When
the Bough Breaks by June Considine
Published
by New Island Books, 2002
'When the Bough Breaks' is June Considine's debut as an adult fiction
writer. She has for many years been a very successful and popular
children's author. Judging by this book she will have an equally
successful and popular career in the area of adult fiction. The
story is a complicated one covering the lives of two sisters, Beth
and Sara Tyrell, from 1957 to 2000. It covers all the issues that
have arisen in this country during that time - child abuse, marriage
breakdown, 'brown paper bags', illegitimacy, suicide, political
corruption, et al. From this point of view it is perhaps a bit ambitious
in trying to cover too many issues all at once. There are enough
subjects touched upon to fill two or even three novels.
The
characters and their relationships are well presented. The book
concentrates on the relationships between the characters and how
these relationships are affected by secrets from the past and by
the emotional trauma suffered by victims of abuse. One of the most
believable and annoying characters is the 'teflon' politician, Tom
Oliver - probably because he has elements of some of the real life
politicians who have appeared before recent Tribunals to account
for their activities. Her characters are not nice - they are selfish,
opinionated, greedy, unloving - in short very human. June Considine
is a good story-teller and skilfully weaves the different story-lines
together to produce a good read.
Reviewed
by a Clare County Library staff member.
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