John Clare’s life was complicated. He was a powerful Union leader; he had a wife and two children who had moved out of the family home, and he had a mistress. All in the past tense because the book begins with John’s death.
Most of the characters in the book are involved in politics, specifically the Labor party, in the Rudd/Gillard/Rudd era; however, this is a story of their personal lives. Jessica Stanley’s writing style is vivid, free flowing and immensely readable. Every time I was away from the book I couldn’t wait to get back to it. Everyone’s story is interesting and every character is so well defined that there was never any turning back the pages to remind myself who was who.
This is a mystery story as well as an intimate look into the lives of John Clare and the people whose lives touched his. I honestly believe that anyone who reads A Great Hope will love it, whatever their political persuasion, and will be looking forward eagerly and hopefully to Jessica Stanley’s next book.
Congratulations, Jessica Stanley. A most definite 5 out of 5 from me.
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