Starve Acre by Andrew Michael Hurley is a very dark and disturbing novel.
Richard and Juliette are grieving, following the death of their only child, five-year-old Ewan. They had moved to Starve Acre in anticipation of bringing up a family in the peaceful Yorkshire Dales. Things begin fairly well but, once he starts school, Ewan's behaviour becomes increasingly unpredictable and cruel, which some will find difficult to read. Both his parents act quite oddly following his death, and weird things happen throughout the book, which is full of angst and torment. The writing is accomplished, with beautiful descriptions of the landscape, and the characters are all described very well although most of them are strange and unlikeable.
The cover of the book is lovely and perfect for the story, and I would definitely pick it up in a bookshop. I loved the first half of the book, but think the second half was just a bit too weird for me to really enjoy. However, the ending is one I definitely won't forget in a hurry.
Richard and Juliette are grieving, following the death of their only child, five-year-old Ewan. They had moved to Starve Acre in anticipation of bringing up a family in the peaceful Yorkshire Dales. Things begin fairly well but, once he starts school, Ewan's behaviour becomes increasingly unpredictable and cruel, which some will find difficult to read. Both his parents act quite oddly following his death, and weird things happen throughout the book, which is full of angst and torment. The writing is accomplished, with beautiful descriptions of the landscape, and the characters are all described very well although most of them are strange and unlikeable.
The cover of the book is lovely and perfect for the story, and I would definitely pick it up in a bookshop. I loved the first half of the book, but think the second half was just a bit too weird for me to really enjoy. However, the ending is one I definitely won't forget in a hurry.