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The Facts Of Life by Graham Joyce
01/03/2003 . Source: Phil Stoyle 
pub: Gollancz. 263 page hardback. Price: £12.99 (UK). ISBN: 0-575-07230-X. Buy from Amazon US - Buy from Amazon UK
nb: US titles may only be available from Amazon US, and UK titles from Amazon UK. check out website: www.orionbooks.co.uk
Cassie was different. Different from the rest of the Vine family.
But then, mother Martha was 'strange'. Frank, young Frank, was the one that gave us the real clues to the Vines. The six sisters struggled throughout the Coventry blitz with little realisation as to what Martha, Cassie and Frank witnessed.
The author, Graham Joyce, has given us a slice of social history, an insight into the horror of the Coventry blitz (he was born near there and obviously studied the bombing of Coventry in detail), and a shiveringly thought-provoking thread of supernatural happenings.
The story of the Vine family extends from the beginnings of World War Two through post-war times of austerity, on to the late 1950's and at all points in the book, the reader is given clues as to the time setting.
If you forget all about the neat social comments and the family tensions and turmoil, then you are left with the cleverly weaved spell of the inexplicable.
What does young Frank see under the old Bridge by the river, The-Man-Behind-The-Glass that made no sound when he imparted the wisdom?
Why did Cassie think that sex and magic were all mixed up and how did Martha know of her impending fate when she answered the ghostly knocking at the door?
Graham Joyce has brought us several good supernatural thrillers including 'The Tooth Fairy', which was subsequently made into a Hollywood film.
Could it be, dare I say, that Mr. Joyce is UK's answer to Stephen King?!
Read 'The Facts of Life' and find out for yourself and also the answers to those questions above.
By the way the title points to the facts of life - and death, and all that comes afterwards. Confused?
Phil Stoyle
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