Full disclosure, I am a massive Isabelle Broom fan and I have yet to read one of her novels that I haven’t loved, so this probably isn’t the most unbiased review in the world.
A Year and a Day was a reread for me, the first novel of Isabelle’s that I read after coming across it in the recommended section of a local bookstore. Wow, it is one of those that immediately has you hooked and leaves you with a book hangover to rival the best writers out there. I immediately sent it on to my Mum [a mark of true love if it’s deemed worth of recommendation]!
A Year in a Day opens on the Charles Bridge in Prague and from the very first sentences not only was I struck with the realism of the emotion of the unnamed character, but also with how vividly Broom recreates the city of Prague. I’ve since realised that a huge amount of location research goes into each of Brooms books and it’s clear in the depth of description of the locations visited.
This novel follows multiple story lines and characters, who start off on separate paths but slowly and surely cross over and become intertwined. One of the things I love about this novel is Broom’s ability to give equal character development to the entire cast, I personally loved the story of Megan and Ollie, who hasn’t been in the situation of friends/relationship before? Broom isn’t afraid to deal with more difficult subjects, such as the stories of Hope and her new partner Charlie on their first holiday following them having met through an affari, or the story of Sophie and Robin who return time and time again to Prague.
As I’ve already touched on, this book is set in the beautiful city of Prague, in the depths of winter, where the streets are transformed by snowfall and ice. I’ve been lucky enough to visit Prague in the winter and the descriptions are absolutely spot on. The cold has a habit of working its way through your layers and nipping at your fingers – and the only solution is the wonderful Czech food and copious amounts of alcohol to take the edge off.
I loved that this is a ‘winter’ book, not a Christmas novel – don’t get me wrong, I love a story set at Christmas, but I find them hard to enjoy at other times of year. No such issue with this one, although, maybe if you’re reading on a beach somewhere it’d be a good reason to check out My Map of You or The Place We Met, also by Isabelle Broom.
I don’t want to give you any spoilers, but there was a major twist that hit me out of nowhere, in the same way that One Day hits you between the eyeballs when you’re least expecting it, get your tissues at the ready!
I had so much music running through my head as I was reading this book [which is a major compliment in my eyes], try listening to I Will Wait by Mumford and Sons [here] or Redshift by Enter Shikari [here] any time you come to a bridge scene, the Charles Bridge plays a strong supporting role in this novel, as it does in the history of Prague; I really feel that Broom tapped into this in a great way!
There is much artwork, and colour to be found on the streets of the city, if you feel like bringing that to your own home check out the work of Leonid Afremov, particularly [this] beauty.
I also couldn’t help but be reminded of Steve McCurry’s Afghan Girl portrait of Sharbat Gula when reading the descriptions of Megan’s portraits of Ollie, check it out [here] if you’re unfamiliar.
This book left me with the worst book hangover and yet I still wish I could read it again for the first time, I highly recommend it but be warned it will conjure up dreams of travel and exploring and going out for good food with great friends!
Let me know your thoughts!
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