Jago Trevarno's struggle for survival and rebirth is a testament to the human spirit's capacity for resilience. Following a cardiac arrest that left him clinically dead for 40 minutes, Jago, now 20, finds solace in his rural Cornish village, where he grew up. His life has been reduced to the harsh realities of working on a subsistence farm, as the city and everything associated with it have vanished.
As Jago navigates this new world, his brain's processing power is severely impaired due to the injury, rendering him slow to react to emotions. He must tread carefully, wary of the devastation that intense feelings could bring to his vulnerable synapses. His uncle, Jacob, provides a protective yet taciturn presence, and together they live an existence governed by nature and simplicity.
However, as Jago's condition improves, the question arises: can he sustain himself in this limited environment forever? The outside world, with all its complexities, eventually finds him. It's here that Jago must confront his past, particularly Sophie, his first love who was abandoned in the wake of his mother's passing.
The introduction of Bill Sligo, a menacing figure with an interest in Jacob's land and a new Range Rover purchased from dubious means, poses a significant threat to Jago's fragile existence. With the mine shaft above his uncle's field caught between Jacob's protection and Sligo's exploitation, Jago must choose between retreat or confrontation.
Patrick Charnley, drawing from his own experience of cardiac arrest and brain injury, brings authenticity to this narrative. The author has also faced personal loss with the passing of his mother at a young age. This depth of understanding is evident in the prose, which is spare yet beautiful, evoking the world's immediacy through sensory details such as the scent of books or the colors of the sea.
Charnley's novel layers rhythms to create a captivating intensity, where Jago's voice shines as a genuine and relatable creation. His struggles and perseverance serve as a testament to the human spirit's capacity for rebirth and growth, even in the face of adversity.
As Jago navigates this new world, his brain's processing power is severely impaired due to the injury, rendering him slow to react to emotions. He must tread carefully, wary of the devastation that intense feelings could bring to his vulnerable synapses. His uncle, Jacob, provides a protective yet taciturn presence, and together they live an existence governed by nature and simplicity.
However, as Jago's condition improves, the question arises: can he sustain himself in this limited environment forever? The outside world, with all its complexities, eventually finds him. It's here that Jago must confront his past, particularly Sophie, his first love who was abandoned in the wake of his mother's passing.
The introduction of Bill Sligo, a menacing figure with an interest in Jacob's land and a new Range Rover purchased from dubious means, poses a significant threat to Jago's fragile existence. With the mine shaft above his uncle's field caught between Jacob's protection and Sligo's exploitation, Jago must choose between retreat or confrontation.
Patrick Charnley, drawing from his own experience of cardiac arrest and brain injury, brings authenticity to this narrative. The author has also faced personal loss with the passing of his mother at a young age. This depth of understanding is evident in the prose, which is spare yet beautiful, evoking the world's immediacy through sensory details such as the scent of books or the colors of the sea.
Charnley's novel layers rhythms to create a captivating intensity, where Jago's voice shines as a genuine and relatable creation. His struggles and perseverance serve as a testament to the human spirit's capacity for rebirth and growth, even in the face of adversity.
i felt like i was right there with jago on that farm, living off the land and struggling to come to terms with his past...the way charnley writes about jago's condition is so realistic it's like you're watching him stumble through life, trying to make sense of everything 
. and the way he interacts with bill sligo is just chilling 
. i love how the author weaves together themes of grief, survival and rebirth in a way that's both heartbreaking and hopeful 
... he's such an inspiration, you know? His struggle is like, super real, but it's also this beautiful reflection of how we all cope with trauma & loss 
. And I love how the author has woven in these themes of nature & simplicity - it's like, Jago's found a way to heal by reconnecting with the earth & his own rhythms 
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... can Jago ever truly find himself in this rural setting, or will he always be haunted by his past? I think that's where the complexity of the human experience comes in - we're all constantly torn between our desire for simplicity & our need for connection & community.
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it's like they're trying to hold on to something from the good old days. anyway, back to Jago's story - I'm curious about how he'll navigate this new reality when Bill Sligo comes knocking. gotta feel for the guy, but at the same time, that Range Rover is pretty tempting...
But at the same time, it's like... we should all try to find our inner peace or something? Like, Jago's got his brain problems but he's still trying to navigate life. And his uncle is keeping him safe, even if he doesn't say much. That's some human stuff right there 
. But will this kid ever be able to leave the farm and try to live a 'normal' life again? Only time'll tell 
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what a great addition to the story! it raises all these questions about power and control...like, how far can jago go before he just loses everything? 
. By transplanting Jago into this idyllic Cornish setting, Charnley expertly highlights the fragility of the human psyche in the face of adversity 
. I'm particularly intrigued by the tension that arises from the contrast between Jago's rural world and the outside world's complexities - it's a powerful exploration of identity, belonging, and the human need for connection 
But seriously, Jago's struggles are so real it feels like we're right there with him, feeling his pain and joy. The way Patrick Charnley writes, it's like you're breathing in that salty sea air or smelling the books 
! I love how Jago's voice shines through, though - it's so raw and honest. This book is definitely on my read list ASAP 
. It's like we're right there with him, feeling his pain, his fear, and his hope 
. And the setting – a rural Cornish village? So idyllic yet so fragile 
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IT SHOWS US THAT EVEN IN THE DARKEST TIMES, WE HAVE THE STRENGTH TO RISE ABOVE AND FIND A NEW PATH FORWARD 
. I'M CURIOUS TO SEE HOW CHARNLEY WRITES JAGO OUT OF THIS COMPLEXITY 
. I mean, Jago's journey from being clinically dead to finding solace in the countryside is just insane. And can you imagine having to deal with that kind of trauma on top of your brain not processing emotions right? It's like, how do you even cope? 
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. But seriously, this guy's story is wild - from being clinically dead for 40 minutes to living off the grid in rural Cornwall. That's one way to get your priorities straight, right? And yeah, I can imagine it'd be tough for him to deal with all those emotions when he finally reconnects with Sophie... that's like asking someone who just found their lost phone charger to confront their ex 
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i need some sources on that one before i fully buy into the story. also, why does his first love sophie just magically show up out of nowhere after all these years? what's her side of the story? 
. I love how the author, Patrick Charnley, has woven in personal experiences into the story - it gives it such an authentic feel 
. I'm curious to see how this all plays out, but I gotta admit, I'm not totally sold on the whole "rural Cornish village" vibe just yet 
...