‘If you’re ready to dive into a whirlwind of humor, heartache, and childhood revelations, then The Sunny Side of the House is your golden ticket! David G. Bailey whisked me away on a time-traveling adventure to the 1960s Fenland, and boy, what a ride it was!
From the moment I cracked open the book, I was greeted with a delightful blend of wit and wisdom. The synopsis alone had me snickering like a kid caught in a funny prank, and the content did not disappoint! Bailey’s storytelling is captivating; it feels like a cozy chat over a cup of tea with an old friend who just happens to have the wildest tales to tell.
Bailey guides us through the vibrant, sometimes chaotic tapestry of a boyhood that straddles the realms of whimsy and reality. His characters leap off the page – each one quirky and colorful in their own right, pulled from a canvas painted with nostalgia. It’s a family portrait that showcases both the hilarity and dysfunction that often come hand in hand. Just when you think you’ve settled into a laugh, the author artfully shifts gears, and you find yourself facing the poignant truths that weave through the fabric of family life.
The Sunny Side of the House is a treasure trove for anyone who cherishes the complexity of family dynamics, the absurdities of childhood, and the bittersweet flavor of growing up. David G. Bailey has penned a memoir that’s not just a reflection of the past but a celebration of what it means to navigate life’s sunny and shadowy corners alike. So grab your copy, settle in, and get ready for a journey that promises to tickle your funny bone while tugging at your heartstrings! You won’t want to miss it!’
‘The story is beautifully paced, shaped and controlled. Even with a cast of thousands, I managed to work out who was who and I really wasn’t expecting the revelations of the last chapter, congratulations for unveiling it so poignantly yet providing the answer to the puzzle that underlies most of the volume.’
AMAZON 5 STAR REVIEW
‘This is the first book that I have read by the author and I will definitely be reading more by him. The author’s writing is beautiful and the pacing was just right. Even though there was some sensitive subjects in the book, the author handled these with care. This was such a beautiful book, I highly recommend it to other readers.’
Alternating narratives weave a compelling tale.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book alternates each chapter between the main protagonist Ray as a schoolboy and present day.
It’s cleverly executed … I enjoyed the storytelling and I was invested in finding out how things concluded. It left me interested enough to buy the author’s previous book ‘Them Roper Girls’ to see how that fits in. However, it was enjoyable enough as a stand-alone story.
I particularly liked the Caribbean backdrop to the present day chapters.
‘
Driven by machismo and a pathological need not to be bested, Ray is a marmite character often behaving badly. A suspenseful ending though reveals a different side of his character
‘
‘
A humorous but gritty read. I found myself frustrated with the main character but also invested in how life turned out for him. Definitely not a romance novel but a real life story. Would recommend
‘
‘
This is what I would call a gritty and sometimes frustrating story. Not because of the author, but because you are following a man, the protagonist, Ray, through his life and often a trail of bad decisions as he goes…
You really do get a flavour of the main character and his life, and things that have happened to him and his background, which helps you see why his life has shaped up to be the way it has and why he is frustratingly, sometimes the way he is.
It’s a very gritty and realistic book, and the author really pulls you into the story and along for the ride as Ray faces relationship disasters, makes life mistakes and faces the consequences of his actions, or sometimes refuses to admit that he might be the problem.
This isn’t my usual style of book, but it did intrigue me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, even if I did want to grab Ray and give him a good talking to at certain points and tell him what I thought of him.
If you enjoy real life and aren’t a person who likes fluffy romance with happy endings and prefers something that is more based on people and the mistakes they make and the lives they live, then this is definitely the book for you, and I would recommend it. I read it over a couple of days and will probably read it again. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it despite the occasional wince at Ray and his life choices … whilst the ending may not be what you expected, I think it’s absolutely worth getting your hands on a copy for a read and something a bit interesting and different.
‘
‘
Them Feltwell Boys is an extremely emotive read. It’s a very character-driven story so you get to really understand the characters and the motivation for their actions.
What makes this book such a good read is that the author doesn’t try to sugarcoat or hide the fact that Ray is flawed and makes questionable decisions. It’s mark of his talent as a writer though that you fully understand the choices Ray makes, even if you don’t agree with them, and it doesn’t make you him hate him.
‘
‘
An interesting story about an expat insurance executive travelling the Caribbean. He has had relationship issues all his life which don’t seem to get resolved. The story includes amongst other topics violence, alcohol abuse, sexual assault, and abusive language! Parallel narratives of his childhood and his career. Twenty-five years on at a school reunion is there a happy ending?
‘
‘
Loved this fictional book about a young boy growing up through his life we get to know quite a lot about his life history.
I enjoyed the writing style, the characters and the atmosphere in this story. It was an amazing read I enjoyed.
‘