The Children Act by Ian McKewan, and other Reads
Fio
na Maye is a successful, middle aged, High Court Judge in the Family Court, requiring her to make decisions about children and families in crisis.
Fiona and Jack have been married for 39 years when she is confronted with his revelation that he is about to embark on an affair with a younger woman, even though he says he still loves her and wishes to remain within the marriage.
Whilst dealing with this emotional turmoil within her private life she becomes involved with a court case involving a 17 year old boy, Adam, who is a Jehovah’s Witness and is suffering with aggressive Leukaemia. The Consultant treating him in hospital wishes to administer an emergency blood transfusion which the boy and his family are refusing due to their religious beliefs. Her subsequent ruling has far reaching unforeseen consequences.
The following opinions were unanimous::-
Concise but extremely well written by one of our leading authors.
Thought provoking yet poignant.
Highlights the power that Family Court Judges have over the lives of children and their families where decisions can have far reaching consequences.
Interesting insight into the religious beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Two strong story lines, one concerning the law and the other about personal relationships.
A very good read enjoyed by all with a score of 9.
Additionally this month it was decided that each of The Page Turners would read a book of their choice. The chosen books are listed below, together with a brief review:
Where My Heart Used to Beat by Sebastia Faulks. – Tedious and uninspiring. Would not recommend.
My Grandmother Sends Her Regards and Apologises: by Fredrik Backman, Henning Koch. – A pleasant holiday read but would not particularly recommend.
The Fishing Fleet. Husband-Hunting in the Raj by Anne de Courcy. – Historically well researched with some interesting parts but mostly boring. Would not recommend.
Oliver Kitteridge: A Novel in Stories by Elizabeth Strout. (Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction) – Interesting, funny and enjoyable. Would recommend.
Me Before You by JoJo Moyes. (New York Times no.1.bestselling novel.) – Very well written, intense but an easy and enjoyable read. Would recommend.
Eagles by Cynthia Harrod – Well written but a light and easy read. Would recommend.
The Past by Tessa Hadley – A good summer read. Would recommend.
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. – Historically well researched and paired with a good fictional story line. A good read. Would recommend
