I received this book as a member of Rosie Amber’s Book Review Team (#RBRT) in return for an honest review.
I gave Fred’s Funeral by Sandy Day 5* out of 5*
Book Description:
Fred Sadler has just died of old age. It’s 1986, seventy years after he marched off to WWI, and the ghost of Fred Sadler hovers near the ceiling of the nursing home. To Fred’s dismay, the arrangement of his funeral falls to his prudish sister-in-law, Viola. As she dominates the remembrance of Fred, he agonizes over his inability to set the record straight.
Was old Uncle Fred really suffering from shell shock? Why was he locked up most of his life in the Whitby Hospital for the Insane? Could his family not have done more for him?
Fred’s memories of his life as a child, his family’s hotel, the War, and the mental hospital, clash with Viola’s version of events as the family gathers on a rainy October night to pay their respects.
My Review:
I think the book description, with all the open questions, reveals all that is needed to say about the story to draw any reader in.
I loved this novella. Although inspired by letters written by the author’s Great Uncle Fred, and written from a third person point of view, it’s Sandy Day’s light touch in her writing style that brings out the poignancy of what is essentially a ghost story.
I actually found it strangely frustrating that Fred Sadler is unable to make his relatives understand that it was his experiences in the First World War that permanently damaged him and led to his erratic lifestyle afterwards .
And it reminded me that ultimately we are all seen by others from their own perspectives. Bearing in mind that this is essentially a true story, (and not knowing if Viola’s viewpoint of him has, in truth, been gleaned from those letters of his) this disturbed and upset me for Fred.
Which, I suppose, shows how strong is the portrayal of the protagonist – ghost or not.
The juxtaposition of memories and present day actions, recollections and interpretations of Fred’s life through the contents of his battered old suitcase ,as the family study and comment over them, saddened me.
This is a reflective and insightful story that will stay with me for quite a while.
And, my goodness, the cover! The young soldier, veiled by the handwriting, standing upright and proud in his uniform, as yet unaware of what faced him. Powerful image.
And what I would give to be able to read those letters.
I realise this is quite a short review for me but I hope it’s enough to show how strongly I recommend Fred’s Funeral to any readers. A novella not to be missed.
Links:
Amazon.co.uk: http://amzn.to/2sHbv6Z
Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/2FhHjlP
About the Author
Sandy Day is the author of Fred’s Funeral and Chatterbox, Poems. She graduated from Glendon College, York University, with a degree in English Literature sometime in the last century. Sandy spends her summers in Jackson’s Point, Ontario on the shore of Lake Simcoe. She winters nearby in Sutton by the Black River. Sandy is a trained facilitator for the Toronto Writers Collective’s creative writing workshops. She is a developmental editor and book coach.
Find Sandy on Twitter: @sandeetweets
Judith Barrow 
Thank you Judith.
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Truly my pleasure with this book, Rosie.
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Thank you so much, Judith! It is a thrill for me to read such a powerful review. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.
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Hi Sandy, Sorry it was such a short review but I was really moved by your story. And so well written .I did mean what i said – would have been privileged to have read Fred’s letters. Hope your work goes far.
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I transcribed all his letters. Maybe I should write a short piece for you and include some. Let me know if you would like a guest blog.
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Oh I would!! Middle of the night, I know. But a writing time for me these days. Anything you’d like to do as a guest post…
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It’s not middle of the night here in Canada 🙂
I’ll write something up and send it to you by the end of next week.
Sleep well!
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That would be great, Sandy. Was up with the lark this morning… love it when on a roll with a book.
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Oooh. I love the way you describe this book, Judith, and that it evoked feelings in you. I’m fascinated in general with how our perspectives alter the truth (whatever that is) and change our experience of others and the world. It’s not surprising to me that Fred’s experience is misinterpreted and changed by others. Congrats to Sandy on what seems a powerful read.
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Thank you so much, Diana. I was sorry not to give a longer review but glad my enthusiasm and enjoyment of both the story and Sandy’s style of writing came over. A novella that really impressed me… and was just the right length. Certainly made me think… And reminded me of a post I wrote after my mother died eighteen months ago (It’s here- http://bit.ly/2i1hMEj -if you ever have the time to read it. I’ve come to the conclusion that how we are seen by people varies so much. Fred, to me, was judged so harshly by his family in those days of lack of knowledge of shell-shock and PTSD.
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Just read your link about your mom. Lovely.
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So you did, Sandy!! Thank you. Your story did resonate so much with me.
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I thought the length of the review was perfect. You certainly moved me to add the book to my wish list. 🙂
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Thank you, Diana. And, when it reaches the top of your ‘very long’ TBR list, I hope it moves you as it did me.
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I’ve seen this book reviewed a few times this past month Judith. I loved your review and it seems you and I like a lot of the same types of reads. 🙂 So now I am bookmarking this to my Amazon list. Thank you. ❤
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Oh, brilliant, Debby! Yes, I’ve noticed we seem to have similar tastes in our book choices. Will be posting an interview with Sandy sometime soon. It’s half term week here in Wales and I’m having a lovely writing week. Hoping I’ll have a first draft of this book by… oh… the end of this year… if I get more weeks like this. LOL.
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Oh fabulous Judith! Nothing like that feeling of getting a roll on writing! Bask in it! 🙂 ❤
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What a marvelous, mindful review, Judith. Best to Sandy. Hugs all around.
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Thank you so much,Teagan. Shorter than usual but meant just as much. It really is a great read. ❤
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That cover is haunting. This sounds like a must-read!
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Isn’t it just, Jacquie- the cover was the first thing that drew me to the book. It’s an haunting read as well. So poignant! Thank you for dropping by.
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I’m glad to hear that the cover is so effective.
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I think ‘effective’ is the wrong word, Sandy…not sure what is, but the cover of books need to be able to draw in the reader. So… evocative? Poignant? You have chosen it so well.
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A fabulous review of this book, Judith.
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Thank you Robbie.I really did love this novella.
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