Mary Cavanagh - Novelist

NEWS!!!!
The title of my forthcoming second novel has been changed to A Man Like Any Other (The Priest's Tale). This is because The Priest's Tale, as a main title, was swamped (i.e. virtually buried) on all the on-line book sales retail sites, by The Nun's Priest's Tale. Naturally, Geoffrey Chaucer's references were chosen before Mary Cavanagh's!

I am very pleased to be able to publish my first review of A Man Like Any Other, and for this I am deeply indebted to Sharon Stanley.

A Man Like Any Other, Mary Cavanagh’s second novel, is a truly, excellent and page-turning read. Anyone who has read her first novel, The Crowded Bed, will not be disappointed with her stunning follow-up.

As before, Mary creates credible, human characters that excite, anger, frustrate, and generally mess up their lives – as we all do – whilst evoking our sympathy, and affection for their human frailties. She evokes 1960’s morality, and in particular, Roman Catholic morality, so very well, drawing the reader into the claustrophobic attitudes which strangle youth, hope, and ambition.

Her account of the Priest’s early beginnings are beautifully drawn, showing how a child is influenced by both nature and nurture. With great insight she describes the making of a small boy into to a man, a man to a priest, and a priest to a vulnerable ‘man like any other’. I was impressed with her handling of the enforced adoption theme, from which flowed how life’s uncertain throw of the dice can benefit, or destroy. Whilst being a perfect environment for the child, his ‘theft’ destroyed his natural mother, forcing her to reinvent herself.

As ever, Mary writes with sensitivity and a sure hand, using psychological nuance, darkness, and human weakness, so very well. However, to lighten the moral overload, she injects a running theme of black humour. If not handled properly, the result could border on farce, but it never does, steering the reader to view each scenario with perfect balance.

This novel will appeal to anyone who enjoys a fast-moving story, with fallible, enigmatic characters, and no heavy-handed judgements of right or wrong. The seriously ‘wrong’ aspect of the book is deep and jaw-dropping, but it is depicted eloquently, as an ‘unspoken sin’. The reader is, thus, left to judge for themselves in every situation.

A Man Like Any Other is wholeheartedly recommended. It will appeal to all age groups, of both sexes, and will make a superb choice as a Book Group read. Hopefully, it will become a huge best seller for Mary.

Sharon StanleyJune 2008

Matador have just confirmed that the official publication date will be 14th September 2008. Meanwhile, here is a list of library talks I am doing over the summer. Reviews of my first novel, The Crowded Bed, can be found below.