That Part Was True - Deborah McKinlay

I was certain I wasn't going to like That Part Was True and not just because I have a prejudice against novels that have an appendix of recipes at the end. It's more however that the premise seems very old-fashioned - a 84 Charing Cross Road-like written correspondence between a lonely rich lady living in the English countryside and an American author that develops into something special. But then the characters are of that generation, both of them approaching 50, both reaching a point in their lives where it's time to look at where they are and re-evaluate if it's where they hoped to be. That's not really much of a recommendation either. What makes you keep reading however it that it is realistic, deals with real-life issues, and the author's handling of the subject keenly recognises this and never lets it slip into idealism or sentimentality.

That's what keeps you reading even if you don't find you particularly relate to the characters or their circumstances. At 48, Eve is of a nervous disposition, divorced, has been bullied all her life by her mother and has never really found her own place in life, but, being from a well-off family she's never had to worry about work, helping out part-time in a charity shop. It's there that she picks up a crime-fiction book by author Jackson Cooper, and particularly liking one description of the joy of ripe fruit, she writes to the author and finds that they have a mutual love of food. Even though he's a successful author Jack has also reached a turning point in his life, both personally and professionally, as he approaches his 50th birthday.

So how can you make this sound appealing? I'm not sure I can, but Deborah McKinlay certainly manages it. If I were to describe the plot, it would be all about wealthy middle-class middle-age concerns; for Eve it's preparations for Eve's daughter Izzy's wedding featuring prominently with tantrums thrown and panic-attacks ensuing as it raises unwelcome memories - and an ex-husband. Jack meanwhile broods over the women in his life and whether he wants popular success as a writer or personal satisfaction, and increasingly he's only finding that in cooking. Intersperse that with some polite but mildly flirtatious correspondence in the exchanging of recipes and the story doesn't seem to amount to much.

The situation might sound predictable and dull, but the characters are well-drawn, familiar, recognisable types that are treated with some measure of love and attention by the author.  That alone is enough to make That Part Was True a pleasant read, but there's actually a lot of subtlety in the characterisation as well. Surprisingly, that shows in the recipes as well and the manner in which they are exchanged, both managing to show their true character more here than in the sometimes awkward personal exchanges. What sealed the success of the book for me however was the conclusion. With this kind of plot, it has to be handled realistically without sentimentality, but still satisfy the reader. Having brought the reader along the journey, Deborah McKinlay doesn't let you down and handles the ending with the same delicacy, wit and gentle charm that is found elsewhere in the book.