The Rubery Award has announced its 2012 winners:
First Prize
The Restorer by Daniela Murphy
Historical Fiction
A beautifully
presented book in hardback and consistently well set out. The story was
measured, detailed and well paced. Murphy has a fluid style and knows
her subject. She is clearly familiar with the region of Florence from
both a historical and geographical perspective and also has a deep and
intimate knowledge of the business of restoring wall paintings. She
makes good and imaginative use of both past and present tenses and
switches effectively between first and third person narrations. There
was some beautiful writing in this novel and lovingly careful
presentation.
Second Prize
The Master's Tale by Ann Victoria Roberts
Fiction
This is a very timely
book, produced in a professional manner. It takes the familiar account
of the last voyage of the Titanic and examines it from a fresh
perspective. It is told by the master of the vessel, Captain Edward
Smith. The writer, who clearly has much specialist knowledge of the
manner in which passenger ships are run, has seen the original log books
of the master before the last tragic voyage, and shows a clear-sighted
recognition of how these facts might have affected his decisions. The
character of the master is strong and believable and the reader’s
sympathies are constantly with him, as the novel takes us through his
earlier life in a series of well-handled flashbacks. A small criticism
is the claim on the front cover that it is a ghost story. Although
there are some references to a ghost on the ship, this seems a small and
insignificant part of a powerful strong story, and the claim is
slightly misleading.
Third Prize
Sea Things by Carol Mead and Gareth Davies
Children's Poetry
The illustrations are
excellent with use of vivid colour and imagination. Much thought has
gone into the appearance and it is eye-catching without being flashy.
The typesetting is playful and in keeping with the intention of the
book. There were a few problems with the presentation. The judges’
main criticism was that there is too much information at the beginning.
These pages should have appeared at the end as they might deter a young
reader. It takes too long to reach the main content of the book . There
are also page numbers on pages that should not be numbered. However,
all the judges agreed that it was a beautiful book and it would be good
for schools.
The Shortlist
Sarah Lacey - Elizabeth Dye
Children's
A
time-travel story, taking the central character back to the nineteenth
century and the use of children in the mining industry. The facts have
been well researched and are convincing. The end pages indicate that it
is part of a series, but nothing in the text indicates this, so it
stands alone well. It is nicely written, with a strong, believable
protagonist with whom the reader can easily identify and the action is
well paced. It is written in a way that would appeal to children.
Dance Lessons - Aine Greaney
Fiction
This
was beautifully and carefully crafted with a great sense of character
and place. It painted a warm, evocative picture of rural Ireland,
effectively contrasting it with the world of academic life in the US..
There were many short, vivid episodes, which skipped between viewpoint,
place and time. This device was mostly effective, although the judges
thought that it sometimes slowed down the story. Nevertheless, the
writing is exceptionally good and the presentation contemporary and
sharp.
The Empathy Effect - Bob Lock
Fantasy
The
book is well written, the setting one the author knows well, and it
shows. The style is slightly experimental as part of it is told in first
person while the third person is used for the scenes where the main
character does not appear,. The limited colour palate of the cover works
well, although some of the judges felt that the title and author did
not stand out enough, and preferred the image on the back to the front.
There were a few concerns that the plot contained too many coincidences,
but it was nonetheless an exciting, well-constructed novel.
Toward the Heliopause - Joan Michelson
Poetry
Joan
Michelson’s tribute to her husband Geoff Adkins is relentless in its
focus on marriage, family, daughter, sudden death and its aftermath.
There is much emotional power and appeal here. She investigates the
meaning of her husband’s death from many angles, with consistency,
compulsion and determination. The narrative about the family life is
interesting, but might not appeal to all readers, especially if they are
not familiar with her and her husband’s work. The poetry is impressive
and laudable for human reasons, however. The judges felt that the
cover was not sufficiently eye catching but they accepted that this was
probably deliberate given the nature of the subject. Although some of
the writing is a little repetitive, the poems are very well constructed
and create a dramatic effect as a book, a concept and a collection.
Act III - Richard Romanus
Memoir
A well
produced and enjoyable book from an accomplished writer, a film actor
and his wife, both of whom have enjoyed considerable success in
Hollywood. It is an account of their move to an idyllic Greek island in
retirement. The location, Skiathos, is portrayed vividly and with much
affection, and the narrative came to life for our readers. It was felt
by one of the judges that, although some of the characters had
fascinating stories, they were not explored at sufficient length. The
writer’s background enables him to drop in regular references to his
previous Hollywood life - well-known people and films– and this is an
added attraction.
The Longlist
Timestop - John Alcock
Poetry
This is
a readable and likeable collection: cheerful and quite lightly,
cleverly witty, but also a bit patchy: plain, clear and nuanced, but
sometimes derivative.
Mirror of the Soul - John Dewey
Memoir
This is
an erudite work which has clearly been exceptionally well researched
and equally well written and presented. An impressive read about this
little known poet. The referencing and index are particularly helpful.
Beatrice - Fiona Joseph
Memoir
A
well-written account of Beatrice, a member of the Cadbury family who was
determined to give up her inheritance and use it to benefit the workers
at the Bournville factory. She and her husband become anti-capitalist
protestors and peace activists, making considerable efforts to leave
behind her earlier existence as a privileged member of a wealthy family.
The Figurehead - Bill Kirton
Historical Fiction
An
interesting idea for a detective story, set in 19th century Aberdeen.
It is left to the local wood carver, a man who specialises in quality
figureheads, to take on the role of detective when a body is found on
the beach. It has not been washed up after an accident, as everyone
believes at first, but shows signs of something more sinister. A
well-written detective story
The Damascus Drum - Christopher Ryan
Fiction
The
illustrations, engravings from 1881 by Edward Whymper, are the most
compelling aspect of this book, but they do not always relate directly
to the text. The book is very attractive, with a well-designed cover,
and the writing is poetic. It is the story of a journey across Syria, a
goat, and the drum made out of its skin. It is the stuff of fantasy and
mysticism.
Brother 'Lijah Built the Ark - Glennis Stott
Fiction
A
chillingly realistic book that reflects the fear that everyone feels
towards religious sects with a dominant, controlling leader. The story
has more strength than the characterisation, which was felt to be a
little simplistic, but the plot is very well handled.
Snack Yourself Thin - Richard Warburg and Tessa Lorant
Non fiction
An
interesting concept that explores in some detail a new idea for a diet.
Anecdotal evidence from one of the writers and his acquaintances is
convincing and the information is well set out, although the pedantic
insistence on using the trademark becomes increasingly irritating
throughout. It was well-written and readable and worth serious
consideration for those wanting to lose weight.
Hobgoblin - Tessa Lorant Warburg
Fiction
The
second part of a trilogy set in America and Germany, an interesting
perspective of the Second World War from the German point of view and
based on the author’s family. It is extremely well written, with
vividly realised scenes, although it sometimes feels more a memoir than a
work of fiction.
