A Terrible Kindness is the debut novel by Jo Browning Wroe, published in 2022.
After realising the book was about the tragic events in Aberfan, I immediately wanted to read it. Aberfan is a small former coal-mining village in Wales where, on 21st October 1966, a colliery spoil tip collapsed into homes and a school, killing 116 children and 28 adults.
Since it was about one of the most tragic events in the 20th century, I knew this book would be an emotional read. I really hoped the author would do the victim’s memories justice.
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Plot
William is a young, newly qualified embalmer who answers the call for volunteers to travel to Aberfan to help those who have died. He’s not sure what to expect when he arrives but the devastation of the tragedy soon hits him when he arrives. As part of his role as an embalmer, he helps grieving parents identify the remains of their children. William is a kind and gentle soul and despite being advised to keep his heart hard, the things he sees leave a lasting impact.
The novel goes back in time to William’s youth and time spent in Cambridge as a chorister. We learn more about his family and friendships and his difficult childhood that shaped his life. We learn that William was already troubled, even before Aberfan, and we follow him as he struggles to come to terms with it all and tries to live a happy life.
A Terrible Kindness Book Review
The opening section about Aberfan was one of the most moving things I have ever read. I had tears rolling down my face and I couldn’t stop thinking about it, even when I wasn’t reading the book.
The sections after that, where we go back in time to William’s time as a chorister at Cambridge, lacked the same sort of emotional impact. However, I did really like the character of his friend Martin and the impact he had on William’s life.
The characters were well developed and realistic. William could be frustrating at times, especially with the way he treated Gloria and his mother, but you begin to understand why he makes the choices he does when you read more about his past.
I never thought I’d be particularly interested in reading about embalming but it was done in such a sensitive way, I actually found it really interesting.
It’s a tender and gentle story with real human tragedy as the backdrop. I think I would have preferred to read more about Aberfan, the aftermath and how the families coped, as that is what I thought the story would be about. But this was William’s story, one of family, love and forgiveness and I did enjoy it.
A deeply emotive and well-researched book that I would definitely recommend.
This book was featured as a Richard and Judy Book Club pick. Click here to find more books chosen for the Richard and Judy book club.
What should I read after A Terrible Kindness?
If you’re looking for another historical fiction book which is also based on true events and packs an emotional punch, I’d definitely recommend In Memoriam by Alice Winn. It’s simply brilliant.
You may also enjoy Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan. Although it’s a novella with less than pages, it still managed to leave a profound and lasting impact on me.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. For more information please see my disclosure policy.