JM Langan’s debut novel, *About Charlie*, is a raw and emotional exploration of love, loss, and the arduous path to healing. At its core is Emma, a young widow struggling to find her footing after the premature death of her husband, Charlie. Her grief is palpable, driving her toward self-destructive behaviours and creating a complex dynamic with Jason, Charlie’s best friend and her steadfast rock. Their bond is one of the novel’s central threads, rich with love, tension, and questions about the limits of friendship.
Emma is a frustrating character at times, her choices often difficult to understand or accept. Yet, as her story unfolds, Langan peels back the layers of her pain and vulnerability, allowing readers to see her humanity. By the end, I felt empathy for Emma and gained an understanding of why those around her, especially Jason, remain fiercely loyal and protective. She is a lovable character who has to learn to love herself.
Langan’s vivid portrayal of the 1990s nightclub scene is another highlight. The pulsating music, the chaotic energy, and the prevalence of recreational drugs are described with unflinching realism. Langan avoids moralizing, offering instead a realistic approach to why people turn to drugs to enhance their pleasure and how for some this is an occasional lift while for others it can lead down dark paths.
The novel also shines in its depiction of drug rehabilitation centres. Though I have no firsthand experience, Langan’s descriptions of the treatments, the struggles faced by patients, and the dedication of the staff felt authentic and balanced. The narrative doesn’t shy away from the challenges of recovery, providing a nuanced exploration of its emotional toll and incremental triumphs.
Langan’s prose is lyrical yet grounded, weaving an intricate tapestry of heartbreak and hope. *About Charlie* is a deeply human story that tackles addiction, grief, and resilience with honesty and sensitivity.
I have read some of JM Langan's short stories before and have always been with her writing but this, her debut novel, is her best work yet.
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Top reviews from other countries
- happygirl 68Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 19, 2025
Raw, relatable and beautifully written
