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A review by steph1rothwell
Cold Bath Street by A.J. Hartley
5.0
Cold Bath Street is a YA ghost story that is partly based on some of the myths and legends concerning Preston in Lancashire. The lead character, also called Preston dies suddenly near his home after a scout meeting in 1978. For the duration of the novel he is in a strange afterlife described as ‘merely dead’. Initially he can’t see or talk to anybody who is still alive or anybody who has moved on to ‘sincerely dead’.But after a period of time he trains himself to do this and uses his skill to help others who are like him get peace.
I found it a fascinating read, partly because it is local but also so because it is a brilliant story that I have never read anything like before. Preston’s determination to help others is his way of making up for his perceived failings when he was alive. I found this is a little upsetting at times, and struggle to say why, when all he was doing was good. There was one part, especially, when he did something that was personal to him and emphasised what a lovely person he was. I loved the way that the shyness and apprehension that was evident in his life diminished a lot when he died and was replaced by a gutsy determination to find answers and help others.
I hope that Cold Bath Street gets the recognition that it deserves. It will probably do well locally, I think it has had three print runs, and I hope it has many more.
I found it a fascinating read, partly because it is local but also so because it is a brilliant story that I have never read anything like before. Preston’s determination to help others is his way of making up for his perceived failings when he was alive. I found this is a little upsetting at times, and struggle to say why, when all he was doing was good. There was one part, especially, when he did something that was personal to him and emphasised what a lovely person he was. I loved the way that the shyness and apprehension that was evident in his life diminished a lot when he died and was replaced by a gutsy determination to find answers and help others.
I hope that Cold Bath Street gets the recognition that it deserves. It will probably do well locally, I think it has had three print runs, and I hope it has many more.