REPARATION
Gaby Koppel (Honno Press)
Author Gaby Koppel, born and bred in Cardiff suburb Rhiwbina, has utilised her extensive knowledge of the city for her debut novel. Reparation takes us not only around Cardiff, but to London and Budapest along the way. Journalist Elizabeth finds herself investigating the disappearance of a girl from London’s Hasidic community. Privately, meanwhile, she is dealing with the fallout of her father’s death – including her mother’s coping habits, alcoholism, dementia and the stresses of juggling a job and a relationship. With her mother also seeking answers about her childhood, Elizabeth eventually finds herself in Budapest, where all of her dilemmas are about to come face-to-face as she digs for clues to her mother’s past and answers about the little girl.
Koppel’s work on Crimewatch has clearly been a valuable tool for her, as the crime aspect of the book is very well thought-out, researched and presented – while her own recollection of being brought up in Cardiff by refugee parents provides the inspiration for Elizabeth’s story. Indeed, Elizabeth’s mother Mutti is directly influenced by Koppel’s own mother.
An outstanding debut novel that deals with love and loss, whilst providing a thorough examination of what it is to be a mother, all set against a backdrop of a contemporary crime novel. With just a drop of dark humour also thrown in, Reparation appeals on multiple levels.
words Chris Andrews
Price: £8.99. Info: www.honno.co.uk
