Mr Lynch's Holiday Synopsis
Mr Lynch's Holiday is the charming and comic new novel by the bestselling and prize-winning author of What Was Lost and The News Where You Are, Catherine O'Flynn. 'I'm looking forward to seeing you and Laura and getting my first taste of abroad .' Eamonn Lynch stares at the letter announcing the imminent arrival of his father, Dermot. His first thought is: I'll make an excuse, I'll put him off. But it is too late. Dermot is already here, in southern Spain, and soon he'll discover that Eamonn lives in an unfinished building site; that Laura's left him; and that it'll be just the two of them, father and son, for two long, hot weeks. Dermot doesn't entirely recognise his son; how can he stay quite so long in bed? And where is Laura? Eamonn doesn't seem to know quite what to make of his father's arrival. On the other hand his neighbours - pushy and domineering Roger and Cheryl, smug but disillusioned property developers Becca and Ian - see in Dermot a respite from themselves. Swept up in the British expats' ceaseless barbecuing and bickering, both father and son slowly discover the truth about each other and the family past. But at the same time they uncover a shocking, unacknowledged secret at the heart of this defiant but beleaguered community.
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Catherine O'Flynn Press Reviews
We have asked a select number of members and browsers to review Mr Lynch's Holiday. You can read their reviews below.
Carolyn Huckfield - 'It is a great read and I’d thoroughly recommend it for anyone who needs to improve their attitude to tricky situations.' Click here to read the full review.
Sarah Tilley - 'Really enjoyable and heartwarming story that leaves you wishing there was more.' Click here to read the full review.
Richard Hamlin - 'Written in a charmingly relaxed and witty manner, Mr Lynch’s Holiday is an endearing novel that grows on you, gaining momentum as it reaches conclusion.' Click here to read the full review.
Val Brown - 'What a delightful book. Funny, entertaining and totally believable characters, Dermot and his son Eamonn reconnect after being apart for some years with surprising results.' Click here to read the full review.
Lynda DeFreitas - 'This is a moving and funny story about relationships that I enjoyed reading.' Click here to read the full review.
Linda Hill - 'Mr Lynch's Holiday is quirky, humorous and well observed; an entertaining read and I would recommend it.' Click here to read the full review.
Julie Bertschin - 'Mr Lynch’s Holiday is a funny and touching story of the interaction between a father and son and a small community in Spain.' Click here to read the full review.
William Alexander - 'O’Flynn has captured a surprisingly deep relationship between father and son...Mr Lynch’s Holiday is good for a light read but I feel that something is lacking.' Click here to read the full review.
Sue Broom - 'This is a familiar but moving story, subtly told, the characters and their interaction are understated and their reminiscences poignant...A heart-warming read, perfect for sun-drenched afternoons.' Click here to read the full review.
Jade Craddock - 'This is a tender and quietly brilliant novel about the pain of loneliness and loss; of the frustration of lost dreams and failed hopes, the support of family and of the promise of new beginnings.' Click here to read the full review.
Daniel Webb - 'The latest novel from an intriguing writer, Mr Lynch's Holiday offers another example of Catherine O'Flynn's talent for taking an unpromising subject and turning it into spellbinding fiction.' Click here to read the full review.
Sarah Davis - 'Mr Lynch's holiday was delightful...I loved this beautiful book and even shed a tear. The perfect read for the summer holidays.' Click here to read the full review.
Victoria Halliday - 'A thoroughly engaging story about a father and son relationship – it will stay with me for some time to come.' Click here to read the full review.
Alan Brown - 'A quality read that is made better by not being too comical.' Click here to read the full review.
Further praise for Catherine O'Flynn.
'An awesomely talented writer.' Jonathan Coe
'A tenderness and warmth seep through ...an astute and thoughtful writer, and her warm take on the world is pleasing.' Sunday Times on The News Where You Are
'Darkly funny.' Independent on Sunday on The News Where You Are
'A comic genius ...entertaining and often thoughtful.' Daily Mail on The News Where You Are.
About Catherine O'Flynn
Catherine O'Flynn, the youngest of six children, was born and raised in Birmingham, where her parents ran a sweet shop. She worked in a variety of jobs including teacher, postwoman, retail assistant, journalist and mystery shopper before becoming a novelist. Her debut novel, What Was Lost, won the Costa First Novel Award, was shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award, and was longlisted for the Booker Prize and the Orange Prize. She was named Waterstone’s Newcomer of the Year in 2008 at the Galaxy British Book Awards. Her short stories and articles have featured in Granta magazine, Good Housekeeping and on Radio 4. She lives in Birmingham with her husband and daughter.
Author photo © John McQueen
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