A Year of Trials for E.G. Rawlings

This is a great story greatly told. A masterly narrative for a powerful and exciting journey. What a joy to read! Derek Jacobi; The second part of the E G Rawlings Trilogy introduces a miscellany of upper middle-class families. As he visits Dundee, Adelaide, Boston and Sarajevo, further problems await the conscientious Rawlings. Timothy West; EG Rawlings. The grandfather I wish I'd had and the one I'd wish to be. So moving, in so many directions. Ian Lavender; I much enjoyed the company of the amusingly taciturn Mr E.G. Rawlings in the first volume of Jane McCulloch's Trilogy, and was not disappointed to meet him and his friends again. He certainly endures more life-changing experiences than is usual for 'a plain, blunt man'. At one point our engaging war correspondent hero remarks: "I'm certain I could never become a novelist. It's hard enough writing facts. The thought of working from imagination and inventing characters would utterly daunt me". Well, Ms McCulloch shows no trace of being daunted. Already known for her factual historical explorations, her mastery of the frictional form is delightfully manifest. The last page of this narrative leaves us with a gaping hole of expectation waiting to be filled. Roll on Volume Three I say! Julian Glover; In February 2018, Rawlings underwent surgery on the leg damaged in Afghanistan. His PTSD is still disturbing his sleep. Felix, his grandson for whom he is guardian, is in Australia and Rawlings is worried about him. He can't quite put his finger on it, but Felix has changed from a happy chatty boy into a monosyllabic serious boy. Rawlings is desperately worried that his compliance with the decision to send him to Australia to live with his aunt and her family was the right thing to do. Rawlings has also bought a flat. It's the downstairs part of a house that his friend Max owns. Max's sister, Bel is managing the alterations of the flat. However, her interests may be more ambivalent Jolyon, Rawlings literary agent insists that Rawlings' next book must be of his experiences in the siege of Sarajevo. It was here that he met his soulmate, Mia, a freelance photographer. He knows that writing this book is going to bring back all the memories of the traumatic time they spent in Sarajevo and of course, his memories of Mia, killed by the bomb that almost cost him his leg. Thank God for Isobel! She is still the sane, calm, and beautiful friend who Rawlings can always rely on for good advice and he certainly needs it. I was so delighted to get this, the second book in the trilogy, because the first book, The Strange Year of E.G. Rawlings had only told us a small bit about Rawlings' life. In this second novel, we learn more about Rawlings, the journalist, in particular, his memories of the war in Sarajevo. Jane McCulloch, you make all your characters come to life. I feel as though I've been given this extraordinary chance to follow them, especially Rawlings as though I've turned into a little ghost sitting on his shoulder, travelling with him through each day and whatever disaster or drama it may bring. It's not often that an author can paint a picture as you can. It's an astonishing novel. I'm so pleased all the characters were back with lots of new faces also appearing to add to the continuity of Rawlings life. What's so strange is yet again, I had Deja Vu incidents of my life. But I think the "drama of life" might ring true for lots of people. The Sarajevo bit had me almost in tears. I realised that I know nothing about that abhorrent war. Thank you for also making sure that I got to laugh out loud as well. My biggest chuckle thanks to Max's dog, hating to go for walks. I thought we were the only people to own such a dog! I am so looking forward to the third and final book in the trilogy. Will Rawlings find love again? Will Felix settle? I'm going to have to be patient to discover the answers. Elite Reviewing Group - Five stars; Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.