Colouring in by Nigel Stewart

There’s been a bit of a  gap between finishing this book and writing my review. Some of that delay is down to work, family, life etc. but it was also down to my need to process what I’d read. What at first seemed to be a simple, albeit entertaining, observation of a man’s life and loves, became something deeper, darker and completely captivating.

Most of us have dated, mated or been related to a person like James Clifton, someone whose glory days were in high school but who failed to translate that success into adult life.To call him a man-child is too simplistic, but at the beginning of the story James seems to be trapped in his adolescent self who didn’t pursue his artistic talents after leaving school. He has a well paid, but unsatisfying job, a girlfriend who’s just dumped him because she wanted a more grown up relationship and his social life still often revolves around his old school friends despite living elsewhere. So when he then starts dating Laura ,who had a crush on him in school, you fear that he will be doomed to repeat the cycle. He is self-absorbed, resistant to change and at times rather unlikeable in his attitude and actions. Yet you are drawn to him, and as the story unfolds and you get to see more of his psyche, you become protective, willing him to see what he needs to do to grow(up) and be happy. 

Laura certainly has an impact on James and the development of their relationship is a fascinating (& entertaining ) thing to follow. When life throws James a major curve ball is when this novel really takes off and is the reason I took some time before being able to write a review. The events that follow are exquisitely written and I defy you to be unmoved. How does James cope? Will he finally fulfil his potential? Will he find happiness? There’s only one way to find out! 

To sum this book up, if you like crawling inside someone’s mind to see what makes them tick, this will be right up your street. If you like keenly observed human behaviour, look no further. If you want pithy dialogue, you’ve got it. Need light relief, it’s peppered with humour. Enjoy strong, forthright female characters, read on. There’s something for everyone in this fantastic book.

 This is a book that I will read again because I know there are depths that I will have missed in my hurry to see what happens next. 

A ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me.