The Falling Thread

Adam O’Riordan is recognised as a fine poet and short story writer. ‘The Falling Thread’ is his debut novel and a very good read it is too! Bookended by the First World War, the story proper begins in 1890. Bored Cambridge university student, Charles Wright, alone in the family home whilst his parents and two younger sisters holiday in Windemere, seduces their governess, Hettie Greenhalgh.
Following their lives over the next twenty or so years, O’Riordan explores the ways in which the privileged use their power, buoyed up by financial security and an innate sense of self-worth. Whilst the focus is, at first, on Charles and Hettie, O’Riordan’s exploration of women’s suffrage and the attractions of bohemian life are developed through the Wright sisters. Tabitha cares deeply about social inequalities whilst Eloise is determined to make her way as an artist.
Many passages in ‘The Falling Thread’ remind this reader of E M Forster’s novels about changing social conditions and floundering relationships. Perhaps the author could have explored Hettie’s position a little more; clearly life is very difficult for her even though her time is idly spent. Indeed, many of O’Riordan’s characters fail to connect, leading to stultifying marriages and awkward parent/child exchanges. Most endearing is the sisters’ bond. Whilst they are often made cross or frustrated, their mutual honesty and acceptance of each other’s differences signifies real love.
Tabitha says to Eloise, ‘You might want to look inside a book sometime, Ellie, it’s a wonder what ends up in there.’ Whilst some may argue that this novel brings little new to the literary canon, O’Riordan’s lyrical portrayal of a time in flux, peopled both by those who accept and those who question the status quo, is not only memorably written. He also encourages comparisons with important contemporary issues: social mobility; mental health; liberalism; capitalism, and the value of the artistic life. This is a novel to be savoured and pondered over.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Circus for a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the advance copy of this novel.

I really enjoyed the falling thread - truthfully not my usual genre or setting. The author conjured up such a captivating atmosphere within the first few pages, that I was gripped throughout. I read most of it in one setting. There's such an interesting mix of genres, and the final fifty pages really fly by. It's absolutely haunting, would definitely recommend.