It’s still January, the double-faced month, so it’s not too late to mention books I’ve read in 2009 - especially a December book, and especially this one, which is so difficult to slot neatly into any category; neither one thing nor another, neither here nor there, and just when you think you’ve grasped its nature, it slips away, laughing: “A highly original and visual novel, brimming with delicious wit, The Milliner and the Phrenologist is a remarkable debut from Kay Syrad”

It’s written in a voice like no other that I’ve encountered in this or the last half of the previous century. Not that it’s archaic or old fashioned, though it is set in Victorian London. Quaint, perhaps, might be a better word, though that won’t do justice to its groundedness and other-worldliness, its frivolity and wisdom, ruthless honesty and tenderness. I was gripped from the first page to the last.

The characters are drawn with fine brush strokes, a few at a time, so that the reader can visualise their faces , gestures and clothing in minute detail, as they are gradually led to a fuller understanding of the inner workings of their minds.

Here is just one example, taken at random:

“As she was passing the tea rooms …she noticed John Motton sitting at one of the tables…He hadn’t seen her and she moved back slightly, so that she could watch him without being noticed. He was chewing what was probably some kind of meat sandwich, and it amused Alice to see his jaw bones moving in large regular circles. She could see his smooth temples becoming red and crinkly-veined, how his whiskery cheek hollowed and puffed…and Alice couldn’t take her eyes off him, for it seemed that he was never going to take a fresh bite.”

Here’s an extract of what’s said on the back cover:
“When Alice Heapy, an unusual and artistic young milliner, daringly sets up her own business, the mother of John Motton, eminent phrenologist, is amongst the first of her bourgeois and eccentric clients. Alice is intrigued by the phrenologist’s belief that he can determine his clients’ character and moral capacity by measuring their heads, whilst Motton is astonished at the power Alice’s poetic hats exert on the lives of his mother and her peculiar friends. But under each other’s exacting and increasingly hostile gaze, Alice and Motton begin to reveal—and, in desperation, attempt to conceal—their own characters.”

A few years ago, I’d been privileged to be in the same group as Kay for a series of monthly poetry seminars led by Mimi Khalvati, and although the other group members all produced good work, it was clear to me that Kay’s was an exceptional talent.

When I heard through the Cinnamon Press website that they were publishing Kay’s first novel, I was delighted for her, and impressed by the publishers for recognising and supporting this talent.

If you’re looking for a light, predictable holiday read, this book might not be for you. But if you want to wallow in delicious prose and enter a strange world whose characters will remain in your head and niggle away at you until you pick up the book and read it again, then I urge you to click on the link from Kay’s website, and buy it from Cinnamon Press.

Once you’ve read and enjoyed the book, that’s the time to use the link to Amazon and leave a review.

I’d love to hear your views if you do get hold of this book. And also if you have an unusual book to recommend.

1. Margaret (BooksPlease) Says:
   January 25th, 2010 at 8:12 am

   This looks like a book I’d enjoy.

   Thanks for your comment on my blog and also for the link to my post on Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a wonderful book too.

2. kate Bentley Says:
   January 25th, 2010 at 6:31 pm

   I wanted to say thank you for taking the time to pop by my blog and for leaving a comment. It is early days for me and just seeing someone has left something is delicious. I also love this whole blog party idea where a visit is also an invitation - and I am delighted I made the journey over here. I love your ‘Something like a stone’ poem and very much look forward to reading more of your poetry.

   There are times, whether it is for information, help, infertility or inspiration, when the web is a wonderous thing.

   XXX

3. admin Says:
   January 25th, 2010 at 8:02 pm

   It’s amazing what comes up on Google - your review was near the top of the page for Half of a Yellow Sun
   I’d love to hear your views on Kay’s novel if you do get hold of it.

4. admin Says:
   January 25th, 2010 at 8:06 pm

   Hi Kate
   Glad you appreciated my comment - likewise, it is nice to get one back from you! (Especially seeing that you liked my poem) The web certainly is an amazing tool!

   All the best

   Christine

5. Debs Carr Says:
   January 26th, 2010 at 5:49 pm

   This sounds like just the sort of book I would enjoy.

   So much for trying to reduce my tbr pile.

6. admin Says:
   January 27th, 2010 at 12:43 am

   Debs, I think tbr piles are designed to grow like Jack ’s beanstalk - they rarely get any smaller (that’s my experience anyway)
   I hope you’ll let me know what you make of Kay’s book if you read it.