Fallout

Marcus is a Pritchard. His name marks him out as a troublemaker, a ‘bad lot’, not to be trusted. Labelled by teachers and the rest of the village alike, he feels trapped and that he may as well act as others expect him to. His life at home is also troubled. with Carl, the brother he is close to, is in Borstal, Marcus is subjected to constant bullying from his other brother, Gavin, who is his mother’s favourite and indifferent, judgemental treatment from his parents, who expect him to be part of the family ‘business’. Having fallen out with his best friend, Jezza, Marcus is very alone.

However, things start to change when he is treated with kindness by Mick, an elderly neighbour, who listens to Marcus and sees beyond the Pritchard name. Marcus also makes friends with Emma, part of the local peace protest group, and gradually finds himself responding positively to their belief in him.

When tragedy strikes at the local carnival, Marcus is once again the focus of suspicion and negative attention with only Emma believing in his innocence and working with him to clear his name.

Once again, Lesley Parr has delivered a story full of heart and hope. There is so much to recommend this wonderful story.

It’s a bit of a shock to see something set in the 80s considered ‘historical fiction’ as to me that period does not seem that long ago, but the story vividly captures the clothing, the music and the mood of the period. The village is a tight-knit Welsh community where everyone knows everyone else-and quickly judges them.

There are children like Marcus in every school and community. Haunted by their family reputation, they are marked out as troublemakers, often assumed to be responsible for issues before any investigation has taken place. It’s no wonder that they find themselves in a self-fulfilling prophecy. Through Marcus’s eyes and experiences, the reader develops great empathy for his situation, willing him to clear his name and escape the life he is being forced to endure. Lesley Parr’s characterisation is second to none as she captures Marcus’s sense of frustration and fatality perfectly. Other characters are equally well developed. Mick- considered an oddball by the community- is also an outsider, who is both patient and understanding, recognising Marcus’s need for an escape from his family and encouraging him to develop skills he didn’t know he had.

‘Fallout’ is a truly exceptional story, with its very title reflecting how cleverly its many elements are woven together. Poignant, thought-provoking, compassionate and compelling, there are not enough adjectives to convey just how much I enjoyed it! One to put at the top of your TBR pile!

Fallout

Lesley Parr

Bloomsbury ISBN: 978-1526648013

Published 18th July 2024