Book Reviews – Dark Ride, The Twt Files, Water

Dark Ride by Lou Berney

Dark Ride is a book that grabbed me from the opening line. Hardy “Hardly” Reed is in his early twenties, working for minimum wage as a ‘scare actor’ at an amusement park. His main entertainment is getting stoned with friends and playing computer games. While at the local court to pay for a parking ticket, he notices two young children waiting on a bench by themselves. Hardly would normally not get involved, but he feels that something isn’t quite right and this is the beginning of a rollercoaster of action. Hardly Reed is an unlikely hero, but as the story progressed, I couldn’t help but care about the outcome and I devoured this book in a day.

The Twt Files by Dawn French

This is a quick and entertaining read – perfect for light summer entertainment. Dawn French is unequivocally honest about all the times she was a twt and the anecdotes are sure to bring a smile to your face as she recounts the horrors big and small. She gives us a peek into showbusiness, family life, her friendships and her partnership with Jennifer Saunders (affectionately referred to as Fatty). French is currently touring The Tw*t Files as a show, and I imagine her self-deprecating humour as she recounts some of these stories makes her even more endearing.

Water by John Boyne

This novel is the first in a series of books by Boyne about elements. Water is about a woman who has moved to a small island off the coast of Dublin. She changes her name, cuts her hair and tries to reflect on what happened in her previous life. Her husband is in prison and her daughter won’t reply to her messages. There is beauty in Boynes’s writing as he describes the simplicity of island life, Vanessa’s inner turmoil and the reckoning that Vanessa must ultimately confront. A small but perfectly formed book and one I highly recommend.