Fallout by Lesley Parr

July 2024

When I spotted Fallout on NetGalleyUK, I knew I needed to request it (despite my teetering TBR pile). It demanded to be read immediately, leaping past the rest of my current reads. I’m not sure how I feel about my childhood being the setting for historical fiction but this 1980s Cold War Welsh story is just perfect. The music, food, trends and everday teen life of 1980 in the village of Pentre smothers the pages in comfort and reality despite the hardships of the story.

Marcus is a Pritchard. That means he comes from a bad family of thieves and cheats who are always looking for the next job, scam or scheme to make some fast cash. Everyone in their village knows who they are and looks down on them in disgust. Marcus figures he may as well live up to their reputation making a string of poor choices.

With one older brother at Borstol and the other so abusive Marcus lives in fear of being beat up, there’s no happiness at home. His parents expect him to be a part of the family business no matter how much it puts him at risk (or whether he wants to join in or not). A fall out with his best friend, Jezza, is the final straw, leaving Marcus feeling very alone.

Things start to change when he meets two people who want to see the good in him rather than assuming the worst. First, his elderly neighbour invites Marcus to help him with some work in his garden. Not used to being wanted, Marcus doesn’t trust Mick’s kindness and can’t understand why he would say, “Good boy, you are. No matter what anyone says.” Then he meets Emma – a brave “floppy fringe girl” who attends ban the bomb rallies and always speaks her mind. She challenges him to discover who he really is – not the legacy his family has created for him. Mick and Emma are the first people to actually care about Marcus and listen to his story.

Gradually, Marcus finds himself doing good deeds inspite of himself. As he starts to see himself through Mick and Emma’s eyes, he realises there is good inside. Not used to kindness, he has to learn how to respond and make something of himself.

When tragedy strikes, fingers point at the Pritchard family. Maybe there isn’t hope for him afterall. Will he end up in Borstol with his brother or can he break the cycle and change his path? This is his chance to prove he’s good and see himself in a new light.

The backdrop of the Cold War and fear of nuclear bombs is eye-opening. Both Mick and Emma feel very strongly about the possibility of an attack. Mick focuses on preparation while Emma is sure prevention is the best way forward. Mick’s elaborate nuclear bunker shows just how far people would go to create a safe space for themselves when they don’t trust the authorities to protect them. Emma teaches Marcus that peace and protest are powerful weapons in making yourself heard.

Fallout is a raw, honest story of family dynamics and finding your own way. It is a reminder that we all have choices about the future but it takes real courage to be true to ourselves and turn away from those who seek to hurt us. The power of kindness shines through Emma, Mick and eventually Marcus as he learns what it feels like to be loved. Readers will be challenged to think twice before making assumptions about someone based on their family and to give everyone a second chance.

Lesley Parr’s characterisation is what makes this story so special. Through first person perspective, Marcus comes to life. He is as real as any child you could ever meet. So very likeable, readers can’t help but want the best for him and to help him find some way to escape his family. Equally, Marcus’s parents and his brother Gavin are distinctly unlikable. Their treatment of Marcus is sickening and creates a clear picture of the life in which he’s trapped. Mick is incredibly wise. His experience of war brings depth to his character which is revealed more and more each time he comes alongside Marcus. Even though they’ve only just gotten to know each other, Mick is more like family than anyone else. Emma is feisty. She believes in her own power to make a difference in the world. She is the strength Marcus needs to find that power for himself.

Thank you to Bloomsbury for an early read of this outstanding book!

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