As dark, moody and mysterious as its cover, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read. The blurb paints it as a sort of murder mystery, but it’s actually the story of the events leading up to a death, and an examination of the personalities involved. It is character-based fiction at its very best, the author writing with a quiet confidence, depicting the victim’s father, Howard, with particular skill. As ill at ease with himself as he is with his wife and son, he is a fascinating character. I was less clear about the other narrator, Joanna, whose aims and motivations were not always clear, but her story was very good nonetheless. I would definitely read more by this author. ( )

turkey plucking good;
starts with the death of Robert, but still left me hoping the characters could work it out, somehow make the right choices, which would stop it happening;
both Joanna and Howard (the narrators) are struggling with their own demons;
it's a good exploration of the complexities of teenager/parent relationships. ( )

From the very beginning of Bethan Roberts' taut, haunting debut novel, we know that something awful has happened: Howard and Kathryn's son has died. But we don't know how, or why.

After alluding to Robert's death in the prologue, the author deftly takes the reader back in time through the eyes of the novel's two narrators: Howard and Robert's teenage classmate, Joanna.

The fact of Robert's death bookends this story, but the bulk of the novel and what makes it such an appealing read is what happens in between. With Howard, we go back to the mid 1960's, when he meets Kathryn at the library where she works, and follow the marriage some twenty years to the present day.

Joanna chimes in a third of the way through the novel, in the early 1980's. An attractive girl who is affected by her parents' divorce more than she wants to admit, Joanna uses her burgeoning sexuality to get what she wants in life, whether it be from the boys at school or her mother's creepy boyfriend.

Roberts' prose is striking in its ability to set a mood. She creates a palpable tension in and between her characters. There is a strong sense of Howard's timidity, his fear of saying or doing the wrong thing in Kathryn's eyes. Kathryn obviously holds her husband at arm's length, fixating on her son in what borders on an unhealthy way. Robert is typical in his desire to separate from his parents, but is never openly defiant, choosing instead to cling to the role of 'good boy.'

Depiste the serious subject matter this was a quick read, and one that was difficult to put down. There is so much atmosphere in this book. Foreboding. Tension. Relationships about to erupt or implode. Gripping and beautifully written, you will be thinking about the characters and events of The Pools long after you have read the last page. ( )

“Middle England, mid-1980’s. The kind of place where nothing ever happens. Except something has happened. A fifteen-year-old boy called Robert has died, down by the pools. And half a dozen lives will come unravelled.” - back cover, The Pools.

I couldn’t summarize it any better than that (I tried!). This book has two narrators; Howard, Robert’s father, and Joanna, his friend. Robert dies at the very beginning of the book and the remainder is spent discovering just how he got there, an examination of the lives surrounding the boy and just how they’ll be affected by this tragedy. Howard narrates Robert’s family life, while Joanna covers his social life. Both narrators are distinct, with their own voices and personalities, and it’s very clear that they both belong and make up two halves of this stunning book.

Perhaps the most affecting character is Howard, who is genuinely kind and well-meaning but never quite manages to get a grasp on Kathryn, the wife that he loves so much, or his son, whose life always seems hidden and secretive. He tries so hard, and somehow it’s never enough. On the other hand, we witness his rigidity and unwillingness to compromise or accept his family for what they are, despite how much he loves them and desires to understand them. He reminds me of a conservative who has a good heart, but is completely close-minded. He seemed very real to me as I was reading, and I wished I could open his mind to the reality of life before it was too late.

Joanna, the other main character, is only coming to discover herself as she struggles with her identity and her sexuality. As someone who has emerged only a few years ago out of the misery of adolescence, her experiences, although very different from mine, struck a chord with me and I could feel for her confusion.

The best part of this book is certainly how it creates a tapestry of lives and demonstrates how pulling out just one thread - Robert’s - will have an astronomical impact on all of them. Very little is written about the aftermath of Robert’s death, but his place in the hearts of so many is established and the author doesn’t need to describe what happens in much detail. She builds a community and proceeds to tear it apart in the reader’s mind.

I’d definitely recommend this book. It came on me as a shock and I found it to be profound, moving, and compelling.

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