I was very excited to receive a proof copy of this book from Waterstones, mainly because I’d fallen in love with the cover(!). I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but Brian Kimberling’s debut novel was a pleasant surprise. Snapper is based on the author’s own experiences of working as a bird researcher in rural Indiana, and at times feels more like a memoir than a novel; there is no overarching plot line to speak of, and each chapter opens on a seemingly random anecdote taken from this period of protagonist Nathan Lochmueller’s life. They are neat little segments of Indiana life, at turns witty, warm and surprising, and for all his pointing out of his hometown’s flaws, there is an underlying bewitching charm that gets to work on the reader. Kimberling is skilled at deftly sketching the friends, family and Indiana locals that pop up in the course of the narrative. Nathan himself an endearing character - a slightly hapless overgrown student, hopelessly in love with the free-spirited Lola and owner of a beaten up and ailing van, the Gypsy Moth, painted with butterflies and naked mermaids. There is plenty of trivia interspersed with childhood memories and awkward episodes, so it never feels dry. It is also a paean to Indiana’s wildlife, as Nathan’s job is to record the dwindling numbers of birds, and this adds to the sense of nostalgia. Kimberling’s writing is warm, wry and wise, making Snapper a thoroughly absorbing and delightful read.