'THE HAWTHORN ANGEL'
by DENISE FIELDER
'The sound of water faded and the world turned black.'
This here debut novel from East Yorkshire author Denise Fielder is an saga of genuinely epic proportions, and startles the senses with its sense of time, place and pronounced character development.
Focusing on a young girl called Fay as she's growing up and battling with adolescence, 'The Hawthorn Angel' touches on all manner of themes: in fact all of the 'big themes' including love, death - and indeed living life to the full.
The most prominent theme that's featured within is related to child abuse and neglect, as Fay suffers something of a deprived childhood, honestly believing that her mother doesn't love her. To add insult to injury, multiplied by a serious lack of respect for her by her elders, further into the story the dirty old perv of the village postmaster then tries to take advantage of Fay's good, honest and easy-going nature.
What's more, just six pages in, Fay's beloved grandfather dies which breaks her young heart, and from then on she seems to sense the presence of a guardian angel in her life after convincing herself that - upon her granddad dying - an angel has escorted him to heaven right before her very eyes, which is a scene that is endearingly brought to life: 'The light intensified. The figure wrapped itself round Harry and drew him away. Fay raised a hand to wave goodbye. A pure white feather fluttered down. In graceful arcs it fell, settling on her outstretched palm.' Just like in the movie 'Forrest Gump.'
Feeling both lost and unloved, she takes a passing fancy to a stable-hand called Handley. He's much older than she is and their relationship can only be based on friendship given the age difference, but Fay trusts Handley like no other person in her life, all the while Handley is out and about trying to find a suitable girlfriend for himself. 'Love, and its pursuit, that was what it all came down to. In Handley's eyes, love was more important than anything; age, status, looks, money.' But, in the end, they realise just how they both feel for each other�
As yet, this breathtaking novel is unpublished and there are potentially two endings at present that could round the story off. The first ending, that I personally prefer, is of a dark, abrupt and heart-breakingly tragic nature. Otherwise, there is a nice, happy ending in which Fay grows up to both love and be loved in equally blissful measures� but I shan't tell you who she ends up with just in case Denise gets this masterpiece published anytime soon - because I would hate so spoil the ending!
'The Hawthorn Angel' tackles some serious issues, and while it doesn't particularly make for light reading on the whole, because Denise isn't afraid to confront the issue of child abuse head-on, ultimately this is a thoroughly rewarding and potentially life changing read. If you are a parent and have ever verbally or physically abused your offspring, this novel highlights the effects that such abuse can have exquisitely. Fay's emotional responses to the abuse and neglect that she suffers are captured in such a sublime and insightful manner by Denise that you sometimes feel embarrassed reading Fay's mind, and this reflects Denise's talent as a writer, bringing as she does warm-hearted humanity and kindness to the characters of Fay and Handley.
Incidentally, Denise's second novel - 'The Thistledown Invader' - also deals with a girl who withdraws into herself and becomes fantastically introverted following the break-up of her parents' marriage, so much so that she thinks she sees - and befriends! - a fleet of Vikings whilst staying on the East Coast with some relatives. But, naturally, that's another story.
Denise is clearly fascinated by the passage from childhood to adulthood and all elements of 'growing up' in her stories are handled with an acute appreciation of how the seemingly smallest of events can potentially have a huge impact on the lives of young people.
Denise might just be a modern-day Catherine Cookson. The importance of both family and friendship is perpetually paramount in her work, and I honestly can't wait for novel number three�
(Steve Rudd)
For more details, please contact Denise at�
7 GALLOWAY COURT, DRIFFIELD, EAST YORKSHIRE, Y025 6PG.
TEL: (01377) 257664