British Coming-of-Age Novel That's Far Too Long
Sweet Sorrow is a literary coming-of-age novel with a Shakespearean theme; the title originates from a famous quote from Romeo and Juliet.
The novel begins in 1997 on the day when 16-year-old Charlie Lewis completes his GCSE exams. He has no motivation to continue his education so his future is uncertain. The long hot summer months promise boredom and part-time work at a petrol station. His home life is in chaos after his father closed his music stores and declared bankruptcy and his mother had an affair, moving out and taking Charlie’s sister with her.
In a chance encounter, Charlie meets 16-year-old Fran Fisher, who is participating in the summer youth Full Fathom Five Theatre Company production of Romeo and Juliet. He is enamored with her, and with a bit of encouragement, joins the company to get closer to her and to escape time at home with his depressed father. The author’s experiences as an actor brought authenticity to the theatrical scenes.
Of course, a teenage romance occurs, and (finally) in the final quarter of the novel, the plot moves along with expected and unexpected actions. The final chapters share Charlie's current-day life 20 years later, days before his wedding.
This is my first David Nicholls novel, and I appreciated the vast range of emotions his writing evokes. I’m glad I read Sweet Sorrow, but it’s far too long; editing 50 to 75 pages would result in a much more readable story. The author also has ‘pet’ words and phrases he uses repetitively, such as fusty and eponymous, which took me out of the story.
The novel begins in 1997 on the day when 16-year-old Charlie Lewis completes his GCSE exams. He has no motivation to continue his education so his future is uncertain. The long hot summer months promise boredom and part-time work at a petrol station. His home life is in chaos after his father closed his music stores and declared bankruptcy and his mother had an affair, moving out and taking Charlie’s sister with her.
In a chance encounter, Charlie meets 16-year-old Fran Fisher, who is participating in the summer youth Full Fathom Five Theatre Company production of Romeo and Juliet. He is enamored with her, and with a bit of encouragement, joins the company to get closer to her and to escape time at home with his depressed father. The author’s experiences as an actor brought authenticity to the theatrical scenes.
Of course, a teenage romance occurs, and (finally) in the final quarter of the novel, the plot moves along with expected and unexpected actions. The final chapters share Charlie's current-day life 20 years later, days before his wedding.
This is my first David Nicholls novel, and I appreciated the vast range of emotions his writing evokes. I’m glad I read Sweet Sorrow, but it’s far too long; editing 50 to 75 pages would result in a much more readable story. The author also has ‘pet’ words and phrases he uses repetitively, such as fusty and eponymous, which took me out of the story.