In Sarah Maria Griffin’s debut novel protagonist, Nell, lives in a “post-apocalyptic world.” Ravaged by an unexplored and unexplained plague, the residents of The Pale meander through lives augmented with prostheses created by Nell’s father. In order to avoid menial labour residents must offer up a contribution to society. The book explores Nell’s relationships with her father, the world around her and a decision to fit/not fit in.
The problem here is twofold. In having a story rich in plot devices that are never fully explained, Griffin leaves the reader with an irritating lack of detail. Not an irritation that ruins the story entirely, but needles at the back of the mind throughout reading. The plague is never really explained and the other residents are made nothing of, barring a handful of side players, thus the reader is left with questions that could have been answered with a touch more world building. These elements are there to service the story, which is one of emotion, but the result is that old chestnut of style over substance.
This leads to the second problem with the text. The prose style is perhaps best described as ethereal when the aim was for possibly, nay probably, poetic. At times the descriptions and segues into Nell’s head can feel wispy and difficult to get hold of. As mentioned, this is a first novel and we will not damn it completely. That prose style has a huge potential to be developed in the future and it is very much hoped it will be.
One thing to be absolutely applauded is the novel’s handling of its characters sexualities. LGBQT characters are introduced with aplomb and in no way are they contrived or reduced to becoming plot contrivances. This is how it should be in modern YA literature.
In what may seem a critical about-face, the sum of its parts (yes, we went there) does not add up to a bad debut. The painting of Nell is accomplished and the emotions beat as hard as the mechanical heart in our protagonist’s chest. Special mentions go to Ruby- Nell’s friend and Kodak, her pet stoat.
Not so much a page-turner and more a slow burn, we look forward to Griffin’s next offering. Let those previously mentioned niggles subside, let the writing style wash over you and this could an enjoyable read destined for a couple of chapters before bedtime.
SPARE AND FOUND PARTS / AUTHOR: SARAH MARIA GRIFFIN / PUBLISHER: TITAN BOOKS / RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 6TH
