Review: Drumbeats by Julia Ibbotson
Today, I'm delighted to share my review of Drumbeats, the first in an exciting trilogy by acclaimed author, Julia Ibbotson.
Drumbeats is currently on blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources. My thanks to Rachel, and to Julia, for a copy of this evocative novel.
Drumbeats
The Drumbeats Trilogy
Julia Ibbotson
Drumbeats begins in Birmingham, England, in 1964. We meet 17-year-old Jess, in her final year at school. She's already determined to take a year out after her A-levels to teach in a community school in Ghana, West Africa, much to the consternation of her devout Quaker mother who'd rather see her married and settled. But against her mother's will, Jess perseveres, and, the following summer, she sets off to the African continent, her head full of dreams and ideas. She travels with a few other girls, as part of a Methodist community project, to a small settlement 60 miles from Ghana's capital city, Accra.
On arrival, her dreams turn into stark reality when she enters the basic flat she shares with down-to-earth Sandra, who is as blunt as Jess is quiet. But as they settle, they discover creepy crawlies that serve as a first reminder of life in rural Africa.
Jess enjoys teaching of privileged girls of the local community, but soon, shocked by the poverty and poor health of those not part of the ’club’, she begins to organise help for those too poor to go to hospital, by applying simple first aid measures to help heal the children. But the reality of life in poverty sets in, and Jess is more than determined to help those abandoned people.
But in doing so, she doesn't just make friends. Superstition and wariness prevail in rural circles, and as a white girl in a black community, some regard her interference as colonial.
Prior to her departure for Ghana, Jess began dating Simon, whose photo she keeps by her bedside. They agreed to wait until she returns, and throughout the novel she dreams of their life together afterwards. Even when she meets American Jim, who works for the Peace Corps. He takes her on picnics and day trips, shows her the beauty of the area, and supports her in her work. He also gives her the confidence to do things – something she never received from her mother.
But as the political situation becomes more volatile, Jim disappears, and no one claims to know anything. When Julia breaks her ankle, it's decided she'd best return to England, to get it checked out properly. With a heavy heart, she leaves Ghana behind, not knowing what happened to Jim. Plus, she has a dilemma – there's Simon, her big love, waiting for her...
Drumbeats evokes a sense of a changing time in the African country that only shortly prior to the setting regained its independence. Whilst community schools were still accepted, there was a growing unease towards white strangers, and the implied political interference of their countries. In the midst of all this, we have a young woman, fresh from secondary school, trying to make a difference.
I felt Jess’ attitude change through the novel. Hers is a story of growing up, of learning, and of accepting reality when required. She's keen to help the unfortunate children who play near open drains, and who suffer horrific sores and illnesses. And she's not taking it for granted that someone looks out for them. Her attitude at first appears to be that of a benevolent Westerner unused to the local ways, but it soon changes as her understanding grows. She loses her naivety.
I really liked Jess – and Jim. Both were open-minded, but realistic, and both are aware of their positions. I felt like egging them on, but especially Jess’ feelings about Simon always remind her of where her future lies. But does it, really?
I thoroughly enjoyed Drumbeats. The plot has a strong sense of realism, and the author's knowledge of the country and its history shines through throughout. The drums Jess hears add a strong sense of being, and of foreboding. And the romantic elements work very well.
Drumbeats is the first novel in a trilogy about Jess and her coming of age. I'll definitely be checking out the other two novels in the series.
Highly recommended.
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Blurb:
It’s 1965, and 18 year old Jess escapes her stifling English home for a gap year in Ghana, West Africa. But it’s a time of political turbulence across the region. Fighting to keep her young love who waits back in England, she’s thrown into the physical and emotional dangers of civil war, tragedy and the conflict of a disturbing new relationship. And why do the drumbeats haunt her dreams?
This is a rite of passage story which takes the reader hand in hand with Jess on her journey towards the complexities and mysteries of a disconcerting adult world.
This is the first novel in the acclaimed Drumbeats trilogy: Drumbeats, Walking in the Rain, Finding Jess.
For fans of Barbara Erskine, Pamela Hartshorn, Christina Courtenay, Susanna Kearsley.
Buy Link:
This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
International Buy Link
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About the Author:
Julia Ibbotson
Award-winning author Julia Ibbotson herself spent an exciting time in Ghana, West Africa, teaching and nursing (like Jess in her books), and always vowed to write about the country and its past. And so, the Drumbeats Trilogy was born.
She’s also fascinated by history, especially by the medieval world, and concepts of time travel, and has written haunting time-slips of romance and mystery partly set in the Anglo-Saxon period.
Julia studied English at Keele University, England, specialising in medieval language, literature and history, and has a PhD in linguistics. She wrote her first novel at age 10, but became a school teacher, then university lecturer and researcher. Her love of writing never left her and to date she’s written 9 books, with a 10th on the way.
She’s a member of the Romantic Novelists Association, Society of Authors and the Historical Novel Society.
Connect with Julia:
Website
Thank you so much, Cathie, for this lovely review of my book Drumbeats, the first in the Drumbeats Trilogy that follows Jess's story. Much appreciated, as always.
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