 8:03 pm
Thanks Kevin. I suspect Dawson is not well known – perhaps not even published? – in the US. Her subjects tend, though not exclusively, to be British and sometimes (as in here or in Fred and Edie, a good place to start) are written in a strong British English ‘voice’, or elsewhere (as in Watch Me Disappear) have a strong geographical link to the UK, and specifically the Cambridge Fens where Dawson lives. None of which, of course, is a good reason for her not to be read or enjoyed by a US reader, but which may be an excuse for her not being widely available or known there.
Neil Ansell said,
September 16, 2011 at 10:07 am
I have never heard of Jill Dawson before, but as usual you have written your review in a way that makes me want to rush out and read it at once.
kimbofo said,
September 16, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Great review, but unfortunate spelling error in the standfirst!
John Self said,
September 16, 2011 at 10:43 pm
Yes Kim, it looks as though the subeditor was torn between likeable and likable and got neither!
gaskella said,
September 18, 2011 at 6:14 pm
Great review. I really enjoyed this book, and was charmed by Queenie and her optimistic sense of self-belief.