Too much good Christian charity.

Fiddler's Joy is not for the faint hearted. Although a work of fiction, it is, as author Kay Hartford, explains in her introduction, a true account of the experiences suffered by her grandfather whilst still a student in the early twentieth century. And it makes imagined horror stories seem tame.I

Always expected by his conservative protestant preacher father, the Reverend Mr.Hobson, to follow him into the ministry, Matthew, previously a top grade student, finds study increasingly difficult as graduation approaches and finally suffers a breakdown. The book covers his subsequent treatment and eventual slow return to life.
The story is well written, with sufficient characterisation to imbue the protagonists with life, descriptions, especially of Matthew's inner turmoil, clear. And the fiddle? Well, that is symbolically as well as actually at the heart of everything.

The author reads her own work, not always to be recommended. And Ms.Hartford is not a natural voice artist, her narration slightly shaky, although given with good intonation and sympathetic understanding. A serviceable rendering. With a different book this could well have been a problem, but given the harrowing nature of the story, it soon becomes clear that her reading is just right.

I was fortunate in being freely gifted a complimentary copy of Fiddler's Joy at my request, by the rights holder, via Audiobook Boom. Thank you so much. It was both horrifying and moving, a glimpse at a past which has thankfully improved even if there is still much wrong with the present system.
Read it and be thankful. Recommended.

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