August

August is highly unusual in its use of a series of camping holidays as a structural framework for the depiction of the decline of a family over a number of years. It was praised by Patrick Gale (The Independent) and Christina Koning (The Times). Part one of a trilogy, it covers the years 1955-1970. Each chapter takes the title of a particular year. It is particularly rigorous in its handling of narrative viewpoint. It is narrated in the third person, though the viewpoint shifts between characters. This ensures that the complexities of the family relationships could be seen, and helped avoid a judgemental viewpoint forming; this was praised by many reviewers. The metaphors and imagery of camping - particularly those to do with ideas of transience and fragility - are used in an original way to comment on the family. Images of Bicycles and cycling, pet ownership, and the garden, are also used in this original way. August is also original in its depiction of solvent abuse, which in this case centres upon a respectable, middle-aged, middle-class mother of four. August has also been highly praised for its depiction of the era it covers. Shortlisted - Whitbread First Novel Award (2001).