It's been ages since I shouted at characters as much as I did in this book. I twigged something quite early on and, when something was about to happen, I was screaming at them... Got me in all the feels that did! Phew... Honestly, that does make sense when you have read the book. In fact, I'm still not quite over it completely even days after finishing. I guess the characters in the book got to me a bit. So 10 year old Hannah lives with her deeply, strictly religious parents just outside the village the book is set in. Her school is just breaking up for summer holidays and she is looking forward to a few weeks off. Until her classmate, and friend, Ross gets sick, gets worse, and dies. Then another classmate gets sick, and another, and another, all dying quickly and nastily. Hannah is fine though, something her parents believe is more religious than any other reason. And religion is not to be taken lightly as the book is set near Belfast, during the Troubles. Hannah is a lovely character and the author has managed to get her young voice exactly right as to be both believable and endearing. I just wanted to scoop her up and tell her it'll all be OK. What she goes through in the book really did tug at my heartstrings. I'd love to explain further but spoilers prevent me from doing so but I will just hint at her connection to her classmates not all being physical. For a book with such a dark story - the death of children - it didn't feel overwhelming. There was just the right amount of well placed, relevant, and revenant humour to be found throughout the book. This kept it on an even keel and prevented it from getting too dark. I also really got on with the author's style of writing. Her voice, her language, her no nonsense attitude to no superfluous waffle or padding. As well as her sense of humour - a bit on the dark side on occasion. So much so that I now have a whole new bunch of books on my TBR from her back catalogue. I really need more spare time to read...

The Raptures by Jan Carson is a powerful and highly entertaining story of a clash of cultures in the midst of a small-town tragedy. The prospect of a number of children dying due to a mysterious affliction is a powerful premise to begin with even before we understand the unique backstory of each child. The tragedy is complicated by the difficult family relationships in this small town. The addition of a few layers of irony and humour results in a book that is a joy to read. Carson is a highly skilled storyteller using her unique style and devices along with a good dash of humour. This book is a winner!! I expect it will be read widely and enjoyed by readers for many years to come.

I remember my excitement at discovering a new, deeply original Northern Irish voice when I came across Jan Carson’s last novel, The Fire Starters (which I loved). I can’t deny I approached The Raptures with a degree of trepidation – a part of me was concerned I might be disappointed if this new one didn't measure up. I needn't have worried. The Raptures contains all the great stuff about Carson’s previous novel (memorable characters, a strong sense of place, intriguing use of magic realism, a blend of the tragic and the comic, alongside a nail-biting story), whilst simultaneously inviting the reader into a completely different setting – that of a rural Presbyterian community in 90s Northern Ireland. I've read quite a few books from this neck of the woods in recent years yet this type of community is not a part of Northern Irish culture I’ve often seen represented, let alone with such compassion and truthfulness. You might think ‘children dying of a mysterious illness at the time of the Troubles’ sounds a bit much, but do not let this dark premise put you off. The novel with its terrific cast of characters and Carson’s unique writing style will definitely put a smile on your face and leave you wishing it didn’t have to end. With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have not read a book before that has been quite as “close to home” as this one is, being based in the same North Antrim area I grew up in. The Raptures does a brilliantly subtle, accurate job of pulling back the curtain on Evangelical Protestant culture and all its quirks. The plot had me intrigued but hesitant( any plot with a mention of anything close to a pandemic I tend to avoid!) but I found myself really rooting for and identifying with the main character, Hannah throughout. She really is the hero of the whole story. I would highly recommend this novel to anybody!

Holy moly. This book. It just swanned through the door right at the death and looks set to nab a place on my best of the year… Our plot: When several children from the same village start succumbing to a mysterious illness, the quest to discover the cause has devastating and extraordinary consequences. That’s all I’m giving you. Because I didn’t have much more info going into this one, and it was worth it. Firstly, I wish I had Carson’s writing skills to articulate my feelings about this book. I simply couldn’t put it down. The concept, which should be upsetting and hard to read, is instead enthralling. Carson explores a rural community and the cultures clashing within that small community when forced to come together to try and save their children. The way she investigates the tension that comes with different religions and beliefs living side by side is just brilliant. And her ability to inject the “tougher” scenes with moments of humour, as a way to balance the dark, well, I was enraptured (no pun intended). And I haven’t even begun to discuss the important part that Northern Ireland obviously plays in this story. Set during the Troubles, while not directly linked to what was happening at the time, Carson is able to use this story to explore the complicated nature of people with different beliefs living beside each other and the difficulties these communities have in being able to accept one another. It’s a brilliant book that reminded me once more that I need to read more work by Northern Irish writers. It’s the second year in a row where a novel from a Northern Irish writer will be in my top reads of the year (Milkman by Anna Burns being one in 2020). Read this book. You won’t regret it.