Bücher von Gemma Bolger

As world events take over in a way that nobody thought possible, paranoia becomes part of everyday life. The insidious feeling of being watched creeps over the community of Waterport, with locals ever mindful of 'what would the neighbours think?' As people handle the changes in different ways, some grow stronger and more resilient, but others feel the loss of control over their own lives overwhelming. Cracks begin to show, and a cold eye is cast on how well the characters were really connected to each other. Feelings become visceral and raw in the face of loneliness, and questions are asked about their own sense of worth and their place in the community. Some struggle more than others, and a years-old secret begins to haunt in a very real way one of the main characters and threaten what's left of their already tattered reputation. Having already lost their good standing in the community - there is not much left to lose, and that is when we humans are at our most dangerous.

Relatively Distant takes us on a journey that is peppered with typical life experiences, but in unusual and challenging circumstances. The story begins in the early seventies and brings us up to recent times. The main story is centred around a family of four, and is told at different stages from their individual viewpoints. As the younger characters mature, so does the underlying theme and the story becomes more serious and dark. Sibling rivalry is at its core, but there is an underlying history that doesn't fully reveal itself until the end. Although the book tackles some of life's difficulties, it is sprinkled throughout with humour that helps to balance the atmosphere. The eternal question of 'nature or nurture' is posed as the main characters develop and their personalities become apparent. Relatively Distant is best described as a family tragedy, wrapped up in a love story and ending in a mystery discovered.