What beauty there is by Cory Anderson

This is my stop on the blog tour with The Write Reads gang for Cory Anderson’s debut novel, What beauty there is. I never thought I’d get to finish reading this novel in time for my ‘slot’ on the tour but it was such a page turner that I devoured it in two days.

When describing a novel as a page turner there are certain elements that make that statement true. For example, the plot is fast paced, or you feel you are part of the story, or you are absorbed so much that you have no concept of time. Then there are novels that strike a chord somewhere within. That is what Cory Anderson has done with this debut. It is a heartbreakingly beautiful novel with prose that matches the cold wintery setting. 

In the winter of Idaho Jack Dahl is struggling to keep himself and his younger brother Matty alive. His dad is in prison, his mum is in a deep depression and has ceased to function, and money is dwindling. When Jack and Matty’s mum dies, Jack worries his brother will be taken into care so he has no choice but to find the stolen drug money that his father hid before his imprisonment. This proves to be a dangerous thing, as there are people who are still on the lookout for the money and Jack gets caught up in a whirlwind of chaos as he tries to survive wave after wave of attack from dangerous men.

Ava, is a young girl that crosses Jack’s path and in amongst the chaos she vows to help. This is unusual as Ava doesn’t like to get close to others, she herself lives in isolation with a father who is a tyrant that has taught her love doesn’t exist. But Ava is drawn to Jack, there is something there. She know’s it and so does Jack.

However, when Ava realises that Jack and her father are after the same stolen drug money Ava has a choice, to speak out or stay quiet? The resulting turmoil is played out with heart wrenching consequences.

Cory Anderson has wrote a novel that is cold, sharp and blunt, with an undertone of heartwarming longing for Jack, Ava and Matty. The prose is written in a way that feels like it’s a steady beat, with paragraphs and sentences that are straight to the point, resulting in that sharp bluntness as you read the events unfolding. It has been quite a journey to read Cory’s style and upon finishing I have been left with my heart aching and I’m not entirely sure why. This is what makes a writer stand out. One that can tap into your emotions be they, joy or sadness. This is a story that I shall remember in years to come and Cory Anderson is an author who I shall keep my eyes on.