View source for Wrecker by Summer Wood

{{infobox1
|title=Wrecker
|author=Summer Wood
|reviewer=Louise Laurie
|genre=General Fiction
|summary=It's all 'flower power' in 1960s San Francisco and Lisa Fay is making the most of it all.  Next thing, she's in prison for a lengthy period,  her son's farmed out to distant family and everything about her life has gone pear-shared.
|rating=3.5
|buy=Maybe
|borrow=Maybe
|pages=304
|publisher=Bloomsbury
|date=August 2011
|isbn=978-1408809310
|website=http://summerwoodwrites.com/
|video=Qy5B-gWcBX0
|cover=1408809311
|aznuk=1408809311
|aznus=B0054NPLUM
}}

I found the book title intriguing and wondered if I'd got caught up in some demolition yard story by mistake.  Wood, at some stage in the book does give her readers the explanation.  It's a boy's name apparently and the detailed explanation is rather charming - and apt.  But it's also just a tad over-the-top (in terms of credibility I'm thinking) and by the time I'd finished the book I was heartily sick of this name which had short-term appeal for me.  I was muttering to myself saying silly things like - why can't he be called Billy, for example.  But I'm not writing the book.
 
We meet toddler Wrecker early on in the story.  He's now an orphan with no one to look after him - looks like care beckons.  But the local social worker investigates and find out that he has distant family.  Problem sorted.  And enter Uncle Len.  Len is no good with children - young or otherwise and gives the impression he doesn't know which end is what, if you see what I mean.  I couldn't help liking the hapless but kind-hearted Len.  Len is also on my side (ha ha) and can't fathom Wrecker's fancy-pants name.  He decides to simply call him 'boy' for now.  An awkward start.  And things go from bad to worse ...
 
However, help is at hand in the form of a diverse bunch of people who live near to Len.  They are all living in apparent harmony in a cluttered but carefree house in the middle of nowhere.  But as the story develops we soon see that they all have a 'past' and they all have their demons to confront.  This part of the story was a little too pat, a little too forced for me.  To add to the quirkiness, a few have rather bohemian names (or just plain irritating and that's me right back to poor Wrecker again).  Names like - Willow, Melody and Johnnie Appleseed.  He's never, ever called just plain Johnnie (perhaps the heavens would fall in) and yes, he is a treehugger and lover of the eco life.  But I just felt that again Wood thought that by giving a character a unique and memorable name, a terrific personality would follow.  Not so, I'm afraid.
 
Wood's style is easy-going and conversational.  This book is very easy to read and would be a good choice as a summer or holiday read, it's got that 'feel' about it.  Wood also likes to put in plenty of adverbs and adjectives as well as giving her readers plenty of poetic descriptions - whether it's places, people or even food.  All of this helps set the tone for a rather cosy and uncomplicated read.
 
Orphan Wrecker enters the home of Melody and co and steals their hearts, basically.  But with plenty of ups and downs along the way.  Cleverly, the front cover of the book that I read, depicts a gorgeous little boy.  Motherhood, parenting (good and bad) and all forms of domestic life are contained in this book to some extent or other.  But particularly motherhood.  As you'll discover if you read the book, little Wrecker can claim to have a couple of mothers, a father or two, an uncle who visits ...  But - his real mother, his birth mother is banged up in prison many miles away.  He doesn't get to see her during his important formative years.
 
I suppose what is rather endearing is reading about this disparate group of individuals trying their hardest to bring up Wrecker.  There are good days and bad days aplenty.  Having an inquisitive, boisterous, sometimes rebellious toddler around the once-quiet house can be unsettling for some.  But for others he's the best thing since sliced bread.
 
On a slight negative, I thought that some parts of the book were treading water a little.  They didn't add to the overall story.  I also thought that the plot lacked some originality and the language used at times a bit twee and sentimental.  But overall, a pleasant read with family matters at its heart.
 
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.

If this book appeals then you might like to try [[Before the Storm by Diane Chamberlain]].

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