Book Details Author: Clare Furniss
Ages: Young Adult
Rating: 8/10
Number of Pages: 307
Plot: Told across the year following her mother's death, Pearl is torn by the grief of her mother's unexpected death and the joy she should be feeling over the birth of her new baby half-sister Rose. But Pearl cannot love Rose. It was Rose that caused her mother's death and turned her world upside down. To Pearl, Rose is nothing but The Rat. As friendship and family become even harder for Pearl to deal with, it seems that her mother's spirit still lingers and guides her through the darkest of times. In a story of grief and loss, Furniss explores the effects of heartbreak in a bittersweet tale full of woe and the glimpses of humour. This contemporary cleverly combines the sorrow and woe of loss with the importance of family and friendship.
Review: I haven't read a book like this before, so I was intrigued by the plot and how Furniss would be able to deal with the issue of grief. I also was curious as to how Furniss would be able to incorporate other issues. Having read briefly about the book on Goodreads, I had seen that the plot also dealt with issues of friendship and even romance. Dealing with such a big topic as loss is difficult for even the best of writers, but Furniss, I feel, was able to deal effectively with each issue whilst ensuring that the premise remained suitable for a Young Adult readership. Of course, there were some areas where I felt that the issue of loss should have been prioritised but overall I felt that each issue was dealt with efficiently and with care.
Another great aspect of the novel was the incorporation of realistic characterisation which in turn added a whole new level of complexity to the plot. I thought it was incredibly refreshing for Furniss to incorporate a different family dynamic as opposed to using the same clichéd nuclear family. The relationship between Pearl and her step father, for example, and how it developed throughout the year after her mother's death felt incredibly realistic. The vulnerability and insecurity of both characters could be seen throughout the book, making it easy for the reader to empathise with both. I found myself constantly changing where my sympathies lied the most. At times I felt that Pearl could be quite annoying especially in regards to the treatment of her step father.
"The world may tip at any moment. But now that doesn't matter."
It is rare that I finish a book not wanting to know more about one of the minor characters and this book makes no exception. I had bought an edition of the book which had a short story from the perspective of Dulcie, Pearl's elderly neighbour. Throughout the main plot little was revealed about this character, and yet her personality made her an instantly likeable character. The short story at the end, therefore, added even more mystery around the character and raised more questions than answers. I really hope that Furniss does go further into this character in the future.
Overall I would definitely recommend this to anyone that is looking for a bittersweet tale that deals with a range of issues. The characters combined with an interesting plot create a loveable story of loss and heartbreak. Furniss has truly created a great story that deals with such deep and emotional issues that still remain suitable for the Young Adult readership.
Have you read The Year of the Rat? Leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below!
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