Isaac and The Egg

Today it’s my stop on the blog tour for a book which is like nothing else I have ever read. Isaac and the Egg is a tale of grief and recovery. Of love and friendship. Of life and loss. It’s hard to believe this is Bobby Palmer’s first novel. It’s easy to read, like The Rosie Project or The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. Every chapter left me wanting more. I couldn’t put it down.

The book starts with a description of Isaac, who is not in a good place, and his discovery of Egg. From the moment they met, I was completely hooked. I didn’t predict how the story would conclude because it’s so creative. If you like linear, predictable books, this one won’t be for you. If you don’t like vagueness and uncertainty, it’s probably not going to float your boat. However, if you are prepared to put real life to one side and soak up the imagery, ideas and emotion in Bobby’s writing, you will love it. It’s a book you should discover for yourself, so I am loathe to write too much here.

So what can I tell you? I loved Egg. He is fun, endearing and unique. I cared about what happened to Isaac, even when his character was hard to like. I enjoyed Bobby’s exploration of loss and grief. Isaac was way below rock bottom, and that comes through in spades. Because of this, it is not easy to read in parts but stick with it and I promise you will be rewarded.

This blog is written by Hannah Powell, book blogger, author and director of two garden centres. Her award-winning memoir, The Cactus Surgeon, compares her days in the concrete of London, leading to burnout, with her nature-rich upbringing in rural Essex. It’s a nature and health memoir full of mindful moments.