Started brilliantly with Farrouk's tale, then Lampy's. The third section, John, didn't quite have the same impact and the final section brings them together but felt like it left a lot unsaid. I had hoped for slightly more from the conclusion, but even seen as stand alone short stories the first two sections are worthwhile.

My husband and I listened to this on a car drive up to Yorkshire and back the same day - it's only about six and half hours long. I suppose I'd give it 3.5 stars really. It has wonderful writing (although with audio it's impossible to pause on anything and re-read), but I found the three voices uneven - much preferring Farouk's and Lampy's stories, where there was some action, rather than the action feeling as though it was at one remove (remembered, I suppose) by John's section. Lampy's was very funny at times. The fourth and final section where the pieces came together was clever and surprising (although again, there were parts - the lady from the care home for example - that didn't work for me).

Burst into tears at the very last line of the book. I only hope that one day I can achieve the level of mastery it takes to write a book like that, building to that last release of all the emotion the book inspired along the way.

I really enjoyed the first story about Farouk. Very real and it just makes you think. As for the other stories, it was okay. I think it's a good book to reflect on life.

A good read.

This is a very understated and quiet book. Stitched with pain and regret, it’s a novel about three men at quite different parts of their life trying to make sense of it. The writing is so gorgeous. Ryan writes so sensitively and really gives a strong voice to each narrator. I really enjoyed the experience of reading it.

I think that Farouk’s part stood out of me as the best section. The narrative of his refugee experience was pertinent and heart wrenching. I read his whole part in one sitting because I was so enraptured, but also horrified.

The other two parts have a stronger sense of voice, but I found them less compelling. They struggled to keep my attention and interest. John’s character, while intentionally so, was quite repulsive and I wasn’t a huge fan.

This story does open deeper conversations about masculinity, identity, and family that were thoughtful and complex. The last portion “Lake Islands” was spine-tingling- both appalling and dazzling. While I enjoyed this short and subtle novel, I’ll never be as engaged with novels that focus solely on men. There were women in the novel, but apart from a few pages from Florence, they never get their own voice. While I appreciated what Ryan was doing from a justice and thematic perspective, I just found the lack of women’s voices made it less interesting to me.

Very well written book... And incredibly depressing too. I kinda wish I hadn't