Saturday 26 October 2013

Ketchup Clouds

Ketchup Clouds: 

Author- Annabel Pitcher
Page count- 215
Publisher- Orion
Publication date- November 2012

Synopsis

Secrets, lies and guilt. This is what Zoe's life has become, a web of secrets, lies and guilt that's threatening to unravel.

Fifteen-year-old Zoe has a dark and terrible secret, one that she is only comfortable sharing with a criminal on death row because he knows all about secrets. 
   Written as a series of letters to 'Stuart' who is awaiting his death after having killed his wife. In these letters is the story that Zoe can't explain.
    And With each passing Letter Zoe's story gradually begin to unfurl. Zoe ends up addressing the prisoner as more of a close friend than a stranger going from 'Dear Mr Harris' to 'My dearest Stu'. The letters alternate between the past and present creating suspense for the reader as the question of 'what did she do?' isn't revealed until the end. 
   What makes the book so powerful is that while it does contain the infamous love triangle of YA novels, it is more a story about a young girl trying to find acceptance and understanding.

My opinion 

I really, really loved this book. Something about it was just so captivating that i was able to completely immerse myself in it. I found it to be one of those 'i'll just read another chapter books' that you finish in a day, the story has such a hook to it and I was itching to find out Zoe's secret. What i really loved was how Zoe established a sort of fondness towards Stuart as the book progressed; opening with 'My dearest Stu' and ending with kisses.  
The letters alternate between the past and present creating suspense for the reader as the question of 'what did she do?' isn't revealed until the end. 
   What makes the book so powerful is that while it does contain the infamous love triangle of YA novels, it is more a story about a young girl trying to find acceptance and understanding.


Let's pretend for just one moment that could actually happen. You close your eyes and I'll close mine and let's dream the same dream across the Atlantic, lighting up the darkness between us. Can you see it, Stu? Can you see us up there, shining in all the black?” 


Throughout the book I found myself wondering what Stuart would have replied to Zoe as the book doesn't show his reply's, I think it would have been interesting to read his reactions to the letters, was he touched by Zoe? Would he have replied if given the chance?
   If I had to sum this book up in one word it would be; enchanting.



                                                              Rating:  7.5/10






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