Blood Tender

by Rachel Ingrams

The sky is a bloody gold and there are riots in the streets the night that Marlena arrives in Sicily. A damaged English girl- with her head full of secrets - she's here to dance. Rather, to at Mickey's, a down-at-heel bar on the rough edges of Catania. One night at the local club, a heart-stopping encounter with Jula - whose hidden pride is his Romany blood - transforms Marlena's life. But as she's drawn into a chilling relationship with Paulo and his psychotic friends, Marlena is caught in the crossfire of anti-gypsy fury and right-wing politics. Marlena is humiliated in an act of vengeance against Jula's gypsy heritage and in desperation, she travels through Italy, working the darkest corners of nondescript towns. Will her impassioned letters to Jula get through - or will she become trapped in this dangerous netherworld?

272 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2008

Reviews

[Jayne Charles · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Tindal Street Press is usually a watchword for quality so I had high hopes for this one. It is written with an impressive freedom and the confidence of a writer at home with her character, setting and theme. It flows, and scenes are short and never boring. Unfortunately that’s the end of the positives for me. I didn’t feel any liking or understanding for Marlena, a sort of tart with a heart if you like. It felt throughout as though things were happening in the shadows I was supposed to understand but didn’t. It read like the fractured reminiscences of a friend recounting the events of a mad bohemian summer and all the drugs they took...and there was this gypsy boy...and did I mention the drugs...and in the end you needed to be there to appreciate it.

[Polly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Half way through, and it's heavy weather. An unengaging central character and some sketchily-painted others who drift through broad-brush settings which feel poorly-researched, and a feeling that the author is using a stule which she can't quite master - and then every so often a beautiful image which startles with its lucidity. Perhaps this is a book to read in a sunny summer, or when one is unhappy?

Having finished reading this, I find myself wishing I had liked it more - but even the ending couldn't seem to be either satisfyingly down- or up-beat.

Not Jon McGregor, by any means.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written book with some memorable and flawed characters. Most of the Italian men are what I would consider very stereotypical in that they are passionate mama's boys who love themselves more than anyone else. It was a very good read with some real emotion and hardships.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh