The Modern Order. "Full Fathom Five" by Kate Humphrey and "The Rose Leopard" by Richard Yaxley. [review]

Abstract

Richard Yaxley examines the nature of relationships, family and grief in his first novel, "The Rose Leopard". Father, writer, self-confessed 'groin-driven' lover, Vincent is the dreamer; Kaz his muse and the preserver of their family. After meeting at university, they have forged a powerful partnership against those who don’t understand their shared bond of a love for stories and words. "Full Fathom Five" is a surprising combination of family drama, murder mystery and love story. Lyrical and exhilarating, Humphrey excels in descriptions of both Gus’s and Sara’s paintings, evoking their art with such detail that it is startling to realise it is fictional. Sara’s journey is striking as she faces her fears and moves on; she is a heroine of the modern order.