Tears of a Shadow

Loved this book read it in a day! Thought provoking and intense. Likeable characters and good story line.

The book starts with a very disquieting prelude where 2 individuals are waiting to give a performance. They appear to be in a cellar, and there's just one piece of furniture, a shabby sofa. "Uncle Simon" comes down the rickety stairs and demands to see what they've prepared. Michael has nothing, his brother Jonathon is word perfect with Hamlet.

Fast forward and Jonathan is an actor whose life is spiralling out of control. He's having problems finding acting work, he's cruel to his on-off girlfriend, drinking too much, taking drugs, and getting into fights.

He's obsessed with his brother Michael, a successful businessman with a wife and son. Michael tries to hold him at arm's length.

Eventually the traumas of childhood and PTSD resurface with devastating results.

A promising debut from Silver.

A gripping story of one man's spiral with addiction. You'll find yourself totally immersed in this characters plight.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book

This book is really a fascinating study of trauma and how mental health challenges can emerge and affect you. It showcases addiction and desperation with heart breaking sincerity and I found the account of the characters as children absolutely compelling.

There is an abundance of visceral and vivid style as Jonathan Stetson tells his story, his words littered with vitriol and vinegar. His world view is shaped by alcohol, drugs and disillusionment but he's also cultured, clever and calculating.
This is a book about what happens to us when things come unstuck. It's about familial abuse, failed loyalties, forfeited love and the pressure of having to make do giving birth to jealousy, decadence and desperate measures.
I couldn't help falling for Jon. He's an antihero with style and a certain panache. Is he psychotic or just a guy in need of a good break? My empathy's all for him and him alone.
This is a literary work of breathtaking brilliance much in need of a sequel.

This was an unexpected novel and I’m so glad i gave it a chance. I found myself questioning anything and it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The writing really reflected the atmosphere. It was unsettling, gut wrenching and really reflected the desperation of the plot. This was an incredible debut novel and I’m so excited to see what the author writes next.