Info
Written By: Richard Smith.
Published By: Troubador.
Thanks to the publisher for sending me a physical copy of the book for the purpose of this review, also thanks to Random Things Blog Tour for adding me to the tour.
Overview
Two young people are struggling to find themselves and a role in life. For one, the world is changing too quickly. For the other, change can't come soon enough. Linking them are overgrown railway sidings - home to wildlife but about to be destroyed.
Jill Standing is mocked because of her name, ignored because of the way she looks and thought wacky because of her views on the environment. Harry Pratt is mired in traditions foisted on him by his father. His interests are vintage jukeboxes, creating Christmas cracker jokes and his boss, Sarah. He has no interest whatsoever in the environment. They're indifferent to one another, yet both want to preserve the sidings, but for different reasons. Campaigning against a big business, a shared love of Blondie and a reclusive, retired school-teacher transforms their lives.
Set in 1989, and with a backdrop of music, environmental concerns and nostalgia, it follows frustrating wrong turns to a surprising, heart-warming conclusion.
Overview taken from the official book press release.
Review
Another opportunity for me to try out something a little different but that still carries content of interest. I'm Still Standing is a charming tale of two people struggling through their lives taking separate but similar paths but coming together forming the most unlikely of friendships.
Campaigner Jill Standing mocked throughout her life because of her name sounding close to one of Elton John's (and a fav of mine) classic tracks focused on campaigning against the corporate engine that looks to take away a big part of the local community the park that means so much to Jill.
Harry Pratt is your normal young man struggling through his life (like us all) with varied interests of which saving a piece of grass isn't really high up on his concerns. But the chance meeting changes all that and the friendship builds.
The book itself is a charming heart warming read that will leave you with a warm feeling inside, for those like myself who were born in the marvellous 80s the settings and the music will definitely resonate with those from that era.
Richard Smith got it right with the writing style of this book, an almost natural style of writing ensured that the story flowed at an organic pace and allowed the characters to blossom. I personally enjoyed the feel good nature of the book and felt the story worked really well.
Summary
Time now then for me to put my thoughts into a summary, overall I enjoyed the book it left me with a feel good feeling inside. The characters were strong and the setting really worked. I would really like to see this be made into a TV series at some point it really has that potential. A great piece of writing I would definitely recommend.
Verdict-Out of 5 ⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐
GOOD
I give I'm Still Standing a good score of 4 ⭐, a great piece of feel good writing that is worthy of a TV series. Great characters and a great setting. Would definitely recommend.
Note on the author
Richard Smith is an award-winning video writer, director, and producer, who stepped away from the camera to write his first novel, the acclaimed Homeward Bound, in 2021.
He owns a jukebox and a record collection, some of which might be welcomed at Sotheby's, most of which would be rejected by Oxfam.
This review was part of the Random Things Blog Tour please check out the other bloggers on the tour
No comments:
Post a Comment