Undercurrent by Barney Norris

Undercurrent by Barney Norris
UK Publication: August 2022
Reviewed by: Book Worm
Rating: [★★★★]

This ARC was provided by Random House UK (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.

What goes on beneath the surface…

Synopsis from Goodreads: Years ago, in an almost accidental moment of heroism, Ed saved Amy from drowning. Now, in his thirties, he finds himself adrift. He’s been living in London for years – some of them good – but he’s stuck in a relationship he can’t move forward, has a job that just pays the bills, and can’t shake the sense that life should mean more than this. Perhaps all Ed needs is a moment to pause. To exhale and start anew. And when he meets Amy again by chance, it seems that happiness might not be so far out of reach. But then tragedy overtakes him, and Ed must decide whether to let history and duty define his life, or whether he should push against the tide and write his own story.

Filled with hope and characteristic warmth, Undercurrent is a moving and intimate portrait of love, of life and why we choose to share ours with the people we do.

My Thoughts: This is a quiet understated novel from the first line I was pulled in by the almost poetic writing. While major events do happen to Ed as we follow his story this book is definitely character and not action driven. It is also really hard to describe as to appreciate it you really need to immerse yourself in the story a brief overview does it no justice. Think you can get the hint I am making. In case you haven’t the best way to approach this book is to read it.

For me this book is about the relationships; it’s about family, belonging, love and finding a place or person who feels like home. It also tackles grief, nostalgia, moving on and staying put.

When we meet him Ed is just drifting along not really doing much proactive with his life and then Amy enters it and it’s all change. As the story unfolds we learn more about Ed and his complicated past with his family and how the shadow of a family legacy has hung over his life and his interactions with his mother.

Who would like this? I would recommend this to readers who enjoy a slower pace of book one where you get to really understand a character and to follow them as they progress through significant life events. If you want blood, gore and non-stop action look elsewhere.

We want to hear from you! Have you read this book? What did you think?