posted on 20 Sep 2019

Letting Go by Cat Clarke

Climbing up a mountain on a drizzly grey day to scatter the ashes of an ex-partner’s mother on what would have been her birthday is unlikely to be much fun. But Agnes is fiercely loyal to the emotional needs of Ellie who has requested that she comes along to mark the occasion and provide some much needed support. Perhaps the moment might even rekindle some intimacy between the two of them, because Agnes is finding the break up very painful, and has been heartbroken for some time. She has put on weight, frequently skives college, lacks interest in pretty much everything and feels overwhelmingly sad. But a positive outcome from the trip might prove to be a challenge because they are not going to be alone together on the mountain. Ellie already has a new partner, Steve, who is keen to assert his role as the super capable and caring boyfriend. To help give this impression, he has all the right climbing equipment and weather proof clothes which immediately fills Agnes with understandable disdain because she is just dressed in her everyday clothes, and certainly didn’t think to bring along walking poles! In fact, she is completely unprepared for the ordeal of climbing a very steep and difficult mountain in weather that becomes increasingly threatening. Should they turn back even though it was a fervent dying wish? Both Agnes and Steve are determined to prove their worth and the first part of the book shows them verbally sniping at one another, scoring points to hopefully win them favour with Ellie. This is about so much more than going on an expedition.    

One of the reasons that I rate this story is the way in which the author so clearly describes the discomfort of someone who takes no pleasure in physical exercise:

 ‘The clouds have turned gun-metal grey and are spewing angry, relentless rain. Merciless rain. My jeans are soaked through and sticking to my legs’.

As the weather becomes even more punishing, Agnes grits her teeth and becomes more resolved to stay solid and finish the ghastly experience for the sake of friendship. More bad stuff happens that I am not going to reveal here, but the three young people eventually come down from the mountain, all changed for ever.  

This energetic and eventful Young Adult story works well because of the powerful writing that effectively paints each well-rounded character. Although I identified with Agnes’s misery and her evident dislike of Steve, I also saw how he was a flawed young man who meant well and was only trying to impress. Perhaps Ellie had unreasonable expectations of the two friends but learns that she shouldn’t take them for granted when they are all faced with difficult decisions. This is another successful blend of tense suspense and varied perspectives published by Barrington Stoke who are adept at producing stories that will keep even the most reluctant reader fully engaged from start to finish.

Strongly recommended.  

 

Karen Argent

September 2019