Thicker Than Soup
Kathryn Joyce, 2015
Troubador Publishing
304 pp.
ISBN-13: 9781784822640
Summary
Focussed on their careers, Sally Lancing, the daughter of a Pakistani immigrant and English mother, and John Sommers, the much-loved son of adoptive parents, are equally committed to a child-free future.
Then a surprise pregnancy—and doubts about the paternity—hurls them both into new, but separate, lives. Devastated by the loss of her job, her partner, and her home, Sally and her baby son embark on a journey to Pakistan to meet her father’s distant family. Once there, Sally’s eyes are opened to a world that challenges her deepest beliefs.
Meanwhile, John hides his vulnerability behind increasing success as a restaurateur. But the baby has rattled skeletons, and, unable to avoid his past, he too embarks on a journey—to find his birth parents.
As their horizons broaden and their views are challenged, the child, Sammy, is an innocent but enduring link. Thicker Than Soup is a story of love, loss and discovery that explores the concepts of morality and independence as Sally and John attempt to build separate futures. Until, that is, providence stirs life’s mixing bowl once more, and Sammy is again the crucial ingredient.
Thicker Than Soup is a moving tale of relationships set against a backdrop of both Thatcher’s Britain and a beautifully evoked Pakistan. Inspired by The Ginger Tree by Oswald Wynd, the novel explores the serious issues of cultural integration and diversity as well as adoption, and also, the devastating shock of HIV.
Author Bio
• Birth—August 16, 1953
• Where—Hull, Yorkshire, England, UK
• Education—BSc, University of Leicester
• Currently—lives in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England
Book Reviews
Thicker than Soup is a great read with strong and interesting characters who reflect real issues and real life dramas. It tugs one in as John struggles towards success whilst battling with the demons of his past. And when Sally goes to Pakistan, her experiences there open the eyes and the mind to a culture and society that has surprising attractions and reveals life that challenges some of the myths and views many of us hold. The story twists and turns as it takes the reader to some very plausible but unforeseen outcomes.After reading this book more than once I’ve been sad each time I finished; I’ve grown to know the characters and their lives, and discovered new things I missed the previous time around. The book is an experience and one that I won’t forget. I recommend it hugely.
David Lankester
This story gripped me to the end with it's many unexpected twists. The characters are complex and develop pleasingly as the story progresses. The setting in Britain and Pakistan of the period, as well as the cultural and social challenges of the time, are cleverly woven into this story of love and families.
Elizabeth Delap
Beautifully written page turner- I started it at 10am and finished it at 7pm, only briefly coming up for air and a quick lunch! The characters are well drawn and their actions and motivations are plausible and draw you into their lives. The time period (80s) and places (England and Pakistan) are evoked with a lightness of touch that never intrudes, and the author pulls off the difficult trick of maintaining a well balanced storyline alternating the narrative between the two protagonists chapter by chapter.
Nena
What an admirable first novel! Not just an absorbing and most readable page-turner, but a book that deals with serious themes - sexual morality, AIDS, friendship, family values and Islamic-Christian relations - all with a light touch and an engaging style. It is pacy, beautifully plotted with surprising twists, and its poignant ending leaves us with some hope. Dialogue and characterisation were extremely good. The reader benefits from the author's own experience of living in Pakistan to counter some of the popular misconceptions about that country, at least as it was some 20-30 years ago. Though I found the influx of new characters about a third of the way through the book somewhat overwhelming, that didn't spoil enjoyment of the novel as a whole.
Frank Brierley
This is a very well written debut novel. Full of engaging description of the 1980s the story evolves through several unexpected changes in fortune of the two main characters which keeps the reader guessing about the final outcome.
minuana
What an enjoyable read. I liked the pace of the story and found it hard to put down. So interesting to have a knowledgeable account of life in Pakistan. I also enjoyed travelling down memory lane to the 1980's. Definitely lots of "food" for thought! I shall certainly go and visit the Rothko at the Tate!
Diana Slater
Really enjoyed this book. The characters were believable and likeable. The story line followed unexpected paths but was realistic given the 1980s timeframe. I now want to visit Pakistan after reading about the sights, food and people.
J Bah
An excellent read- found myself not wanting to put it down! A brilliant ending and I am hoping that there is a follow-up in the pipeline.
Anita Quinn
A thoroughly enjoyable story, with well-developed characters. I thought the changes in location between England and Pakistan to be very well done. I lived for several years in Rawalpindi and found the author really captured the feeling of life in Pakistan in the 80's. I really felt I knew the characters and couldn't wait to get to the next chapter and twist to the plot. I read the book in two days and I look forward to more books from Ms. Joyce.
TGIS (Pat)
Discussion Questions
1. Are John and Sally justified in their behaviour towards each other in Part 1? Why do you think they behave as they do? What aspects of their personalities do you like and / or dislike, and why? Is it necessary to like the characters to engage with the story?
2. Does the author's style impact favourably or unfavourably on the story? How well, or otherwise, does the author manage the passage of time for each of the characters?
3. How do the psychological journeys Sally and John embark on in Part 2 compare? How do the past and the present impact on the decisions each of the make?
4. What are the main themes of the story and how are they portrayed in each character?
5. Were the supporting characters authentic? What did they bring to the story? Which of them did you like or dislike, and why?
6. What effect do you think the theme of food has on the story? Do you think the story could be similar or substantially different without it?
7. Are there any aspects of the story that affected you strongly? Did they make you sad, make you laugh, make you angry? If so, why do you think that was?
8. By the end of the book both Sally and John have matured. What do you think they have learned, and what effect has it had on them?
9. Has the book made you think differently about anything. Think about morality, conformity vs. independence, attitudes in the 1980's, adoption, life in Pakistan, etc.
10. Does Part 3 conclude the story? Is it a satisfactory ending? If not, how do you think the story might continue?
(Questions courtesy of the author.)