Dance of the Rainmakers by James Coeur (Matador) 4 stars

I requested this book because it is set on the western coastline in Wales.I found this book very interesting as i love books that deal with very controversial issue through a fictional story. It is classed as a general fiction but i would say its political / crime novel. I must thank Netgalley and Matador books for allowing me to read and review this book. All my reviews are my honest feelings.

Synopsis

After a decade of social injustice, of political chaos, and the aftermath of Covid-19, Britain has become a fragmented country. Something has to give and a Welsh seaside village on the edge of the nation, one of the forgotten places, is taking up the fight against those who are turning its once-thriving rural community into a hollow shell.

Dance of the Rainmakers is a novel in which the battle for a village is played out by the intertwined stories of three characters.

There’s Lloyd, the village policeman who is caught in the middle of the protest.

His nemesis, Meic, a charismatic young politician who is on a crusade supported by a seemingly bottomless supply of cash and a gang of thugs.

And then there’s Frankie, a London media figure who along with her frustrated partner Ruth, has moved to the village and brought the kind of unwelcome change that gives Meic his shot at nation-wide glory.

Recent years has been hard on the village: more holiday homes, fewer working opportunities for the young, and a primary school which is about to close. The community feels exploited, ignored and powerless so they take to the streets in protest. This small local demonstration becomes a national news-story as a tense stand-of emerges. Will Meic’s plans work? Will Lloyd face his fears and stop the violence? And just what are those rumours concerning Ruth?

My Review

Although this book is classed as a general fiction book I would be more likely to class it as political / crime novel. I found this novel very interested as i love controversial issues i like to see a well balanced argument and this is what the author did. The issue that this book looks at is the increasing amount of holiday homes in a small village in Wales. How there isn't enough houses for local people and that prices are driven up and beyond what the locals can afford. The author balances this story with the 3 main character each from a different walk of life. The book also deals with how some Welsh people still have a hatred of the English. This made the book a real page turner for me. It was fun having a love/hate relationship with the characters as they have strong personalities. I felt he did a very good portrayal of what life is like in small Welsh villages well they are exaggerated the hatred for the novel. It almost seems like a non-fiction book as its dealing with real issues. I picked this book because although I'm from England I feel like I belong in Wales and i adore the Welsh language. I also love to holiday around the area that this book seems to be based around. That created a special connection with this book.

I really recommend this book, it is well worth a read.

I would like to thank the author and his publishing team for this brilliant insightful and eye opening work of fiction. Many lessons are to be learnt by reading this book. so come on broaden them horizons and jump into this great book.