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The King of Lavender Square
'Fans of Maeve Binchy will love this. What if one boy's dream of a better life had the power to better the lives of others? Saskia watches the lives of others from her eyrie in Lavender Square with a lonely fascination. While the teacher, the recluse, the advertising whizz-kid and the African woman and her young son run, rush, dart and dash, she knows for sure that she will never have anything worth dashing to. But sometimes all it takes is a little magic to bring people together. And, in Lavender Square, where the lavender grows in mysterious abundance and colours the air with a musky sense of love, magic is never very far away. The neighbours, who once passed each other by in detached universes, find themselves thrown together when they are obliged to take care of young Patrick Kimba. His mother is seriously ill and no one knows when or if she is ever coming home. At first they resist the tiresome interruption, until quite by accident Patrick’s dream of becoming a football star and finding his long-lost father becomes theirs, and their lives and heartaches become woven together in a new and unexpected pattern.
- GenresFiction
402 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2012
43 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 3, 2018
This will be added to my favorites! SO good!
November 14, 2017
‘There is a simple cure for loneliness.
It’s to reach out to others but to also embrace being reached out to.’
The King of Lavender Square is an inspirational debut from Irish writer Susan Ryan just published in October 2017 by Poolbeg Press
‘In a world where communication was at it’s most sophisticated, people seemed to be lonelier than ever’, so Susan Ryan decided to write a novel with a magical flair that introduced us all to one very special young boy.
I do hope you enjoy my review…
I regard myself as very very lucky with the books I get the opportunity to read. I have a very big pile of novels to be read and occasionally one gets a little push to the top, depending on my mood. I needed a feel-good book in the last couple of weeks, with the onset of Winter and the realities of general life stuff. This is where Susan Ryan’s book fitted the bill perfectly.
In the press release for The King of Lavender Square, there is a gorgeous insight into why Susan Ryan chose to write this novel. If you’ll indulge me, I’ll share an extract here
‘The writer was living in a flat in a pretty square in Rathmines (Dublin) where she had an eagle-eye view of her neighbours. She watched them scurrying past, some with headphones on, others with heads in their phones, but all ignoring each other purposefully, politely – drifting along in their lonely universes and it became clear to her where the root of the so called age of anxiety lay. Kids no longer plonked down their jumpers on the street anymore to fashion quick goalposts and play football, they were monitored closely, kept tabs on. Doors firmly shut, not knocked on unless agreed by prearranged text. The elderly passed by, a nod, a quick flash of a wave through a car window….’
The King of Lavender Square is ‘a rally cry against loneliness and a call to arms against the age of anxiety. It is an antidote to isolation and of conversation with real people in real life and in real time. It is a tonic’
Saskia Heffernan, a young girl in her twenties, lives alone in flat on a square in Dublin. Dreaming of a better life, Saskia is a barrista at a local cafe. She has aspirations of a very different future where her world will be filled with happiness and brighter days, but for now Saskia is very lonely. With her binoculars in hand, she drinks wine and watched the world pass by outside her window. Every so often she re-organises her ‘bottom drawer’ where she gathers up pieces that she hopes will sit on the shelves of her new home if she were ever to marry. Eleanor Oliphant came to mind a little when reading about Saskia, except Saskia has experienced life and is all too aware of the real world. Carrying disappointment with her in every moment, Saskia is an example of many in our society today who live a very isolated existence, even when surrounded by so many.
Saskia watches her neighbours from her perch on Lavender Square, aware of who they all are but no more than that. There is Nuala, a teacher who sits on the front steps with her cat. The Fox family, living across the way, have all the trappings of a wealthy lifestyle but happiness seems to evade them. Tom Winters is the fit young advertising executive with the fast car and always with a woman by his side but also seemingly never particularly too happy. There is the recluse living in the flat in the same house as Saskia who is forever leaving cranky notes on residents doors. Finally there is the Kimba family, mother Tessa and son Patrick, a mystery to Saskia as she never gets the opportunity to have a conversation with Tessa. All these characters’ stories are weaved together into this wonderfully, captivating tale by Susan Ryan.
Patrick Kimba is born in Ireland to Tessa, a woman with a very mysterious past. Patrick has an ambition to play football for Ireland, to become a recognised star in the hope of one day finding his father, a soldier in the Congolese army. He spends all his free time with a football in his hand as he practices as often as he can to the continuous frustration of his mother. She wants a better life for her son and for Tessa this means an education for Patrick in Ireland. Football, for Tessa, is not how Patrick should be spending his spare time. Misfortune soon befalls Tessa, when she receives news of a very serious illness. No longer able to look after her son, the residents of Lavender Square find they have to discover common ground and take care of this young boy.
The King of Lavender Square is a shining light in the society we live in today. Patrick Kimba is a little boy with big dreams who refuses to let our society drag him down. His optimism, though challenged many times, is refreshing and inspiring. His will to succeed in a world that constantly promotes negativity and disapproval is both exhilarating and exciting.
I dare you not to be completely enraptured by this compelling and enchanting tale. Susan Ryan has achieved something very special with this book. I highly recommend The King of Lavender Square. It is a novel that brings joy to a world that has forgotten how to be……
A charming, captivating and truly magical novel
It’s to reach out to others but to also embrace being reached out to.’
The King of Lavender Square is an inspirational debut from Irish writer Susan Ryan just published in October 2017 by Poolbeg Press
‘In a world where communication was at it’s most sophisticated, people seemed to be lonelier than ever’, so Susan Ryan decided to write a novel with a magical flair that introduced us all to one very special young boy.
I do hope you enjoy my review…
I regard myself as very very lucky with the books I get the opportunity to read. I have a very big pile of novels to be read and occasionally one gets a little push to the top, depending on my mood. I needed a feel-good book in the last couple of weeks, with the onset of Winter and the realities of general life stuff. This is where Susan Ryan’s book fitted the bill perfectly.
In the press release for The King of Lavender Square, there is a gorgeous insight into why Susan Ryan chose to write this novel. If you’ll indulge me, I’ll share an extract here
‘The writer was living in a flat in a pretty square in Rathmines (Dublin) where she had an eagle-eye view of her neighbours. She watched them scurrying past, some with headphones on, others with heads in their phones, but all ignoring each other purposefully, politely – drifting along in their lonely universes and it became clear to her where the root of the so called age of anxiety lay. Kids no longer plonked down their jumpers on the street anymore to fashion quick goalposts and play football, they were monitored closely, kept tabs on. Doors firmly shut, not knocked on unless agreed by prearranged text. The elderly passed by, a nod, a quick flash of a wave through a car window….’
The King of Lavender Square is ‘a rally cry against loneliness and a call to arms against the age of anxiety. It is an antidote to isolation and of conversation with real people in real life and in real time. It is a tonic’
Saskia Heffernan, a young girl in her twenties, lives alone in flat on a square in Dublin. Dreaming of a better life, Saskia is a barrista at a local cafe. She has aspirations of a very different future where her world will be filled with happiness and brighter days, but for now Saskia is very lonely. With her binoculars in hand, she drinks wine and watched the world pass by outside her window. Every so often she re-organises her ‘bottom drawer’ where she gathers up pieces that she hopes will sit on the shelves of her new home if she were ever to marry. Eleanor Oliphant came to mind a little when reading about Saskia, except Saskia has experienced life and is all too aware of the real world. Carrying disappointment with her in every moment, Saskia is an example of many in our society today who live a very isolated existence, even when surrounded by so many.
Saskia watches her neighbours from her perch on Lavender Square, aware of who they all are but no more than that. There is Nuala, a teacher who sits on the front steps with her cat. The Fox family, living across the way, have all the trappings of a wealthy lifestyle but happiness seems to evade them. Tom Winters is the fit young advertising executive with the fast car and always with a woman by his side but also seemingly never particularly too happy. There is the recluse living in the flat in the same house as Saskia who is forever leaving cranky notes on residents doors. Finally there is the Kimba family, mother Tessa and son Patrick, a mystery to Saskia as she never gets the opportunity to have a conversation with Tessa. All these characters’ stories are weaved together into this wonderfully, captivating tale by Susan Ryan.
Patrick Kimba is born in Ireland to Tessa, a woman with a very mysterious past. Patrick has an ambition to play football for Ireland, to become a recognised star in the hope of one day finding his father, a soldier in the Congolese army. He spends all his free time with a football in his hand as he practices as often as he can to the continuous frustration of his mother. She wants a better life for her son and for Tessa this means an education for Patrick in Ireland. Football, for Tessa, is not how Patrick should be spending his spare time. Misfortune soon befalls Tessa, when she receives news of a very serious illness. No longer able to look after her son, the residents of Lavender Square find they have to discover common ground and take care of this young boy.
The King of Lavender Square is a shining light in the society we live in today. Patrick Kimba is a little boy with big dreams who refuses to let our society drag him down. His optimism, though challenged many times, is refreshing and inspiring. His will to succeed in a world that constantly promotes negativity and disapproval is both exhilarating and exciting.
I dare you not to be completely enraptured by this compelling and enchanting tale. Susan Ryan has achieved something very special with this book. I highly recommend The King of Lavender Square. It is a novel that brings joy to a world that has forgotten how to be……
A charming, captivating and truly magical novel
October 10, 2017
The first book I never wanted to end.
The main characters were so believable and I felt myself being an intimate part of all their lives.
I am so happy ☺ that have read it.
The main characters were so believable and I felt myself being an intimate part of all their lives.
I am so happy ☺ that have read it.
October 26, 2017
Fantastic book, beautifully written. Wonderful story and excellent characters... can't recommend this book enough !!!
April 2, 2018
Patrick Kimba is Irish, born to a Congolese mother who left Africa to find a better life for her child. They settle in a dark apartment in one of the buildings in Lavender Square in Dublin. Saskia Heffernan lives upstairs. She works in a coffee shop, but she's intrigued by her neighbors in the square as they pass by in their individual lives, especially the young boy kicking a ball against her steps. When his mother becomes ill, Saskia gets the neighbors to pitch in to help Patrick. Football (American soccer) becomes Patrick's passion, and everyone pitches in to help him realize his dreams.
I loved this story. Each character is interesting and fully realized with both good and bad sides as in real life. As time passes, they become such a tight group and family with all the love and squabbles you find in a real family.
There's a lot of football in the story, and I admit, I occasionally had to look up people or teams because the author mixes real with fictional ones which is fine and doesn't matter to the story; I was just curious. But at heart, this is a very enjoyable story about people who I want to be my friends.
I loved this story. Each character is interesting and fully realized with both good and bad sides as in real life. As time passes, they become such a tight group and family with all the love and squabbles you find in a real family.
There's a lot of football in the story, and I admit, I occasionally had to look up people or teams because the author mixes real with fictional ones which is fine and doesn't matter to the story; I was just curious. But at heart, this is a very enjoyable story about people who I want to be my friends.
March 16, 2018
'The King of Lavender Square' by Susan Ryan is a beautiful story of neighbors coming together to help out a young boy, Patrick Kimba, when his mother falls ill. Through the boy their lives become intertwined and they become a family from being strangers. The story highlights the challenges that immigrants face as they leave their country to take refuge in foreign lands to build a safer life and gives us a taste of the horrors they face and the hopes they feel. The author brings together characters of different shades and blends them together to create a dreamlike picture. It is a story of dreams, hope, pain, jealousy, love and happily-ever-afters. It is one of those books that give you a warm feeling as you finish it without being able to put it down.
April 27, 2019
I initially enjoyed The King of Lavender Square, a story about a sweet boy, Patrick Kimbo who dreams of becoming a professional football player, and his mother with a mysterious past whose serious illness results in a diverse set of neighbours coming together to support them. I liked how the relationships developed between the various characters, although I felt some pairings were unlikely to occur in real life! I also grew tired of the detailed and repetitive descriptions of football, though fans of football might enjoy this aspect. If you enjoy a light, easy read with likeable characters and a fairytale ending, then this is the book for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2017
Engaging story, fabulous storytelling.
The characters were developed over time, as the story grew did they. I wanted to know more about each of them - which is rare when there are multiple key characters. I cared for them and wanted all to have their dreams fulfilled.
The plot was well-established and contained enough twists to be interesting, not so many to lose interest.
I enjoyed the scenic descriptions as well. They were ample but not overwhelming.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I hope Ms. Ryan will write another as she is a gifted story teller.
The characters were developed over time, as the story grew did they. I wanted to know more about each of them - which is rare when there are multiple key characters. I cared for them and wanted all to have their dreams fulfilled.
The plot was well-established and contained enough twists to be interesting, not so many to lose interest.
I enjoyed the scenic descriptions as well. They were ample but not overwhelming.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I hope Ms. Ryan will write another as she is a gifted story teller.
July 31, 2018
This book was a real page turner, you don't easily find something that is meaningful and yet so easy to read. Most times it was beautifully written, with a sense of romanticism about its characters. I wanted to meet everyone in the story, it really draws you in. I particularly enjoyed the human observation and the gradual reveal of the characters, although at times it didn't seem like they could ever be real and it was just the author's idealised phantasy.
July 2, 2018
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Maeve Binchy novels. There were a few small distracting foreshadows, but otherwise it was engaging and charming with a happy but not too predictable ending.
February 5, 2019
The King of Lavender square
This book was ok. Not my type especially as there was a lot of reference to football. It was intresting to learn the dynamics of the square and folllow the lives of the people.
This book was ok. Not my type especially as there was a lot of reference to football. It was intresting to learn the dynamics of the square and folllow the lives of the people.
April 24, 2019
This would be one of the most beautiful books ever. It has the most interesting characters . I have read a lot of books, but this is my favourite. Moving, happy, sad. I urge people to read it.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
December 28, 2019
I really enjoyed this well written, well drawn out novel. The characters and the plot read like a sprawling epic. I would recommend this book
May 17, 2020
Enjoyable read
September 4, 2020
Really enjoyed this book set in Dublin, a lovely dovetailing of lives of the people living in a square.
December 21, 2020
I would have given four stars, but deducted one for the cat and one for the dog..
December 31, 2021
Just finished this beautiful, captivating book. Very easy to read, wonderful characters, with a story line that grew right to the end. A real feel good book in these difficult times 😊
March 30, 2020
This goes down as one of my favourite books of 2019.
Everyday characters, each with their own stories coming together to create a beautiful novel with a heart of gold.
Loved everything about this, from the normality of it's characters, it's perfect pace to its descriptive turn of phrase and writing style.
Thoroughly recommended.
Everyday characters, each with their own stories coming together to create a beautiful novel with a heart of gold.
Loved everything about this, from the normality of it's characters, it's perfect pace to its descriptive turn of phrase and writing style.
Thoroughly recommended.
February 19, 2025
Unrealistic with a perfect ending. Hoped for more.
May 31, 2018
I enjoyed the characters in The King of Lavender Square. Each one was developed well so I felt as if I knew them. They were grudging, generous, secretive, loyal, angry, loving, by turns as they were drawn together to look after Patrick Kimba and his mother, Tessa. There was a lot of football (which North Americans call soccer). I found myself skipping over some of the game details. Over all, a good book about neighbours and community. Once again I found that ebooks are not my favourite way to read. It took months to read this book whereas if it had been an actual book, I would have finished it in a few days.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews