Interesting and intermittently moving study of a farming family under pressure, whether due to financial pressures, gambling, the desire for an emotional connection or through the stress of a son serving in Iraq. Use of excerpts from the Chilton inquiry reinforces the serious tone, and there’s an inexorable sense of heading to disaster on numerous fronts (home and military),

Whilst there is an emotional connection, I also felt that there was a stiltedness at times, and some rather heavy foreshadowing which I found not in keeping with the general quality of some of the writing. There are some heavy handed comparisons of e.g fuel duty officers and the search for WMD which I found a bit much - the point had been made more subtly.
Overall an interesting read, and as a debut novel it shows clear promise for the future.

The book was a good read about a family with troubles and challenges which will be relatable for many. Within families there are often secrets, some with serious consequences as happens within this story. As it evolves with different scenarios you could be led in various directions but eventually everything comes together but with unexpected results.

The novel was beautifully constructed. The surroundings and countryside descriptions are wonderful and everything is built around their lives on a farm. Cleverly bringing in the contrasts of life in Iraq and life on the farm disintegrating under extreme stress both within the marriage of Catrin and John but also with both needing to look outside their cocooned life whilst trying to hold things together for their two sons who are both struggling with their own turmoil.

This was an excellent novel bringing together topics which would change the lives of future generations.

A debut novel from an award winning short story writer – the novel after a poetic epigraph (RS Thomas’s 1950s “The Welsh Hill Country” with its bleak description of the decay and isolation of rural Welsh farming life) the book then opens its first chapter (November 2024 with a subtitle of the Iraq Body Count – a public database of violent civilian deaths in the illegal invasion of Iraq 2003 onwards) and then an excerpt from the 2016 Chilcot report which marshalled the damning evidence against the cover ups that were used to justify it.

The remainder of the book takes place over the period to April 2005 – each dated chapter repeating the Body Count/Chilcot extract idea before a later section in 2016 just when the report is published, about which one of the characters says: “The Chilcott Inquiry had at last been made available to the public: published in twelve volumes containing more than two and a half million words of dry prose. It had all the facts but none of the heart.”

And this novel seeks to provide the heart but alongside a tale of a family caught up in the war but in their own battles and cover ups, a family trying to run a farm in the Welsh Hills and suffering the sense of bleakness, decay and isolation captured in the poem.

Catrin, perhaps the main character in a book which moves around third party viewpoints but majors on hers, was a musician (piano player and composer) when at Bangor University where she dated an artist Matt – but while she went off to Slade School of Fine Art in London she decided to stay near her parents and aim for the Eiteddfod and then (to the disappointment of her opinionated mother – probably the hidden star of the novel) settled down with John a local farmer attracted to the practicality and settledness of his lifestyle (still playing the piano and giving lessons)

They later have two children – the oldest Harri wanting to escape from his home, insists on an army career (seeing it more as a route to travel and technical training) but bad timing means he is called up to a six month stint in Iraq War and both Catrin and John are haunted by worry for him (and increasingly resentment as the war cause starts to unravel).

Both though have their secrets – Catrin restarting an affair with a Matt who suddenly reappears on the scene as part of an art project in Snowdonia, John hiding not just a many year gambling addiction but the economic ruin he has caused to the farm and the family’s finances as a consequence. Their younger son Rhys is becoming increasingly troubled at school without really saying why and Harri’s relationship with a school friend and worker on the farm Simon is also part of the cover up.

And all of this plays out against the life of a farm which is described in unsparing and unsentimental detail and includes scenes of bird and rabbit shooting, fox hunting as well as the different stages of sheep raring.

I thought this was a really well crafted novel – I really liked the subtle way in which the cover up theme is pursued; the contrast and comparisons between the violence of the farm and of Iraq and the complex portrayal of a family (and particularly a marriage) starting to disintegrate under internal and external pressures. I am not completely convinced the Chilcott extracts really worked beyond the initial conception of the device – there did not seem to be much of a link at all (other than temporal) between the excerpts and the main narrative and I did wonder if more could have been done here. Harri’s presence in Iraq did also seem likely throughout to lead to a dramatic denouement, and interestingly the 2016 section was perhaps more sentimental in its resolution than I had expected from the very unsentimental treatment of farming.

But this is an excellent debut which nicely brings together two really interesting ideas – both of which are oddly topical with the new government and the return of the influence of Blair (and others around him who pursued the war) and with the recent controversy over inheritance tax on agricultural lands (John’s legacy to his children is a key driver of many of his actions in the novel).

Recommended.

Rupert Dastur’s Cloudless is a beautifully written debut novel. Set on a north Wales farm, where harsh weather and the difficulty of making a living from farming make for a hard life. We see the world through John and Catrin’s eyes, husband and wife with their own personal struggles; and Harri, who won a scholarship from the army before the Iraq war. An intricate portrait of one family juxtaposed with the political realities of the Chilcott enquiry.

A beautiful debut about a family wading through the struggles of life: one son has joined the army, the other struggles in school; the husband's addiction has dragged the family into financial ruin, while the wife is searching for happiness in a world that seems to only contain darkness.

The story is beautifully atmospheric; I could almost imagine every scene playing out in front of my eyes, like in a painting. The characters, while flawed, have been crafted with such tenderness that you can't help but root for all of them.

It's one of my favourite reads of the year, and I can't wait to buy a copy when it's released later in 2025.

Rupert Dastur’s Cloudless explores the life of a Welsh farming family, in the mid-2000s and at a point where nearly every aspect of their existence has been thrown into uncertainty.

John’s secrets have driven the farm and family into financial turmoil. An old flame of Catrin’s has reappeared on the scene. Youngest son Rhys is playing up at school, following the departure of his older brother Harri to serve in the army on a tour of Iraq. And it’s the Iraq War which frames the story and raises it above being a relatively straightforward rural melodrama.

Each chapter is prefaced by an extract from the 2016 Chilcot report on the UK’s involvement in the War. Letters from Harri give a glimpse into his day-to-day experience, and occasionally the novel switches to his perspective. But the story is still largely from the viewpoint of, and focuses on, the lives of his parents as they navigate their own challenges back home. It’s often descriptions of farm work and animal injury in Wales which are most vivid and brutal.

This was a strong and interesting debut which kept me compelled enough to race to the end.

Thank to the publisher and to netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

Cloudless is a beautifully written piece, set on a hill farm in rural North Wales, close to Llandudno. As with many small farms, it is a real struggle to make this a financial success. This a major factor in the story arc. John inherited the family farm and, as with many farmers, he is as closely connected to the land, the weather and the challenges of the farm, as it is possible to be. For his wife and one of his sons this connection is less strong and Catrin has an alternative, creative drive in her life, while oldest son Harri has enlisted and is serving in Blair's Afghan campaign, in the era of WMD, whereas younger brothe Rhys deals with the frustration of school days, when in reality he would rather be working the farm alongside his Dad.

The twin anxieties of making the farm pay and dealing with anxiety over Harri, drive the action of the narrative, pushing both John and Catrin into actions and situations which are out of character and out of their control. There is a point in the novel where this all feels very negative but the reader will be drawn along by the beautiful writing about the environment, the way the farming year is described and by the hope that these flawed but essentially sympathetic and human characters will find a solution.

They do manage to turn things around and there is a deep, unspoken emotion which is very well expressed and feels very true.

A lovely, escapist read about the challenges of rural life, the impact of addictive behaviour, the horror of overseas campaigns, the impact of these issues on families and the vital importance of love, trust and patience upon enduring relationships both with each other and with the land where we live.

I absolutely loved this novel an recommend it.

An interesting story about a welsh hill farming family.. Set in the early 200’s the family is beset with worries and problems including the fact that the eldest son is a serving soldier in Iraq. Throughout the book there are excerpts from the Iraq enquiry as the author makes political points about the legality of the war and the conduct of Blair and Bush. While the farmer struggles both to make ends meet and cope with his gambling addiction his younger son gets into difficulties at school and his wife drifts into an affair with an old friend from her university days. The hardships faced by hill sheep farmers trying to make a living off the land are vividly described and the sexuality of the characters is sympathetically dealt with.
Truly a tale of our modern changing times but with hope at its heart.

This is a very engaging read about a variety of struggles experienced by a farming family in Wales. It is a multi-layered story touching on the physical toil of farm life, addiction and recovery, love and betrayal, music and art, familial unity, and the polygonal impact of war. Harri, the older son, is sent to fight in the 2003 war on Iraq and the novel chillingly quotes extracts from the Chilcott report (2016) throughout. It is confronting to read about war that has occurred in our times. This aspect of the story made me think of families currently living through the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

The characters are all very authentic and each of them are interesting. I greatly enjoyed Dastur’s writing style. The story has a great pace and a noble ending. There is some truly lovely kindness and many insightful descriptions of farm life, both regarding toiling the land and caring for the animals. I would definitely read more from this author.

A deeply heartfelt and thoughtful book, this book takes as its core story the effects of war, but focuses on a more modern war that is so rarely covered- that of Iraq in the early 2000s.

The writing is often kaleidoscopic and touching, and the subtle moving parts of this book, and the ways that things slowly move to its conclusion were very well rendered.

Review: Cloudless
Author: Rupert Dastur
By: Maureen Kelly, Sunnybank Hills, Queensland
Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Autumn 2004 - in a farmhouse in Wales a family waits for their son to return from the Iraqi war. He had enlisted for a chance to win a university scholarship, then the war erupted. His parents are devastated and are constantly worried for his welfare. There are also many other concerns to be addressed at home: the workload of the farm, escalating debts, a gambling addiction and marital infidelity.

Rupert Dastur has succeeded in writing an extraordinary and engaging story of a Welsh family in turbulent times. The book is written in a brilliant, emotional but not overly sentimental style. The descriptive passages of the Welsh landscape are outstanding. The relentless cold is well described, I could sense the wintry conditions as the tension increased in each chapter of the story.

The characters in the book have strong individual personalities; as the story unfolded I formed a bond with each of the family members. The author has skilfully portrayed the impact of events on those characters. Chapters are interspersed with commentary and statistics on the state of the Iraqi conflict, including lives lost. The impassive commentary provides a sharp contrast to the emotional roller coaster experienced by the characters in the story, and is a very effective tool in conveying the lack of empathy shown by authorities.

I was fully engaged and immersed in the narrative. Overall it was a compelling story, and I would unconditionally recommend the book to all readers who enjoy contemporary fiction. The military theme in the novel will appeal to readers of that genre.

Cloudless by Rupert Dastur his debut novel is a poignant story of a troubled family who eke a living from their farm in Llandudno set in 2004 which brought a lump in my throat as the parents John and Catrin tried to save their marriage, John the Father has a gambling habit, their older son Harri aged only sixteen fighting a war in Iraq and the angst of waiting for him to return home the agony of waiting for his letters to arrive which they devoured. Their youngest son Rhys is at the teenage rebellious stage and is not getting on well at his school and adds more stress for his parents. Also Catrin's old flame Matthew comes back into her life and she begins to think that the grass may well be greener if she decides to leave John for him.

I loved the way Rupert Dastur describes the harsh reality of running a farm which was becoming a burden as John's gambling addiction spirals putting them all in jeopardy. Also the love the family feels for the animals on their farm. I loved the description of the wild flowers, the different cloud names and description. The blood sweat and tears along with the memories of happier times for this troubled family going through turbulent times was such a moving story.
Release date 27/02/25

Set against the backdrop of Autumn 2004, Cloudless transports readers to a farmhouse nestled in the hills outside Llandudno, where a family endures the agonising wait for their son to return from Iraq. His decision to enlist has sent shockwaves through the household, leaving them grappling with their fears and uncertainties. Meanwhile, the day-to-day realities of managing their ancestral farmland and caring for their troubled younger son weigh heavily on them.

John, the father, succumbs to his gambling habit, pushing the family farm closer to bankruptcy. Meanwhile, Catrin, the devoted mother, embarks on an affair with an old flame from the city, offering her a glimpse of a life starkly different from her own. As each family member clings to their fragile lifelines, they become increasingly estranged from one another, culminating in one fateful knock at the door.

The novel is dark and brooding, capturing the relentless pressure faced by the characters in their spiralling circumstances. The author masterfully immerses readers in the family's turmoil, evoking a palpable sense of entrapment in a situation that feels devoid of escape. Cloudless is an intense exploration of familial bonds and the lengths individuals will go to find solace amidst chaos.

Read more at The Secret Bookreview.

A very well plotted and written story of a Welsh farming family, set during the time of the Iraq war when Tony Blair was Prime Minister. All of the family are facing hard times, and are keeping secrets from each other. There are excerpts from the Chilcott report throughout which add a touch of realism. . The tension builds to a head as Jimmy and Liz find out what has been happening in each other's lives. Without revealing the plot lines, I felt the ending was satisfactory, although maybe a bit too neat? A very good first novel.

A beautifully written debut novel from Rupert Dastur. I loved the description of farming life and the insight into the struggles the family have. The inclusion of excerpts from the Chilcot report was quite poignant and helped to put Harri’s story into perspective. Not to give anything away though I did think the ending was too tidy.
In all though I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

This is an interesting debut; well written with an unusual setting. It’s very much a slow burn. Husband ad wife run a farm in North Wales. They’re struggling financially and the farmer sees gambling as a way out of his mounting debt. His wife is a drudge. She had more to offer than a life cut off from society and she turns to an old flame for omfort. In the meantime, only son is away at war and the threat of his possible death o injury hangs like a black shadow over day to day life.

This is quite a bleak and difficult tale. Life is had and there’s no easy way out but Dastur skilfully explores the impact of the daily grind on each of the characters. I didn’t find it uplifting as a story; there’s a brutal scene which has lingered with me and taken on perhaps too much significance. I think Dastur has captured the hardship and bleakness well. These are people I’ve come across in real life and they exist much as depicted. Interesting overall and beautifully written, I’d look for more from this author.

I enjoyed this book set just outside the town where my mother lives.
I was very frustrated by the intransigence of the man of the house. I have known a lot of Welsh farmers, and the depiction was true to life. The wife deserved so much better from both the men in her life.
If I have one complaint, it's with the utterly cruel and superfluous scene where the son kills the beautiful bird.
I felt that it detracted from everything else that happens in the story.

This is a dark, lyrical novel about a married couple in North Wales whose son is serving in the Middle East. Their marriage is under strain and Catrin has reconnected with a lover from her youth while John has become addicted ti gambling.

The writing about rural life is both poetic and brutal. As someone who has never lived this life I found this fascinating and beautiful to read about. Its a great depiction of the harrowing struggles that farmers face n the 21st century as well as being a treatise on the futility of war and the effect of this on families.

The author's prose is poetic but also understated. Its a slow burning story with a slow reveal of high human drama.

I look forward to reading more by this writer.

Cloudless by Rupert Dastur is an insightful debut about characters struggling with various issues that impact their lives and family.

This is a story of family secrets - secret addictions, secret affairs and secret loves. The setting is a farm in North Wales run by husband-and-wife team, John and Catrin. John is struggling to make the farm pay its way. He is drawn into gambling as a way of making money to pay off debts. Catrin is a talented musician and composer but who has become a housewife and farm helper.

The third principal character is the elder son, Harri, who has calculated that his best chance of a career is to take up an Army scholarship at university, serve for the required time and the leave for a life in civvy street. But his plan had been upended because the year is 2004 and Harri has been sent to fight in the Iraq war.

But for the first half of the book, Harri is never present but away on the front-line. We learn about him from the thoughts of his parents, John and Catrin and his letters home. There is a framing device in which extracts from BBC News and the Chilcot Inquiry are interposed into the main narrative taking place in North Wales. Ironically, because the writing of these characters and the North Wales setting is so good and so alive, the dry factual text of these interpolations is of little interest. I suspect that most readers will, like I did, simply skip over these extracts so as to get back to the real-life stories. These are riveting and very well-written. Dry statistics? Not so much. But Harri does make it home and we catch sight of his relationship with Simon, a farmhand.

I found the final 5% of this novel to be quite out of step with the preceding narrative. This is a story of difficult lives lived with secrets and stresses in a harsh environment but the concluding sections segued into ‘a satisfying ending’. Did the author feel he needed to achieve an ending of mellow resolution whereby people walk away holding hands? It seemed just too emotionally rosy and seemed to be the ending from a different type of novel.

But this is a novel full of very good characterisations and brilliantly insightful showing the tough life of a sheep farmer and of a soldier on the frontline. The author shows a woman facing the emotional conflict between loyalty and self-fulfilment.

This is a quite brilliant debut novel and we can look forward to a second novel where the author will have moved on and away from that sheep farm in North Wales.
My thanks go to Fig Tree of Penguin Books for making available a pre-publication copy so that I might write an honest and unbiased review.