After Phoenix is a tale of grief, love, friendship, marital turmoil and how, at the worst of times, the absurdity of family life is the only thing that can pull you through...
Christmas,1973. When teenager Phoenix is killed in a motor bike accident, his family is devastated by his death. His mother Katherine's mental health deteriorates and she blames her husband, JJ, for having bought him the motor bike.
Grief-stricken, journalist JJ moves into the garden shed and shifts his focus to the upcoming general election.
Meanwhile, their 15-year-old daughter, Penny, struggles to uphold normality in the absence of her parents, while contending with a troubled friendship. It's hard to imagine what might reunite them...
What some other readers have said...
'Read it, it's brilliant.' Norman Lyon, Amazon UK
'A brilliant kitchen-sink portrayal of a family doggy-paddling their way through loss...I wouldn't be surprised if Mike Leigh's people are talking to Martine McDonagh's people right now.' Leona Sock, Amazon UK
'McDonagh skilfully negotiates a high-wire of trauma of mundanity with directness and underlying raw humour.' Mrs CM Harrison, Amazon UK
'A cracking read. As good as a slap round the head with a stale Sunblest loaf. Loved it.' John Murana, Amazon UK
'...not the sort of novel I would normally read, but I was gripped from start to finish.' norma plume, Amazon UK
'McDonagh writes simply, elegantly...with great empathy for the frailties and strengths of her characters. Highly recommended.' Miss Ohio, Amazon UK
'...an excellent study in human relationships without being sentimental...I'm so pleased I read it.' BigDog, Amazon UK
'Thoughtful, moving, warm and even funny. A wonderful portrait of grief. I loved every minute of it.' Miss C, Amazon UK
'This is a must read for anyone having been a teenager in the 70s. Loved it.' Jelles Ffonk, Amazon UK
'A wonderful story of crisis and recovery.' Mr JR Newton, Amazon UK
Some more reviews...
'Despite beginning with a tragedy, this book is never entirely without hope and is a powerful portrait of grief and how time heals. Powerful stuff.' - Annabel's House of Books
'After Phoenix is a raw, emotive portrayal of a family pushed to its limits by grief.' - Lizzie Enfield, author of Living With It
'A great read.' - Araminta Hall, author of Everything and Nothing, and Dot.