Other Fiction Davison, Philip: The Book-Thief's Heartbeat, v1 23 Sep 2008

[Madam Broshkina]

In Bewley's Oriental Cafe in Dublin, seated on red plush beneath the stained-glass windows, Oliver awaits an almond bun and a cup of coffee and considers his existence. Art gallery attendant and vintage car enthusiast, Oliver boorishly collects parking tickets and pursues Lily with less than ardent consistency.

Born in the year Penguin changed the lettering on their spines, perhaps all that he takes seriously in life is the calm conteplation of cups of Bewley's coffee and that cafe's unique atmosphere. Certainly his grasp of 'normal', practical reality appears somewhat tenuous.

This small gem of a novel proceeds by way of short passages which are perfectly delineated sketches of unresolved ambiguities.

Some reviews:

Pre-eminently human… funny in the way that The Catcher in the Rye was funny. BOOKS IRELAND

Mr Davison has a gentle touch with words that allow them to filter through the mind, leaving a residue of warmth and familiar recognition behind. SUNDAY PRESS

It has a hero who smacks of early Beckett EVENING HERALD

It is obvious that Philip Davison could make any place or circumstance or character that took his fancy equally compelling. He has a sparse and strangely matter-of-fact style of writing that gives full value to every word and act. THE IRISH TIMES

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