Contemporary
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After a decade of social injustice, of political chaos, and the aftermath of Covid-19, Britain has become a fragmented country. Something has to give and a Welsh seaside village on the edge of the nation, one of the forgotten places, is taking up the fight against those who are turning its once-thriving rural community into a hollow shell.
Dance of the Rainmakers is a novel in which the battle for a village is played out by the intertwined stories of three characters. There’s Lloyd, the village policeman who is caught in the middle of the protest. His nemesis, Meic, a charismatic young politician who is on a crusade supported by a seemingly bottomless supply of cash and a gang of thugs. And then there’s Frankie a London media figure who along with her frustrated partner Ruth, has moved to the village and brought the kind of unwelcome change that gives Meic his shot at nation-wide glory.
Recent years has been hard on the village: more holiday homes, fewer working opportunities for the young, and a primary school which is about to close. The community feels exploited, ignored and powerless so they take to the streets in protest. This small local demonstration becomes a national news-story as a tense stand-off emerges. Will Meic’s plans work? Will Lloyd face his fears and stop the violence? And just what are those rumours concerning Ruth?
Here's what readers have to say about this book....
A Welsh revolution. Imagine that. Drawn to the pastel colours in the cover and the story being set in Wales, this book looked like it may be something different. Very contemporary (as in post Covid-19) it looks at many political and current issues facing rural areas such as Wales. The story is mainly told from three main points of view: a police officer who had served during the riots in Bradford, an educated political activist and thug, and an 'outsider' journalist from London. A lot of perspectives mingle with other characters and there is a mish-mash of head-hopping that includes the police officer's wife and children through to various journalists and police officers who join the story later. It is an interesting read about the issues facing a fictitious Welsh seaside town, such as central government funding and outsiders settling and taking houses that locals cannot afford. The outsiders in this instance are English, some wanting to live their lives in the beautiful country that Wales is, while others want to change it, to bring it up to date like modern English towns. Because of Covid many people now work from home and quite a few realised that they are no longer tied to their workplace in a way they once were, so why not move to the seaside? Many of the characters are typical of 1950s England with their sexist and racist attitudes and adversity to change. I'm not sure how accurate this is of Wales - but this is a work of fiction. This is an enjoyable book that looks at the traditional status quo and the challenges of modernity and the decisions that need to be faced to earn a living. At times the stereotypes seem a little farcical so I wondered if the book is a satire, especially regarding the police. The tale is about the revolution from its beginning to its whimpering end and covers every gripe rural folk ever had, even the invasions of the English king Edward I in the thirteenth century. Well written (if you exclude the head hopping and unlikable stereotypes) the book makes a pleasant change. Can't wait to go back to Wales. Original review: https://www.netgalley.co.uk/book/233288/review/542584
This was a good book with a whole range of characters, both good and bad. Beautiful setting which really was a character of its own. Original review: https://www.netgalley.co.uk/book/233288/review/263011
Although this book is classed as a general fiction book I would be more likely to class it as political / crime novel. I found this novel very interested as i love controversial issues i like to see a well balanced argument and this is what the author did. The issue that this book looks at is the increasing amount of holiday homes in a small village in Wales. How there isn't enough houses for local people and that prices are driven up and beyond what the locals can afford. The author balances this story with the 3 main character each from a different walk of life. The book also deals with how some Welsh people still have a hatred of the English. This made the book a real page turner for me. It was fun having a love/hate relationship with the characters as they have strong personalities. I felt he did a very good portrayal of what life is like in small Welsh villages well they are exaggerated the hatred for the novel. It almost seems like a non-fiction book as its dealing with real issues. I picked this book because although I'm from England I feel like I belong in Wales and i adore the Welsh language. I also love to holiday around the area that this book seems to be based around. That created a special connection with this book. I really recommend this book, it is well worth a read.
