Lenny

Details:

• author: Laura McVeigh
• full title: Lenny
• narrator: John Chancer
• genre: literary fiction
  
• topics: #family #ptsd #loss #grief #environment #war
  
• publisher: Saga Egmont Audio
• publish date: 29.03.2022
• timing: 6:13:00
  
  

My Rating of the Audiobook:

• content: 💙💙💙💙.5
• narration: 💙💙💙💙💙

 

 

Goodreads

Excerpt from the Book:

Lenny was free, travelling at the speed of light, gone now from the bayou, looking down on the winding silver ribbons and the smiling oxbow gleam of the False River, before veering away towards the woodlands further upriver, earth once thick with trees, now yellow and scorched at the edges, dying. A gift to the land, some sai, from the chemical companies.

Circling back in the other direction, Lenny flew over the twisting branches and early morning mists of the swampland, swiftly and at altitude, eager to be far from where trapped souls lay in wait, mournful and forgotten. He squeezed the agate stone he held in his fist. His mama Mari-Rose had given it to him - a gris-gris to keep him safe (it'll protect you Lenny - I can't do no more for you, I just can't ...).

My Thoughts:

This is a story of a 10-year-old Lenny. His father, Jim, came back from the war and now suffers from PTSD. His mother, Mari-Rose, left. Lenny's elderly neighbor Miss Julie and local librarian Lucy Albert care about him and try to help him. Lenny is a slow-paced literary fiction set in Roseville, Louisiana, where a chemical factory causes an environmental issue.

We follow two timelines: Ubari Sand Sea (Libya) in 2011 and Roseville (Louisiana, US) in 2012. The novel deals with family, love, loneliness, and a few sensitive topics, like loss and grief. It is often sad but still a heartwarming story.

I enjoyed the narration of John Chancer, who made this story come to life.

About the Author:

Laura McVeigh was born in Northern Ireland. She read Modern & Medieval Languages at Cambridge University and has an MSc in Global Politics from the University of London. Prior to writing full-time, Laura worked in publishing, human rights and the charity sector. She speaks several languages, has travelled widely, and has lived and worked abroad. Previous experience includes working on education, environmental and development projects, peace and conflict issues, and human rights work.

She lives in London and the Balearics with her family. Her second novel LENNY is out now (New Island Books, March 2022). Her debut novel sold in ten territories worldwide.