Despite the resignation of David Laws, I have decided to go back to my tradition of book reviews over the weekend.  Others will have much to say on Mr Laws.  My only commment is that he clearly was in the wrong and had to resign.  However, it’s obviously not a good start for the Con-Dems to have the shortest serving  Cabinet Minister in living memory.

I have to say it’s very comforting to get back to reading after the general election and subsequent goings on.  The Life and Death of Charlie St Cloud is a charming little novel full of hope.  Set in New Englad, it’s about life, death and the inability to let go of the past.  Big subjects indeed, though dealt with in a very easy way.

It’s also an optimistic book.  In the end Charlie overcomes his fear and takes a risk, a real risk in impossible circumstances.  He comes through, as do the other characters. 

The book is well worth a read, if ony because novels unashamedly about hope are difficult to come by.