Imagine being trapped in a sweltering summer of '76, where the very air seems to shimmer with tension. The UK is reeling from a searing heatwave that's left water scarce and tempers short. It's against this backdrop of crisis that Charlotte Edwardes' gripping debut novel, 'Trouble Was', unfolds – a heart-wrenching tale of neglect, mental health, and the desperate lives of three young siblings.
Through the eyes of primary-aged Frank, we experience the world in all its confusion and terror. As he recounts his family's struggles with brutal honesty, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary childhood. Frank's voice is a masterstroke – at once immediate and reflective, like a child trying to make sense of the chaos around him. We're torn between his innocent perceptions and our own understanding of the adult world, where neglect and cruelty are allowed to flourish.
The story centres on the Edward family's nomadic lifestyle, with Frank and his siblings being whisked off to their Aunt Perry's ramshackle farmhouse in the West Country. But this move is no escape – it's a descent into a world of unsanitary conditions, meagre rations, and unmet basic needs. The family's harsh philosophy of 'toughening up' the children leaves an indelible mark on their young lives.
Edwardes' own experiences as a war correspondent bring a level of authenticity to her portrayal of neglect and its long-term effects. She's a master of subtlety, using implication rather than explicit description to conjure a haunting atmosphere that lingers long after the final page is turned. The result is a novel that's both unflinching in its depiction of domestic squalor and deeply moving in its portrayal of the human cost.
'Trouble Was' is a searing indictment of a society that allows childhood neglect to go unchecked, particularly during times of national stress. It's a powerful reminder that the struggles within families can be just as devastating as those on the global stage – and that it's never too late for change.