snoakes7001's review against another edition
5.0
Whispers Through a Megaphone is a delightful story of people rediscovering themselves, of lost love, friendship, turning the clock back and starting again. All the characters are charming - Miriam who is leaving the house for the first time in three years, Ralph who's about to walk out of his own birthday party, Sadie, his wife, who documents her life online in alarming detail, Fenella, Miriam's friend and link to the outside world and Boo her kindly neighbour. Utterly captivating and highly recommended if you need something sunny to lift your soul.
wendoxford's review against another edition
3.0
A fabulous read. In my view maybe too many left field characters thrown together...but this does create a fascinating compulsive yet comic narrative despite addressing huge life questions.
Abandonment
Marriage expectations/reality
First loves
Parenting
Abuse
Family bonds
Not quite sure how much suspended reality is required but this is a slice of life that would survive so much better without the endless "tweet" asides...which add nothing. Entertaining? enthralling? whimsical?
Abandonment
Marriage expectations/reality
First loves
Parenting
Abuse
Family bonds
Not quite sure how much suspended reality is required but this is a slice of life that would survive so much better without the endless "tweet" asides...which add nothing. Entertaining? enthralling? whimsical?
jessica_h's review against another edition
4.0
I was lucky enough to be sent this novel as a proof copy by Foyles as part of a giveaway they hosted, but this had no bearing on my review or my thoughts on this novel.
This book made me realise that being 20 and not having anything figured out yet might not be so bad. These characters are in their 30’s and they’re in the same boat. In fact, many of them have made terrible choices and they’re only just realising it and suffering the consequences. But this all makes this book sound very downbeat and depressing. Which it’s not. It was actually very life affirming and uplifting to read.
Miriam Delaney is our first main character. She is quiet, both figuratively and literally, with a lot of thoughts, has suffered significant trauma throughout her life, and hasn’t actually left her house in the past 3 years. Ralph Swoon, the reluctant psychotherapist, has only just realised that he is rather miserable, may be in a loveless marriage and his wife is quite possibly a lesbian. Their chance meeting in the woods one afternoon when they are both at significant turning points in their lives sparks an unusual but healing, platonic relationship and this odd meeting turns out to be the catalyst for some big life changes for the both of them.
This novel goes back and forth between many characters and their view points, from Miriam to her frantic and rather awful mother Frances, to Miriam’s helpful neighbour and not so secret admirer Boo, from Ralph to his confused wife Sadie and their twin teenage sons, and a few others. Although this was a lot to keep track of at times, the novel never felt overcrowded. Every character felt like they had a very relevant, and very important part to play and I wanted to hear from everyone.
After finishing Whispers Through a Megaphone I felt like every character’s story was nicely concluded, but in a way that let the reader know that they still had so much to experience, so much more life to live. This novel was very human, very heart-warming, quite humorous at times, yet quite sad in others. As mentioned before, this is not the type of novel I would usually pick up, but I was pleasantly surprised and would definitely read more from Rachel Elliott off the back of this read.
The main feeling I took away from this novel is that as much as some try to make it so, life is not, and cannot, be perfect. Nothing is set in stone, we are all human, we make mistakes, and not everything is quite what it seems initially. And there’s not a thing wrong with any of this. In fact, it can be quite beautiful.
This book made me realise that being 20 and not having anything figured out yet might not be so bad. These characters are in their 30’s and they’re in the same boat. In fact, many of them have made terrible choices and they’re only just realising it and suffering the consequences. But this all makes this book sound very downbeat and depressing. Which it’s not. It was actually very life affirming and uplifting to read.
Miriam Delaney is our first main character. She is quiet, both figuratively and literally, with a lot of thoughts, has suffered significant trauma throughout her life, and hasn’t actually left her house in the past 3 years. Ralph Swoon, the reluctant psychotherapist, has only just realised that he is rather miserable, may be in a loveless marriage and his wife is quite possibly a lesbian. Their chance meeting in the woods one afternoon when they are both at significant turning points in their lives sparks an unusual but healing, platonic relationship and this odd meeting turns out to be the catalyst for some big life changes for the both of them.
This novel goes back and forth between many characters and their view points, from Miriam to her frantic and rather awful mother Frances, to Miriam’s helpful neighbour and not so secret admirer Boo, from Ralph to his confused wife Sadie and their twin teenage sons, and a few others. Although this was a lot to keep track of at times, the novel never felt overcrowded. Every character felt like they had a very relevant, and very important part to play and I wanted to hear from everyone.
After finishing Whispers Through a Megaphone I felt like every character’s story was nicely concluded, but in a way that let the reader know that they still had so much to experience, so much more life to live. This novel was very human, very heart-warming, quite humorous at times, yet quite sad in others. As mentioned before, this is not the type of novel I would usually pick up, but I was pleasantly surprised and would definitely read more from Rachel Elliott off the back of this read.
The main feeling I took away from this novel is that as much as some try to make it so, life is not, and cannot, be perfect. Nothing is set in stone, we are all human, we make mistakes, and not everything is quite what it seems initially. And there’s not a thing wrong with any of this. In fact, it can be quite beautiful.
heathssm's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
helenh1975's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
savidgereads's review against another edition
3.0
Quirky novel of two people. A recluse who has not left her house for three years after the tyranny of her mother and an incident we discover over time. A psychiatrist who is lost in his marriage and family and one day walks out. This novel tells this two tales and then the tales of both the moment these two meet, those who are around them and what follows. Interesting. Made me laugh a lot, got a little overdramatic on occasion. Very enjoyable though.
yetanothersusan's review
4.0
Miriam did something three years ago that has made her frightened to leave the house. On top of this, she is still dealing with the memories of her abusive and mentally ill mother. Ralph is depressed. He wants to be a gardener but is stuck as a psychotherapist. His wife Sadie is struggling with her relationship with her husband and her own sexuality. Then Ralph runs away from home and his own birthday party. Miriam decides that she is finally going to leave the house. The two have a chance meeting in the woods and find each other as unlikely supporters. Their friendship, how they deal with their individual issues, and the greater story around them make for a great read. Ms. Elliott tends her characters gently, lovingly, as she guides them through their difficulties and does an amazing job of presenting even the minor characters in true colors. Just a wonderful book!
A copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Steerforth Press in exchange for an honest review.
A copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Steerforth Press in exchange for an honest review.