Book review: Audrey, by Sean-Paul Thomas

Excellent. I can be fairly confident in saying this story is unique and convincingly breaks the usual romance formula in several respects.

Firstly, a lead male character wouldn’t conventionally have this sort of background in either past experience or a more reality-based geographical origin (big Scottish city). He is very careful, humble, reliable and in control of himself most of the time as if he’s been put in his place long ago and accepted Fate’s justice (like a good prospect for a family man, not a dominant egoprick) but that maturity also trips into reckless courage when it is needed to keep someone safe (those heartbeat moments). That ticks two boxes. He has a mysterious past regret too that he doesn’t like to talk about (mmm… depths are strangely appealing — three boxes). Does he seek forgiveness or a renewing purpose? He does seem to have an artistic calling (… 4).

The leading lady he encounters and strings along with is a very long way from a Disney figurine herself, not even within a standard issue industry age range of usually between 19 and a quarter to 19 and a half. Possibly closer to the average reader’s age range? Cunning. Instead, she’s immersed in a superbly creative cultural atmosphere, a glamorous enigma who’s resilient to superficiality, which shows in a radiance of under-stated cool-couture, panache and suddenly I’m using French words now, including one you only see on tiny bottles. The best friend (his) is the type of oaf you’d not think out of place in an Irvine Welsh movie, so there’s no doubt which one the reader is supposed to root for.

Lo-fi for the soul? It’s not just the art-house vibe though. This film has a reality to it, an aspiration-driven rise for sure but there’s the sense it’s all natural and acceptable for this guy to follow the path he ends up taking. He deserves something decent to happen to him at last, to lay his ghosts and find redemption.

I thought it was an excellent book. It’s a departure by this author from his usual subject matter, but still gritty in places and most often unexpectedly heart-warming, so that’s pleasant to discover too.