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I want to be wooed. I want to be courted. I want to be seduced. I want the magical tension that is there at the start of a relationship.
Andrew Critchley, The Author of DUBLIN IN THE RAIN
DUBLIN IN THE RAIN
Love, Loss, Passion, Tragedy, Redemption.
After a traumatic childhood where he is abandoned by his mother and his father commits suicide, Jonathan Melton finds loving adopted parents.
As a young man, through a passion for English literature, he finds love with the gorgeous Sophia. Her free spirit brings happiness to Jonathan’s life that he could have scarcely imagined.
Everything is seemingly perfect as they marry and have a daughter.
But tragedy changes everything.
The baby dies unexpectedly and Jonathan is unable to cope. Distraught, his marriage to Sophia disintegrates and Jonathan hits rock bottom.
Saved from repeating his father’s suicide, a chance meeting in a Dublin bar will give Jonathan new hope.
Inspired by the enigmatic Maolíosa, a series of serendipitous events will see Jonathan face new trials on his journey through life.
Trials that lead him to reconciliation, forgiveness and ultimately true love, as the magic of the Emerald Isle helps him unravel the mysteries of his life and find redemption.
From the first to the last page, I was literally absorbed by the story; almost living it
There are books that follow us and stay in a small corner of our head. Of those books that bring a smile on your face every time you look back. Dublin in the rain is definitely one of them.
A book is always a promise. A promise to travel, to dream, to learn…For a moment in time to live a life that is not yours. From the first to the last page, I was literally absorbed by the story; almost living it.
The book took me from familiar places like hometown Paris and “le Vieux-Nice” to the forgotten green lawns of the Trinity College in Dublin. It also reminded me those wonderful teenage summers in England in the mid-eighties. The book was a travel in time that made me feel twenty again! At the time of the starting loves…
But most of all, the book was a travel with and within the characters; in their lives, in their joys and in their pains. In their evolution as life goes by and sometimes hurts deeply; witnessing how they overcome difficulties and their own barriers to bring out the best. Like a mirror of our own life. The characters outlined by the writer are endearing, sometimes disarming, each with their own quirks. My favourite one is Sophia, a masterpiece of a woman. Lovely, irresistible, puckish and sexy Sophia.
Opening the book was like opening the door to a parallel world, sometimes feeling shameless of looking through the keyhole of doors that usually remain close. Not only bedroom doors, but also the doors that hide our intimate cracks.
But most of all it has an inner integrity that gives it an individual feel and the blend of self loathing, excess and redemption works surprisingly well.
Dublin in the Rain is a brilliant Russian dolls story. The book is about goodwill and hope, with a lovable touch of idealism. It brings something fresh and positive. Like a smile on a face….
– Ariane, Amazon reviewer
This book is miles away from the mass produced fiction currently churned out by the publishing industry
I liked this book for several reasons but perhaps the most important was the original voice of the narrator.
Unlike so many books that follow a prescribed and sanitised narrative to stay within the mainstream of what is currently considered as fashionable this one gives a ‘warts and all’ picture of the main character and is quite explicit in places.
The theme of the book is redemption and without a flawed and believable protagonist the redemptive climax would fall flat.
‘Dublin in the Rain’ is also a page turner and despite a length of 370 pages I consumed it in a couple of sittings. The book has several hooks that drive it including a rich literary hinterland and a ghost story that works very well.
This latter aspect is something that is difficult to pull off but here is developed with skill and a subtle touch.
If you have been hurt in a love affair, felt regret but hoped to be better, then ,like all real people, this book is for you.
But most of all it has an inner integrity that gives it an individual feel and the blend of self loathing, excess and redemption works surprisingly well.
This book is miles away from the mass produced fiction currently churned out by the publishing industry and I look forward to the next installment which I will buy without hesitation.
– Nicolas Milne, Amazon reviewer
When I finally put the pieces together, I was yelling OH MY GOD!
This book revolves the life of Jonathan Melton. We are taken through the ups and massives downs of a torn individual. As his life spirals out of control, we see that this man has no clue what he is missing out on in life. For every step forward, you see him take one to two steps back. It takes an accident for Jonathan to realize that if he wants to move on with life, he needs to seize life by the reigns and control what is out of control. (I can’t really tell you much other than this, I will ruin a perfectly good book for y’all!)
There has only been a small handfull of books that have made me actually gasp out loud. I was actually grabbing my chest and just saying, OH MY GOD!, over and over again. This book had made this woman who rarely cries, cry at least three times. When I finally put the pieces together, I was yelling OH MY GOD!
I don’t know what provoked Mr. Critchley to write this story. If this was a biographical story, then I want to say, “you have lived and loved some remarkable people.” If this is a product of imagination, then I want to say, “I want to live in your head!” No matter what, this was one of the most touching stories I have read in a very long time.
I personally related with Jonathan in so many ways. The way he dealth with his father and mother was like looking in a mirror. Then there is the love of his life and how he struggles with dealing with some harsh realities. I personally have been in these shoes and know how hard it is…he handled them almost the same way I did. The friendships that Jonathan formed over his life are exactly the same as the friends in my life…the most wonderful and loving people I could know.
In conclusion, this was such a remarkable story of a man trying find himself in life. It’s such a gripping story that you can’t put it down. You will find yourself celebrating along with Jonathan at times. Then at times, you will want to just reach out and slap some sense into this stubborn man. I’m not a mushy story kinda gal, but I will tell you this…I was turned to mush by this book. Exceptional story!
– Christie, Goodreads reviewer
I believe that this will strike a chord with each and every reader who has the privilege of reading it
Wow . . . Dublin in the Rain, left me stunned—in the most positive sense and is an interesting tale. One in which I can honestly say, that i have never read anything quite like this before as it held me truly captivated from page one.
Critchley has created a captivating and beautifully constructed story line, that is both moving and emotionally charged. The book follows the heart felt touching journey of Jonathan Paul Melton (J.P) moving through life, from boyhood to manhood, experiencing its many highs, but also its heartbreaking lows.
I don’t know what provoked Mr. Critchley to write this story. If this was a biographical story, then I want to say, “you have lived and loved some remarkable people.” If this is a product of imagination, then I want to say, “I want to live in your head!” No matter what, this was one of the most touching stories I have read in a very long time.
It’s also quite humourous in places, and i just couldn’t stop laughing at faggot racing on the beach (i won’t spoil it by saying what it consists of). Critchley has created such well developed chracters for this book, and has interlinked them all in perfect unison, in such a way that there are no un-answered questions that the reader if left pondering over, when they finish the novel.
Truly, a beautifully executed and eloquently written novel, that I look forward with both glee and anticipation, to reading the second and third installments in this triology from Critchley.
I believe that this will strike a chord with each and every reader who has the privilege of reading it. A very highly recommendable novel from me, and i quote a must read.
– Kate, Goodreads reviewer
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The only thing that really matters in life is to love and be loved.
Andrew Critchley, The Author of DUBLIN IN THE RAIN
About The Author
Andrew Critchley
Encouraged by friends and work colleagues, Andrew took early retirement in 2012 to fulfil his life-long ambition of becoming a writer.
Andrew’s first book, ‘Dublin in the Rain’, was released in November 2013. It is a magical, mystical and romantic story around love and loss as the central character experiences an annus mirabilis that brings him redemption.
Sadly, personal family issues necessitated a sabbatical period for much of 2014 and 2015. Following the global success of ‘Dublin in the Rain’ during this period, a revised Second Edition and accompanying Audiobook will be released in 2016 – along with new Publishing deals in place around the eBook version.
About The Author
Andrew Critchley
Encouraged by friends and work colleagues, Andrew took early retirement in 2012 to fulfil his life-long ambition of becoming a writer.
Andrew’s first book, ‘Dublin in the Rain’, was released in November 2013. It is a magical, mystical and romantic story around love and loss as the central character experiences an annus mirabilis that brings him redemption.
Sadly, personal family issues necessitated a sabbatical period for much of 2014 and 2015. Following the global success of ‘Dublin in the Rain’ during this period, a revised Second Edition and accompanying Audiobook will be released in 2016 – along with new Publishing deals in place around the eBook version.
