Customer Reviews

Beyond This Place

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After reading Cronin's The Citadel, I had this excellent author in mind. I came across 'Beyond This Place' by chance, it was a very old edition (40'). Reading this book was a refreshing experience. It has all the ingredients of an up to date bestseller: crooked law system, innocent man in prison, a one man fight against the establishment, unfulfilled love etc. I couldn't leave the book off until finished. I wish it would be reprinted as well as dramatized for Television. The only thing the book doesn't have is Sex, but if you have a good wife, who needs it in theory anyway...

An older friend of mine leant me this book...she has owned it since it's publication date in the 1950s, and it's been one of her favorites. Indeed it was quite a captivating novel. A tad bit 'weak' at the outset, but as the story moved along, the plot thickened - and it evolved into a real page-turner.

A young man learns the story behind his father whom he was told had died long ago. Through his own investigations, the son finds that his father was wrongly convicted of a brutal murder 16 years earlier due to a miscarriage of justice, and was sentenced to life in prison. The son learns the father is still in prison and has already served 15 years of his life sentence. After learning the facts, the son strives to clear his father's name. He eventually exposes a cover up by the police and the political system, which sought to frame his father for the horrible crime. I won't spoil the ending for you, but suffice it to say it was relatively a satisfying one.

I must admit there were some occurrences in the novel which seemed a bit dubious, however, nothing overtly outlandish took place that drew attention away from the story line. I would've liked a bit more characterization of some of the secondary characters - you don't learn too much about the way their minds work. You're also left wondering about the fate of some of the characters. For example, the boy's mother - who received almost ALL the focus at the outset, seemed to 'disappear' near the ending of the book.

However, I must say, overall it was well written in my opinion. This book was not heavy reading - it's one you're able to finish in a couple days...a good "weekend novel."

Beyond this Place, has started my husband reading for the first time, he is now a book worm, where as he had never read a book in his life.The story of a man going to such lengths to seek freedom for a father he hadn't seen for fifteen years. Great Stuff!

I just finished reading Beyond This Place and can highly recommend it. I have read several of Cronin's other books and knew of the quality of his writing. I would rank this book, although relatively unheralded, right up there with the best of Cronin's writing. It is essentially a mystery novel, with many plot twists, and it is hard to put down. It also contains some great descriptions of city life in England during the 1930's and some very interesting and well drawn characters. It also reminds us of some important lessons along the way, including love, fortitude, forgiveness, the importance of freedom of speech and the rights to all of a fair trial. This would make a great BBC mystery production. If you want a great read, try Beyond This Place.